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“It’s either the pool, or I cover you in food. Your choice,” Michael said.
I grinned. “I mean, my answer might be different if you were--”
“You can stop that statement right now,” Allison said quickly.
I threw my head back with laughter as Michael started picking up the food on the floor.
“Fine, fine. I’ll go to the pool. Under one condition.”
Allison nodded. “Name it.”
“I get to play on my phone without Michael ripping it away from me.”
He stood up from the floor. “Stop bombarding Clint’s phone with shit and I don’t care what you do with it.”
I smiled. “All right, deal.”
We all got ready and headed down to the pool. But I didn’t feel much like getting in. I was too anxious, and my eyes kept watching the gate. I lounged around on one of the pool chairs in the shade, trying to block out Allison and Michael’s obnoxious flirting. He tossed her around in the water before swimming to her. He’d capture her lips before she wiggled away. At one point in time, he trapped her at the corner of the pool. His hands were on either side of her, their gazes connected. I looked down at my phone, trying to distract myself. I pulled up the texts I’d sent to Clint and forced myself not to send him another one.
I wanted to so badly, though.
My two best friends giggled and laughed like there was no tomorrow. And as I watched them, a longing tug in my gut surfaced. I wanted Clint to be with me. Next to me. Pulling me into the pool or resting his hand against my thigh. Anything, just to show me he was here. I mean, I didn’t deserve it. I didn’t deserve his presence right now. But it didn’t stop me from wanting it.
It didn’t stop me from wanting to apologize and make things up to him.
I looked down at my phone and scrolled through my contacts. I came across Clint’s number and hovered my finger over it. I peeked up at Michael and Allison, watching as they sucked face. I mean, that boy had his tongue all the way down her throat. And she looked to be enjoying herself.
Way to go, Allison.
I licked my lips and looked back down at my phone. It would be nothing to press his number and listen to see if he picked up. But I’d made my friends a promise. I told them that I wouldn't call him. I mean, what kind of friend would I be if I couldn't keep a single promise like that? Especially after last night.
But this was Clint.
And the anxiety forced me over the edge.
I pressed his number and forced the guilt away. I’d deal with their anger later. I closed my eyes and listened to the phone ringing through the receiver as Allison giggled in the background. A massive splash happened, muting the sounds of my phone. And as panic filled my veins, I held the phone to my ear.
“Clint, you there?”
The sounds of the water died down and I heard his phone still ringing. Still unanswered. It would shoot me to voicemail any second. I put the phone back down in my lap as tears rushed my eyes. I heard the smacking of my best friend’s lips as they made out, essentially in front of me. I pulled up my text messages to Clint again, standing up as my fingers flew across the screen.
“Rae, what are you doing?” Michael asked.
But I wasn’t paying attention.
Me: I’m sorry. For everything. If you still want to talk, I’ll be in the room. I really hope you’re okay. Please be okay, Clint.
Allison cleared her throat. “Rae?”
I picked up my things. “I’m going back up to the room to wait for Clint. I can’t do this any--”
The sound of Clint’s text messages dinged in the distance. The familiar trilling sound pulled my eyes upright as I gazed over at the fence. And standing there, with his stare heavily on me, was Clint.
Watching from the sidelines.
“Clint,” I whispered.
My knees went weak as he opened the pool gate. He walked toward me, his stare never wavering from mine. I felt tears of relief well up behind my eyes. My hands trembled as my phone threatened to fall to the concrete. I felt Michael and Allison watching us as Clint approached and stood in front of me. He gazed down upon me, blocking the sunlight from my face.
