Page 3 of Pretty Heartache

I swallow. “Thank you.”

“Yeah. Whatever. Don’t take it to heart. I was only being nice because no one really likes you except for Ember.” He quickly glances over my shoulder.

I turn, following what or who has grabbed his attention, only to see Micah is walking toward us. The woman he was with is no longer beside him. Neither is my brother.

I snap my head back to Grant. Water splashes on my feet from swimmers in the pool. I didn’t realize how close to the edge we are.

“I don’t get it,” Grant says, curling his lip as his eyes dance across my face. “Who wears makeup to the pool, anyway?”

“I like it.” I grip my makeup bag even tighter. My nails cut into the sharp-edged sequins.

“Yeah,” he scoffs, his eyes falling to my mouth. “We all know the real reason you put it on.”

“Everything okay, Addy?”

My heart beats erratically at the sound of his voice. I immediately feel his tall frame fill the space around me, and I look up to find Micah standing next to me, trading glances between me and Grant.

I want to ask him how his summer has been and how he’s been since he lost his father a few weeks ago. I didn’t make it to the funeral because my father didn’t want me to be seen with the family. He and Mom left me at home with my father’s secretary. When Archer told me he wished I was there but understood when our father told him I was away at summer camp, I didn’t bother correcting him. When I asked how it went, Archer told me it was a bunch of rich, old people gathered around to celebrate a man who didn’t deserve it, so I didn’t miss anything by not going.

He was wrong, though. I missed seeing Micah and being there for him, even if I am his best friend’s annoying little sister.

My cheeks flush with heat when my eyes fall to Micah’s cheek and I remember how a woman’s finger grazed it only minutes ago. I tighten my grip on my bag for different reasons than my reaction to Grant.

I look into Micah’s blue-gray eyes. “I’m fine.” I give Grant a side glance, then turn in the other direction. “I was just on my way to the bathroom.”

“What?” Grant jerks his head back. “So, it’s okay for him to call you Addy but not me?”

I roll my eyes, wanting to get away from Grant and my embarrassment. I cross my arms over my chest. “Micah is my brother’s best friend. He’s been calling me Addy for years. You and I aren’t friends.”

“You’re right.” He quickly flicks his gaze to Micah before looking back at me, his eyes flashing with anger. “We aren’t.”

“Are you sure there isn’t a problem?” Micah asks, his brow furrowing deeper.

“Yes, Micah. I’m fine.” I hate that I sound annoyed, but I can’t help it. Grant has gotten under my skin.

Micah gives me a nod before taking a step back, away from Grant and me.

I spin on my heel and take a step in the opposite direction. I briefly glance up to see if Ember saw my interaction with Grant and Micah, half expecting her eyes to be glued to the drama, but she’s no longer laying back in her chair. Now, she’s leaning against the lifeguard stand, looking up at Teddy,flirtingwith him. She whips her hair and gives him a grin that stretches up to her eyes, and it reminds me of the woman Micah was talking to earlier.

Embarrassment fills my chest like a balloon ready to pop. I hold my breath as tears sting the backs of my eyes. I hate that Micah just overheard Grant talking to me the way he did. And that Micah tried bailing me out. I know I’m only eleven, but somehow, I feel more aware of my age around Micah.

He’s protective of me, in a big brother sort of way.

I hear footsteps behind me as I make my way to the opposite end of the pool. Swimmers and waitstaff pass by me along the edge of the pool. My feet grow closer to the edge the more I try to avoid bumping into them. I look down and unzip my bag when I feel a finger tap my shoulder.

“Hey, Addy.”

I’m already spinning around before reality sets in.

Grant. Again.

“What do you want?” I ask him, tired of his teasing. “I told you to leave me alone.”

“The pool is meant for swimming,Addy,” he mocks, the corner of his mouth curling into another evil grin. “Don’t you think it’s about time you actually swim?”

Then his hands are on my shoulders.

A gasp catches in my throat when I’m pushed back into the pool. My sandals scrape across the concrete before my feet slide out of them and into the water. My scream is muffled the second my head goes under.

---