“Sure.”
We’ve binge-watched Netflix for two hours when Knox and Kane walk in. Kane stares at Misty, and when I look at her, she’s still pale. Her arms are crossed and she’s glaring at Kane.
“Aren’t you a ray of sunshine this morning?” Kane says, then chuckles.
“It’s your fault I’m this sick. You’re a bad influence. Why aren’t you hungover?” Misty grumbles.
He sits on the other side of her. “Because I’m not a lightweight!”
She shoves him. “I’m not a lightweight!”
Knox sits on the other side of me and gives me a genuine smile.
“Yeah, you are! What are we watching?” Kane asks.
“Some superhero series,” Misty responds.
“Boring!” Kane exclaims.
Misty huffs. “Who cares about the storyline? I’m here to watch those fine men in their tight outfits.”
“Of course you are,” Kane deadpans. “Me and Knox have put our board shorts on. How about we all go for a swim?”
“Sounds good,” I reply.
Kane’s face brightens. “We’ll meet you at the pool.”
I rush up the stairs, but I can’t help but look back when I reach the top. Misty’s holding on to the rail to help herself up.
From my wardrobe, I pull out the drawer that contains my swimsuits. My fingers travel along the silky material. As I’m looking at them, I admire my ring. It shimmers in the light with the movement of my hand. I can’t get over how beautiful it is.
After getting into my swimsuit, I go downstairs and to the kitchen for water, as my mouth is dry from last night. I chug a whole bottle before heading to the linen closet for towels, then make my way to the pool.
When I open the gate, I see Misty lying on a huge inflatable swan in the water, with massive sunglasses covering her eyes. Knox is sitting on the edge of the pool, bopping to the music pumping through the speakers.
My eyes scan his body. I got lucky with him. He has an athletically lean body with a defined chest, broad shoulders, and wavy, messy bed hair. I can see all his muscles with perfect clarity, even from here.
In my peripheral vision, Kane comes flying out and runs toward the pool. He jumps in, folding his body as he hits the water hard, and splashes a wave onto Misty and Knox. Once Kane resurfaces, he laughs at Misty, who is furiously wiping droplets from her sunglasses.
“Real mature,” she quips.
He grins at her, showing all his teeth. Kane acts like the youngest, but he’s the oldest at nineteen. Misty and Knox are eighteen, and now, so am I.
As if he senses my gaze, Knox looks up and gives me a sexy smile that’s reserved only for me. I smile back. If I get to see that smile every day, I’ll die a happy woman.
The next day,I wake up to the abrupt sound of the alarm on my phone. Clasping the phone in my hand, I blink from the bright light. We’re going to be late for school! Misty threw up again yesterday evening, so we had an early night.
I stumble to my wardrobe and change into skinny jeans and a casual beige shirt. I brush my teeth before I go to see Misty. My feet pad against the floor on my way to her bedroom. When I open the door, she’s curled up in a ball. She brings the comforter down from over her face. Her blonde hair is a tangled mess. She has dark circles under her eyes and looks pale.
I rush over and sit on the bed beside her. “I thought you said you were feeling better?”
She shakes her head. I give her a pointed look. “Well... if it’s not the food and it’s not the alcohol, you’re going to have to see a doctor.”
Her lips curve into a deep frown. “I know.”
“Are you going to let me ask Iris to call the family doctor?”
“No, no. I’ll do it.”
