Page 6 of Play It Sinful

I never told anyone about the incident with Sean in the kitchen. At first, I was too stunned and afraid to open my mouth. I didn’t understand what I had done to get such furious reaction from him. I tried my best to stay out of his way the rest of summer, certain that he hated me.

That certainty didn’t go away. Year after year, Sean treated me like I was his worst enemy. But at least we stayed in Boston and, thanks to all the summer camps he and I attended, we rarely saw each other. This year is different. Mom and Chris decided to return to Birchen Beach, and even rented the same house as before. Nothing I said could talk them out of the idea.

This will be hell.

At least I have Kenzie. She’s become my best friend, the sister I never had. It’s too bad she lives so far away from me. She’s funny, creative, and supportive. I can tell her anything, even things I don’t tell my mom. She knows I have anxiety attacks,which is something I don’t wantanyoneto know about. It’s my biggest shame and weakness.

I’m lounging by the pool when Chris returns from the airport with Kenzie and Sean. I’m still wet, so I don’t go inside the house to greet Kenzie. She’ll make her way to the pool soon enough.

I put in my headphones and flip onto my belly to tan my back. I’m just dozing off when I sense I’m no longer alone. I turn and find Sean standing next to my chair. I stop breathing for a second and try not to shake as my pulse accelerates. He’s so tall and broad shouldered that he blocks the sun.

“What do you want?” I ask.

“Nothing. Not a damn thing.”

He walks away, and I relax, but too soon. He breaks into a run and cannonballs into the pool, splashing cold water all over me.

“What the hell!”

He emerges from the water and shakes his head. The asshat is laughing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him do that. It doesn’t matter. His amusement is at my expense. I quickly dry my phone, hoping it didn’t get water damage.

Kenzie walks out of the house. “What happened?”

“Your brother is such a jerk! He better not have ruined my phone.”

“You shouldn’t keep electronic devices near the pool,” he retorts.

“My phone was perfectly safe untilyoushowed up.”

“Whatever.” He dives back into the water, effectively blowing me off.

So it begins.

“Ignore Sean. He’s the only person alive who hates spending the summer at the beach.” Kenzie gives me a hug, then sits next to me.

“I don’t think he hates the beach. He hatesme.”

Kenzie opens her mouth to reply, but Sean resurfaces, so she doesn’t say anything. We proceed to ignore him and, mercifully, he doesn’t linger. After he swims a few laps, he gets out of the pool and leaves.

This will be a long-ass summer, and not in a good way.

SEAN

I was ready to start my games with Ashley. Five years ago, she found out about my secret, giving me a solid reason to hate her. My threat worked, and to this day, she hasn’t told anyone. But it doesn’t change the fact that she knows about my weakness.

She might not have realized you did it on purpose, Sean.

I stomp on that pesky voice. I’m choosing to believe she knows so it’s easier for me to be a jerk without feeling bad. Honestly, it’s getting harder and harder to hate her. She’s genuinely nice and caring. Kenzie adores her. Worst of all, Ashley is so damnprettytoo.

When I saw her sunbathing earlier, I couldn’t stop myself from walking closer and ogling her like a creep. She caught me staring, so I acted out immediately. I can’t let her know I think she’s stunning.

Unfortunately, it’s hard not to pay attention when she comes down to dinner wearing a snug light blue dress that shows all her new curves and highlights her tan. She’s still petite, but her body is smoking hot. My body reacts, and I start to get a boner. Fuckinghell. I rush to the bathroom before anyone else notices it, and I have to wait a few minutes before I can walk out again.

I barely touch my food, and after dinner everything becomes even more fucked up when Kenzie asks Dad if she and Ashley can go to the bonfire party at the beach.

“Hmm... I don’t know. Is Sean going?” He turns to me.

I want to say hell no, but Iwasplanning on going. I might be here against my will, but I’m not going to turn into a hermit.

---