There are a couple pools down here, two inside and one giant one outside that I didn’t get a good look at.
“You would be playing with balls first thing in the morning,” I comment when I get closer. Hudson rolls his eyes and holds up his middle finger.
“There are kids here, asshole,” I hiss, swatting his hand away.
“Then stop swearing!” he shouts, and I laugh.
We get into teams, and of course they all fight over who wants to be on my team since I’m the tallest. It’s not what matters in volleyball, because I suck at hand-eye coordination. My job on the field is to take people down, not throw and catch balls.
“Come on, Cameron, we need you!” Paul pouts.
“No thanks,” he responds, eyes glued to his phone.
We settle with Hudson, Trey, Paul, and Austen on one team while me, Andre, and Alex are on the other. Alex literally would not budge. I swear he’s doing this shit just to annoy me. He was nearly hugging me to stand his ground. I was sure I’d have to pry him off with a crowbar.
“We’re going to kick their asses,” he mutters, nudging me with his elbow as he grins excitedly, then moves to the other end so we’re spaced as evenly asthree guys can be.
We all suck at volleyball, that much is clear, but as athletes we’re competitive as hell no matter what game we’re playing. I spike the ball into the net too many times and lose my balance even more as I try to smack the ball to the other side. I fall over on my side, no doubt looking like a whale falling into the water. It’s fucking embarrassing, but we’re having fun, so whatever.
It’s a close game, but they end up winning. I swear it’s because they had more court coverage, and they’re smaller so they move better in the water.
“Told you guys to go for the other team,” I say to Alex and Andre, who are pouting.
“Nah, I’ll always stick by your side.” Alex winks.
“I’m going in the hot tub,” I say, ignoring his comment and climbing out of the pool.
I feel eyes on me and when I turn around, Alex is watching me curiously, not at all hiding the fact he’s taking me in from head to toe. His dark hair hangs in his eyes and he shakes his head like a damn dog, making water spray everywhere before running his hand through it. He keeps staring, and it’s making me feel self-conscious, but I walk away instead of fixing my shorts or wiping water off me.
Maybe a hot tub isn’t the best thing after all the alcohol, but fuck it. I need to get away from Alex.
I slide in, grateful there is only one other couple on the other side. Twenty people could easily fit in here.
I rest against the wall, closing my eyes and trying to relax. It’ll only be a short time before someone comes over to annoy me or we have to leave. Not necessarily a bad thing considering there are a million things I want to do while I’m here, like go on the High Roller and the roller coaster. Today is the day to do that, since I’ll be even more hungover tomorrow. Once the sun goes down, it’s strip club time.
I don’t realize there’s someone on the side of me until something brushes my leg. My eyes pop open and there’s Alex, looking at me like a fucking creep.
“Why are you always up my ass?” I grumble.
He smirks. “Trust me, if I was up your ass, you’d know it.”
I scowl, closing my eyes. If I move away, he’ll follow me. I hate that he acts like this. It makes it really difficult to ignore him, which is what I need to do. There are too many memories and too many weird feelings. Nothing I am willing to pick apart, so it’s best I forget them altogether. It’ll be a lot easier once this wedding is over. I won’t have a reason to see him anymore.
“Just be quiet,” I say.
Thankfully, he does. I’m able to drown out all the other noises around me. The footsteps, the chatting, the laughing. I’m relaxed and comfortable. Once I’m on my own, when I have a good job and my house, I’m going to get a hot tub. The hot water feels good on my muscles inways other things can’t. We’ve all done the ice baths and massages, but this… this is the fucking best.
Surprisingly, I get a good amount of quiet time. Alex stays by me, I feel him there, but he keeps quiet. It’s oddly comfortable, but I won’t admit that to anyone. However, it doesn’t last forever because soon enough, someone is nudging me with their foot.
“Get your fungus toes off me,” I bark as I jerk away, looking up at a laughing Paul.
“You two lovebirds ready to go?” he says.
“Fuck off.”
“Where are we going?” Alex asks.
“Change first, then we’re gonna make a plan.”
