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1
HARLOW
Ican think of worse ways to spend a long weekend than lying out by a lake, sunning myself under a cloudless sky.
“I’m going to grab another six pack from the fridge.” Ryder gets up from the blanket spread out on the dock and stretches. I won’t bother pretending not to ogle his sun-kissed body. He’s a thing of beauty, and I’d be stupid not to appreciate what’s in front of me. Especially when there’s nobody around who’d care. The freedom of being able to show affection—and yeah, flat-out lust—in public is intoxicating.
“Take it easy on that,” I warn him, lifting my sunglasses to give him a serious stare. “If we’re going water skiing later, it’s not a good idea to drink too much.”
“One six-pack for the four of us isn’t going to do any harm.” He turns toward the cabin we’ve rented for the weekend, then chuckles before he’s taken a step. “Looks like I’m not the only one with that idea.”
I turn my head to find Ash and Soren coming our way, both of them dressed in swim trunks the way Ryder is. “Thought we could use a little refreshment,” Soren calls out, raising the beer above his head.
“Careful. Mom doesn’t think it’s a good idea for us to do too much drinking before we get out on the water.” Ryder pretends not to notice my scowl.
“Ooh. I didn’t know caring about your safety was such a bummer. Remind me not to care.”
“She’s probably right.” That doesn’t stop Soren from tossing a can of beer Ryder’s way. “And that’s why we’re not going to overdo it.”
“I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.” Ash settles in on my towel and sits with his arms draped over his knees. “I’ve seen it on TV, but never in person. This is gorgeous.”
It really is. The lake mirrors the blue sky and sparkles in the midday sunshine. A soft breeze ripples the water and cools my skin.
And I’m surrounded by hot hockey players. Life has been worse, for sure.
“I don’t know. I’ve had my eye on other scenery.” Soren winks at me before taking a long gulp from his can.
“You never waste an opportunity, do you,” Ryder grumbles, but I know he’s only joking. At least, I hope so.
This is still so new. It’s unfamiliar territory for all four of us. I know it’s not going to be perfect, but there will be times when there’s strain and sore feelings. No matter how the three of them swear up and down that they’re good with the way things are, I’m not naïve. There will be bumps in the road.
But right now, everything seems like smooth sailing. I’m sure part of that has to do with knowing half of our little foursome will be up in Seattle for an undetermined amount of time.
Ryder took it well, finding out he wouldn’t be receiving a two-way contract to play with the Orcas. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay here and keep her safe.” Sure, he joked about it, but I sensed the disappointment under his grin. Even though I had nothing to do with who got chosen, I wanted to apologize. I wanted to hold him and tell him it’s okay, that he’ll get his chance.
But I can’t show favoritism, right? I don’t want to start trouble. I wonder if it’ll ever get easier, this feeling that I have to carefully consider everything I say and do.
This will be our last time together for a while, and we all want to make the most of it. And we have since our arrival yesterday. Let’s just say it’s a miracle I can walk, after the hours we spent exploring the cabin and each other.
It’s so easy to feel lighthearted and happy out here, watching the sail boats and jet skis crisscrossing the lake. There’s happy laughter ringing out across the water, and it makes me smile. I needed this. An escape. I don’t have to look over my shoulder or watch what I say in front of Coach Kozak. It wasn’t until we got out here that I understood how stressful it is, working hard to make sure we’re all safe in this relationship.
Especially me. Let’s face it, they would keep their jobs if anybody found out they were sleeping with the team’s therapist. Me? I don’t even want to think about what would happen to my career. I’ve done enough thinking about it, anyway. Obsessing, worrying.
And yet I’m still with them, because there’s no place else I’d rather be. I could never have imagined my life turning out this way. I guess that’s sort of the point, really. We can’t predict. We can only do our best with what life gives us.
Right now, life is giving me the opportunity to do nothing but have fun and drink and have incredible sex. I’m not about to start complaining.
* * *
“You really should getout on the water.” Ryder flips back his hair, now wet thanks to the way he wiped out on his skis. He was doing well for a while there – much better than I would have.
Which is exactly why I shake my head. “No, thank you. You know I’m not athletic. It’s fun being on the boat and watching you guys.” Even if my heart practically stopped beating when he hit the water with a crash that sounded much worse than it actually was.
“You’ll love it. And you won’t get hurt.”
“So you say. Something tells me I’ll find a way.”
The boat’s pilot speeds up once Ash is ready, and a rush of adrenaline slams into me when I watch him gracefully handle the boat’s wake. He does much better than Ryder and even Soren, who up until now managed the most impressive run. Ash leaves him in the dust, bending his body this way and that and even using one hand at times, switching back-and-forth depending on the direction he’s leaning.
