Page 10 of Rivals

Leif slides next to us and chuckles. “You didn’t get caught by the cops last night, so why are you so pissy today?”

I glance at my friends, not even sure of what I’d say to them. They both know about my rivalry with Riley; they’ve been in on many of our challenges and pranks over the years. They could probably set me straight. But for some reason it feels too personal to share. “Camp is almost over and we start captains’ practice after next week. Half the team isn’t conditioned enough and the other half is acting like this is a party.”

Leif’s brow rises. “Even Coach wasn’t that harsh this morning. Are you okay?”

“I’m ready to get back,” I manage to grit out. I need away from the woods before my thoughts about all the secluded places I could bend Riley over become a reality.

“I’m not. School starts and I have soccer starting. I’ll be juggling both practices again this year.” Leif groans.

My lips twitch. All through high school Leif has spent his fall on the soccer field or at the rink. Our season doesn’t start until October, but Coach likes us to keep on the ice, conditioning and practicing until then. I live and breathe hockey, so it hasn’t ever mattered to me. “Shouldn’t be such an overachiever then.”

Leif stops walking and a smirk tugs at his lips. “Speaking of overachieving. Looks like Con-man caught the new life guard’s attention. Heard the dude is from a neighboring town and home from college for the summer. He has no idea.”

My head instantly swivels where he’s looking, for the first time noticing the girls aren’t lifting weights but at the beach. My eyes find her instantly, like a moth to a flame, and my insides rage against what I’m seeing. The lifeguard stands right in front of Riley, his eyes raking over her curves in that fucking black two-piece swimsuit. What’s worse is the smile that she’s giving him. The smile that I never get and instantly want for myself. The edges of my vision turn red and my hand forms a fist, clenching, almost violently. Leif makes a shocked face, but I’m already stalking toward the clearing. “Riley!” I call her name and everyone’s heads snap in my direction.

Her eyes widen, and when she sees the thunderous expression on my face, her cheeks turn pink. The guy says something to her, glancing from her to me, and she shakes her head. She better not have just denied knowing me. I hold her gaze, stalking her every move, trailing my eyes over every inch of her exposed skin.

“They were just talking.” Carter whistles next to me, clearly thinking this is just about my campaign to keep the male population away from her as a form of torment. Little does he know this is so much more than that.

I can’t stand another guy looking at her, talking to her, breathing the same air as her. I never had been. The urge to claim her is beating against my chest. Get over here. I mouth to her. She freezes, her brows rising almost to her hairline. With her spine straight, her chin lifted in defiance, Riley starts walking the beach to where I’m standing. Once again, everything from last night plays in my head like a flickering movie screen. I don’t even hesitate when she’s finally in front of me. Her lips part, probably to tell me off, but I’m quick. My hands cup her head, and my lips come down on hers. The audible gasps and whistles from around us blur into the background. For the first time today my heart stops raging and a sense of calm washes over me. My eyes open and make contact with the lifeguard douchebag. That’s right, asshole. She’s mine.

Riley’s hands grip mine, and she breaks away, stunned. Her hand covers her lips while she glares. “What the hell?”

I shrug, keeping my voice low enough for her to hear, but also for everyone in the vicinity to speculate. “I missed you after last night. Find me later.”

Her eyes widen, but I don’t miss the flare of heat in them. Riley steps back and mumbles something that sounds like maybe before moving around me and hightailing it up the walk-way towards the girls’ camp. Everyone resumes talking around us, and I nudge Leif and Carter along because we definitely are late now.

“Ah, what was that?” Leif asks, looking like he’s going to choke on his tongue just from asking.

“I don’t know yet,” I answer him. Honestly, I have no idea what is happening, but I do know that my world calms a little bit when I’m touching Riley.

“Is this part of a prank or a challenge?”

My eyes skirt around. I can’t lie to my best friend, but I also have zero answers that make sense. I don’t owe him anything though, and whatever is happening between me and Riley is between us. Without answering, I jog to the field, prepared to get my ass beat for the day.

Once the lights go out in both of the coach’s cabins, I grab my hoodie and throw it on. Leif relaxes lazily on his bed, watching me with interest.

“Going somewhere?”

“Just cover for me if someone comes,” I grit out before walking into the night.

After the beach, I didn’t see Riley again for the rest of the day, and she never came to find me. Looks like I’m going hunting. I jog across the lot and over to the other side of the camp, making sure to stick to the trees and the shadows. I don’t know the number to her cabin so I start loudly whispering her name.

“Con-man!”

“Riley.”

“Riley Conrad!”

A blonde girl I normally see her with steps out of one of the cabins, her eyes filled with fire, and then widen comically when she sees who it is looking for her precious captain. “Shhh.”

“What cabin is hers?” I ask, keeping my tone low but raising my brow so she knows I mean business. I won’t be crawling back to my cabin until I see Riley.

The girl crosses her arms over her chest, her voice tight. “Cabin five.”

“Thank you.” I shoot her a playful wink and continue my exploration around the campground. Riley’s cabin is at the end and close to the woods. Fucking perfect.

A light is on inside when I knock on her door. “Riley,” I call her name into the open window.

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