Page 3 of Play It Sinful

Kenzie looks at my outstretched hand for a second, and I fear she’ll leave me hanging, but when she looks up, she’s smiling. She pulls me into a hug. “Nice to meet you, Ash. I’m Kenzie.”

I relax. Okay, that wasn’t so hard.

She steps back and turns to Sean. “This is my brother, Sean.”

I smile, but I don’t dare step closer. He’s giving meback-offvibes. “Hi, Sean. Nice to meet you.”

He stares at me with his intense blue eyes, and I feel cold. He doesn’t reply, nor does he return my smile. He turns to his dad and asks, “Where’s my room? I’m tired.”

Chris furrows his brows. “Sean... don’t be rude. Say hello to Ash and Marnie.”

He rolls his eyes. “Hello, Ashley and Marnie. Can I go to my room now?”

Yikes. He made sure not to call me by my nickname.Message received loud and clear. You’re a jerk and don’t wanna be friends.

“Sure. I’ll show you,” Mom says, then veers to the stairs.

Sean and Kenzie start to follow her, but Kenzie stops and asks me, “Aren’t you coming?”

My smile comes back. “Sure!”

I’m a bit bummed that Sean wasn’t nice, but at least Kenzie is. One out of two isn’t bad.

SEAN

I knew Dad’s girlfriend had a kid my age, but I kind of blocked it out. I was still mad that he decided to drag me to Birchen Beach straight away, and I didn’t have a chance to see my friends back in Boston. Now he expects me to be nice to his girlfriend’s daughter. How is old she anyway? No way she can be the same age as me. She’s as small as a mouse.

I’m irritated that Kenzie liked Ashely immediately. I was hoping she’d be on my team, but whatever.

“Betrayed by own flesh and blood,” I mutter as I stare at the ceiling fan. The room is nice and all if you like beach décor, but it isn’t my old room.

I’ve unpacked, showered, changed clothes. Now I’m waiting to be called to dinner. Dad decided to fire up the grill. He never did that when he was married to Mom. I guess being withsomeone new made him want to do fun things. Before, he was all work, work, work.

“What are you mumbling about, Sean?” Kenzie asks as she walks into my room.

“Nothing. And don’t you knock?”

“Why should I? Are you hiding something?”

I tense on the spot, thinking about my old lunchbox. Then I remember I didn’t bring it on this trip, because I was afraid airport security would look inside even if I put it in my checked luggage. I probably won’t need it anyway. I haven’t used it in a while.

“No. But that doesn’t mean I want my privacy invaded,” I grumble.

She offers me her hand. “Come on. Stop being a sourpuss and join us outside. Dad says the burgers are almost ready.”

I’m tempted to bat Kenzie’s hand away, but if I want her on my team, I can’t fight with her, so I let her help me up. “Dad never grilled before. I hope he knows what he’s doing.”

“If he messes up, we can order pizza.”

On the way to the outside patio where we’re eating dinner, we bump into Ashley. She’s carrying several boxes that are stacked almost as big as her. They look heavy. How in the world can she do that? I’m a little impressed, but I stomp on the feeling. I’m not supposed to like anything about her. As far as I’m concerned, she’s the enemy.

“What do you have, Ash?” Kenzie asks.

“Oh, a bunch of games we found in the garage. I have no idea what’s in the boxes.”

“How do you know there are games in them, then?” I arch a brow.

“Because it says so on the outside.” She turns her body to show me the writing.

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