Nik:Hey, you ok? You seem off. Do you not want me to comeover?
A tiny knot loosens in my chest.
Me:No! I’m good. Just some personal stuff going on. Nothing about you, I promise.
Nik:Guess I’ll just have to work extra hard to cheer you up:)
Me:Guess so:)
I catch myself smiling. It’s small and unguarded and exactly what I need. I look over to find Axel watching me. The smile slips. I lock my phone and slide it back into my bag, not wanting a repeat ofyesterday’s mess, especially not with Nik sitting right there.
By the time we pull into the driveway, the worst of my storm has passed. I spot Johnny’s black motorcycle and feel another wave of relief. He’s home. It’s weird how much better that makes me feel.
Inside, the three of us raid the kitchen for sodas and chips. The normalcy of it feels good. And when Johnny hears us and strolls in, all tall and casual in his sweats and sleeveless shirt, the energy shifts again, becoming warmer, more complete.
We toss around ideas until someone suggests swimming.
With the heat still clinging to the day, the idea of diving into the pool soundsamazing.
Chapter 15
By the time we’re all changed and outside, the sun’s dipping low enough that the water looks like it’s glowing. The Harringtons don’t do anything halfway. This pool is ridiculous. Big enough to host a party, surrounded by a high stone wall for privacy, and flanked by a few lounge chairs and a covered deck area with a grill and sound system.
Axel’s the first one in. He runs and cannonballs into the deep end, water splashing high and wide.
“Show-off!” I yell, shielding my face from the spray.
Johnny chuckles beside me. “He’s allergic to subtlety.”
Nik peels off his shirt beside me and holy hell,hello biceps. I manage not to gawk, just barely, and busy myself adjusting my bikini top even though it doesn’t need adjusting. He catches me anyway.
“See something you like?” he murmurs, low and teasing.
“Yeah. Your ego. It’s… massive,” I shoot back with a smirk.
Johnny snorts as he walks past me, tugging his tank over his head, before diving in like a damn Olympic swimmer.
Nik laughs and finally jumps in with a sleek splash. That leaves me standing alone at the edge.
“Come on, Princess,” Axel calls. “Water’s perfect.”
“Don’t call me that,” I grumble, not even meaning it a little. I step to the edge, nerves flickering through me. This is the most exposed I’ve been in front of all three of them—physicallyandemotionally.
I dive in.
The water’s a shock at first, but quickly turns blissful. It’s cool, clean, and refreshing. Cleansing in a way nothing else has been lately. I come up laughing and flick my hair out of my eyes just as a splash hits me square in the face.
“Really?” I wipe water out of my lashes to find Axel grinning devilishly.
Before he can answer, Nik dunkshim, and chaos erupts. The next few minutes are pure mayhem, full of dunking, swimming, squealing, laughing. It’sfun. I’m actually having fun.
Eventually, we all end up draped along the edge, catching our breath. Nik floats next to me, watching me with something unreadable in his gaze.
“You’re different when you’re relaxed,” he says quietly. “I like seeing this side of you.”
I glance at him, uncertain. “What side’s that?”
“The real one,” he answers. “Not the one you armor up with at school.”
