Page 10 of Embody

Four

JT

LET THE GAMESbegin.

Do Iwantto play? No. I’d much rather my sister believe in me and let me pursue Bellamy while she enjoys the company of Ryder—a great guy who I have no problem with her dating—but Brynn fired the first shot. And when I do play…I aim to win.

Honestly, I feel like shit about our “arrangement” and I want my sister to be happy, but she can’t just go around issuing vetoes and unfair judgement and get away with it. So this is the way it has to be—until she surrenders.

“Honey, help me carry these platters to the tables by the pool,” my mom says, pulling me from my unhappy thoughts.

“Yes ma’am.” I immediately obey.

“And maybe go change after you’re done?” she suggests hopefully, looking at my shirt and scrunching her nose. “There’s guests coming that aren’t family. Let’s not scare them, okay?”

I act offended, holding back a grin. “Mom, I wear this shirtfor you. See,” I point, “the Disney ‘D.’ Your favorite.”

“Thank you son, now change the shirt.” She lays down the law and walks out.

I can’t believe, of all people,my momdoesn’t appreciate my “She Wants The D” shirt.There’s just no pleasing some.

I walk the platters out to the pool and quickly pivot toward the sound of sweet laughter. There she is—Bellamy—her and Brynn headed my way. She’s not wearing the sundress I sent her, but she is sporting the sunglasses on top of her head…so she got my delivery.

Damn it all if she’s not even hotter in daylight. She’s a hard ten, all day, every day, but knowing I can’t have her shoots her straight to a fifteen. And as if to torture me—no bra under the sundress she has on. Probably one of those built-in numbers (yes, I have two sisters so I know weird shit like that), ‘cause while I can’t see the outline of a nipple, those big beauties are swaying in dick-throbbing rhythm with every step she takes.

Fuck if I don’t want to bury my face in between them.

“JT,” Brynn waltzes over, obvious mischief in her eyes. “You remember Bellamy?”

“No, I was struck by amnesia in the last twenty-four hours andforgot,” good one, “to mention it. Of course I do.” I glare my sister down, then turn an easy smile on Bellamy. “Nice to see you again. Can I take that bag for you?”

“Oh, um, sure. Thank you.” Her hands slightly tremble as she hands it to me.

Yep, she wants me too.

“You can put it in my room. Bellamy’s staying the night here,” Brynn smirks as she delivers the news she knows will drive me insane.

“That right?” I attempt aloofness. “Well, welcome. I’ll just go put this away, then change. Mom doesn’t like my choice of shirt.”

“Can’t imagine why not. So subtle,” Bellamy snickers, giving me a glimpse of her killer smile. Those plush, pink lips that I again admire, baring straight white teeth. And her vibrant green eyes twinkling with amusement, much more striking in the light of day. “I do love Disney, though.”

“Oh, Lord,” I laugh. “Brynn, go introduce her to Mom. She’ll love her.”

“She’s met Mom before,” Brynn rolls her eyes. “But come on,” she tugs on Bellamy’s hand, “let’s go meet everyone else. Bye, brother,” she gives me a wink and finger wave.

Brat.

I head upstairs to change, wound tight with frustration from the fucking thirst—Bellamy Morgan—that I can’t quench. I slam the door to my room. Yes, even though I have my own place, I keep a room here, as does Skylar, because we’re those weird kids who actually enjoy spending time with their parents, and my mom would never change our rooms anyway, and stomp to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face.

Didn’t work. I’m still so bound in knots I can barely think straight.

Only one thing will even remotely help.

I go back and lock my bedroom door, then do the same with the one to my bathroom…and close my eyes.

There she is, all mine, no one telling me I can’t have her.

“What if we get caught?”

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