“Just say the word.” I find myself staring at her lips again. They’re full, the lower one so plump I want to trace it with my thumb and my tongue, and they’re this perfect pink color.

“I’m not dating for a while. Boys suck.”

“Why is it when girls get their heart broken, they go off men entirely? A guy gets his heart kicked in and he moves on to the next. Chicks aren’t like that.”

“Well, women are smarter. It takes you guys longer for your small brains to catch up and be brokenhearted.”

A chuckle escapes from my lips and she smiles.

“I got out of a relationship right before I came to Valley.”

“Might have heard something about that.”

“Ugh. Really? Adam told you about Bryan?”

“Not by name, but he did mention that you’d recently gotten out of something. He’s worried about you, wants me to look out for you.”

Her mouth gapes and her shoulders tense. “Is that why you’re…”

“No. Fuck no.” Her hair is in another braid today and I finger the end and tug it gently. “I thought we established that I like hanging out with you.”

“Same.” Her body melts back into the raft and those perfect pink lips pull apart. “How’d you and my brother become roommates? I get the hockey connection, but you don’t seem like the best of friends.”

“Cheap rent,” I tell her honestly. “I wanted to move out of the dorms but couldn’t afford a place on my own. Your brother and I are cool. We’re not the best of friends, as you said, but we get each other. He’s a good captain.”

It’s hot out and there’s really no escape from the sun in the middle of the pool, so we get out when Ginny’s shoulders start to burn. Inside the house, we find Adam and his new girlfriend sitting with Maverick and a brunette he introduces as Maddie. Rauthruss is there too with his phone in hand, no doubt texting his girlfriend.

“Little Scott,” Maverick greets her as we take a seat. She bristles at the name, which I totally get. Since Nathan went to Valley too, I’ve often been called Baby Payne and that shit gets old really quick.

“She has a name, man,” I tell him.

His brows raise slightly, but he nods. “Yeah, I know, just messing around.”

“Do you want something to drink?” I ask her and stand. She nods and I head outside to where we left our stuff.

Dakota and Reagan are sitting in the lounge chairs we abandoned.

“Where’s Ginny?” Reagan asks.

I grab the alcohol and all our clothing. “Everyone’s inside.” I motion with my head and they follow.

“Got a crush on Ginny?” Dakota asks with a tease to her voice.

“It’s not like that.”