In the mirror now, we look nothing like those kids in costume. We look like an incredibly hot, goth couple hired specifically by my mum to model her new line that’s set to launch next week. Ithink to snap a pic because, looking at us, Ithink we’d sell out the whole damn collection.
“I’m fucking daft, aren’t I?”
He pulls me into him, and heat curls down my spine. Jett tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “I think you’re bloody brilliant, Baby. You just don’t always see what’s standing right in front of you.”
Now Ican see,allIcan see are those pouty lips, and my pulse is off to the races.
“You mean … you?”
“Eight years of me standing in front of you, yeah, waiting to be seen. Although Ithink maybe today—”
The pool house door swings open, and Lola gasps. “Holy shitting hell! Look at you two!”
Chapter 9
Maddy
We jump back, putting a solid foot of space between us. Thankfully, Lola seems focused on our attire and not on how insanely close we just were.
My sister yanks her phone from her lime green bikini that matches her hair and starts snapping photos of us. “Mum’s gonna shit! Go stand by the pool! Now!”
We follow her somewhat begrudgingly, dazed andveryconfused by the interrupted moment back there.
“I’m not sure Ineed to see your mum shitting herself.” Jett makes me giggle.
Mum is slurping down a blended margarita while chatting up Gage and my brother’s friend Penelope, the one he hopes will soon be more than a friend, when Lola drags us to the edge of the pool.
“Mum!” she shouts. “Your new line might as well be sold out already!”
Mum sees us and gasps, “My babies! You look fucking incredible! Jude, bring your best camera!”
Jude and Dad come wandering out to the back deck, my dad dropping his jaw as if anything could shock the man who literally electrocuted himself on stageon purposemore than once.
Jude scrambles for his camera as Dad comes to stand by Mum and Lola. Dad’s not as fast as he used to be, so my brother catches up easily.
“There sure are some pretty fuckin’ people out here, Jude.”
Jude glances a second too long at Penelope, who is far too hot for him with her creamy brown skin and perfectly spiralled, caramel curls.
“Jett and Baby,” Dad says, as if Jude is a total idiot because, well …
Jude nods. Afew of my siblings’ other friends, lounging in chairs by the pool, start snapping photos, and Mum yells at them, “No posting anything until after launch day!”
Jude starts snapping as my sister tells Jett and me how to pose. “Put your hand on her hip, Jett! Kiss her cheek, with your hand over a dropped jaw, looking surprised, Baby. Jett, pick her up bridal style!”
Each pose is more intimate than the next, and Isoon feel like Ineed a Valium drip after the insanely unexpected thoughts about someone who calls my parentsMum and Dad.Idon’t mean to! But the way his skin sears against mine tears away every last thing Ithought Iknew about our friendship.
Jett takes one of my hands, drops to his knees, and looks up at me. Idon’t know if it’s just for the cameras, but he certainlyappearsto be silently worshipping me with his soulful eyes as they stare up through dark lashes.
Everyone in the backyard has their phones out now. He takes my hand and presses his pout against my knuckles. It’s like the cameras and family members disappear, like it’s just him and me, and suddenly Iwish it were. I’ve nevercravedalone time with Jett, Imean, I’mprettysure of it.
“Jude! Video over there!” Jett yells after several minutes of photos, pointing to the far side of the pool, and my brother jogs over there as Jett grasps my hand like a lifeline. “Ready?”
I nod as if Icould possibly feelreadyfor whatever the fuck this is. He counts, “One, two, three!”
We jump in the pool, landing with a splash filled with trust and adrenaline andsomething elseIcan’t wrap my head around right now.
We pop up from the water, and Jett shakes his head like a wet dog, but thankfully, Iremember to bounce my toes off the bottom so my makeup doesn't get ruined. Then Inotice he hasn’t let go of my hand. Lola instructs her bestie and bestie’s husband, also both wearing Mum’s line, to jump in the pool with us and play a game of chicken.
