Page 18 of Unforgettable Player

He’s wearing sandals and shorts, his hairy legs and impressive calf muscles on display. You know someone’s buff when their calves stand out. I’m not even sure what kind of exercises someone would do for muscles like that.

His voice, easygoing and teasing as he debates Naomi about the best placement for the picnic blanket, carries over the sound of water foaming against the sand and the breeze flapping the umbrella. I keep my gaze anywhere but on him.

My wishful thinking brain has been making up all kinds of wild things lately. Like Connor staring at my lips as if he wants to kiss me. Or flirting with me by the pool. I have to keep giving myself a reality check. I’m not that different from the gawky kid who had his gay awakening at the sight of Connor standing in the laundry room in his underwear while his mom washed his hockey clothes.

Once we’re all set up, Scout coaxes me out to for a swim. The water is calm enough to wade into without being jostled around too much. I like the salty tang of the water here compared to the chlorine smell of the pool at the house.

When there’s a slight chill in the air and the shadow of trees cutting across the sand, it’s the perfect place to unwind.

Right now, though, the sun is a little too hot. Wispy clouds do little to shield us from the rays. Despite wearing sunscreen, I feel my skin sizzling under the heat.

I’m about to suggest to Scout that we head back to the shade of Naomi’s umbrella when Connor comes wading into the water, carrying a ridiculous inflatable ring.

“What are you doing with that?” Scout asks, suspicion rising in her voice.

Connor flashes her a mischievous grin.

She rolls her eyes. “Come on, Eli. Let’s go and get a drink.”

“Wait.” Connor grabs her around the waist and pulls her back.

“What are you doing?” she huffs.

Without another word, he picks her up and throws her over his shoulder.

“Eli, help!” she squeals.

“Don’t drag Eli into this.”

Scout growls and kicks her feet. But he has her clamped too effectively for her to break free.

I hate it when they put me in the middle of their stupid fights. They bring out the absolute worst in each other. Scout is ten times more mature when Connor isn’t around and I’m assuming Connor doesn’t act like a teenager while he’s at work. But the second they see each other, they revert back to acting like children.

Scout’s screaming so loudly I’m sure the lifeguard will come over and kick them out of the water any second now.

“Eli!”

I look around for help, finding the floatie and tossing it to her. She grabs hold and I take the other side and pull. It’s somewhat futile. Even if I’m able to pull her away from Connor, I’ll only drag her head first into the water.

When I look back to the beach for help from Naomi and Richard, they aren’t paying us the slightest bit of attention.

“Connor, put me down, right now.” Scout slaps him on the back, hard enough to sting, but Connor keeps on laughing.

“Ask me nicely.”

“Grrr!”

He chuckles, and I see a glisten in his eye that isn’t merely antagonism. Is this the only way he can get his sister to engage with him?

“Say please and I’ll let you down.”

“No!”

Connor’s gaze meets mine and he winks. “Shall we get Eli instead?”

My heart races. I shake my head, but there’s a smile tugging at my lips. I’m still holding the floatie uselessly as Connor comes toward me, Scout still dangling over his shoulder, kicking and screaming like a banshee.

“No,” I say meekly, holding the floatie out in front of me like a shield.