“Talk about old-fashioned.”
“Very.” Reeve exhales a rough breath. “Sorry you had to hear all that.”
“Eh, it holds no weight until proven.”
“I can assure you that won’t happen.”
“That’s for me to decide.”
“Good thing you’re stuck here for a while.”
“Very true. There’s no means of escape.” I can’t stop a choppy laugh from puffing out.
“So, the lake,” he reminds.
I nod. “Ah, yes. How easily we get derailed.”
“Are you in?”
I have nothing to consider after the ease of our conversation. “I’ll absolutely be there. Just tell me where and when.”
I blindly reach for another Coors from the cooler parked beside me. The melting pool of ice reminds me how long I’ve been sitting in my chair. Peeling my ass off this seat is probably best, but more beer comes first.
A bubbling hiss carries across the quiet beach as I twist off the cap. The refreshing bite of frosty brew hits my tongue, and I don’t bother suppressing my groan. That’s damn good shit. Cheap too.
Beyond earshot, a handful of my friends dip and dive in the cool water. The glare off the water’s surface would be blinding without the shelter of my hat. More importantly, that glittering haven offers a shady reprieve from the extreme humidity beating down on us. But the promise of relief doesn’t hold my attention. My eyes stray to the empty road again.
Bumbling footsteps create a commotion to my left. I barely notice until Gavin claps my shoulder far harder than necessary. “She’ll never appear if you don’t quit watching the trail.”
I tip the bottle to my lips, savoring a long swig. “I don’t know what you mean. I’m just enjoying the scenery.”
He snorts. “Yeah, okay. Keep watching your pot to see if it boils. Let me know how it goes.”
A dull prickle surfaces from the base of my neck. “Did you need something? Or are you just trying to fuck with me?”
His whistle is a sharp jab. “Damn, brother. She’s getting to you. Tell me again why you pigeonholed yourself?”
“Because I’m not a shallow dick.”
“Are we sure you still have one?”
“Yes,” I bite.
“Need me to check?”
I shove him off me. “Wouldn’t want to make you feel less than adequate, buddy.”
“Oh, burn. Someone is feisty. Your lady friend better make an appearance so she can soothe the ache.”
I pick at the edge of my beer’s label. “I doubt she’ll even show up after Dottie’s influence.”
Gavin waves away my concern. “That old bird squawks nonsense. Audria can see through it.”
“We’ll find out.” I glare into the distance. Am I being a sour pile of piss? Damn straight.
“She responded to your texts, right?”
“Because that’s a guarantee for jack shit.” I roll my eyes in his general direction.
“You’re the master at that move.” He chuckles.
“And you’re not helping.”
“How about your other wingmen? Duncan and James wanna know what’s crawled up your ass. I’m thinking it’s the sand lodged in your vagina. Or should I tell them it’s female trouble?”
“I’m fine, fuck you very much. Just let me finish this, and I’ll come swim.” I roll the Coors between my palms.
“Maybe you should just sleep with her once and get it over with.”
“Not gonna happen.”
“And why not?”
I spew a string of curses to the sky. “We agreed to no sex. As if you need a reminder.”
Gavin grunts. “That was really stupid on your part.”
Does it make me a hypocrite that I’m ready to agree with him? It’s only been a month since I secured my place in the friend zone with Audria. We went three weeks without crossing paths. A miracle in a town the size of Bam. That slight separation eased the fire she stokes in my veins. I almost convinced myself that her shiny appeal had worn off. That was another foolish mistake.
The dress she wore to Whomp last weekend was enough to send my libido into overdrive. Between the flowy material and short hem, that garment was stitched to bring me to my knees. I’m beginning to see the error in my ways by suggesting we never take things further. How am I expected to resist her? More importantly, why the hell do I care so much about this chick? I probably shouldn’t have invited her to begin with. This unhealthy attachment to my so-called friend is already building into a problem.
As if my incessant obsessing conjures her, a blue coupe pulls into the lot. Familiar blond waves and banging curves unfold from the driver’s side. The tension seeps out of me faster than a leaky inner tube.
A burst of laughter pops the daze holding me captive. “Fuck, you have it so bad.”
I scowl at Gavin. “Just friends.”
“My ass.” He releases another hoot. “Pretend like I’ve known you my entire life and try again.”
He doesn’t deserve a response. Instead, I set my sights on more appetizing options. Audria struts our way with a megawatt smile firmly in place. Her hips sway to a silent beat that matches the erratic rhythm of my pulse. A pitiful excuse for a dress clings to her slender figure. The white cover-up does little to disguise a hot-pink bikini waiting to be revealed. Sandals that resemble stilts accentuate the long pillars of her toned legs. Does she choose these outfits solely to torture me? I chomp on my clenching fist at the onslaught of steam hissing under my skin. Frothy drool most likely drips from my lips.
I stand to greet Audria, preparing a smirk she’ll recognize as cocky confidence. Knots in my gut be damned. I can fake being unaffected with the best of them.
“Dude, put a lid on your emotions. They’re spilling all over your sleeves.”
I stare down at my bare chest. “I’m not wearing a shirt.”
He smacks my pec, the sting making me wince. “Don’t be so literal.”
“You’re the dumbass tossing around clichés.”
“I prefer you easygoing. How many beers are left in that cooler?”
“Getting drunk isn’t
