Then Oliver and Ale.
Lo and Luca stood at the edge of the yard, frowning. “This isn’t fair. We can’t do this because of Dean,” Lo shouted.
“You wouldn’t do it anyway.”
“Yes, I would.”
“Do it in the hot tub!” Callum yelled, splashing everyone with water. “We’ll be out here for thirty minutes.”
“Dude, what the fuck?” Dean shouted.
“What? They can have fun there. We’re out here!”
I laughed, hard, absolutely amazed that this was happening. It was a wild, crazy, and perfect moment. I floated, staring up at the sunset as the water flirted with showing my boobs, and Ijust didn’t care. It was utter chaos and joy, the sounds of laughter and motorized boats down the way filling the air. Never in a million years did I think I’d be doing this, leading the charge with a silly list.
“That’s quite a smile, Mallinson.” Dean swam near me. “I love to see it.”
“This list has just been so fun.” I treaded water and faced him. “Look at us? All skinny dipping? About to watch fireworks together? This has been a dream. I wish it could last forever.”
“I know what you mean.” He reached over and pulled a leaf out of my hair, tossing it to the right before gently tugging on my earlobe. “Best summer ever.”
“Thank goodness we have four weeks left, huh?” I said, forcing the smile as my stomach weighed me down. It was amazing I didn’t sink with how the disappointment grew. All good things came to an end, but damn, I really didn’t want us to.
“Thank god we have a month left because I’m going to want to see you every second of it before we gotta end it.”
Despite how happy I was, his words twisted my gut. This would end. There was no use dreaming or imagining a different ending because the heartache would be hard enough to survive.
I had to repeat to myself: I wouldn’t end up with Dean Romano.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
Dean
My life flew by faster than it ever had before. Ever since the hotel, things changed. Mack and I almost spent every night we could together, like we knew time was running out between us. She knocked off three more items at the lake house, ones that would remain in my brain forever.
Her dancing on the bar, laughing and being so carefree, and being around her made me want to keep this summer endlessly. Skinny dipping. Streaking. And a bonfire. Callum had a sick-ass pit in the back that we’d fired up after our swimming session, and Lo brought all the stuff for s’mores. Gripping the back of my neck, I stretched before moving onto the next machine. I was at the gym, workouts becoming more intense with August sneaking up, and even though I had the same preseason excitement every single summer, it was partnered with an utter sense of dread.
Football meant no more Mack.
“Whatthe hellis she doing?” Callum practically growled,setting the kettlebell down harder than normal. It slammed against the floor.
“Who?” I wiped moisture off my forehead. Despite it being a leg workout, I was filthy sweaty. “Who are you talking about?”
“Fucking Ivy.” He jutted his chin toward one of the trainers, who stood laughing with Xavier and Jayden.
“Ah, the best friend from the past that you clearly have no weird feelings for?”
He glared at me. “I’ve kept quiet about Mackenzie; you keep your whore mouth shut about this. There are nofeelingswith her. She just isn’t into athletes. Never has been. She shouldn’t be laughing with them if this is her internship.”
Quiet about Mackenzie? What did he even mean? It was temporary. We all knew that. I swallowed down that comment and focused on Callum.
“Because she doesn’t deserve joy?”
“You’re annoying. I’m going to another machine.”
“I’m going to go meet her.”
