AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I am so not into this today,” Chastity said, shifting her glasses. She turned toward the bartender. “Can I get a glass of sangria?”
“Not sure that will help much,” Summer replied.
“Better than playing volleyball.”
“So, clearly, Chastity’s not playing.” Jacob said.
“All right, everyone!” Emmy called from across the net. “Take your positions. Put your drink down, Chastity.”
“Give me strength,” Chastity hissed and stormed off across the sand, kicking up puffs of white.
Summer glanced at me but didn’t say a word. She stood near the front of the net, clapping her hands together, shaking her ass from side to side as she prepared herself for the first serve.
Eyes up. Concentrate on the game.
The last thing I needed was to be sporting a fucking boner in the middle of a volleyball game.
“My serve,” Emmy cried.
She leaped up and whacked the ball over the net. The festivities began. Sweat and heat, us leaping to knock the ball back, people falling in the sand, giggling and laughing. At one point, Chastity ran off to the bathroom, her hand clasped over her mouth.
“We’re winning,” Emmy cried, sticking out her tongue. “Last serve!”
“Let’s make it count,” Scott called, clapping. “Go for it, honey!”
Emmy whipped her hand back and bonked the ball over the net. Summer ran forward, and I did too. The ball spiraled down toward us. I brought my hands up and—
Summer crashed into me, smacking at the ball sideways and sending it into the sand.
“Thank god,” Chastity yelled. “It’s over.”
Summer let out a shrill scream and crashed down after it.
Shit, I’d bumped right into her. My competitive streak had cursed me and potentially hurt her.
“Ow, ow, ow.” Summer lay on her back and squeezed her eyes shut. “Ow.”
“What’s wrong?” I bent down next to her. “Sorry, didn’t mean to run into you.”
“It’s my ankle. I think I twisted it.” She forced herself upright, pulling a face, and I helped her. “Oh god, that kills.” Summer’s fingers moved down her calf to her ankle.
“Shit, sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” she said. “We were both trying to win.”
“What’s going on?” Emmy asked, hooking her fingers into the net. “Summer, are you OK?”
“It’s her ankle. She thinks it’s sprained,” I said. “I ran right into her like a linebacker.”
“No, he didn’t. It’s not a big deal. I can get up.” She struggled upward, put weight on her ankle, and cried out again. “OK, no, forget that. I’ll just stay here. This is as nice a place as any to chill. Right?”
“You need to go see a doctor, Summer.” Emilia’s tone was strict. “Come on, Scott can take you.”
“That’s all right, sis,” I said. “I’ll take her.”
“Are you sure?” Emilia asked.
“Hey, I’m here too. Do I get a say in this?” Summer glared at the pair of us, her sea-green eyes narrowed.
“No,” Emilia and I replied.
“Come on. Put your arm around my neck.” I bent and hooked my arm underneath her knees. It was a repeat of last night when I’d carried her to the bed, except the circumstances were vastly different. “Let’s go.” I lifted her off the sand, her hot body tense against mine.
The wind brushed her golden hair back from her face, and as I caught her eye, I tried not to respond to her beauty or the anger buried there.
“We’ll be back soon,” I said.
“Take care, Summer.” Emilia tottered alongside us. “I could come with you.”
“No, Emmy, go have fun. This is your week,” Summer replied, gritting her teeth on and off. She had to be in pain.
The only thing that pained me was that I’d have to spend time with her now. Resist the urge to talk or get physically involved with her again. Judging by her expression, she was more interested in fighting than fucking.
“Be safe. Look after her, Matt.”
“I will,” I said.
I carried her to the front of the hotel and set her down on a bench. “Don’t move.”
“Um, yeah,” she motioned down to her ankle, “I can’t very well walk anywhere.” “Oh yeah, right.” God, she was cute when she was sassy. “Let me go check with the front
desk and see if there is a doctor here onsite or if I should take you somewhere. I’ll be right back.” I jogged into the lobby to see what our options were.
I had carried her to the SUV I had rented, and we were on our way to an emergency clinic not far from our hotel.
“This doesn’t mean anything,” she said, glaring over at me. “Don’t get any weird ideas.”
I smirked at her and continued to drive while we sat in awkward silence. Being close to her brought back feelings of desire, and not just physical. Seeing her hurt made me feel things. I played it cool, but I didn’t like seeing her in pain.
I’d lied yesterday. I’d lied to her and to myself, and I wasn’t about to stop. Because stopping would mean wanting her, and that could never happen.
