The crash.

The sound of the splash is deafening, our lips are still connected, and I suck. I pull, I drink. I devour.

We fall.

Deeper.

Deeper.

And deeper.

Of course, I’ll blame it on being drunk. Of course, she’ll say she pulled me in because I pissed her off, and of course, half the party won’t even remember at this point anyway.

So easy, isn’t it? To justify reasons for doing something bad, something you really, truly know you shouldn’t do. So why does it feel so good every damn time?

Her dirty blonde hair spreads out as we hit the bottom of the pool, as our eyes both open, as we finally stare at each other and go this, this is it, what do we do?

And she clings to me.

I cling right back.

There will be rumors.

There will be whispers.

I don’t know what to do. I need my dad to tell me, but he’s not here.

Mom’s gone.

I have her.

All I have is a foster girl clinging to me the way I’ve always wanted, so what the hell do I do?

I cling right back.

We swim to the top. I breathe in the air, and she does as well, and we both turn and look at each other.

And then stupid Quinn jumps in the pool like some fucking lifeguard from Baywatch and swims over to us.

“Holy shit! You guys okay?” He grabs her first. Expected, then pulls her out of my arms and to the side of the pool. Weirdly enough, nobody seems all that fazed as more people start jumping in and drunkenly shouting. Wow, I do one bad thing in front of everyone, and so far, no repercussions if you don’t count Quinn. “I thought you hit your head. How many fingers am I holding up, just in case you have a concussion from getting shoved into the pool?” He holds up two fingers.

I wish to God she would answer six as I swim over toward the side as well. Instead, MB goes. “Two.”

“Okay, take your time.” He has her fully pulled up against him as if she can’t swim and needs a hero when she’s fully able to save herself.

I want to kill him.

I want to kiss him at the same time for grabbing her, which is a whole different scenario.

He grabbed her the minute she swam to the surface—and I just treaded water like an idiot, staring around at the party, wondering if I just ruined my own life by kissing her, by teasing and tempting her.

Him.

Did it really have to be him though?

“She’s just tired,” I say quickly and attempt to pull her away. Quinn’s eyes lock onto mine with an intensity I’m extremely familiar with and won’t ever be able to forget.

I know that look.

I stare him down.

“Does she though?” His dark smirk says it all. It’s like every secret between us is dangling, waiting to be plucked from the air and exposed to everyone. He pulls her closer against his body while she looks over at me.