Page 93 of Rebel

When her voice trails off, my heart breaks. “I hope you like it. It isn’t perfect, nothing I ever do is, but it’s mine. I haven’t said this in a really long time, but I love you, sissy, always have, even when we were fighting. You are the best big sister anyone could ever ask for. You protected me my entire life and showed me right from wrong. You showed me determination and never let me give up on my dreams. I wouldn’t be here without you. I just wish you were here to see it with me, but I know one day you will be. One day, I’ll get to show you around the city. I’ll take you to my favorite burger spot, and we’ll drink wine in the park as we write together. We’ll go to parties and dance way too much. You’ll be here, and I’ll be whole again. I better go. Give the song a chance, okay? Love you.”

Pulling off my headphones, I stare at the bridge once more.

“I love you too,” I whisper. “Thank you for being the best little sister.”

Standing, I grab the bouquet I brought with me and move to the water’s edge. I know there is a memorial on the bridge, but I don’t want to go there. This, right here, is my place for us. Staring down at the glassy water, I close my eyes and hope that one day, we’ll meet again, and we’ll do everything she wanted us to.

Letting the flowers go, I watch them float before they sink to the bottom, joining my sister like a promise.

Once I get back to the house, I feel unsettled and raw, like a timer is counting down until this bubble we have built around us will pop. The guys have no idea. I’m dragged to a BBQ pool party with just us. They proudly show me the new canvas in the house—my mug shot. They are so happy that it hurts, and as I watch Chase and Kolton play a game of tag around the pool, my heart starts to hurt.

This will all end, and they will never look at me this way again.

Trav’s arms wind around me as he scoots behind me on the lounge, his head resting on my shoulder. “You’re quiet today, baby.”

Swallowing back my pain, I lean into him and soak it in. I’m greedy for his touch, his love, while it isn’t stolen or filled with bitter anger and regret. Kolton looks over at us and waves, grinning widely before Chase dunks him under.

Words hurt. I feel like if I open my mouth, I’ll just start crying for some reason, but I force myself to, not wanting them to worry. “Sorry, just a lot on my mind.”

“Like what?” he murmurs. “Maybe I can help.”

Fuck, he’s so sweet.

I want to turn to him, to beg him to help me, but as I turn to him to see his earnest, hopeful expression, I can’t utter the words—not when he reaches up and cups my face, smiling softly. “I’ll do anything for you, Beck. Haven’t you realized that by now?”

“I know.”

Trav is pretty much an open book. He’s been very honest in his pursuit of me, in wanting to make me happy. Leaning in, he presses his lips to mine until my eyes close and I relax into his kiss. He keeps it soft and light, and when he pulls back, I’m left wanting. “Good, I mean it. If you ask for the world, Beck Danvers, I’ll give it to you.” He stands and hoists me over his shoulder. “Now, let’s turn that frown upside down.”

“Trav, no!” I scream, but it’s too late.

He plunges us both into the freezing cold pool.

I resurface and push my hair back, throwing water at him as he laughs. “Asshole, what happened to anything to make me happy?”

“You’re smiling, aren’t you?” He smirks as arms wrap around me from behind, and Chase’s voice fills my ear.

“Want me to save you, pretty girl?”

Shivering at his tone, I spin in his arms and wrap myself around him. His hand grips my ass and holds me up. “Kolton!” I shout. Kolt hurries over, and I grin wickedly at him. “You get Trav. I’ll get Chase.” I push Chase under as Trav yelps and tries to get away.

Chase drags me under with him, and when I open my eyes, he grabs my chin and pulls me closer, kissing me underwater. I lose myself in it, clawing to get closer as we break the surface, but I still don’t move away to breathe.

I let him consume me. Suddenly, I’m turned and pushed to the side of the pool. My head falls back with a groan, and his lips slide down my neck then back up as he nibbles on my ear. “You want me? You got me, pretty girl. Now what do you plan to do with me?”

I can’t help but grin as I wrap my legs tighter around his waist, then I spin us in the water until he’s pressed against the side of the pool. His dark eyes meet mine as I slide my hand into his wet hair and yank his head back. I lick the water from his throat, and his groan fills the air as I smirk against his skin. “Have my wicked way with you, of course,” I purr.

“Fuck, pretty girl, please do,” he growls, sliding his hands down my back to grip my ass. His big hands massage my cheeks as I lick and bite his neck.

I can feel Trav and Kolton watching, and it only makes this that much hotter, knowing they can see everything. Chase rips off my bikini as I slide my hand down between our bodies and grip his hard cock.

“Baby,” he pleads, his head falling back as he thrusts into my hand. “Don’t be mean. Let me see you while you ride me.”

Lifting my head, I reach behind me and undo the strings of my bikini top, letting it fall into the water as I grip his shoulders and use them as leverage to ride him. He quickly reaches down with one hand and shoves his shorts down so I can rub myself against his length.

“You want to see me ride you?” I flirt as I suck his bottom lip between my teeth. He gasps loudly, his cock jerking against me. “Then watch, rock star, as I take you.”

I reach between us, line his cock up with my entrance, and then I sink down, taking every hard inch of him into my body. I don’t let him look away. I watch his pupils dilate with pleasure, and I watch his lips part on a moan as I bottom out on his length, and then, I start to move.

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