“Well,” he paused, seeming to search for the right words, “he didn’t seem very nice, which wouldn’t be much of a loss in my book.” He shrugged.
The baby made a noise and Trace started playing peek-a-boo with him.
“Yeah, I’m glad it’s over.” It was the first time I’d said the words aloud and I felt a stirring in my gut at the truth in them. I was better off without Braden. Bigger and better things were headed my way, and when the time was right I would fall in love again, for real this time.
Trace rubbed his finger against his son’s lips so that the baby made a whirring noise. Turning to look at me, he said, “I’m happy to hear that.”
“Are you ready?” Hayes asked. He’d slipped off somewhere and I hadn’t even noticed he was gone.
“Yeah.”
I put the untouched beer back in the cooler and followed him to the pool. I’d put on sunscreen before I left the house, so I wasn’t worried about getting burnt.
It was a humid day and sweat already clung to my neck as I stepped into the cool water. It felt amazing against my heated skin.
Hayes chose to forgo the steps leading into the pool, and instead padded over to the diving board. Before he stepped up on it he rubbed his hands together and blew into them. He pointed in my direction and grinned. “Cheer for me!”
“I’ve got my Pom Poms at the ready.” I shook my fists in a mock cheer.
He chuckled and stepped up onto the board. It wobbled with his weight.
He bounced several times before soaring into the air, doing a somersault, and diving into the water.
When he surfaced he swished his wet hair away from his eyes while I cheered. That had been impressive. I’d been expecting a belly flop.
He swam over to me and a dimple pierced his cheek when he smiled. “Some party, huh?” He asked, looking around.
“They go all out,” I commented, taking in all of the decorations and guests. I didn’t know how they knew so many people. “Are your parent’s here?” I asked.
I knew Hayes was related to the Wentworth’s, Trace being his cousin, but I’d never actually met his parents.
“Nah,” he said, pushing his wet hair away from his blue eyes.
“You’re kind of a lone wolf, aren’t you?”
He chuckled. “I am, but they’re on vacation in Hawaii. I sent them there for their anniversary.”
“That was sweet of you,” I commented, swimming over to the side of the pool and resting my arms on the concrete side. I kicked my legs out behind me as Hayes joined me, mimicking my position.
“I figure I owe them.” He smiled. “They put up with all of my teenage angst and paid for my guitar lessons.”
“I guess those definitely paid off.”
“They did.” He smiled, squinting against the sunlight. He stretched his palms out on the concrete and I noted the callouses on his hands. Ezra had similar ones. They came from all of the hours of playing the string instruments.
I’d asked Ezra if they hurt once and he said it looked worse than it felt.
“How was your tour?” I asked.
“Fun,” he grinned.
I chose not to comment. I’d heard stories of what Hayes did on tour and most of them involved him getting naked with groupies.
“I wish I could’ve gone to a show.” I’d been planning to attend their concert in D.C. at the Verizon Center, and maybe two others in Virginia, during their Coming Home tour, but after the blow up at New Year’s I’d decided it was best not to go. I’d seen them in concert plenty of times, though, and the excited rush I felt never diminished.
“There’s always next time.” Hayes winked, his arm bumping into mine as he drew closer to me.
“Yeah—” I started to say, but the word quickly turned into a scream when someone cannonballed into the pool right behind me, drenching my upper body which had remained dry up until this point. I turned, ready to go off on the ignorant asshole, when Ezra surfaced beside me. “Ezra?” I asked. “What the hell are you doing?”
He shook his head, sending water droplets flying. “I was hot, so I’m cooling off.”
I was tempted to shove him under water. I glared at him, my tongue working behind my closed mouth as I tried to form words. “You’re ridiculous,” I finally settled on. With an apologetic smile thrown in Hayes’ direction, I said, “Excuse me.”
I swam to the steps and climbed out of the pool. I rang out my hair, heading for the side of the house. I needed a moment to collect myself before I hit my best friend. His odd behavior the past few days, coupled with his obvious attempt to disrupt my conversation with Hayes, was more than enough to piss me off. And let’s face it, with all the shit thrown my way lately I was already a little testy.
I’d barely rounded the house when a warm hand caught my elbow. Tiny little pinpricks zinged down my spine and I knew before I turned around who would be standing there.
“Let me go.” I jerked my arm from his grasp and he did.
I glared at Ezra, letting him see the anger simmering in my eyes.
His bronzed chest glimmered in the sunlight from the reflection of the water droplets and his flowered board shorts hung dangerously low on his hips, enhancing the V shaped muscle that disappeared beneath along with the trail of dark hair.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I snapped at him, my tone venomous as I crossed my arms over my chest. “Because from where I’m standing you’re acting like a five year old.”
He looked away from me, a muscle in his jaw ticking. He turned back, lowering his face into his hands. He let out a small groan. “I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing,” he admitted.
“You cannot tell me that you want nothing more than friendship from me and then get into a pissing contest. This isn’t high school. This is my life.” I stared him down, daring him to dispute me. “I’ve been through a lot in the last few years, especially the last few weeks, and I don’t need to be worried about my best friend hating me for trying to rebuild my life.”
“I know,” he hung his head in shame, “I’m sorry.”
“I’ll call my brother tomorrow and see if I can crash on his couch. I’ll be out of your way,” I vowed. I felt like living with him was only serving to bother him more. The close quarters were wearing thin for both of us because they only served to intensify the attraction between us.
“No,” he said adamantly, shaking his head, “that’s not necessary. I’ll get my shit together. I promise.”
I stared at him, calculating the sincerity in his words. Finally, I nodded. “Okay, I believe you.” Anytime Ezra had made me a promise in the past he’d always kept it.
He swallowed thickly and took a deep breath. His lips lifted in a slow smile of relief. “Let’s pretend the last few days didn’t happen.”
“I can do that.” I smiled and his shoulders relaxed.
He rubbed his hands together and pointed over his shoulder. “I guess we should get back over there.”
I nodded and followed him. We’d no more than rounded the house until we bumped into Hayes. He gave us each a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of his head.
“I thought I should come check on you in case you guys were trying to claw each other’s eyes out or something.” He shrugged, letting his hand drop.
I lifted my hands and wiggled my fingers. “No claws. See?” I joked, hoping to ease the tension.
It seemed to help as both of the guys relaxed.
“I’m going to go see Emma.” I nodded towards the cabanas. Before either of them could reply I ran off. I hoped if I left them alone for a bit that it would help ease the awkwardness between them that was my fault.
I found Emma and Maddox in one of the various cabanas along with Remy and Mathias.
Remy and Mathias shared one of the lounge chairs with her sitting in front of him. Mathias rubbed her shoulders and she relaxed against him.
Maddox and Emma occupied two of the other chairs, quietly talking together. They looked up when I entered and I grabbed one of the regular chairs and pulled it over to Emma’s side.
Her blonde curly hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun and she was wearing a cute pale blue floral bikini set. The top came down farther on her midriff, reminding me of a corset.