I lean over. “You’re doing the burning-eye thing.”
“I can’t help it,” she hisses. “Look at him.”
Asher shoots a look between Connor and Hunter, a daring smile spreading across his face. He takes two slow steps back.
“Last one to jump mans the barbecue,” he declares, taking off.
The guys laugh, sprinting after him into the water, arms and legs flying everywhere. Hunter pushes Connor down mid-run, sending him falling in the water, and Halle and I double over, laughing at the sheer dramatics of it all.
“I’m going to take Remi in with Sarah. You coming?” Halle asks.
“I’ll be over soon. Let me put this down”—I lift my drink—“and get out of this.” I tug at the wet tee stuck to my boobs.
I move over to where all our stuff is, peel my tee off, and dig out the sunscreen, lathering my skin in it. My hands slow as I spread it over my arms, a nervous flutter settling low in my chest. I glance over at Hunter as he trudges out of the water, shaking droplets from his hair before starting up the trail. I know I need to talk to him today about everything circling in my head, and if I have to get mad like Mom said, to be heard, then so be it.
“Don’t look behind you, but Xavier is here, and he’s walking over,” Tessa says, dragging me out of my head,grinning as she ties her hair into a messy bun. “Ohhh, girl… he is locked in on your ass. He’s not even trying to hide it.”
My hand hovers stupidly over my boobs as I freeze mid-sunscreen rub.
“You’re fucking with me,” I breathe.
Tessa’s grin only widens as she side steps, planting her hands on her hips.
“Oh my god.” I groan.
Heat blooms across my cheeks, the hairs on the back of my neck stand, and I’m suddenly hyper aware of everything—my bare stomach, the way my bikini top doesn’t leave much to the imagination, the tacky sunscreen on my palms.
I spin around and nearly collide with Xavier as he comes to a stop in front of me. He’s close—too close—and his eyes catch mine with a spark I can’t quite figure out. Interest? Mischief? Something warmer? Whatever it is, it makes me take a step back, my mind racing to Hunter.
“Why, hello there, Xavier,” Tessa purrs.
“Tessa. Madison, Hi,” he replies.
I clear my throat, shifting my weight, and glare at my childhood friend.
“Hey, Xavier.”
He looks different today. His casual shorts and sleeveless tee are a far cry from the suit-and-tie version of him I’m used to seeing around town. The relaxed, easy way he carries himself almost throws me.
“I’m gonna”—Tess hooks her thumb behind her, already backing away—“just go over there. Leave you two to it.”
“Subtle,” I yell after her, earning a smug little wink.
“So…” Xavier starts, attention sliding back to me. “Are things still complicated?”
My mouth twitches, the answer catching in my throat. The prickle at the back of my neck intensifies, the tips of my ears beginning to burn. He’s watching me. I canfeelit. The same electric pull, the same jump in my pulse that only happens when Hunter’s eyes are on me.
“You could say that.”
“Hmm. What a shame.”
He steps closer, deliberately testing a boundary he isn’t sure exists. “Does he need a little push? As I said, I don’t do complicated, but I do love a bit of fun. And if he needs it, I’d be happy to help.”
I bite down on my lip, my gaze snapping away from him. My eyes sweep across the creek—the benches, the shallow pebbled edge where the sunlight dances on the water, the groups of people mingling about—searching for Hunter.
“He’s behind you,” Xavier murmurs, a slow grin spreading across his face. “And damn, he looks ready to come over here and punch me square in the jaw.”
I inhale wrong and choke on absolutely nothing. Xavier lifts a hand, patting between my shoulder blades.
