Sometimes it was hard being the only not-insanely-rich kid in this town.
But I was a big girl. I knew life isn't usually fair. If it was, Clay wouldn't look like a Greek God. And I'd have a tree that grew money. As it was, I was going to just have to suck it up.
As usual.
Finally, I realized my shoulders were turning pink. If I stayed much longer he'd start to get even smugger, if that was possible. Not that I wasn't enjoying myself. Clay could be very charming if he wanted to be.
And right now, he clearly wanted to be.
Betsy brought out sandwiches and I took it as my cue to leave.
"Hey, aren't you hungry?"
I was, but I wasn't about to take food from the staff. I knew they got the left overs anyway so it's not like it would go to waste.
"I'm good. See ya."
He was frowning at me as I wrapped my damp towel around me and slid into my shorts. They fit perfectly and were so soft. At least I could rock denim, even if it wasn't designer stuff.
"Stay, it's still early."
"Yeah but I need to pound the pavement. I need money for next year."
"Don't you have a scholarship?"
"Yeah for tuition. But everything else is on me. And my mom."
He was staring at me with those piercing blue eyes of his. I could tell he'd never thought about having to pay for books or food or anything.
Fuck, was he pitying me?
"It's no big deal. Anyway. Have a good day."
He was still watching me when I turned around and looked back.
Chapter Six
Clay
"So are you entering this year?"
I shrugged. I knew he meant the club's tennis tournament. It was a big thing around here and now that I was 21, I was eligible for the adult competition.
There some excellent players at the club so it might be worth my while. Plus, winning would guarantee me ass for days. Years really.
Not that I needed the help. Except when it came to the one girl I wanted...
"Holy shit, is that Mouse?"
My head swiveled so fast I heard the air move. There she was. Nev was in town with her friend. I could never remember her name.
But Mouse?
Mouse was not the right name for Nev anymore.
Babe.
Goddess.
Ice Queen.
She'd been ignoring me since the day at the pool. I could see her sometimes, swimming early in the morning or in the evening. I knew she was deliberately staying away from me.
What I didn't know was why.
I'd thought about trying to catch her down there but I'd thought better of it. She'd come to me eventually. They always did.
I hoped so anyway.
Otherwise, I was going to have to step up my game.
I was going to get into her pants this summer.
Come hell or high water.
"Jesus, Mouse looks gooooooood."
I glanced at Brett. He was annoying me, even if it was an understatement. Nev looked more than good. She looked phenfuckingnominal.
This time she was wearing a skirt. A demure, fluttery skirt that looked like it could fly up in a breeze. I started hoping for a breeze.
I smiled at her when she looked my way. Her friend immediately dragged her over to say hi. I almost laughed. The plain girls were so predictable.
"Hi!"
"Clay, you remember Frannie right?"
"Frannie. Right. What are you guys doing?"
"Celebrating! I'm taking Nevvie out for ice cream."
I tilted my head, staring at the blush that tinged Nevada's cheeks.
"What are you celebrating Nevvie?"
She glared at me, glancing at Brett and Peter.
"I got the job."
"At the club?"
She nodded.
"Brett, Peter say hi."
"Hey Mouse."
Brett kicked Peter.
"Hey Nevada. You look, ah, different."
She looked at him like he was an idiot. Which he was. It was hard not to like her in that moment.
A lot.
A lot more than I wanted to.
"Thanks I guess?"
Brett meanwhile was digging himself into a deeper hole.
"Yeah, you look hot. Like mega hot."
She rolled her eyes at him. I was choking back a laugh. Life was about to get very interesting for little Miss Nevada Jones. She did not know what was about to hit her.
But not with any of these idiots.
With me.
"Yeah okay, we're gonna go and get ice cream now."
"Cool. There's a party this weekend at the lake. Saturday. You should come."
Nevada looked noncommittal. Her friend though, looked over the moon. This was something to remember. If you wanted to get to Nevada, you went through Frannie.
"Bye Nevvie. Bye Frannie."
Her friend tittered as I waved at them coquettishly. I barely noticed. Like every other red blooded male in the vicinity, I was busy watching Nevada Jones walk away.
Nevada
"He likes you! I know he likes you."
"No he doesn't. He's just like that."
"Like what?"
I shrugged.
"He's a player."
"But he likes you. Trust me."
"I'm sure he wouldn't kick me out of bed. Then again, he probably would. Especially since I have no clue what the hell I'm doing."
Frannie wiggled her eyebrows at me.
"Maybe he could teach you. Guys like that."
"Um, no. I'm not about to give my V card to a manwhore. No matter how pretty he is."
Frannie sighed dramatically.