“What is it like?” she presses as we walk toward the house.

“She’s cool.”

“Cool? So you don’t want to sleep with her?”

Of-fucking-course I want to sleep with her. She’s beautiful and fun and if I had standards… she’d exceed them.

“She’s Scott’s sister.”

She nods in understanding. “He would kill you. Better get your shit on lock then. It’s written all over your handsome face.”

Inside, Liam has slid into my spot and a few others have crowded around the table. When Ginny sees me approaching with her things, she stands. “Oh, thank you.”

I take her seat while she pulls on her shorts and steps into her sandals. The end of her braid swings forward into my face. Back and forth all hypnotic-like. Reminds me of that movie Office Space and I’m going deeper and deeper, way down into Ginny.

When she’s ready to sit, I crowd Liam and make room for her on half the seat. As she settles in, I wrap an arm around her to keep her from falling off.

She smiles at me all sun-kissed skin and smelling like chlorine and something twists in my gut.

“Heath.”

My name being called draws my attention to a group of girls walking up to the table.

“Hey, Kimberly. How are you?”

“Good, good.” She glances around the table, stopping on Rauthruss for a few seconds longer than the others. He gets real busy staring at his phone. I don’t get it. I get loyalty. I respect him for that, but if he wants a girlfriend, why not find one he can actually see… and fuck?

Kimberly’s stare finally finds its way back to me. “What have you been up to? You didn’t call.”

Ginny giggles quietly next to me and I squeeze her waist playfully as I answer. “School, hockey… the usual.”

“Well, let’s hang out later.”

I give her a noncommittal head bob. “See ya.”

“Friend of yours?” Ginny asks with a smirk when she’s gone.

“Never seen her before in my life.” I wink and she giggles again.

Her face is soft and sincere when she pulls away. “Go, you don’t need to keep an eye out for me just because my brother asked you to. I’m good.”

“I thought I told you—”

“I know what you said, but it’s a party and… we’re friends.” Her insinuation is clear. She and I aren’t happening. “Go.” She shoves at my shoulder playfully.

I stand, though I don’t know why. I don’t want to hang out with Kimberly. “All right, you know where to find me.” I tug her braid one last time and head off to the pool.

9

GINNY