Page 27 of Rival Summer

A part of me wanted to resist, to tell her it wasn't that simple, but her positivity was hard to argue with.

"I guess I could do that," I murmured, considering the idea.

"You got this!" She beamed, her optimism infectious. "And who knows? Maybe you’ll work it out and realize one of them really is for you. If not, there’s always Bailey," she joked.

"Right," I chuckled with a hesitant smile.

"You're strong, Chan. Stronger than you know," Willow insisted. “Now, let’s go show them how strong we are—let’s go win on the beer pong table.”

She was right. I needed to let go of some of the feelings I’d been holding in, to release their grip on me. Maybe it was okay to let Boston in, and maybe I didn’t have to be upset at Reese anymore. I needed to view the summer from an entirely new angle—this summer could be about healing, about opening doors, and seeing where that could take me.

"Chandler, come on! Focus!" Willow's voice snapped me out of my head as she gestured animatedly toward the cups on the other end of the beer pong table. She was all high energy and encouragement, her eyes wide with competitive fire.

I nodded, trying to appear invested, but my fingers fumbled awkwardly with the little white ball. It felt like the table stretched miles away, each red cup slowly floating in different directions.

"Sorry," I stuttered, dragging in a deep breath that did little to settle my thoughts.

With a flick of my wrist, more an act of going through the motions than any real attempt, I launched the ball. It soared before missing the mark once again. It bounced off a cup’s rim, making it evident where the game was headed.

"Hey, Crew," I called over to the towering Blue Devil. "You're up." I placed the ball in his palm, which he accepted with a confused but eager grin.

"I got this," he winked, stepping into my place with the ease of someone who lived for competition.

With Crew there to pick up my slack, I snuck away from the game. The sounds of laughter and splashes were a soothing backdrop after the yelling that had surrounded the beer pong game. I found myself poolside, lowering onto one of the lounge chairs. I was people-watching when I caught sight of Caroline.

She had her hands on her hips, her head tilted back defiantly. She was delivering what I assumed was some sort of jab or harsh words to Reese. I knew exactly what it felt like to be under that scrutiny. She turned away to leave and my gaze caught his. I quickly averted my eyes, pretending to be absorbed in the pool lights, hoping Reese hadn't noticed me.

"Shit," I whispered under my breath. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him headed in my direction. I could feel his presence even before he spoke.

"Mind if I have a seat?" Reese asked, nodding toward the empty lounge chair beside me.

I slightly shrugged. "Your house. You can sit where you want."

He lowered himself on the lounge chair beside me, hands resting on his knees.

"Your conversation with Caroline seemed intense," I ventured. "What'd you do to get on her bad side?"

"It just happened naturally," he confessed.

"And I thought I was the only one she hated," I tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

"No," he said with a slight smile. "There’s plenty of us. I just happen to enjoy getting under her skin."

"You're sick," I laughed.

Reese raised an eyebrow with a smirk. “But I noticed you watching me over there. Was someone jealous?" he teased before relaxing back on the lounger.

"Jealous?" I managed a small laugh, though it sounded way too forced. "Not in the slightest."

He gave me a skeptical look before taking a sip of his drink. "Anyway," he said, shifting the topic, "I heard you've been getting a little wild tonight."

My heart skipped a beat. Panic fluttered in my chest. "What are you talking about?" My voice was steady, but inside I was wondering if he knew about Boston. About our reckless moment.

"Well, word on the street is you gave Bailey some kind of lap dance." Reese's tone was light and teasing.

"It was just a dare, Reese." I shrugged, not wanting to admit it. "But if you must know, I'm doing a hot girl summer," I said, borrowing Willow’s phrase.

"Hot girl summer?" Reese snickered, amused. "What does that even mean? Sounds like an excuse to stir up trouble."

---