“I thought they weren’t together anymore.”
“They’re not now, but they will be. They always break up and get back together.”
“Like you and Andrea.”
He turns to me, his dark eyes looking directly into mine. “Stop bringing up Andrea. Don’t even say her fucking name. I’vehad enough of her shit. The bitch is dead and still making my life hell.”
“She’snot doing it. The police are.”
“Because of her. She fucking falls over a railing and I get blamed.”
“Who’s blaming you? You weren’t charged with anything.”
“I wasaccused. Same thing. And now it’s happening again. I don’t need this shit. I need to focus on football, not waste time at some fucking lawyer’s office.”
“Why do they keep accusing you? Just because you dated her?”
“Because she made a damn scene when I told her we were over. She wouldn’t shut up. The whole damn town probably heard her screaming at me.”
“Why was she so determined to get back with you? Wasn’t she dating that other guy?”
“She wantedme. She never wanted Novak. She only went out with him to piss me off, which it did. There was no way I was taking her back after that. I don’t know why the hell she thought I would.”
“Is that the real reason you guys were fighting that night? Because she was dating your friend?”
“He wasn’t my friend. He was my fucking enemy. That’s why she picked him. She loved seeing me get angry. It turned her on.”
“Did she say something about him? Stuff to purposely make you mad?”
“She said all kinds of shit. Shit I’m not repeating.” He spreads his arms out, one of them landing right behind me. “I don’t want to talk about her. Seriously, I don’t even want you saying her name.”
I nod, moving over slightly to give us some space. Why is he sitting next to me? I could hear him just fine from where he was sitting before.
“Is the water helping your knee?” I ask.
He smiles. “I knew you were worried about me.” He slides up beside me and puts his arm around my shoulder. “You won’t admit it, but I know you like me.”
“You’re okay,” I say, moving away from him.
“Where you going?” He tightens his grip on my shoulder, pulling me back beside him.
“Giving you some space. I don’t know why we’re sitting so close.”
“Because it’s what I want.” He rubs his hand up and down my arm. “I could tell you wanted it too.”
“Wanted what? What are you talking about?”
“You don’t have to pretend.” His other hand lowers into the water and wraps around my thigh.
“Braden!” I try to move away, but he’s got me in a tight hold, one arm grasping my shoulder, the other grabbing my thigh. “What are you doing?”
“Look at me.”
I look into his dark eyes. “What?”
He leans in and kisses me.
I shove him away. “Braden, what thehell? I’m your cousin!”
