by Lane Hart
“At least you know what you want to do,” I remind him. “I have no fucking idea. And if I don’t come up with something, I’ll end up miserable, sitting behind a desk, looking at budgets and tax forms and shit for the rest of my boring life.”
“The money would be damn good, though,” he points out.
“What good is money if you hate your life every second of the day?” I ask.
“True. You better figure your shit out fast, bro,” Ty says. “Just don’t let it ruin our last summer together.”
God, he’s right. One more summer. One more year. That’s all we have before we go our separate ways and drift apart, maybe talking on the phone or through text message a few times a year. Less if Ty meets a woman and starts to settle down and have kids. He won’t have time for me, and I don’t think I could watch him be happy when I’ll likely be sad and depressed.
“I don’t want to grow up,” I say. “Peter Pan knew what the fuck he was talking about.”
“The crazy son of a bitch totally did,” Ty agrees, right before Skyler comes into the kitchen wearing a white tee that shows her red bathing suit underneath. Good, she actually put it on.
“Morning, Sky. Want some cereal?” Ty asks, picking up the box and offering it to her.
“Sure,” she says, taking it. I grab her a bowl and hand it over. “Thanks.”
“We need some of the cereal with colored marshmallows in it before we grow up,” I suggest.
“Good idea,” Ty agrees. “Let’s put it on the grocery list.”
“Who buys groceries?” Sky asks us.
“The guy at the store,” he tells her, as if it wasn’t obvious.
“The guy at the store?” she questions, looking from him to me in confusion.
“We order online, and then they deliver our groceries the next day,” I explain.
“Wow, Ty. It must be nice to be so rich you don’t even have to shop,” Sky says, causing my best friend to look at me with both of his blond eyebrows raised.
“I know, right,” I reply before Ty can comment. “We’re gonna have to go to the store and push the buggy around and shit when we become adults, aren’t we?”
“Yep. Probably so,” Ty answers, still unsure what to make of Sky’s statement. “Unless we find wives that will do it for us,” he jokes.
“That’s not a bad idea,” I respond.
But I can’t see myself or Ty settling down with anyone anytime soon. Or maybe I just don’t want to imagine that because it’ll be even more proof that our lives are about to go in different directions and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
Chapter 12
Skyler
I’m so glad that I don’t have a fear of heights or I may have missed this amazing view from the top of the lighthouse.
“It’s beautiful,” I tell the guys once I’m able to catch my breath from the hundreds of steps and the incredible sight. While I may be terrified of the crashing waves and unknown depths of the ocean, it’s still really nice to look at from far away. And from up here, I feel safe and secure from the majestic blue sea.
“Yeah, it is,” Charlie agrees, coming up on my right side while Tyson stands on the left to look out across the town.
“Thanks for bringing me up here,” I tell them.
“You’re welcome,” Charlie says.
“I wish Graham was here.” The words come pouring out of my mouth without any warning, making me wince. “I mean, it sucks that he has to sit in classes all day while we’re here.”
“Uh-huh. Right,” Tyson mutters because he knows I’m full of shit.
“If he weren’t in summer school, you wouldn’t be here,” Charlie reminds me.
“I know.”
“And if you weren’t here, do you know what Graham would probably be doing?” Charlie asks me.
“No.”
“He’d be fucking some girl he met at the gym or at the mall or when he walked out to the yard to check the mail,” Tyson explains, each of his words forming cold sharp, icicles that stab me in the heart.
“Yeah, I figured,” I say around the knot in my throat.
“He goes through a lot of women,” Charlie tells me, as if I wasn’t aware of that fact.
“I bet they’re all tall, thin, beautiful women too,” I grumble, describing the opposite of my physical appearance.
“You’re better than them, Sky,” Tyson says. “You’re smart and caring and sweet. Don’t waste your time wanting someone who will only use you up and hurt you.”
“Easier said than done,” I whisper. “Don’t you think I’ve tried to get over the way I feel about him? It’s like a part of me that I can’t get rid of, no matter how hard I try. And I’ve been lugging it around since I was fifteen.”
“You had probably forgotten all about him before he asked you to come up here,” Charlie mutters.
“Actually, I hadn’t. It’s pathetic, I know,” I tell them. “If I could stop, I would.”
“There is a way to move on and get over him,” Tyson says.
“Oh yeah? What’s that?” I ask.
“Find someone who cares about you to make you forget him.”
“I wish it were that easy, but I don’t think it works that way,” I say with a heavy exhale as I look out over the incredible view.
How could I explain to them that there are no other options for me without sounding like an even bigger loser? They don’t get it. Charlie and Tyson are both handsome football players with bodies so incredible that the only thing that tops that attribute is their kind personalities. I’m sure they’ve been with plenty of women, and would never get hung up on one person when they stay so busy with all the various options available to them. And even if they’re right and I dated other guys, I don’t think I’m capable of forgetting about Graham. He’s the man I’ve always wanted, and it’s illogical and crazy, but that doesn’t seem to matter to my heart.
Spending the summer with him is a dream come true, even if I’ll only ever be his tutor and he’ll never see me as anything else. Knowing he’ll never feel the same way about me as I feel about him is fine, and something I came to terms with years ago.
