PROLOGUE
BLAIR – SPRING BREAK
BLAIR AGE 16 / ZANE ALMOST 18
Sierra’s high-pitched squeal draws my attention and I force my eyes open, squinting as the bright sun burns through my retinas. I lift my head off my beach towel, focusing just in time to catch my brother, Cade, running through the sand, my friend Sierra dangling from his shoulders, slapping his ass as he beelines for the water.
I snort at the scene before Zane’s vibrant chuckle drowns out the world around me, and like always, my attention shifts to his mouth, his infectious smile sucking me in.
“I can feel you watching me, B,” he rasps, the edge of his lips lifting into a cocky grin while I study him closely. “And if I can feel it—”
“Ugh.” My shoulders sag. Moment ruined. “Why don’t we just tell him? It’s not like we’re doing anything wrong.”
“He’s my best friend, B. Andyourbig brother.”
“Barely. He’s not some wise old man that knows what’s best for me.”
“You’re still off-limits, Little B. No matter what.”
Zane finally glances my way, hitting me with a burning gaze that heats me more than the sun does, but still, I roll my eyes. Despite our closeness in age, my “big” brother calls me Little B whenever he wants to annoy me. Which is pretty much daily. I’m not little. We’re only a year apart in school.
Zane calling me Little B now is his way of saying we have to be mindful of Cade. We have to choose the right moment to tell him we’ve been seeing each other behind his back. Because while Cade’s a good guy, he’s also very opinionated when it comes to my dating life. Namely that no one is good enough for me.No one.And that includes our friends.
Lifting to my elbows, I bring myself closer to Zane, raising an eyebrow in challenge as our arms brush. “I could tell him, you know?” I joke. I’d never do that unless we both agreed.
“I do.” Zane’s breathy snicker brings about my smile. “And honestly, I’ve thought about that a lot. Wondering if I’m going to wake up one day with Cade holding a knife to my throat.” Zane delivers his fear without humor, but the second I giggle, his laughter appears. “Okay, he’s too soft for that. The worst he would do is call me an asshole and tell me to stay the fuck awayfrom you. From both of you. Which I’d be willing to risk if I wasn’t also concerned about him cutting you off.”
“Aww, are you admitting you care?”
“Never.” His lips quirk into a grin and my heart races.
“Zane!” Sierra calls out, interrupting us as she stomps out of the water, glaring with her hair plastered to her face and her hands on her hips. “What the hell was that? Why didn’t you help me?”
“You went for his balls, Sierra. You told Cade he’d lost weight. You’re on your own.”
Sierra frowns, confusion clear in her creased brow. “Isn’t that a compliment? I said he looked trim.”
Oh, shit.I internally grimace on Cade’s behalf.
“He’s been working out formonths, Sierra.” Zane stifles his joy, obviously enjoying the mess his sister got herself into. A hole she keeps digging.
“He has?” Sierra tilts her head, raking her eyes over Cade’s shirtless body, and we all break out into laughter, including Cade.
“Looks like you want another swim, Little S. You better run.” He takes a step toward her and she squeals again, rushing toward Zane, soaking us both as she hides behind him.
“You better stop him, Zane. This wasyouridea.”
And the plot thickens.
“What?” I giggle, my eyes flashing to Zane. “You told her to say that?”
“Guilty.” He lifts his shoulder in a shrug and bites back a mischievous grin.
“Zane told her to say it,” I call out to protect my friend, a sassy smile pulling at my lips.
Zane pins me with a glare of betrayal, his jaw dropping in mock horror. “Wow,Little B. You threw me under that buswithout flinching.” He shakes his head, struggling to hide his amusement. “Get ready for payback.”
No sooner have the words left his mouth than my brother dives on top of him, tackling him to the sand, Sierra only just managing to get out of the way.
