“Cali!” Jules shouts from the island in the kitchen, a half-chewed bite of sushi in her mouth. “Dax says Marcus from sophomore year was at the game! He’s following them back to his house. Want to go there first, get reacquainted?” She laughs.

Cali chuckles, rolling her eyes playfully as she climbs out.

“Of course, I do!” she shouts back, turning to me. She sighs but then smiles. “You’re off the hook tonight.”

“Who says I want to be?”

She laughs, grabs her towel and looks at me over her shoulder. “Uh-huh. See you tomorrow, girlie.”

They’re out the door and not five minutes later, my gate rattles.

I don’t have to open my eyes to know who’s stepping through—I never bothered to put the lock back on.

Footsteps grow near, and then the water sloshes as one of them steps inside.

Apprehension curls beneath my ribs and I half hope I’m imagining the person before me.

I’m not.

I’m lifted from my little corner, my eyes opening to find Ransom before me. His arms around my waist as he guides my legs around his, lowering us to our shoulders in the heated water.

I stare, unease pulling at my muscles, and he reaches behind me, coming back with an iced latte.

He holds it out, waiting for me to wrap my fingers around the clear cup.

The moment I do, his mouth curls to one side.

I don’t allow myself to react, but ask, “What?”

He pulls my body closer and I have to lift the coffee higher, so I don’t spill or smash it between us.

“Coffee is in your hand.” He leans back until his neck meets the concrete while he remains sitting on the seat’s edge. “Rule is you can’t be pissed now, right?”

It takes a moment to understand what he means.

I give a slow nod. “I did say such a dumb thing.”

His blue eyes move between mine, his expression grows somber fast, and a knot forms in my throat, threatening to close it if I don’t find space to breathe. I try to pull free of his grasp, but he holds me tightly and my stomach caves.

“Stop,” he demands, his voice is low, strained yet strong.

“Stop what?”

He glares. “Fighting me.”

I scoff, angling my upper half as far back as he allows, which isn’t far.

That’s rich coming from him.

“You lied today.” He gauges me. “Tell me you did.”

“This is ridiculous.” I try to get free again, and his hold on me tightens.

He rubs my skin, massaging my muscles beneath the water. Waiting.

I glare, setting my drink down. “I didn’t lie.”

“Yes, you did.”

“No, I didn’t—”

“I said stop,” he snaps.