Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
I’d say lesson number two has been mastered.
Thank you, Mr. Taylor.
I push off the side, dunk under the water, and do a few laps. If swimming underwater from one end to the other counts as “laps.” I never did learn how to swim overhand, but I see no need for that. Out of breath, I move to the little bench seat on the curved edge near the middle.
Giving my hair a quick shake out with my fingers, I flip the top over and lean back on my palms, so the sun can beat down on my face.
It can’t be but a few minutes later, when the water sloshes around me, and I don’t have to open my eyes to know who sat down.
“I knew he’d make his way to you eventually,” he claims.
Opening one eye, I glance at Crew.
His attention is pointed at the game of keep-away he abandoned. “What did he have to say?”
“He wanted to make sure I wasn’t dying from embarrassment.”
“And that requires touching you?”
“I get the feeling he’s a touchy-feely guy.” I look across the water to where Julius mirrors Willie’s position, hanging off the edge of Layla’s raft. “I really—”
Crew’s sharp scoff cuts me off, and I face him just in time to catch the shake of his head.
“What?”
“You don’t know him enough to like him, Davis.”
“Have you never heard of love at first sight?”
His head swivels my way so fast, I would bet his vision needs a moment to catch up, but when he spots the hidden grin on my lips, his glare goes from pissy to puzzled.
“Kidding. Obviously.” My smile breaks free. “All I was going to say was I really appreciate you bringing me today. I don’t hang out with people outside of school, so this has been fun.”
Crew’s brows crash, and he looks off, attempting to hide the way he clears his throat. “I’m glad you’re having fun.”
“Uh-huh, so long as I’m not having too much fun, right?” I tease, dropping myself back into the water.
Crew’s eyes come to mine and a small grin crosses his lips, but he erases it, as usual.
I wait until he looks off and then swim in closer, pressing the bottom of my foot against the pebbled wall. Grabbing both his legs, I yank as hard as I can, and thanks to the water, I’m able to pull his big-ass body straight in.
He sinks, coming back up with a splash, his sunglasses floating off around him. “Oh, you think you’re cute.”
I swim away, yelping and holding my breath when he tugs me back, and I go down, but he’s got us back to the edge in seconds. In a flash, I’m tossed over his shoulder and he’s stepping out, right onto the diving board.
“Crew Taylor, I will castrate you!” I shout. “I know exactly how to do it without cutting too deep!” I tug at his black tank top.
“Rip it and pay,” he warns.
“Why are you wearing this in the water anyway?!”
His friends whoop and holler around us, and Crew laughs, smacking my ass so loud it echoes, then into the air we go.
I scream as we crash into the pool, and when we come up, we’re both laughing.
This time, he doesn’t cut his short.
With my lips tucked beneath the surface, I grin, enjoying the way he smiles back.
I miss this Crew.
The one who didn’t hide himself from me.
It’s sad how we grew apart the last few years.
It’s even sadder knowing he wanted it that way.
By eight, all guests are gone, and Layla needs to get off her feet so she asks if I want to join her in the house. Being it would have left me with Crew, the twins, and brother number three, her invite is lifesaving.
We sit at the makeshift bar, but every few minutes, she looks at the mess, so I found a way to convince her to let me do the dirty work.
Once the kitchen is spotless, she walks me to the back of the house to show me the baby’s nursery.
“Willie painted the walls, and then all the boys came over one day, put the furniture together, hung the shelves, and all I had to do was point out what I wanted where. We managed to get it all done in a weekend.” Layla smiles at the space, running her fingers over the soft-pink shams she and I slid onto the rod not five minutes ago.
Willie is getting his girl.
“It’s really beautiful, Layla.”
“Thanks. We told Crew we could scoot the crib over and he could put his mattress down or even crash on the couch until everything gets squared away with the electric issue at the bar, but he wouldn’t go for it. He’d rather put himself in a bad spot by getting a hotel. The man is always worried about wearing out his welcome, which will never happen around here.”