Page 79 of The Lucky One

“Refreshing, isn’t it?”

His laughter was contagious. I used my newfound strength to give him a shove, sending him momentarily underwater.

I turned and scanned the shore for Jon. He was sitting on a log, his little black book in his lap. “Jon!”

Glancing up, he smiled but gestured at the log, signaling his intent to stay put. I was disappointed. I wanted to spend time with him too, and—

I was underwater again. Aiden had used my distraction to fire back. I sputtered to the surface.

“Truce?” he proposed, palms raised. I nodded, spitting out water.

“Really, Aiden? Giving up after one dunk?” The voice was Paul’s, swimming up behind me from out of nowhere. His damp hair clung to his head and his flawless skin glistened, water droplets adorning his lashes. The stubble that flouted his morning shave added a rugged charm. I quickly wiped below my eyes, realizing I probably looked like a panda with my mascara running.

“He knows he doesn’t stand a chance,” I said to downplay the tension in my chest.

“Yeah right.” Aiden chuckled and swam away, front-crawling like a pro.

Paul swam up closer, his chin dipping into the water, his eyes on me.

“Where’s Kiki?” I asked nervously.

“I don’t know,” Paul said. “We’re not talking anymore.” He came still closer, and his hands found their way to my hips.

“Grilled cheese!” I blurted just as Paul tossed me into the air. I splashed down into the water. Was this a harmless water fight or was he being flirty? As I resurfaced, my first instinct was to look for Jon. I spotted him walking through the trees, moving away.

I glared at Paul. “Jon’s here. Why would you do that?”

He frowned. “I was just messing with you, Emi.”

“You knew he was here, didn’t you?”

“I’m treating you just like I do at home and suddenly that’s an issue?”

“Yeah right, because you staring at me like that and swimming up close isn’t invading my personal space!” I shot back. People were whispering around us.

“Emi, you did the exact same!”

“I... I did not!” I accidentally swallowed some water. “Did I?”

I wasn’t aware of what I was doing anymore. Frustrated, I swam as fast as I could out of the water and ran over the lawn to the area where Jon had disappeared. I had to stop playing around—especially with Jon. He was trying so hard, while I—

I caught my fall. I had almost tripped over a root.

I found him sitting on the porch of an abandoned shed in the trees, engrossed in his little black book. He briefly looked up as I approached.

“Hey...” I sat down beside him, my hair still dripping, his T-shirt clinging to my body.

“You had fun?” Jon asked, still writing. He held the book at an angle where I couldn’t get a peek.

“I would’ve had more fun with you.” I rested my palm on his knee.

“I’m not mad, Little German,” he said, as if he had read my mind. He closed his notebook and looked at me, despair all over his face. “Paul will keep trying until he can say with certainty you won’t pick him again. I did the same. So who am I to blame him?”

His reaction was both strange and refreshing. “If you’re not mad, then why are you hiding here?”

He put down the book and leaned back on his palms, letting the sun soak his skin for a few moments. “I’m afraid to let loose. I’m constantly fighting with myself. I’m scared if I start to enjoy myself a little too much, I’ll lose control.”

I swallowed against the weight of his words, feeling like an idiot. Here I was making him go to a place where people were drinking—and no doubt taking tokes—and I was sulking that he didn’t come fool around in the water.