“Hey,” Hudson choked out under my attack at the same time Nix muttered, “Dickless?”
“Hudson?” Molly shot out with a disapproving look.
“Thanks, Harper,” he grunted. Clearly upset that I’d dropped him in it with his girl. I knew she wouldn’t be happy with Hudson interfering in my life. I wasalmost seventeen, for God’s sake. As I said, where Hudson was concerned, the girl had my back.
“Someone’s not getting any tonight,” Josh sang, nudging Michael.
“Shut it, Sanderson,” Hudson snapped.
“How about you all cool off in the pool?” Storm said, mirroring my earlier suggestion. “You're making the patio look messy.”
“That’s what I said,” I added. I could tell she wasn’t impressed. “The pool bit I mean.” I was babbling like an idiot.
“Someone’s face is about to get messy if he doesn’t step the fuck off,” Nix growled.
Cash flexed his shoulders, their aggressive stances now well matched. “Don’t categorize me with the spineless fucks who usually quake at the sight of you, Carter.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t do that, Cash. That would make you smart, when clearly you’re a dumb idiot who’s about to have his ass beaten in front of his friends.”
“Bring it, Brutal.”
“Come again?”
“Storm’s right, knock it off,bothof you. This isn’t the time or place for a dick measuring contest.” Reed said as he walked to stand beside Storm. The voice of reason had spoken. Fuck, they made a good-looking pair.
“Whatever, man. So much forbros before hoes,” Cash muttered nonchalantly, placing his beer beside the lounger Phoenix had stolen moments before. It was the wrong thing to say.
As he straightened, Nix got in his face, shoving him back a step. “What did you say?”
Everyone charged forward, Hudson slamming his hands on Nix’s broad shoulders. “Enough, this isn’t high school.”
“It’s a figure of speech, you fucking psycho! What’s wrong with you?” Cash hissed over Hudson’s shoulder at Phoenix.
“Youreallywant to open that door?” Reed added with a smirk.
“Youreallywanna suck my dick?” Nix rattled back before glaring at his brother’s hands. “And get the fuck off me.” Hud held his hands up in a surrender gesture.
A woman at the next table clicked her tongue loudly at the language, which spurred Storm on. “That’s it. Boys hit the pool. There’s far too much testosterone in the air. Do as I say now. Or I’ll have security throw your sorry asses out.” She stated, pointing towards the water. Reed grinned, clearly enjoying her bossy side. “You, too, Prescott, hit the water.” His self-satisfied expression vanished, and he straightened, almost standing to attention as they did in the army.
“Now!” she yelled, jamming her hands on her hips.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied as he tugged off his shirt and started emptying his pockets.
“Dude, what the fuck?” Michael hissed, which dragged our attention to Reed’s bare back and the marks there. You didn’t need to be Einstein as Storm’s face went bright red. You could clearly see scratches on the tops of his shoulders.
“What can I say? She’s a tiger.” He didn’t give off any hints that the woman he was talking about was standingrightthere, but we all knew. They’d probably been sleeping with each other for months.
“Don’t make me repeat myself!” Storm quietly yelled, if that were possible. Her patience was now as thin as a piece of tracing paper.
It worked though.
The boys jumped to it. Hudson removed his shirt, Cash kicked off his flip-flops, and Josh and Michael made for the pool. Throwing caution to the wind, they jumped in, almost dive-bombing a couple of other guys in the water.
Phoenix was the last to join them as he sauntered towards me, reaching one hand behind his shoulder to whip off his top. His muscles flexed under my stare. As I raised my eyes to his, he leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Sunscreen Thumper, right now. Don’t make me tell you twice.”
“You’re such a dick,” I huffed as heat stung my cheeks.
“Stop talking about my dick and do as you’re told—before I make youthatpink somewhere else,” Phoenix threatened with a glance at my embarrassed face.
