I reluctantly leaned back on the lounger and nibbled on a chip. One turned into a handful, then half the bag, until I was mindlessly shoveling them into my mouth. Serina smirked in triumph, rising from the lounger to adjust the ties of her gold bikini.
“How was your date?” I asked. I’d been so consumed in the endless loop of vengeful thoughts since learning about my father that I’d forgotten to ask her about the night before. Inwardly, I scolded myself for allowing my own bullshit to dampen my friend’s happiness.
Serina’s cheeks shimmered, a deep blush surfacing.
“Oh. Um.That,” she stuttered and dropped to the cushion again. My focus strayed to Ollie laughing at Jack shot gunning a beer.He’s fine. I forced my attention back on Serina.
“It certainly seemed like it went well,” I mused.
If she blushed any harder, she would’ve transformed into a tomato.
Leaning forward conspiratorially, “You have to promise not to tell Miranda.”
“You act like her and I are buddies.” She rolled her eyes. I chomped on another chip. “My lips are sealed. Now spill.”
She sucked in a breath and squeezed her eyes shut.
“We fucked,” she admitted and covered her face. “Oh god, Courtney. I’m in deep shit.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. She spread her fingers to look at me through them like a little girl caught stealing candy.
“I was already falling way too fast for that idiot and then he had to go and blow my goddamn mind in bed,” she whined, dropping her arms.
For a minute, we stared at each other.
I tried to maintain a straight face.
I failed.
We burst at the same time into the kind of laughter that had me wheezing and tears squeezing out the corners of my eyes. As she continued recounting her night, sending me into cramping fits, the tight grip of paranoia started to loosen. Maybe it was the drugs after all.
48
Ollie
WhydidIagreeto a jello shot after an edible? It must have been made with Everclear, because I wasobliterated.
Lukewarm pool water lapped at my waist as I whipped my hair out of my blurry eyes. Music pounded from the portable speakers, thumping to the beat of my pulse as I waded to the edge of the pool. I rested my arms on the scalding pavers and openly admired the vision in a skimpy lilac bikini.
Courtney and Serina sat on a lounger, snacking and laughing while the rest of the party raged around them. I pushed out of the water, my board shorts suctioned to my skin. Dripping with every step, I approached them; Courtney’s burning gaze roamed my body.
I brushed my knuckle over her sun-warmed shoulder.
“Swim with me.”
She glanced at Serina who shrugged.
“I should probably tell M about my date with her twin.”
“Good luck with that,” Courtney giggled, her white blond hair rippling like sand in the wind. I threaded my fingers through the silky strands to get her attention.
“Swim,” I repeated.
She hesitated.
I wasn’t having it.
A flash of my eyes, a slight tug and she was on her feet. I ducked my shoulder into her waist, hoisting her over-
