David patted Ethan on the back. “You’re doomed.”
So of course we went to the dunk tank as soon at Ethan’s shift started. He lounged in his seat above the water, heckling players as they tried to throw their balls hard enough to trigger the mechanism to plunge him down. I wished I didn’t think he looked like a prince lounging on his throne—I’d tried so hard since our stormy makeout to avoid noticing how hot I found Ethan—but he did, like a laid-back, devil-may-care lordling, ready to greet his adoring crowds. I wanted to crash him into the tank in an epic wave, then watch him burst out, spewing water and laughing.
I waited in line with all the Barbanels, cheering on the failed attempts to soak Ethan to the bone. A few girls stood before us,though only one seemed interested in playing. She stepped up, flashing a grin at Ethan. “You ready for this?”
“You know I am.”
I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach. I was used to seeing Ethan’s grin directed at me. I knew he was a flirt, but I rarely saw him in action.
The girl wound up her arm like an all-star pitcher. She was pretty, her blond pigtails decorated with red-white-and-blue streamers, wearing a white tank top and denim shorts. She released the ball to her friends’ cheers, but missed the target completely.
Ethan laughed. “That your best shot, Thompson?”
“Not even close,” she returned, winding up her arm one more time.
This time, she hit the target, but not hard enough to trigger the game. But the third time, her ball hit the center. The floor opened up beneath Ethan, and he plunged into the water.
Everyone cheered. The girl’s friends clapped her on the back, and she laughed giddily.
Ethan came up sputtering. His white T-shirt was plastered to his skin, and the water weighed his hair down so it lay flat against his head. The way it did when we went swimming together early in the morning, which I considered a private, intimate look. It felt weird for so many other people to see it.
No,Iwas being weird. There was nothing private about our relationship. We were just—roommates. We’d hooked up, sure, but it hadn’t meant anything. There was nothing between us.
This didn’t stop my whole body from clenching as I watchedthe girl walk up to the edge of the tank, where Ethan had made his way to the ladder.
She greeted Ethan with a giant smile. “Told you I’d knock you down a peg.”
Something hot and unpleasant twisted my stomach as Ethan returned her grin, swiping wet hair out of his eyes and leaning against the tank’s rail. “I didn’t expect you to be so literal.”
She laughed. “When are you done?”
“Got another hour.”
“Want to get ice cream?”
“Why not,” he said. “Love ice cream.”
I hated ice cream. I hated everything, including myself, for apparently developing emotions despite strict instructions to the contrary.
“Great,” the girl said, and with a flip of her pigtails, she walked away.
Ethan watched her go appreciatively before hoisting himself up the ladder and out of the pool. His gaze swept the audience as he returned to his seat, and halted on me. Or, more likely, on his family surrounding me. His grin widened. “Oh, hey.”
I didn’t want to be here anymore.
“Get ready to live in that dunk tank,” David said.
Ethanwaslooking at me. He didn’t break eye contact, either. “Ready.”
“I’m actually hungry,” I said, turning toward Shira. “I’m gonna go grab a bite. I’ll meet you after.”
Shira’s gaze darted to Ethan. “Sure. Text and we’ll find you.”
I nodded and pivoted away.
The crowds were thick, and I didn’t have a destination. I wasn’t hungry; I just didn’t want to stand there smiling at Ethan like this was all fun and games when I was pissed off. Which I had absolutely no right to be. But also, this was exactly why I didn’t want to get involved with Ethan, why I’dknownhooking up with him had been a mistake. If I gave Ethan an inch I’d give him a mile, and then I’d be falling head over heels and when I landed my heart would splinter like glass.
“Hey!” Ethan’s voice sounded behind me. “Jordan, wait up.”
