“So you up to going back to the cabin tonight to hang out with the girls? Genevieve invited both of us. Seems like you and Lana were getting pretty acquainted last night?”
“Yeah, that Lana girl is pretty freaky, I like her. I’m down,” he says.
“Good, bring your swim shorts and be ready in an hour,” I tell him and then I take my last bite.
I stick my plate in the sink, hearing the glass clank, and just watch him give me the biggest smirk. I honestly don’t even want to know why.
I hop in the shower, letting the scalding water peel away the chill.
It’s my first quiet moment today—and of course, my brain drifts straight to Genevieve. Her hair's so lucious. I wonder what shampoo she uses. Something with coconuts. She smelt like coconuts last night and I know because I took a big whiff of her anytime she was near.
I tilt my head back, letting my hair get wet so I can wash it with my 3 in 1. I massage the suds into my scalp, letting the dirt from my hair rinse out.
Her hair is long and blonde and falls down to her belly button in the softest waves. Her hair looks like it doesn’t have a single knot in it. She must brush it almost hourly. Today when she came it looked freshly brushed and she had a hat on. Her hair looks good in any style… but nothing beats when it’s twisted around my fingers—her hair tangled up in my fists, her lips on mine, like I’m the only thing she sees.
I rinse the soap out and lean into the tile, forehead pressed to the wall. What the hell am I doing? This started as a casual hookup—she was supposed to be a good story, not a full-on distraction. Andyet here I am, thinking about her laugh, the way she took that fall without crying, how she looked at me like I was the only guy in the world who saw her for real. It’s not just about getting laid anymore. That’s the scariest part.
I wash my body and step out of the tub. I give myself a quick dry so Derek can shower if he wants to and head to my room to get dressed.
Swim trunks in hand, my stomach's tight. The same way it gets right before I hit a new jump. That mix of adrenaline and straight-up fear. I don’t know what tonight holds exactly, but I do know one thing—
If Genevieve wants me there, I’m showing up.
13
Genevieve
"The boys are here!" I call out to Lana as a knock echoes through the house. I swing the door open, standing there in nothing but my swimsuit and socks. Today, I chose a white swimsuit, hoping to catch Aspen's eye—and judging by the look on his face, I'd say I succeeded.
“Hey guys, thanks for showing up,” I tell them and they just stare at me, mouths both hanging open.
“Uhh, guys?” I plead.
“Hey, sorry we’re late–” Aspen swallows. I watch his adam's apple bob. “Traffic.”
“All okay here! Come on in! Lana’s waiting in the hot tub Derek,” I say looking at him and adding a wink. All okay here? Why am I talking like an old time TV show wife from the 80’s? The site of Aspen gives me brain fog.
Derek blushes. “Let me change first,” he says pointing at the bathroom.
He heads in and locks the door behind him, leaving Aspen and I alone for a quick moment.
“I’m glad you came,” I tell him.
“So am I,” he says smiling.
We stand in silence for a total of five seconds before Derek makes his way out of the bathroom. I think he’s eager to see Lana because that man changed fast.
“I’ll meet you guys in the hot tub,” he says, placing his clothes down on the couch.
“I gotta change too,” Aspen says.
“Okay! I’ll wait for you out here!”
He does the same as Derek and heads into the bathroom, locking himself in. If he’s anything like Derek, I don’t have much time. But I rush to the closest mirror and fix my boobs. I make sure they’re in the perfect position in my top and then I make sure I don’t have anything in my teeth, even though I haven’t eaten since I last checked them five minutes before they entered. Once I move back to where I was, Aspen comes out, changed and good lord. He is as sexy as I remember. His six pack should be illegal. I didn’t even think men had six packs in real life. All the men I’ve been with should have a six pack, considering they’re athletes, but no. They never had one. Aspen’s is the first I’ve seen. I am at a loss for words.
“Ready?” He asks. I’m not sure if I am. I need a second, I don’t want him to see how mesmerised I am by him. He can’t know that.
I settle for a, “Ready.”
