“Because we had sex? No.”
“What if I told you I was thinking about asking you before we had sex?”
“I think we should wait. I think we’re both kind of on the rebound. Let’s see how things go. We don’t have to label our relationship.” Ohmigawd, did those words really just come out of my mouth too? “Um, are you going to tell all your friends about this?”
“I don’t kiss and tell. You hungry?”
“I’m starved.”
Riley and I are out in the ocean, floating over waves on some boogie boards.
He gives me a smirk. “You and Dawson totally did it.”
“What? Why would you think that? Riley, don't tell people you think that, okay? If you tell people you think we did, then people will assume we did, even if we didn't.”
“He came in my room in the middle of the night to steal condoms. I happen to know he always has two in his wallet. I’m thinking it was a really good night.”
“Maybe he needed the condoms for something else.”
“Like?”
“Uh . . .” Shit, I can’t think of anything. “He was making me balloon animals out of the balloons we used for the water balloon fight. Ran out. Used condoms.”
“Uh, no. You really like him? I thought you were all into Aiden.”
“I crushed on Aiden, yes. He's very cute, but he thinks he’s so cool, and, I don’t know, maybe he’s used to girls falling all over themselves to be with him. He asked me Thursday night to hang out on Friday.”
“What's wrong with that?”
“If you like a girl, Riles, you don't wait until Thursday to ask her out. So, I told him I was busy and to ask sooner next time.”
“I don’t know what it is about you, but I still have this strange need to protect you. Even though he's my bro, I'd probably kick his ass if he was mean to you.”
“You're brother is so sweet. He’s amazing.”
“Amazing in bed? That runs in the family, you know.”
After lunch, we hang by the pool, relaxing, tanning, swimming.
I’m in the water, up against the edge of the pool. Dawson has me barricaded into the corner with his arms on both sides of me.
Not that I mind.
He’s giving me more molten lava kisses.
“So did you tell my brother?” he whispers.
“No, he guessed. Says you stole his condoms.”
“Oh, yeah, well . . . you know. We needed them.”
“I don’t think he will tell.”
“Yeah, he will. He loves talking about that shit. About what he's done. What he thinks I’ve done.”
“He won't tell.”
“I'm just saying if it gets around school, don't blame me.”
“Okay.”
He kisses my nose. “You’re so cute. I just love you.”
Did he just say, I love you?
“Oh. Uh . . .” he mutters.
“It’s okay. I know what you meant. You love me like you love swimming or ice cream.”
“Um . . .”
“Look, this all happened crazy fast. We talked about taking things slow before and just because we went fast, sexually, doesn't mean we should rush a relationship. I still want to take that part slow. I mean, you might get back to school, see Whitney, and decide you still love her.”
His eyes get soft. “Keatie, I’m not gonna do that. I told you the other night, before all this, I don’t love her anymore.”
“Still, you loved her. And I’m not sure you’re over her.”
“Actually, I’m very over her, and I kinda have a thing for this really hot new girl. She’s on the dance team. You might know her.”
“Oh, really?”
His eyes sparkle. He is so freaking adorable. Seriously, how did I get so lucky? Dawson is the perfect adorable distraction.
“And this thing you have for her, that just means you want her, right?”
“No.” He stops, considers that for a second, says, “Well, yeah, I do, but it’s more than that.” He laughs, kisses my neck, and whispers in my ear, “But you know, if she wants me now, we do have a little free time before we have to leave.”
I quickly drag him out of the pool, back to the bedroom, and spend that time wisely.
Cute little daisy charm.
4pm
Dallas and Ace yell, “Hey everyone, the limo’s here!”
Everyone is hooting and hollering over the limo. This limo is sweet. A brand new Range Rover HSE with a jet door. Inside it has all sorts of toys, wild, neon-colored interior, a couple flat screens, sound system, fog machine, and disco lights. Of course, as you can imagine, the thing the boys went most crazy over was the Xbox 360.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Riley says.
We all get loaded up, play with the toys, get high, and then most everyone crashes. I’m leaning up against Dallas’ shoulder. Dawson’s asleep, his head lying in my lap.
Dallas says randomly, “You have very weird toes.”
“Shut up. I have cute toes.”
“This weekend was really fun, huh? I’ve never been to a party that lasted all weekend like that. And it was cool: like, the perfect mix of partying, chilling, girls, sunning, and stuff.”
“I agree. This weekend was fun.”