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Glancing at Devlin, I find a proud, matching smirk on his face.
“You’re a speedy little demon,” he confirms. “You owe me a rematch before we go to bed tonight.”
My lips part. Devlin might as well have told them I’m living with him. Even Bishop pointed out Devlin doesn’t do girls in his bed, let alone allow them into his house.
Not that I’ve seen his bedroom. Yet.
Sean’s eyes widen more as Devlin’s hand glides down to rest scant inches above my ass. Devlin’s smallest finger tucks into the band of my bikini bottoms. He claims me in front of his teammate with that single gesture. Other nearby guys from the soccer team and people from Nina’s friend group glance our way with surprise etched in their expressions.
Devlin might flirt openly with girls at school, but he never makes a public gesture that screams this is my girl, back off.
Warmth floods my chest and pours through my body.
“Come on, let’s take a walk.” Devlin threads his fingers with mine.
He leads me away from the others, taking us to the wet sand where a passing speedboat creates a ripple of waves that rush over our feet. Devlin keeps holding my hand.
Ahead of us, Gemma has her camera out, taking photos of the party and the landscape. Lucas stalks up and she snaps the shutter. His predatory grin spreads right before he scoops her into his arms. Gemma’s shoulders shake with amusement as Lucas’ hands roam her body. They kiss, their lips connecting lazily.
“I should buy you an engagement ring,” Devlin says. “It’ll beat back the other guys who think they can touch what’s mine.”
I sputter. “Sorry—what?”
Things just went from zero to sixty.
“What?” Devlin smirks. “They already suspect I must be fucking you if you’re here.”
My eyes narrow. That escalated quickly. He was so sweet all morning, but this taste of the viper lurking beneath Devlin’s mask reminds me I shouldn’t trust him.
“First of all, fuck you. I’m not wearing a fake engagement ring. We’re eighteen. That’s insane.” I pull my hand from his. The corners of his mouth tighten, but it serves him right. “If you buy a ring, I’ll hock it at a pawn show for the cash the first chance I get.”
Leaving Devlin with my snarky retort, I find a secluded spot far down the beach, away from the bustle of the party. I sit on the sand, sticking my feet in the water. From this distance, I can watch whatever goes on.
Trent and Sean attack each other with neon water guns, then turn on the girls, squirting Nina’s big boobs. She pouts, then gets all the guys howling like coyotes for her as she piles her long wet hair on her head, showing off her curves.
Someone turns the music on and a dance party starts up. Devlin hovers around the edge of it for a while, a plastic red cup dangling in his grip. Bailey and Nina both approach him. I hold my breath, digging my toes into the sand.
He’s not yours, I remind myself. He might want to claim me as his territory so none of the other boys come onto me, but Devlin isn’t my boyfriend.
I expect him to hook up with Nina. She flashes her bedroom eyes at every guy here.
But Devlin walks off to stand with his feet in the water, surprising me.
Still. He’s not mine.
I stamp out the happy bubble that has no right to exist.
Twenty-Six
Blair
For a while I watch the clouds drift by. The sun warms my skin and the sand. I could fall asleep like this.
Gemma’s yelp draws my attention. She’s running toward me, splashing through the water’s edge. Lucas chases her and Devlin follows close behind.
“Come on, B!” Gemma calls as she approaches.
Gemma and Lucas cut through the water. Devlin reaches me, grabbing my hand. He hauls me to my feet with a secret smile playing on his lips, bringing out his dimples.
