The presence of adults made me feel better, as it meant that trouble was less likely. Storm had sold the event as a mixer for her Daddy’s next campaign. I glanced over to where she was still standing with her father by her side. It looked like Storm was drinking one of those alcoholic smoothies that got you hammered fast. They were usually as strong as fuck, and before you realized it wasn’t just blended fruit, it was too damn late. I remembered that it was one of those smoothies that had finished me off at Nash Straker’s party last year.
“So, you’re a junior now?”
“Yeah.”
“How’s that going for you?” Cash asked as we walked by the poolside. Molly and Hudson had gotten to the group before us, and they were all making space for each other.
“It’s OK. How’s college?”
“The new coach hates me, and college football is so much harder than high school. I got a busted knee during week one, but yeah, it’s OK. Bit of a girl drought though.”
“You’re saying there are no pretty girls at Epic Heights? I find that hard to believe.”
“Trust me, there are none as pretty as you,” he husked as we joined the others. “Fuck, how corny did that sound?”
“Not at all. I think it’s sweet.” And I did, no one ever talked to me that way.
He smiled and let go of my hand, but before I could reply, Josh Sanderson bumped Cash out of the way with his shoulder. My bag fell into my hand, and I placed it beside one of the loungers.
“Alright dickhead, give the girl room to breathe.”
And then it happened. For the first time in my life, I felt like the center of attention. Cash, Josh, and a guy they introduced as Michael Dexter flirted wildly with me, and I loved it.
Thoughts of swimming were shelved for the moment. Hudson had Molly lying between his strong thighs, her back to his chest, and they were whispering about something.
After around half an hour, Josh, Michael, and Verity went to get more drinks. I attempted to order another rum and Coke, but Hudson called over to say that wasn’t happening. Fucking party pooper. I asked for water in the end, too much of a headache.
And then, Cash asked if I fancied a swim, and I said yes.
Moving towards the spare lounger between Molly’s and Verity’s, I started to take my clothes off. I could feel several eyes watching me. Some were shaded with sunglasses, but their heads were turned my way. This must have been what it felt like to be popular. My confidence was growing all the time.
Molly had sat up and turned so she was sitting in Hudson’s lap with her legs thrown over his.
I pulled my tank top off over my head and then removed my denim shorts. As I slid them down my thighs, I caught Molly’s eye. She gave me a giddy look. As I stepped out of my bottoms, Hudson’s eyes popped open, and his face dropped. He went to sit up, but his girlfriend twisted and placed her finger over his lips. A silent message to tell him to shut the fuck up. He leaned back with a huff and muttered. “I reallyhatethat suit.” And of course he did. I remember how he had acted when Molly wore it to the beach last year.
“Are you guys coming in?” I called over, and Hudson grimaced further at my words.
“Hard pass to that Baby Sawyer.”
Fine. After ensuring the gold bikini covered what it should, I turned toward Cash, who had just removed his shoes and everything else from the pockets of his shorts.
“Enjoy,” Molly said with a cheeky wave.
At her words, Cash lifted his head, and a million thoughts must have been scrambling through his mind. I knew he liked what he saw.
“Hellfire, you’re so hot,” he panted, stepping forward. I watched the tanned column of his throat as he swallowed.
“I heard that,” Hudson said with raised eyebrows.
“Alright, grandpa. Calm down,” Cash said with a grin. “Let’s leave the boring couples to it and go get wet, baby.”
“What was that?” Hudson volleyed back, unimpressed.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Cash chuckled, taking my arm. “I did, really,” he whispered in my ear.
Hudson said something about Cash keeping his chub in his pants, and I was mortified.
Luckily, he just smirked and flipped Hudson off before leading us towards the water.
