Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Humor shines in Hannah’s smirk. “Ben, the man-child. It has a nice ring to it.”
“More like man-baby. Now, can we not mention his name ever again? Maybe steal some of those fruity things your mom buys instead of this beer crap and make fun of your weird aunts like old times?”
Hannah giggles and grabs my hand. “Oh, it’s on. I did see Aunt Getty somewhere. Maybe we can turn the tables and play a little prank on the guys. A certain man-baby in particular.”
This is why I love Hannah.
“Stop, I can’t take anymore.” I cover my mouth, fighting back my laughter. Thanks to two raspberry seltzers and one of Mr. Matthews’ burgers, my mood has lightened. Hannah ditched me to sneak away with Levi, but I’m in good company with another of Kip’s high school buddies.
“I’m serious. It happened. And before I knew it, they were running down the quad in nothing but wigs, screaming, ‘We’re going streaking.’”
I belt out a laugh. “Oh my God. I have to say, your college experience sounds way cooler than mine. The craziest thing I saw was a food fight in the dorm cafeteria.”
“Well, maybe we can go out some time, and I’ll show you a—”
“Beat it, Forrester.” We both turn to Ben as he walks up, rudely interrupting our conversation.
“S’up, Ben. Missed you at Levi’s wedding. Heard you took off early. Never got a chance to—”
“Yeah, take it as a hint. Excuse us.” He dismisses Jake and pulls me away.
“What the hell?” I snap, tugging at my arm. “I was in the middle of a conversation.”
“Yeah, and I just saved you from boredom. The guy’s a douche.”
“Oh, wow. What does that make you?” He stops us at the edge of the pool. I tug again, and he releases me.
“It makes me your hero.”
I scoff at him. “Please. You’re the villain. Don’t go mistaking yourself for anything else.”
“Villain, huh? What did that make me the other night when you were moaning my name?”
“Charity.”
“Was I doing charity work when you were coming all over my tongue—”
“Shhh! Would you lower your voice?” I look around, making sure no one is listening. “That night was a mistake. It should have never happened.”
“Bullshit. You wanted it.”
“I wanted it out of my system. Just like I want you out of my life.”
His frown deepens, and he takes a step closer. “Stop lying to yourself. You want me.”
A cynical laugh bursts from my lips. “Fat chance.”
“Please. If I took you behind the shed and dropped to my knees, you would open for me without question.”
I inhale a sharp breath. “Highly doubt that.”
He eliminates the last of the space between us. “Yeah? So, my tongue sucking in the wetness of your sweet cunt would do nothing for you? What if I even allow you to pull at my hair—which I know you love to do. I promise I won’t be gentle about it.”
A shiver runs down my arms and legs, causing my toes to curl. “You’re boring me.” I manage to say, keeping my voice smooth. “You are seriously full of yourself. Your attempt to get me off was mediocre at best.”
His pupils widen, engulfing his crystal blue irises. His jaw tightens as fury explodes across his face. I may have gone a wee bit too far. “You’re lying—”
“Incoming!”
Two guys rush toward us, their hands extended. A football flies straight for my face. I barely have time to blink, let alone register what it means. Ben reaches to move me out of the way without considering our proximity to the pool. “Shit,” he hisses as I squeal, seconds before we topple in.
The coldness of the water smacks against my skin as I plunge down. Ben releases me, and I fight my way back up. As soon as I break through the surface, I yell, “What the hell, Ben!”
He pops up, whipping the water out of his hair. “You’re welcome! I just saved you from a football to the face.”
I slap the water, splashing it at him. “It would have been better than being near you.”
He opens his mouth to return a jab, but too many people are around.
“Oh my God, Makayla, are you okay?” Hannah turns to Chase. “I told you not by the pool. Do you not know how to listen?”
“Sorry, it’s not my fault your brother doesn’t know how to throw a ball.”
I swim up toward the ledge. Ben tries to help me, but I swat his hand away.
“Here, let me help you.” Chase reaches down and lifts me out of the pool. “Sorry, Makayla. I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine. The water was a nice addition to the hot day.”
Chase smiles.
“Hey, you can borrow something of mine. I still have some extra clothes in my old bedroom.” I begin to walk with Hannah when I hear Ben.
“Dude, aren’t you gonna help me out?”