Nate throws his jacket off and already starts to strip his clothes off. My brother used to play professional hockey, and it resulted in him not being shy and following his own tune.
“Yes. It’s Mom and Dad’s house. The house I grew up in. Is it crazy that I still refer to it as our home? Don’t think so,” he justifies.
My asshole of a brother is stealing the show as the ladies are taken aback by his abruptness of stripping until he’s in his boxers, then he goes to dive into the lit and heated pool.
Distraction wears off and Jess takes her jacket off and sits next to Max on the lounge sofa, while Abby looks at me then walks my way.
“What’s on the menu?” Her coat falls to the chair of other coats.
Lifting the lid, I show her my specialty. “Roast chicken on the grill.” I may be a little proud when I say that.
“Sounds delish.” She kneels to the ground to pet Brownie. “Hey there, little guy. How are you feeling? You are so cute. Yes, you are,” she coos while the dog wags his tail.
“He seems to be back in better spirits today or at least his stomach is back to normal.”
Abby looks up at me and smiles before standing again. “Good. Otherwise, you would find yourself back in my office on Monday.”
My eyes lock on her. “Sounds bad for Brownie. Not necessarily me.” It’s subtle enough, the charm, as that gentle smile of hers stays on her mouth.
“Come on, guys and girls, hop in the pool. It’s great!” Nate yells before diving under the water again.
“Dinner is almost ready,” I shout back with my eyes not leaving Abby. As if there’s glue that has been placed between us. My eyes couldn’t part even if they tried.
Her eyes flutter and she licks that bottom lip that looks soft. In my mind, I remember that one time. It’s not that it’s substantial, but it’s a warm nostalgia that I wouldn’t want to forget.
Gavin DeGraw playsin the house filled with people who have red cups in hand. The sounds of a group playing beer pong and their cheers float in and out as I walk down the upstairs hall. My ears overhear a familiar voice tell someone in as friendly a way as possible that she isn’t interested.
A jolt goes through me that I should probably step in. After all, our families know each other, and my parents would go through the roof if they knew Abby was here and I didn’t watch out for her. And even though it’s been years since I’ve seen him, her brother would give me an ass kick too. Without hesitation, my arm drapes around Abby’s shoulder, quite protectively.
“Believe the lady is giving you the sign to leave her alone,” I inform the douchebag in front of me. His Abercrombie shirt is too tight for his protein-shake-infused body. Abby’s eyes look up to mine, almost as if she worships me, while the guy heads off.
“Hey,” I tell her as our eyes meet.
“Hey.” It’s soft.
“What are you doing here? These guys don’t care that you’re in high school. They’ll try anything.” Most of the people here were in the same class as me and the guys, all home from college for Spring Break. Abby is three years younger. Her dyed-black hair, tight jeans, and lacy tank with a blue bra tells me she knew all of this when she came here tonight.
“A party is a party, right? And in two months, I’m also college bound.” There’s almost a challenge in her voice.
I have to laugh.
In that moment, we just look at each other and then notice the space around us. People are drunk, others making out, someone offering weed.
I grab her hand and drag her with me a few steps to a door down the hall that’s an extra guest room. Opening the door, we go in and then I close the door behind us. Suddenly we have quiet with the vague sounds from the party in the background.
“It’s getting a little insane out there, right?” I state as she goes to sit on the bed.
“Yeah. I was going to head, but the weather is pretty bad so don’t want to drive.”
“Have you been drinking? I should take you home,” I offer as I go and sit next to her on the bed. I’m well aware that I may be giving her the wrong idea, but maybe this is the right idea.
The last two years, my eyes have been intrigued by her. I saw her in a bikini last summer, and I needed to take a long cold shower after. Then I caught her once in just a bra, but she had no idea that I saw her. I may have thought of her once or twice when jerking off too. And the fact that I notice her eyes often landing on me, especially when I help her parents with the yard or go for a swim, then I know she probably has a little crush.
There’s a wave of thunder.
“I guess it’s storming now,” she mentions softly as she looks at me.
“Does that scare you?” I offer a soft smile.
