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“I do. But I’m not using it on you. You’ll break my damn heart.”
I roll my eyes. “I’d be more worried about my team beating yours.”
Chris chuckles as we swim closer to the net. “Uh-huh.”
The game starts organized and quickly descends into chaos. My eyes burn from chlorine and my cheeks hurt from smiling. Back in high school, I wouldn’t have been caught dead playing pool basketball. I would have been sitting up on the deck with a number of the people I’m playing with now with a full face of makeup and straightened hair, holding court. The less you interact with people who admire you, the cooler they’ll think you are. Or at least that’s what I thought at the time.
My fingertips are pruned by the time I climb out of the pool. I squeeze the water out of my hair, not bothering with a towel yet. It’s a warm, sticky night.
The drink table is set up on the Glenmont side, which I’m certain was no accident. Most everyone smuggled their own drinks in, but I decide to pretend like there’s not a water bottle filled with vodka stashed in my tote bag.
I stroll right over to it, surveying the spread contents.
“Hey, Nat.”
I glance over one shoulder at Wes. “Hey!” I give him a wide, genuine smile. “Happy birthday!”
“Thanks.” He grins. “I’d give you a hug, but you’re soaked and half-naked.”
I can’t resist. “Never bothered you before.” I wink, so he knows I’m kidding.
Wes laughs. “Pretty sure it would bother Maeve.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. This is quite the get-together.” I gesture, vaguely, toward the pool.
“Yeah. I was hoping it might be a little more…relaxed.”
“So, basically, your birthday wish was world peace.”
“Basically.”
“Hmmm.” I glance at the table again. “Is there are a bartender at this thing?”
“What do you want?”
“No clue.”
“You liked that drink before junior prom.”
I blink at him. “You remember that?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I didn’t think it would take this long to grab a soda.” Maeve Stevens appears.
And that explains why Wes is standing at the drink table holding a drink, I guess.
“Sorry, babe. I was just talking to Natalie.” Wes gives Maeve a smile. “I’m not sure if you two have ever officially met. Natalie, this is Maeve. Maeve, Natalie.”
I offer a small smile. “Nice party.”
Maeve looks like she’s trying to figure out whether I’m making fun of her or not. I’m not; I just can’t think of anything else to say to her. On top of the typical rivalry awkwardness, I have history with her boyfriend.
Also, I gave her brother a blowjob in the shed we’re standing about twenty feet from.
Not that she knows that, butIdo.
“Thanks.”
