"Right. They seem like cool chicks. Told me about a house party this Saturday at some dude's house. Let's go."
"Ah..." Barron rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "I kinda have plans for us with my friends Ryan and Sofia."
"Great, they can come."
Barron's mouth twisted. "A party isn't really their scene. Mine either. They're showing a screening of the originalFriday the 13that the complex. I thought we could all -"
I gave a heavy, impatient sigh. "Look, Barr...this is your last summer break before senior year. It's one of your chances to blow off steam before the rest of your life starts. And you want to spend it watching some cheesy movie?"
"It's one of Eden's favorites," he said defensively.
I gave my cousin an indulgent smile full of patience instead of rolling my eyes like I was tempted to do. "College is gonna be full of parties." And available hot girls.
"So I'll go to one when I get to college."
I couldn't talk to him if he was going to be reasonable. I decided to try another angle.
"Barr, c'mon, I'm spending all summer here. Why don't you come with me to this party, and then we'll hang out with your friends some other day."
Barron sighed as he ran his hand through his overgrown blonde hair. "I dunno. I'll see."
I waved my hand dismissively in the air. I knew when to stop when I was ahead. "Sure, sure. If not, we can do the movie thing."
I had no intention of seeing some lame 80's horror movie, not when the promise of a hot chick who was a sure thing invited me out. I neglected to disclose to Barron that Maria had specifically asked me to bring my cousin to the party. The two girls had seen us around town and stopped me when I was returning to Barron's house. The blonde one's eyes had lit up with excitement when I promised to bring him.
Barron's phone went off again, causing me to roll my eyes as I lay back on my sun lounger, mumbling under my breath.
Friday the 13th at the complex over a party full of hot girls?
Jeez, it was a wonder how we got along so well. Our preferences ran differently, but I had always gelled with my cousin. I also knew that I could talk him into most things. Being a year older, living in a bigger city, and having a bit of life experience caused Barron to defer to me for advice. I knew my cousin looked up to me.
With a contented sigh, I reached for my drink again. The alcohol mix was already starting to settle warmly in my belly.
I wasn't worried. A little guilt trip from me about needing a wingman, a few more jabs about the fragility of childhood romances, and that thread I was pulling at would unravel completely.
Chapter 1
Simon
Seven Years Later
Itookanotherswigof my cold beer as my attention drifted in and out of the conversation around me. Not for the first time today, my gaze moved over the crowd gathered in my aunt and uncle's backyard.
They were hosting their annual summer barbecue to celebrate the start of summer break when the kids were out of school. Since New Haven was only a forty-minute drive from Helensville, I made an effort to attend now that I was back living in my hometown.
Unable to take the baking sun, I set my drink down before grabbing the back of my shirt and peeling it off my sweaty skin. Instant yet fleeting relief greeted me as my body welcomed the sensory change, even if the warm breeze did nothing to cool me down.
Casting my shirt aside, I picked up my drink and took another swallow.
Thanks to my Aunt Kelly's constant need to flit about from group to group, offering to refill drinks, I had a nice buzz going. My stomach was full of good food, an eclectic mix of music blared out of the stereo system, and I was enjoying the company. I also had a willing pussy set up to fuck once I left tonight.
The enticement of getting laid should have been enough for me to say my goodbyes early and slink off for a marathon of hot sex with Maria. The brunette beauty was my regular lay whenever I came to New Haven for a visit.
But something was stopping me from leaving.
With my brown eyes hidden behind a pair of Tommy Hilfiger shades, I once again searched the crowd of people. I briefly stopped at a group of bikini-clad women sunbathing by the pool before just as quickly dismissing them without interest. A move that was rare for me.
I had to admit; it wasn't a case of something stopping me from leaving, butsomeone.
