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“More like I would have thrown up in the hot tub and they would have had to shut the place down.” She heads toward the door with me close on her heel.
Once we’re back outside and get into my truck, I take notice of her ride.
“A yellow Jeep, huh?” I eye it over. “Thing’s pretty sweet. I’m not usually a Jeep man. Do you enjoy taking your top off?”
“All the time,” she says seriously. “All. The. Time.”
As I back out of my parking spot and head out through the back entrance, I grin. “Look, I know that you saw me in the apartment next to yours a few weeks ago.”
Even with her on the other side of the truck, I feel her stiffen.
“Wh-what? What do you mean?”
“I didn’t put it together until I saw where you lived. Then, it hit me.” I breathe out a laugh. “Hope you liked the show, ya creeper.”
“I am no creeper. I was just passing by! I barely saw anything.”
“So, that’s your story?” I mutter. “Whatever makes you feel better for enjoying the free porno I provided you with.”
“Well, to be honest, it was hardnotto look when I was walking by. There were so many”—she scrunches her nose up—“noises coming from the window. It was sort of like a car accident. Even though I was afraid to peek and knew it was not appropriate to do so, I just had to at least once.” She pauses, wringing her hands in front of her in her lap. “She’d probably be mad if she saw your truck at my place a few minutes ago.”
“Who, Tawney?” I snort. “Trust me, she isn’t going to be mad.”
“Tawney? I didn’t know her name. I’ve never met her,” she answers softly. “I just don’t want to cause any drama. Or look like a home-wrecker.” She quickly adds, “Even though we’re strictly friends.”
“Gotta be a home to wreck one.” I grin. “Tawney and I sure as hell aren’t a home. We just…well, to be blunt, like the same sort of relationship.”
“Which is what, sex?”
“Yeah. Sex that doesn’t complicate either of our lives.” I give her a pointed look. “But now, I’m a nun, and I don’t have sex. I just jack off in the shower an unhealthy number of times daily.”
“Gross.” Turning her body toward me, she raises an eyebrow. “Okay, so answer me this. This Tawney chick calls you right now. She says she’s eager and ready for you to come over and, you know, do what you did that day I saw you. You’re really going to say no?”
“Yep. I’m hanging out with you right now. We’re going to check out the zucchini bikinis at the whirlpool.”
“So, you’re saying if we didn’t have plans, you’d break the pact?” She nods slowly, her lips turning down. “After two days, stick a fork in you, and you’d be done.”
“Would not. I’m not that much of a sex monster that I can’t go a few measly days without it.” I wink at her, holding up a hand. “I have Rosie. And Rosie knows what I like anyway.”
“Ew. Stop.” She pretends to gag. “I don’t need to know these things, O’Brien. Keep it to yourself.”
“Just being honest.” I shrug. “And, no, I’m not breaking this pact. I’m fucking in it to win it, baby.”
I pull into the parking lot of the pool building and park. “If anyone asks, you’re a runner.”
“Iama runner,” she says sharply. “Just not for the school.”
As we both get out, I walk next to her. “Why not for the school though?”
“Because I’m not an undergrad. I’m here getting my master’s and just got to Brooks a few weeks ago.” As I hold the door open, she walks inside. “Besides, I run to clear my head. I don’t want it to be about competition or personal best. I mean, I don’t even keep track of how far I go.”
“I get it. It’s your outlet.” I look down at her next to me. “So, photography and running. That’s what keeps you sane.”
“Who said I’m sane?” She raises an eyebrow. “Maybe it’s all just an act, O’Brien.”
“Oh, I know you aren’t perfectly sane, Wildflower. Crazy always recognizes crazy.” Before she can answer, I point behind her to the women’s changing room. “I’ll see you in a second. Try not to stare at my bod when I walk out. That would be inappropriate for our pact.”
“I’ll try my best. Lucky for you, I’ve already seen yourbod. At the photo shoot, remember?”
