Calypso was worried about her brothers hating me, which is fair. It was a possibility, but there’s no fucking way I could be worse than Stefan in their eyes. What she really should have been worried about was what happens if her brotherslikeme.
It’ll be way harder to get away from me now.
Chapter Eleven
Calypso
I watch Stella until she’s out of the water before turning back to Blake.
My siblings and I grew up just as close to Blake as we did to Grady. When Grady and Vivi’s friendship fell apart in high school, our families slowly stopped spending as much time together as a group. Our parents stayed close, and neutral, throughout the years. Unfortunately, Blake got the short end of that, though.
She’s the youngest of us, and I’m six years older than her. The age gap caused a greater distance to her than it did Grady, who is only three years younger than me. He stayed close to the twins despite Vivi, at least until college.
He’s found his way home now.
Since he and Vivi have rekindled, we’ve all bonded with Blake again. Six years feels a lot less significant in a friendship now than it did at eighteen.
Sometimes thoughts like that roil my stomach, making me think about Stefan. I can’t even begin to imagine what he saw in me at sixteen.
Mentally, I shake out of the oily memories and focus on Blake again. In the last year, I’ve made each of herkids’ birthday cakes and we’re brainstorming ideas for her youngest’s party.
A heavy force hits me from behind, and I brace myself to fall in the water.
It doesn’t come—at least not immediately.
I’m swept up in the air, my entire body going horizontal as Liam carries us deeper into the water.
Trying to orient myself, I grab around his neck and waist. “Oh my God, what are you do—”
My words are cut off when he carries us straight into a wave, letting it roll over us.
The thrashing, heavy weight of a wave breaking over me has always been one of my favorite sensations, so I stay calm despite my surprise. I never cared to learn how to stay standing on a surfboard when being in the water is so much better.
The loud crashing of the waves is dulled down to a low, deep rumble as our bodies tangle together like the seaweed around our ankles. Liam’s hands stay on my waist, making sure I never stray far. A few waves move over us, back to back, and neither of us rush to come up for air. We move back to shore with the tides and under the privacy of the dark ocean.
His hands slide from my waist down to my ass and thighs, guiding my legs around him and I pull our chests together. It feels natural, like it did three months ago under the soft cotton sheets.
After a few more seconds, I tap his shoulder and he instantly pushes off the shallow floor and we both gasp when we surface.
Liam doesn’t let go of me, carrying me back to shore. With my back to everyone, I can pretend for a second that it’s just us—that this isn’t a show.
“What the fuck?” I playfully accuse and push hair out of my face. “Why did you do that?”
With a boyish grin, he admits, “Your brothers dared me—it was their form of an initiation, I think.”
I’m not sure how to feel about that, but the bubble around us pops. I’m instantly more aware of the audience behind me.
When he’s about knee deep, he stops but doesn’t drop me yet. We look down at each other, and his eyes are so bright this close. The orange haze of the sunset dances across his blue irises, adding a warmth that complements the affection radiating off of him.
I brush my hand through his hair, wiping the water off his forehead with the movement. “My brothers have never put a man through any sort of ‘initiation,’” I argue quietly.
He shrugs and I bounce in his arms with the motion. “I guess I’m their favorite, then—which is good news if I’m hoping to keep you around.”
For a few monthsrings through my head.
A large wave hits us, coming up to my thighs and Liam’s waist. It almost knocks him down and his eyes go wide in shock. He stays steady, holding me above water and never letting us drown. I throw my head back laughing, feeling like a giddy kid at the beach again.
When we turn back toward the shore, some of that pleasure fades, but not all of it. It’s impossible when Liam’s so quick with another tease or joke, always ready to ping-pong banter until I’m smiling again.