“You would rather be around him and miserable than without him?” Charlie asks, almost as if he understands.
“Yes,” I answer. “And maybe I prefer it this way. If he doesn’t want me too, then I don’t have to open up to him or trust him. I don’t have to risk getting hurt.”
“You’re just content to get to stay in a nice, somewhat happy bubble, without having to worry about the bubble popping,” Charlie explains.
“Exactly.”
“Sounds like both of you are just floating down a river in Egypt called denial,” Tyson tells us with a shake of his head.
“I don’t know about a river, but it’s hot as hell out here,” Charlie says. “How about we go home and get wet to cool off? Turn on the hose to the slip-and-slide?”
“Sounds good to me,” Tyson tells him.
“Yeah, me too,” I agree, since it’s so freaking hot and humid the only other options would be a cold shower, and I actually like hanging out with Charlie and Tyson. I’m starting to think that they don’t even mind me tagging along with them. It’s really nice.
…
Tyson
It’s a good thing Graham isn’t home right now because if he saw Skyler in the red, sexy, lifeguard bathing suit, the pool noodle dividing up his bed would be long gone.
I currently have a problem with my own noodle that’s anything but soft at the moment. Good thing we brought some towels out with us. I grab one to cover up my inappropriate erection since I can’t seem to stop looking at the swell of her tits pushing their way out the top of the suit.
“We should probably go dry off and find something for dinner,” I suggest, tossing Sky and Charlie each a towel before Graham gets out of class because I’m rooting for Skyler and Charlie to hook up. I think. Yeah, I am, if I can just get past the thought of Skyler and me.
Th
e problem is, she’s so hung up on Graham that I don’t know if I have any chance of getting her over it. Or, I mean, if Charlie can get her over it. He hasn’t been with a woman in so long that he really needs to be with someone like Sky. They deserve real, happy relationships with each other while all I can think about is having hot, sweaty sex with the smart bookworm.
Charlie is right about my type, though. I do like the women who love to get wild and crazy in bed. That’s not Skyler.
I don’t think.
Nah. She’s too shy and innocent to get down and dirty.
After Sky heads inside, Charlie turns to me and says, “You don’t want Graham to see her in a bathing suit, do you?”
“Nope.”
“Good call,” he says, offering me a fist bump that I return. And I don’t miss his eyes lowering to the bulge of my towel briefly before looking away. Clearing his throat, he says, “But if your plan works, he’ll eventually see her in one.”
“Yeah, so you should hurry up and make her forget him,” I suggest.
“She can’t be rushed,” Charlie replies. “Not with the pool, and definitely not with moving on from the guy she’s had a crush on for years.”
“She just doesn’t know what she’s missing, in either case,” I assure him.
“I like her,” he says. “She’s great, right?”
“Yeah, she is,” I agree.
“For now, I think we should just work on being her friends,” Charlie tells me. “That’s what she needs most, right?”
“Right,” I agree, unsure why he’s stalling out so soon before he’s even started. “How long has it been since you were with a woman?” I blurt out curiously.
“That’s…that’s none of your business,” he says. “It’s been pretty silent on your side of the wall too,” he points out.
“Yeah, it has,” I mutter in agreement. And at this point in time, I don’t have any inclination to change that.
What’s happening to me?
Maybe I really am growing up.
Chapter 13
Graham
“All right, that’s everything except for the business class,” I say to Skyler on our second night of studying. Blowing out a breath, I lift my arms over my head to stretch them. When she doesn’t respond, I look over at where she’s laid out reading my lecture notes.
She’s no longer reading. Her eyes are closed behind her skewed glasses as she lays on her side facing me, pink lips slightly parted with her head resting on her arm. Her braid is draped over her shoulder, and the forgotten notebook is sitting in front of her. It must have been an exciting day if she’s this tired. During dinner, I listened to Charlie and Ty talk about walking to the beach with Skyler and seeing a few dolphins before they came back for more slip-and-slide fun at the house. Sounded like a really great day and I’m glad she’s enjoying herself. We’ve been hitting the books for at least a four hours now, so it’s not all that surprising than anyone would nod off.
For the first time, I notice that there are a few new freckles over Sky’s nose and cheeks from being in the sun. Her brown hair even looks lighter, almost like blonde highlights, where the sun has touched it. And next to the white spaghetti straps of her top are tan lines from a thicker strap, possibly a bathing suit. Which is surprising since she doesn’t like water. I didn’t expect her to even want anything to do with Ty’s ridiculous slip-and-slide, but I guess I was wrong.
A short strand of her hair has escaped her braid and is about to make its way into her eyes, so I reach over and sweep it away before tucking it behind her ear. Then I gently pull off her glasses so she doesn’t break them in her sleep.
Leaning over Sky, her sunshine and lemonade scent is strong enough I can almost taste it. I bet if I kissed her, I could.
No.
What the fuck am I thinking?
I don’t know for certain how she feels about me now, but Sky had a huge crush on me when we were in high school. If I kiss her, I’ll be leading her on, making her think that I’m capable of giving her more than a few romps under the sheets. Other than being good at football, I don’t have anything else to offer a genius girl like Skyler. The only conversations we’ve ever had are about how dumb I am and needing her to explain the same shit over and over again to me before I understand it.
