William put both hands in his hair, looking freaked out.
“What is it?”
“Um, I’m just—” His hesitant words were a slap that rudely woke me up. I watched him rub the nape of his neck nervously, and I immediately understood.
“What a mess. I gotta go to the bathroom.”
Will grabbed my top from the couch and brought it in front of his lower stomach to cover the white stain on his swimsuit. I nodded, not very convinced, then with my head completely empty, I followed him as he rushed toward the crowd.
“Is it my fault, Will?” I asked at a certain point, completely unaware.
“No, of course not. It’s me. Sorry,” he whispered, before kissing me on the lips.
“You don’t have to be sorry.” I pushed his hair back while he looked around for someone.
“Stay here. I’m gonna go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
I closed my eyes for a fraction of a second. My head was spinning like crazy. I’d been drinking. There were too many people around me. I thought I was going to suffocate in the crowd.
I was afraid of getting lost and not finding him again. It was way too hot. Why couldn’t I go into the bathroom with him?
“Will, are you leaving me alone?” I asked, bringing an arm to my chest to cover myself.
“No, you’re right,” he said, apologetically. “James! Come here for a bit.”
Slowly, what was going on came into focus, and I saw James grinding on a girl while she made out with Marvin.
Great, that guy was never inappropriate.But how dare you think something like that. You, June White, who just did unspeakable things with Will?There was my mom’s voice echoing even in my drunk mind.
“I’ll be right back, stay with her for two seconds.” Will grabbed his friend’s arm. Maybe there was too much alcohol in my system to say it for sure, but I was almost positive that James’s attention lingered first on Will’s neck, then his chest marked with kiss marks, and then the neckline of my bikini. I trembled.
“Will, give me back the tank top.” I held my arm out impatiently.
But Will shook his head.
“No, look—”
Seeing my discomfort, James commanded him, “Will, give her back the fucking tank top now. Thank you.”
William grumbled, threw me the shirt, and turned around.
“Where the fuck are you going, Will? Can’t you see that I’m completely—” James called to his friend who was now looking for the bathroom “—occupied.”
James’s deep cobalt eyes bored into mine. I couldn’t see myself in the mirror, but I had the sense that I looked extremely disheveled and embarrassed. I’d had way too much alcohol; that was something else I had to write in my notes. Never drink like this again.
“What happened?” James mumbled, looking me up and down.
My eyes slithered down his broad chest to his board shorts, then I glanced lightning fast between his legs before returning to his face.
James glanced down to where I’d just looked.
“Looks like we’ve both been busy.” He looked up and licked his lips.
“No, I just—”
He took a step toward me, and I couldn’t say another word because I noticed there was still blue paint on his lips.
“Don’t pretend. I saw you with Will first,” he whispered in my ear.
