Georgia heads to the back of her truck, swinging open the gate as the handsome boy effortlessly lifts the bag, his biceps rippling with the motion. He secures it in place with smooth precision, slams the tailgate shut then heads back to my side like he isn’t ready to leave.
“I’m Cody,” he says, offering his hand with a disarming smile.
"Mae, meet my shithead cousin, Cody Cameron,” Georgia interjects before I can respond, her tone dripping with mock exasperation. “He and his twin brother, Wilder, are also seniors at Lonestar Junction. My uncle and aunt own the ranch next door to ours. He’s a pain in the ass, but his mom and dad let us use the pool in the summer when it’s hotter than eighty, so we tolerate him. And for some godforsaken reason, every girl in this town seems to like him.” She rolls her eyes dramatically, but there’s a teasing lilt to her voice.
Cody doesn’t take the bait, his focus locked on me, his curious gaze making my stomach flip.
Cody Cameron. Now I have a name for the boy who’s about to dominate my daydreams for the rest of the year.
“Will I see you tomorrow? It’s supposed to be a scorcher, so I know Georgia will end up by the pool at some point,” he asks, his tone casual, but the intensity of his stare makes my pulse race.
“Oh yes, please come hang out!” Georgia squeals, bouncing on her heels like this is the best idea she’s heard all summer.
Tomorrow night isn’t a rodeo night, so my parents won’t be expecting me to go anywhere, but I’m already crafting a lie that’ll get me out of the house and San Angelo and back in Lonestar Junction. Something about needing more training at the arena should work. And with the thought of a shirtless Cody Cameron lounging poolside, there’s no way I’m staying home. I’m curious about him. Okay, more than curious, I’m full blown crushing on him now.
“Sounds good,” I say, trying to sound nonchalant and almost certain I’m failing miserably because this is the most I’ve ever spoken to a guy before who I liked.
“See you tomorrow, you two,” he calls over his shoulder, flashing one last smile before walking away, leaving me with a ridiculous grin and Georgia chattering beside me about plans for the pool.
Chapter 6: Cody
I hadn’t really gotten a good look at Mae last night. The shadows of the arena parking lot had swallowed the details of her pretty face, leaving only the impression of someone intriguing that I wanted to know more about. But now, in the bright, unrelenting daylight, there’s no hiding anything—and damn, she’s stunning.
She’s all soft, golden curves in a tiny string bikini that seems almost unfair, with dark blonde hair tumbling loose over her shoulders, catching the sunlight like it’s got a grudge against me.
Mindlessly stirring a pitcher of sweet tea in the kitchen, I stare out the window. Georgia is parked beside Mae on one of the pool chairs, talking a mile a minute. Animated doesn’t even begin to cover it—she’s practically vibrating with excitement over her new friend.
Georgia’s always been smart, funny, and just goofy enough to keep most of the “it” girls at a safe distance. The popular girls—beautiful, poised, and fake as hell—tend to avoid her. Not that she minds. Anyone who has gotten close she’s cut off when she’s realized they’re just trying to get closer to my brother and me. She’s spent the past year ditching shallow friendships and hanging out with the kind of people who actually get her: the band geeks, mathletes, newspaper staff, and guys who appreciate her sports obsession more than her looks.
I haven’t seen her this fired up about a new friend in years. Maybeit’s because Mae hasn’t been touched by me or my brother – yet.
Not that I wouldn’t mind changing that.
The sound of footsteps yanks me out of my staring. Wilder, my twin, leans casually against the counter beside me, an amused look on his face. His eyes follow my line of sight, locking onto Mae and Georgia lounging poolside. Mae’s skin glistens with sunscreen, glowing under the merciless Texas sun.
“Who the hell is Georgia with?” he asks, his tone dripping with curiosity.
I don’t answer right away, my jaw tightening. “That’s Mae,” I finally say, keeping my voice casual—or at least trying to. Probably failing.
Wilder whistles low, shaking his head. “Mae, huh? Well, she’s…something.”
“She’s working at the rodeo this summer,” I reply, hoping to deter Wilder’s wandering gaze as I retrieve the spoon from the tea that I just made and wave it in front of his face.
“Interesting,” he says, eyes trailing a little too slowly over Mae’s figure.
“Don’t be a creep, or she won’t want to hang out here anymore,” I warn, knowing it’s more my reputation with women that I should be worried about than Wilder's. Wilder mostly keeps to himself, has dated occasionally, but nothing like my serial rap sheet. I’m pretty sure I’ve dated almost every girl in our senior class at this point. But hey, it’s a small town.
“Or Georgia will find out you’re into her and keep her away from us,” he responds with a smirk, already knowing Mae’s my type.
I can’t argue with that; Georgia is fiercely protective of her friends, especially when it comes to unwanted attention from her cousins.
Now wanted attention… that could be treated differently. And I think Mae might want my attention too.
I head out to the deck where the girls are lounging with the pitcher I've made in hand.
“I brought sweet tea.”
“Oh, thank you,” Mae says with a pearly white smile that’s almost too perfect as I return her grin and pour her a full cup.
