His hands reach out, fingers grabbing at my chin and my brows furrow. “Not happening youevillittle siren. I’m not falling for it this time and you will be going in.”
He winks and if I wasn’t so bewildered from his denial, I may have drooled. However, as Zane’s pace picks up, running me to the water, I can do little more than shriek.
A final clipped laugh echoes throughout the air, and again I’m flying. But this time there are no strong arms, or walls of muscle to catch me; just the cold, unyielding crash of breaking the water’s surface.
Zane is right behind me, diving in like some elegant swan and just as my head pops out for some oxygen, there’s Max-a-million. Vaulting off my shoulders as if we’re playing leap frog, he pushes me back under with all his might, making sure I’m sufficiently submerged. I push off the lake’s floor, breaching the surface again, but this time with less grace.
With my screams and groans, I could probably be mistaken for a whale documentary, as my hair sticks to my face, and I flail like an octopus trying to dance.
“You are all sooooo going to pay for this!” I screech, my voice cracking from the high octave and lake water in my throat.
Moving the curtain of black out of my eyes, I catch sight of an unsuspecting Ryder as he walks towards the others. I don’t think, don’t hesitate, as I dive under and silently approach him from behind. Once close, I leap out of the water—spider monkey style—wrapping my arms around his neck, and bringing him crashing down with me.
Ha! Take that sucker!
We hung out at the lake all day, alternating between being in the water playing games, and lounging lazily on the beach. These are the times I enjoy, when there’s no deadline, no need to move fast, just me and my friends—relaxed.
A few guys from school kept trying to start conversations with me, but like magic, whenever they would stop and open their mouth, one of the four would appear out of thin air. As if conjured by the mere thought of me talking to another male. Whoever had stopped would then promptly take off, speed walking like someone set a fire under their ass. I have no doubt that there was some sort of death glare happening, but whenever I would try to catch them, I would only catch a smile and a shrug.
Kade and Zane on the other hand had an entire swarm of women hanging off of them, following them along like lost sheep looking for their herder. They would laugh and their hands would stroke down the guy's arm or chest. Some even got ballsy enough to lean completely against them, and that had a little green gremlin spurring in the hollows of my soul. Even so, I’m a lady and unlike their antics, I didn’t retaliate.
Hypocritical isn’t it? They have boobs practically drooling over them, but if another dick gets within five feet of me, they go all feral protective. I know I’m small in height… and general size, but I can protect myself!I think.
The ride home for me is silent. I’ve been deep within my head trying to figure out how to broach this subject with the guys. I don’t want them to be offended, but they really need to stop shooing away every guy that gets near me, like they’re my personal mafia escort.
Not that anyone here has really noticed my silence. Max spent too long in the water and of course forgot to put on sunscreen, even with my reminders. So, he’s whining in the front seat, red as a cherry tomato, and regretting his life choices. Zane is laughing at his misfortune, along with driving and not killing us. And of course Ry and Kade are in some deep conversation about a boxing match they want to watch tomorrow.
Staring off into the abyss beyond the window, a shiver runs the length of my spine as I’m consumed with my inner quarrels. It drags me from my thoughts with an uneasy feeling that coats every cell of my body. It’s distinct, the sense of being watched or hunted. Like something is standing on the horizon just out of sight.
Zane slows, stopping at the light and my eyes search for where the feeling stems from. My gaze catches on nothing and I’m about to let it go, but as the light turns green, I see him. It’s clearly a man by the framework of his body as he stands against the lamp post smoking a cigarette. His hood is pulled low, covering most of his face, including his eyes but somehow, I justknow.He’s the reason for my uncomfortability, for the vibration I feel deep in my bones. A scar cuts across his lip, red, angry,fresh.A warning sign if there ever was one.
“Ryder, do you see that guy over there? Who is he and what’s his deal? I’ve never seen him in town before.” My arm swings behind me trying to catch Ry’s leg but misses by a mile.
Turning fully, both Kade and Ryder have given me their attention and are twisting in their seats to be able to look in the direction I had been staring. When I move to join them and get some answers, the man I saw before is no longer there. In fact, there is not a single pedestrian on the sidewalk at all.
What the hell? Where did he go? And how did he vanish that fast?
“What guy, Bear?” asks Kade, his eyes meet mine, the worry in them evident.I’m not losing it. I swear I just saw someone.
“Uhh… never mind, I guess. I thought I saw someone, but it must have been in my head.” I give them both a tight smile while I rub at my temples. IknowI saw him there, Ifelthis eyes boring into me.
“Maybe you’ve had too much sun today as well, Adds,” Zane speaks up, catching my gaze through the rear-view mirror.
“Yea, maybe,” I mumble, but my answer is hollow. I give my head a little shake and lean it against the door.Are the guys right? Am I hallucinating from the sun?
Zane pulls into his driveway and I don’t hesitate to hustle out of the vehicle and collect my stuff. I barely give the guys a wave goodbye and a mumbled excuse before I’m heading for my door. I know they can see something is up, but since I’m not even certain about my own feelings, there’s no way I’d be able to explain them.
My head hangs low, thoughts still swirling with images of the scarred man. The way he exuded an aura of danger and fright without even moving. Something about him, from the way he stood to the motions of him smoking, has me on edge. So on edge in fact, that I don’t notice the large body standing in the open door of my house.
Smashing into a wall of chest muscle, I stumble on my feet, falling off the porch step backwards. My arms flail, and a brief shriek rips from my throat as my eyes close tight, bracing for a painful impact. But it never comes; instead, a strong pair of arms wrap around me, catching me before I hit the pavement. Blinking rapidly, my head tilts back as an excited smile washes over my face.
“Daddy!” I jump into his arms, wrapping my tiny body around his. Every worry and fear I previously had, forgotten, as I nuzzle deeper into my fathers embrace.
“Heya, Peanut!” he says over a giggle, his arms squeezing me tighter.
There will never be an age where I don’t jump right into his arms when I see him. Especially when he comes home from a trip. My dad and I have this special unspoken bond. Something that I cherish more and more as I get older. He’s mygo-to person, even more than Mom in a lot of situations. I suppose having four guy best friends could play a part in that. Him having more of a need to protect or look out for his little girl, but never once has he shown an issue with them being around. Actually, if I didn’t know any better… I’d think he likes that I have my own personal guard dogs. Not that he would ever admit that…
My dad—David—and my mom—Rosie—met when they were in their early twenties, and I was born less than two years later. I was even at their wedding, not that I can remember a damn thing… but there’s pictures. They always say it was love at first sight, that they instantly knew they had met “the one.” This is, of course, right before they start getting all mushy and gross. Staring at each other like only the two of them exist.Blech, barf.
