“I wasn’tfuckinglooking.”
She squealed, splashing water in my direction. “Oh my god, it’s you.”
8
charlie
When I decided to take a swim, illegally, because of some stupid checklist I’d created earlier, I didn’t expect the first guy I’d see to be the hot brother from my school.
After an exhausting first couple days of school, I had walked down to the beach, blatantly ignoring the “This beach closes at blah blah” sign, because what was the point of living across from the lake if I couldn’t enjoy the water?
My bucket list was filled with everything I wanted to do before my mom inevitably dragged me home to marry one of her friends’ sons. It was infuriating, knowing she didn’t see my life as mine to shape. She treated my future like a business transaction, as if it didn’t matter what I wanted, as long as it fit her expectations.
The frustration burned in my chest every time I thought about it. I’d spent my whole life following the rules, being the obedient daughter who didn’t cause trouble. The list was my way of pushing back against their control, of feeling like I actually had some say in my life. I thrived on plans and routines, but for once, I wanted to experience freedom. I wanted to make my own choices before I was pulled back in and boxed up again. Thislist was my rebellion, my little act of defiance against a future I didn’t choose.
When I’d finally gotten down to the water, I was fueled by breaking the rules and letting free. I was on my own for the first time, and I was going to do whatever I could to feel everything. What I didn’t expect was the hot brother I’d helped earlier standing in the lake with me.
“Ms. Honey?” Hot Brother Austin asked, and I couldn’t help but laugh as I treaded water.
“My name’s Charlie.”
I was relieved it wasn’t some lake monster, trying to drag me under, and I finally got a good look at the guy in front of me. The moonlight caught enough of his features. He was taller than I’d remembered, and in the darkness, I could make out the chiseled abs. He looked about my age, and I found myself shamelessly raking my eyes down over?—
“Oh, fuck.” The realization hit me that his dick was hard and right in front of my face, and I slapped my hand over my mouth. In doing so, I lost my balance and slipped underwater like an absolute idiot.
Next thing I knew, there was a splash beside me, and Hot Brother grabbed me, pulling me toward the shore. He slid his hand around my waist, and I noted that he purposefully kept a grip along my mid-waist, avoiding my unmentionables as he guided me in.
“Are you nuts?”
“No.” I tried not to laugh too hard at the whole situation. “Just living out a wild dream and a bucket list.”
We swam a little more toward the shore.
“I can swim, you know.”
He huffed out a breath but didn’t loosen his grip. “No. You’ve made my heart jump a few times more than I can count tonight.”
I smiled as he continued to drag me until we hit the sandy bottom. “I can stand now.”
He dropped me carefully as I stood in the water, kneeling down so that I was still covered.
“You know it’s not safe to be out here with the riptides at night, at least not without a buddy.”
I smiled. “Next time I want to do something illegal, then you’ll come with me?”
He laughed, running a hand through his messy blonde hair, the moonlight highlighting the mischievous glint in his eyes. “Absolutely not, but if you want to skinny dip again, I’d be more than happy to watch.”
I splashed water at him, a teasing grin on my lips. “Perv.”
“Tell me about this list... Charlie.” He lowered himself until we were eye level, the water lapping around us as we stood feet away from the shoreline.
“I still don’t get why you call me Ms. Honey.”
He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. His eyes held a secret, like he wasn’t ready to give up his reason yet.
“So, what’s got you running into Lake Michigan in the middle of the week after school? Your first week can’t be that bad, can it?”
I laughed. “No. It’s been long. It’s a new year with new kids and new places. I wanted to check something off my bucket list.”
