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“Are we playing a game of who sucks it best?” Chase asks, biting the top of his popsicle.
“Clearly not you, dude. That shit’s a number one no-no.” Ben says, and I accidentally giggle at his joke. I certainly have no sexual experience, but I’ve seen movies. And my dad is a fan of porn channels. “Duckling, did you just laugh at my joke?” I hate that he’s calling me out. But I’m not feeling very feisty, and it’s way too hot for a verbal challenge.
“Ya know what, turd breath? I did. Chalk it up as hell freezing over.” His smile does weird things to my belly, and I giggle again. The heat must be causing a brain malfunction.
“Well, duckling, I got more of those if you have more of that laughter.”
My young, inexperienced heart skips a beat. We share a weird moment, then he breaks any truce we almost just had. “But you’re gonna have to pay. Ya know. . . with that special talent of yours.”
Asshole.
“Ew. Sorry, but my mommy always taught me not to put small objects in my mouth.” I get up and walk away, ignoring his stupid laughter.
* * *
I step outside my house to find Jenny waiting for me. “Ready?” I ask. It’s been forever since I’ve been to a Matthews’ barbeque. Remembering how good Hannah’s dad is at the grill already has my stomach growling for a burger.
“Thanks for inviting me. I’m sick of pacing that house.”
“Of course. I don’t know how exciting it’s going to be, but my friend’s dad is a magician at the grill. If nothing else, you’ll get some drinks and good food. And don’t forget your bathing suit. They have a huge pool.”
She pats her purse. “Already got it packed. Who’s this girl again?”
“Hannah Matthews—well, Dent now. We met going into the seventh grade. I moved a year later, but we remained close. Her family is throwing a barbeque for her older brother. They’re having another baby.”
“Cool. Okay, so the brother is off limits. Any single friends you know about?”
Only one that comes to mind. And if he’s there, she’ll try to make a move. . .
“Not sure. I think they’re all married or engaged. If you’re not up for—”
“No way. Men come after food, booze, and pool time. Let’s go.”
I shift my purse over my shoulder and follow her to my car. Maybe I didn’t think it all the way through before inviting her. My initial intention was to have a wing woman. But when my wing woman has the hots for my nemesis, it kind of puts a damper on my plan.
This could be a good thing. It would keep Ben away from me—where he needs to be. The night I barged into his place, my anger took the wheel.You mean your hormones?I shouldn’t have been there at all. It was too much. Too wonderful, glorifying. Hot.Wrong.
“It’s cool you brought me, right?”
I pull onto the Matthews’ street. “Absolutely. They’re the sweetest people. Trust me.”
“Okay. Hopefully I’ll meet someone. Anyone you’d think I’d know?”
“I’m not sure. They know a lot of people.” I’m a horrible friend.
I find a spot on the street and park. We make our way up their walkway, and my stomach bottoms out at Ben’s Jeep in the driveway. “It’s going to be fine. You’re going to have a good time,” I say, not sure if I’m reassuring her or myself.
I knock on the door, and Mrs. Matthews greets us. “Makayla, how lovely to see you. I kept trying to get your attention at the wedding, but you girls and your wild dancing.”
I lean in for an infamous Matthews’ hug. “I know. My feet almost fell off by the end of the night. Thanks for having us. This is my friend, Jenny.”
Mrs. Matthews swipes Jenny’s hand away and goes in for the hug. “Come here. Any friend of Makayla’s is a friend of mine. Come on in. Food’s on the grill. All the kids are out back.” One of their aunts steals her attention. She waves us off, and we head on in.
“Cute house.”
“Yeah. Her mom has great taste.”
“Tell me about it. I feel like I just walked onto a page fromBetterHome and Gardens—no, a Martha Stewart catalog.”
