Page 59 of SALT

I don't say anything. I've never really given much thought to staying in any other part of the house, or the property, for that matter. I have a nice room, and if I want to use any other part of the house, I can. But moving out here would only put me further away from Everett.

"The bathroom is around the corner to your left."

She flops onto one of the oversized chairs. "Oh, I don't have to pee. I could tell Nash was making you uncomfortable."

I take a drink of my beer and sit on the loveseat opposite her. "Is Lauren coming? I know she mentioned coming with you yesterday at the game."

"She was right behind us. Parker was supposed to pick me up at the house. Instead, Elijah showed up in his place with Nash and Emmitt.”

I feel like she's not telling me something. It sounds strange that Parker would cancel and send Elijah and his friends in his place to pick up Stormy, especially given I know he's into Stormy. Not to mention, I find it odd that Stormy would entertain the three of them without Parker. Something doesn't fit, but the last thing I need is more drama on my plate. So I keep my mouth shut.

"What are you guys doing in here? Come on." Elijah startles us, pulling open the door.

I know he's been going through some stuff after his breakup with his longtime girlfriend. Everyone thought they would get married, but then he broke her heart. He's probably down for anything to keep his mind off her, and that is something I can relate to right now.

"We're coming," I say, vacating the chair. "Did you want to grab a swimsuit? It's hot out today, and I'm not sure overalls are exactly poolside attire."

"Maybe not a swimsuit. They're not really my thing but shorts I can do."

We've barely made it two steps outside the pool house when Nash swoops me up and throws me over his shoulder. At the same time, I see Elijah surprise Stormy from behind.

"Nash, put me down," I say, still trying to hold my beer until he starts running, and I toss it to pound on his back. "Nash, I'm serious."

"Cry me a river, backpack. It's time to get wet." My protests are silenced a second later as we're plunged into the pool's deep end. I hold my breath as the refreshing embrace of the cold water envelops me. Being thrown into the pool was the last thing I wanted, but as I sink to the bottom, the chill invigorates me. It's just the right amount of crazy I needed to find my voice instead of trying to hide behind my fear. A hand wraps around my wrist and pulls me up to the surface right before two hands circle around my waist, and Nash is there. "Don't tell me you can't swim because then I'm going to feel like an ass."

I wipe the water out of my eyes, grateful I wore waterproof mascara today. "I can swim. Sitting at the bottom of the pool was an act of goodwill."

His pouty lips purse, and his eyes narrow. "Goodwill?"

"Yeah." I push his arms off my waist before quickly placing my hands on top of his head and adding, "Now you're going down." Once he's under, I push off his shoulders with my feet and get a head start toward the shallow section.

"Hey, get back here." I feel him right on my heels. He's one stroke away from being able to grab my ankle. That's when I see Elijah pulling Stormy to the pool's edge, and I'm caught. When Nash realizes I'm not fighting to get away, his gaze follows the direction of mine.

"I should probably make sure she's okay." He nods and pulls me with him into the shallow water in one swoop so we can walk out. His hand slips down my back as we walk out of the pool. At the same time, my eyes find Everett sitting in an Adirondack chair in front of me. While his sunglasses hide his eyes, his clenched jaw tells me he doesn't like what he just witnessed. Good. Neither did I, but he's not doing anything about it either, and doesn't that say something? I drop his gaze like I never met it all and walk to the towel box. When I flip open the lid, Nash reaches around me, pulls out a towel, and drapes it over my shoulders before grabbing one for himself. No sooner than I turn around to take one to Stormy, she's at my side, pulling one out for herself. "Come on, let's get some dry clothes."

Stormy was fine; she could swim. However, she didn't give many more details than that because, let's be real, it's Stormy. From what I gathered from the few things she did share, Elijah's move caused some sort of PTSD moment for her. She was embarrassed by her reaction. Once, I got her some dry clothes, and she had a minute to collect herself. I tried to reassure her that she had nothing to be ashamed of, but sometimes, the weight of our self-consciousness can't be avoided.

While she dressed in the bathroom, I selected a high-necked romper and pulled my hair into a tight bun. I was going to check my makeup, but since Stormy is in my ensuite, I forgo waiting. I don't want her to feel rushed, and my makeup isn't an emergency. I left my purse downstairs last night, and it has my to-go makeup case inside. I take one last look around my room, making sure I'm not forgetting anything, only to pull open the door and forget how to breathe. Everett's standing there, his hand positioned to knock, his expression worn.

We stand there for long seconds, drinking each other in, the events of last night flicking through my mind like a highlight reel featuring the best moments of my life.

His brow pinches as he drops his hand. "Hi," is all that comes out.

"Hi," I roll my lips and try to bring my mind to focus on the here and now.

"Are you okay?"

"I got wet. We both know I can swim. I'm fine," I answer, blinking away the fog.

"I'm surprised you didn't opt to put a swimsuit on."

I step outside and close my door behind me. Crossing my arms, I say, "Yeah, well, I can't really wear a swimsuit today."

He rubs his chin. The faintest hint of satisfaction appears before he asks, "Why is that?"

"Did you really come up here to ask me about my clothing choices?" His lips thin, and his pause grates on my nerves. I'm too vulnerable for his games. "Never mind," I huff as I step around him. I need to put some space between him and me so I can breathe. I can't think straight when I'm smelling him, and every time I look at him, all I see are the eyes that looked at me with complete adoration last night as his mouth explored every inch of my body.

"So, you're mad then?" he says right before I reach the top step.

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