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“You fucking show off!” Soren calls out with his hands cupped around his mouth.
“He’s a ringer,” Ryder grumbles, shaking his head. “And there he was, acting like he’d never done this before.”
All I can do is laugh at their outrage. I love their competitive nature—at least, when they’re not competing over me. Water skiing seems like a much safer competition. I don’t feel like I’m stuck in the middle.
By the time we’re ready to head back to the cabin for something to eat and maybe a little rest, my skin is sun-bronzed and I’m happily tired out. I can’t keep from smiling as I trudge across the dock, then up to the cabin, while the guys good-naturedly bicker over their performance.
“What can I say? I’m just better at it than you are.”
“That was not your first time, and don’t bother pretending it was.” Soren shakes his head and clicks his tongue like he’s disappointed.
“You’ve seen me surf, dick. It’s not that different. Hell, I had something to hold onto. That’s a step up from what we’re used to.”
“I won’t be satisfied until we get this one on the water.” I glance behind me in time to find Ryder jerking his chin in my direction.
“I’m sorry. Doesthis onenot have a name anymore?”
“To tell you the truth, there are other sports I want to watch her perform.” Soren’s wink leaves me blushing, or maybe that’s just the flush on my cheeks after a day spent in the sun.
“Gee. I wonder what you could be talking about.” To tell the truth, I’m only playing around, pretending to be insulted.
“Now that you mention it, I wouldn’t mind that, myself.” Ash falls in step beside me and gives me a wicked little smile.
“I am so shocked,” I retort. “Usually, you’re not a complete horn dog at all.”
“You mean you could watch me out there, flying over the water like a god, and you don’t want to jump on this?” He spreads his arms wide, looking down at his bare chest. It’s impressive, I won’t pretend otherwise, but for the sake of the joke I merely shrug.
“Like you said, you’re used to it from surfing. I’m not nearly as impressed anymore.” When his face falls, I have to laugh. “What? You can dish it out, but you can’t take it.”
“I think that’s the most accurate way you could ever sum him up,” Soren points out with a laugh as we climb the steps onto the open porch in front of the cabin. There’s a refreshing breeze coming off the water that stirs the hair at the nape of my neck. I can’t wait to sit out here later, as the sun goes down and the air turns cooler. It’s really like being in another world, and I want to soak in every second of it while I can.
I want to soak in every second with them.
A wave of longing almost takes me out at the knees, but I push past it, forcing a smile I no longer feel. I’m going to miss them. I’m going to miss this. No, it won’t be forever, and it might make things easier with two of the three out of town. Less of a chance of getting caught, all that.
But I’m sort of starting to depend on them. They’ve become part of my life that I’m not looking forward to giving up even for a short amount of time.
I might even be falling for them.
2
ASH
“Are you going to miss this?”
I look over at Soren, both of us lounging back in a pair of leather recliners while we wait for Ryder to grab snacks from the kitchen. Harlow requested a little time to herself so she can read on the porch and chat with her friend Ruby, who is apparently having guy drama. Our game is currently paused, and we’re taking a much-needed breather after more than an hour of combat. It’s a different way of letting off steam — we can’t spend all day taking turns on Harlow, after all.
“This place? Sure. It’s great.”
“You know that’s not what I mean. While we’re gone. Do you think you’ll miss… this?”
“Will you?” God, I hate the way he lifts an eyebrow like he knows something I’m not willing to admit. It’s beyond irritating, sometimes, knowing that he knows me. There’s only so much I can get away with being vague about.
“What do you want me to say? Do you want me to tell you I’ll cry myself to sleep every night?”
“It’s a little closer to sincerity, at least.”
“What about you? Will you miss this?”
