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“Great. I’m going to feel like barfing every time I’m around you guys now.”
I rolled my eyes at Ashley’s dramatics and settled back into Rhett’s embrace.
Jackson had been strumming on his guitar on and off since we got there. Both Rhett and Jackson had learned how to play when they were kids, and in high school, they spent plenty of nights playing and singing together.
“I’ll be right back.” Rhett kissed my temple and disentangled himself from me. My gaze followed him until he stood talking to Jackson.
“So have you guys talked yet… you know… about stuff?” Ashley asked before taking a sip of her beer.
“Yeah, a little.” The strumming of the guitar started up again. I glanced over, and my heart sped up. Rhett plucked the strings while he sat propped on the armrest part of the seat wall. A cocky smile appeared on his face. His gaze held mine while he played and sang the lyrics to “Porch Swing Angel.”
The song was super sweet. About a guy sitting on a porch swing with a girl, and he wanted to tell her how he felt about her. But he didn’t want to lose her and couldn’t find the right words to say. And how he only needed her.
My hands moved to my flushed cheeks, and my smile grew, as did the fluttering sensations in my belly.
As soon as he finished, he handed the guitar back to Jackson and headed straight for me. Pulling me up into his arms, he crashed his mouth down on mine as our friends all hooted and hollered.
“If you two are done making out… Rhett, we gonna play or what?” Jackson said, holding up the second guitar.
Rhett placed a soft kiss on my forehead and walked back to Jackson, leaving me standing there with flushed cheeks, a racing pulse, and swollen lips. Damn him.
I sat back down and glanced at Ashley out of the corner of my eye. She could smirk all she wanted; it would be her time soon enough.
The boys began to play “Famous Friends,” changing lyrics to fit our small town. Ashley pulled me to my feet to dance with her, Brittney, and Hattie. We all sang along to the lyrics we knew so well. The boys played a few more fun songs while we danced.
Out of breath and giggling, the four of us collapsed back in our seats. It was like Rhett read my mind as he cuddled up next to me and handed me a cold beer. Although Jackson handed Hattie and Brittney each a Coors Light, he taunted Ashley, keeping hers just out of reach. Each time she moved to grab it, he pulled back a little more. Oh boy, this wasn’t going to end well.
“Give me the goddamn beer, you asshole. What are you, five? I swear you won’t ever grow up; you’re the same immature asshole.” She snatched the beer out of his hand and stomped away.
Jackson watched her walk away and then mumbled something before turning and moving back to his seat.
“I’ll be back. Going to go make sure Ashley is alright,” I said as Rhett rolled his eyes.
“She’s just being her usual overdramatic self.”
“I know, but still.” I pressed my lips against the warm skin of his cheek.
He gave me a knowing look and nodded.
I found her sitting in a lounge chair in the far corner of the pool area.
“Hey you.” I sat next to her, giving her leg a nudge. “Why do you let him rile you up like that?”
“I don’t know. He’s just so fucking annoying.”
I chuckled. Her sharp intake of air caused me to follow her narrowed eyes in Jackson’s direction. He glanced over while singing “Drunk Girl.”
“Really? A song about bringing a drunk girl home? He’s throwing it in my face.”
“What?” My eyes widened. “You wenthomewith Jackson?”
My mind whirled. Did they sleep together? Did Rhett know?
“No. A few weeks ago,hedrove me home from the bar. I had a little too much to drink.” I raised my eyebrows. “Nothing happened.” She crossed her arms. “What does he want, a pat on the back for being an upstanding guy?”
“The song’s not about the drunk girl so much as it is about the guy who grew up. Maybe he’s just trying to show you he’s not the same immature guy.”
She glared at me for a minute. “Really? You believe that?”
