In high school, we’d pack coolers full of deli meat, snacks, and drinks, only to spend several hours out in the murky-green water. Baker’s family has always had boats. It wasn’t uncommon for them to let us borrow the pontoon and send us on our way. Our summers were spent on the water, and it’s been way too long since I let myself enjoy the lake named after my family.
A splash sounds from the side of the boat, capturing my attention. Davis stands in the chest-deep water as he helps guide the boat closer to land. Jett and I sit back as Davis, Baker, and Greer discuss where we should anchor, ultimately deciding to beach the boat so they don’t have to mess with anchors.
Most of the group is here; we’re only missing Heath, but it’s his turn to be on shift. Levi had the day off and brought Audrey with us. She’s sitting opposite me, her tiny frame on full display, hair tied back behind a baseball cap, as she soaks in the sun’s rays.
Greer moves around the boat, adjusting beach bags and gathering any items needing to be tucked away. She’s our own little Mother Hen, situating everything while Baker stands from the captain’s chair, watching Davis navigate the boat from the water.
I adjust awkwardly in my seat, letting out a small groan.
“You okay?” Jett asks, concern lacing his voice.
I nod. “A little sore.”
A sexy smirk spreads across his lips as his gaze meets mine. “What from?”
I roll my eyes, knowing damn well he’s aware of why I’m sore. I haven’t had this much sex in… I can’t remember the last time. Probably when we were two hormonal teenagers who spent our free time learning each other’s bodies.
My mind drifts back to this morning and how it felt to wake up in Jett’s arms. Sometime in the early morning hours, wemanaged to fall asleep. Both of us were a tangled mess of naked limbs, fumbling in the sheets as the sound of a phone ringing woke us from the dead.
Jett answered his phone half-asleep, voice rough as his arms tightened around my waist, afraid our bubble was about to burst. I listened to him grumble something about “yeah, we’ll be there” and “give us an hour.” Everything in that moment felt normal. Like we were starting our lives together.
We moved through the morning on autopilot, like this was an everyday routine. He made us coffee while I made my bed. My shower turned into a shared shower with more touching than washing. I rifled through my drawers looking for a swimsuit—none of them felt appropriate for a day on the lake, but Jett said “fuck it” as he convinced me to wear the few scraps of fabric I have on now. Tossing on a sundress, I watched as he brushed his teeth with my spare toothbrush.
As we drove into town toward his house for him to get his swim trunks, the cab was filled with comfortable silence as we listened to our old playlist. Stripped of heavy conversation and the past, we simply existed in the aftermath of last night. With soft touches and stolen glances, we drove the ten minutes to his house. Everything felt domesticated, leaving me with hope.
The sound of a beer cracking open has my attention snapping back to the present. Jett rummages through my bag, pulling out a bottle of sunscreen and gesturing toward me in a silent question. Nodding, he flips the top as I position myself so my back is to his front.
Strong, calloused hands work the lotion into my skin. A low moan escapes my lips as Jett groans behind me.
“There’s a child present,” Levi grits out from somewhere behind us.
“I’mnota child,” Audrey protests.
“Notthe point,” her dad grumbles. “Keep it PG.”
“It’s not like she’s unaware of heavy petting,” Baker tosses over his shoulder as he slides into the green water.
Levi lets out a curse as I flick my attention to Audrey. Her cheeks are pink, and my eyes widen.
“I’m getting in the water,” she blurts.
“There’s a story there,” I whisper to Jett, who flinches.
“She’s like my daughter. I’m not thinking about her and some boy who doesn’t deserve her.”
“She’s fourteen, going on fifteen. Do you remember what we were like at that age?”
“Enough.” Levi glares.
I raise my hand in defense. “I’m simply asking, has she hadthe talk?”
Both Jett and Levi shiver, and I take that as a no, mentally noting to have a girls' night with Audrey.
With the boat shut off, Greer wheels out a giant speaker she connects to her phone’s Bluetooth. “Pontoon” blasts over the speakers, and my shoulders move to the beat. With my back freshly covered in sunscreen, I return the favor for Jett, and with fresh beers in hand, we join the others in the water.
I squeal as the cool water meets my warm skin.
Davis chuckles. “Colder than the Pacific?”
