Page 112 of Avoidance
“Well, I wanted to bring jello shots, but Kenzie decided fruit would be better,” Tina said flatly.
I laughed. “You always were the smarter sister, Kenz.”
Tina shoved me playfully. “I can still kick your ass, you know.”
“Very doubtful!” I called as I began trotting up the stairs.
I quickly tied the strings of my bikini around my neck, and shimmied into the bottoms. I grabbed a towel from the linen closet, and made my way out to the backyard again.
Chase whistled when I stepped onto the patio. “That’s my girl!”
Shelly was in the pool, her arms and legs wrapped around Brody as they floated together.
“Hey, Brody. Thanks for bringing the ice.” I sat at the edge of the pool and dipped my legs into the cool water.
“No problem. I told the guys to text me when they were on their way in case we needed more, but we should be good.”
“Should I start throwing the burgers on now?” Tanner asked.
“Are you guys hungry?”
“Starved,” Shelly shouted. “Fire it up!”
“Yes, ma’am,” Tanner replied.
Chase slid off the float and swam over to me. “Aren’t you coming in?” He ran his fingers up my legs, raising goosebumps all over my skin.
“I will once everyone gets here.”
“You don’t have to feel anxious.” He sat his sunglasses atop his head. “You made this party amazing. All that’s left to do is enjoy it.”
I leaned down to kiss his soft lips. “I just want you to have the best birthday.”
“I’m so proud of you.” His eyes sparkled as they looked up at me.
“We all are,” Shelly agreed as she and Brody floated past us. “I never thought I’d see you get to the point that you’re at now. I should send T.J. a fruit basket to thank him for fixing you with his voodoo fighter magic.”
I kicked water at her with my foot. “You’re an idiot.”
She giggled as she hid behind Brody to avoid the splash.
“Speaking of T.J.,” Tina interjected. “Will he be gracing us with his shirtless presence today?”
“He couldn’t make it,” I lied. I never invited him. I wasn’t sure how Chase would feel about T.J. if he knew he had developed feelings for me while Chase was on the other side of the country. I didn’t want any drama, especially not on his birthday.
Khloe came running out of the house in her pink and white polka dot two-piece. Her belly stuck out like a miniature Buddha, and she was wearing pink heart-shaped sunglasses.
“Where are your swimmies?” Tanner called as she ran past him.
“I don’t need swimmies anymore!” she yelled over her shoulder. She stopped next to me at the edge of the pool. “Can you catch me, Chasey?”
Chase backed up into the middle of the pool, and held his arms up. “One… two…”
“Three!” she squealed as she leapt into the water.
“How are those ribs feeling now?” Brody joked.
“They’re not so sore anymore,” Chase said, spinning around with Khloe in his arms.