“I do, but I hoped to hear more about your summer other than the bits and pieces I caught last night,” Henry continues, trailing his large hands lazily in the water. Is it bad that I find his hands attractive? Is that normal, or should I be concerned?
“It’s not that interesting,” I say, trying to not sound overeager. I need to chill out.
He raises his eyebrows at me in doubt. “Somehow I find that hard to believe, but I’m asking because I want to hear about your life, and what you’ve been up to.”
If only I could record this moment and play it back for JJ, to show him my crush is not entirely irrational. He can make fun of me all he wants, but he’s the one who has been pining for some girl he spent twenty-four hours with in France this past spring. That’s far more irrational than my feelings for Henry.
I hold my arms out, motioning at the ocean in front of us. “This is what I’ve been doing: surfing, reading, and overall, living life, while trying to have the best damn time.”
He laughs, shaking his head as he smiles at me. “Sounds like a fun time.”
“It’s not too shabby. Of course, Penelope thinks I’m a fool to start this internship when I could be traveling, but I’m excited,” I say, smiling at the thought of being back in Charlotte.
“Any boys in the picture?” he asks, and I can’t help laughing. How ironic is it that Henry—of all people—is asking me about this?
“Nope.”
“Really? I feel like I definitely heard your dad complaining about whatever ass you were dating not that long ago. Wasn’t his name Reid or something?”
What the hell is going on right now?I chuckle, shaking my head. “You got it right—Reid. He broke up with me the day we got back from winter break. He was much more interested in my dad and my gold medal than he actually was in me. It sounds worse than it was,” I add, as Henry grimaces in disgust. I definitely did the right thing leaving out the part where he thought having a girlfriend meant he could getitwhenever he wanted, and I apparently told himnotoo often. I only know this because Reid made the mistake of running his mouth to some of the guys on the football team who knew me.
It definitely was as bad as it sounds.
“He sounds like an asshole.”
Henry’s not the only one who thinks so. My best friend from Duke, Emily, hated Reid with a burning passion. Too bad I didn’t listen to her when she tried to tell me that before we started dating.
“Funny you call him that, because you’re not the first to. Reid was an asshole.”
An asshole who only ever cared about getting himself off, and would get annoyed when I didn’t orgasm in five seconds. I have no problem when I’m by myself, but when I’m with a partner, I clam up, and it’s nearly impossible for me. Maybe I didn’t communicate well enough, but his attitude didn’t help me relax. I know I can orgasm with a partner, but it’s just harder for me to lose myself in the moment. That was actually one of the reasons he broke up with me. Reid said kissing me was like kissing a piece of cardboard, but he sure didn’t have any problemtryingto stick his dick in me. Emphasis on the wordtry. Once, he just thrusted up and down without actually penetrating me, and he never realized.
What the fuck was I thinking? Actually, I know what I was thinking. I was trying to give the cute guy from my business class a chance instead of holding out for Henry. All it turned out to be was a fucking mistake.
“What about you? Are you seeing anyone?” I ask, knowing full well his answer could crush me forever. I’m fairly certain the answer is no, but I guess if Henry is dating someone, I could fall off my surfboard and pretend to drown. He’d be forced to give me mouth to mouth and then Henry would see what he’s been missing.
Sweet Jesus. I need some fucking help.
He shakes his head to my relief. “Nope,” he mimics me before cracking a smile. “I’ve tried relationships, but it never seems to work out.”
Well, duh. All the girls you’ve tried dating aren’t me.Oh shit, I realize how conceited that sounds, but it’s true. Our interaction right now is a perfect indication of what a relationship would be like. We’re enjoying each other’s company with periods of silence. I think that’s a pretty good sign at least.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I finally say, when in all actuality, I feel like throwing my hands up in the air and cheering loudly.Hallelujah.
Our peace is interrupted by arguing behind us, and I swallow my groan when I turn to see Bailey’s blond mop of hair. It’s not the end of the world because JJ is with him.
“Merde,”2 I swear under my breath.
I love my brothers—I do, I swear—but I don’t want my bubble with Henry right now to be popped.
There’s nothing I can do unfortunately, short of telling them to go away, but the odds of them listening to me are nonexistent.
“Here they come,” Henry teases, and I splash him again, rewarded by the sound of his deep laughter.
“Where’s Hunter?” I ask once they’re in earshot.
JJ flashes me a knowing smile, paddling up next to me. “He’ll be out in a couple minutes. He was grabbing a surf suit for Kaitlyn to change into.”
“And you didn’t wait for them?” I ask, causing Bailey to stick his tongue out at me.