She may think that she wants me, but she doesn’t. It’s nothing more than a stupid physical attraction. I’m hollow on the inside while Skyler is slam-packed with goodness. She’s a great girl, and she flew all the way here to help me.
What kind of asshole would I be if I selfishly took advantage of her? She would end up on the losing side of that deal when she realized I wasn’t all she hoped I would be.
…
Skyler
“Wake up, sunshine,” Charlie’s voice softly calls to me.
But that can’t be right. I just closed my heavy eyelids for a moment while Graham and I were studying. It can’t be morning yet, can it?
When I blink my eyes open to see a blurry Charlie and Ty standing in the bright bedroom, my question is answered.
“Shit!” I exclaim as I push myself into a sitting position.
“Sorry,” Charlie says. “We’ll come back later.”
“No,” I tell them as I push some of my loose strands of hair back from my face. “Wait. Where are my glasses?”
“Right here beside the bed,” Ty answers, and then they’re being waved in front of my face.
“Thanks.” I slip them on and the two men come into focus. “I fell asleep.”
“Well, yeah,” Ty replies. “We did too. Most people sleep at night.”
“No, I mean, Graham and I were studying last night, and I must have drifted off. Crap! Do you think he’s gonna be mad at me?”
“Um, no,” Charlie says. “Were you studying for hours before you knocked out?”
“Yes.”
“Then he can’t be pissed,” Ty tells me. “You came to help him, not stay up all night to pound shit into his brain.”
“Still, I feel bad,” I respond, as I gnaw on my bottom lip in worry. “Should I text him? Tell him I’m sorry?”
“No!” both guys say simultaneously.
“Stop stressing. Graham won’t be mad,” Charlie assures me. “Now get your butt up and put on your swimsuit.”
“Yeah, what he said,” Ty adds.
“Are you sure I shouldn’t—”
“Yes!” they both grumble. “Now get to it and meet us outside.”
“Fine, okay,” I agree.
After they leave, I grab my phone to send my father the usual check-in text and then send a message to Graham anyway, telling him I’m sorry I fell asleep, and it won’t happen again. Before I finish my morning routine of taking my meds, brushing my teeth, and re-braiding my hair, Graham responds back, saying not to worry about it and to have fun today while he’s being held hostage on campus. He even sends a funny gif of a cartoon guy sweating profusely while trying to take notes on pen and paper. That makes me wonder if Graham wouldn’t be better off taking his laptop. I’ll have to ask him tonight.
Appeased by his response, I put on the red bathing suit that I hung up to dry on the balcony patio chair on the second floor yesterday and head downstairs.
Charlie and Ty aren’t in the kitchen or living room, and when I walk out the front door around to the side of the house, there’s no sign of them either. The hose to the slip-and-slide isn’t even on. Where the heck are they?
Oh no.
Walking back through the house, I go out the back door and find them jumping off the diving board into the sparkling depths of the pool. Sure, it’s not that deep, but as I know from experience, you can easily drown in a few feet of water if you’re trapped inside of a locked car.
“I’m gonna stay inside and read today,” I call out to the guys when they both resurface.
“Please stay, Sky!” Charlie begs while raking his fingers through his dripping wet, black hair to get it out of his face.
“I don�
�t swim,” I tell him.
“You don’t have to swim with us,” Ty speaks up. “You can just come sit in one of the lounge chairs and read while hanging out with us.” He points to the four white, wicker chaise lounge chairs that are lined up just a few feet away from the pool steps. “Don’t you want to soak up some sun?”
Since I do want to hang out with them, and there’s not much difference between reading inside or reading out here, I cave.
“Fine, but you both have to promise not to toss me in,” I tell him seriously.
“Promise,” Ty says.
“Cross my heart,” Charlie agrees, tracing his fingertip in the shape over his left pectoral.
“I’ll be right back.” I head inside to grab my Kindle and sunglasses, then return to stretch out in one of the chairs.
“We’re really happy you came out with us,” Ty says from the side of the pool where his arms are crossed on the concrete, his chin is resting on them. His long blond hair is wet and slicked back, making his handsome face stand out even more.
“Yeah, sure,” I mutter absently, trying not to smile, when my chest feels like it’s expanding with each of his sweet words.
It only takes me about half an hour before I start to regret my decision.
“It’s hot as hell!” I finally exclaim, unable to take another second of the stifling heat and humidity.
“Really?” Charlie asks from his turtle float in the center of the pool, dark sunglasses covering his eyes. “Do you think it’s hot?” he asks Ty.
“Nah. Feels perfect to me,” Ty answers from his yacht float, his arms crossed behind his head.
“Yeah, well, that’s because you two are wet,” I tell him, wiping away the sweat dripping from my forehead.
“Oh yeah,” Ty replies, as if he didn’t know that. “You should come in and—”
“No way,” I interrupt him.
“How about this,” Charlie starts before he slides off his turtle and swims over to the steps. “Sit with me on the top step?”
