Page 30 of Absorbed

“Mark says he’s in,” he yelled to Desiree across the pool on his way to the far tower. “Let’s watch some aliens get blown up!”

Mark?Stacey wondered.

“Stacey’s in, too. I’ll call Tiffany and Melissa,” Desiree told him over the megaphone. She collected her sunscreen and towel, and climbed down from the shallow-end tower. She waited at the base, eager for Stacey to shift into her chair so she could get inside and into the shade.

Stacey’s heart sank. This would not be a double date. Everyone was invited. She had no idea where Melissa and Jessie’s relationship stood, but if it was another night of him tickling her, everyone paired up, and Stacey feeling like the odd man out, she’d prefer to stay home.

“Hey, Chad,” Stacey asked, as she got to the bottom of the deep-end tower ladder. Chad was about to climb up. “Are Jessie and Melissa…together?”

“No way! She’s so pissed at him.”

Stacey grinned.Game on. She dove across the deep end.

Chapter Eleven

Independence Daywas the most anticipated movie of the summer and the lifeguard crew was especially excited for an activity in a dark, dry, air-conditioned space, away from the screaming kids at The Plunge. As soon as the pool closed, they piled into Stacey and Chad’s cars, but had to wait for Mark to change and lock up. By the time they finally got to the theater, there were only tickets left for the 10:00 p.m. show, and a line was already wrapping around the building.

“We’ve got four hours to kill,” Tiffany said matter-of-factly. She stepped into line, draped her towel across a spot on the sidewalk and sat down.

Desiree and Melissa linked arms and stepped back. “We’ll go find food,” Desiree said, nodding in the direction of the mall.

“This place is pretty skeezy,” Chad said, scanning the parking lot and the people jumping into line around them. “Let’s stay in two groups. I’ll go with them.” He turned toward Mark. “You four good to stay together here?”

Mark nodded. “We’re cool.” They commenced their elaborate handshake.

Jessie set his towel down. Stacey nodded eagerly. She sat beside Tiffany, grateful for the towel to shield them from the still-hot, grimy sidewalk. They each handed Chad ten dollars, and he went with Desiree and Melissa to the food court in the mall, promising to return with dinner.

Tiffany pulled a pack of UNO cards from her purse. “No cheating this time,” she told Mark and Jessie, while passing out the cards.

“Me? A cheater?” Jessie feigned innocence.

“You didn’t like that you kept losing,” Mark told Tiffany.

“What are you guys talking about?” Stacey asked.

“A couple of weeks ago, when we were playing Uno after work, Jessie kept laying down more cards than he was supposed to each hand, and Mark kept hiding cards under his butt.”

The night they hung out after night swim ended, they were playing Uno?Stacey froze in amused shock.So much for the bong and group orgy.

“Don’t listen to her. She has no proof,” Mark responded.

“When you stood up, cards were stuck to your thighs!” Tiffany shook her head and rolled her eyes, chuckling.

“All lies,” Jessie said.

Mark gleefully slid a card up the leg of his shorts.

“See!” Tiffany pointed at Mark.

Mark opened his empty hands like a magician and shrugged.

Winking at Jessie, Stacey lifted a card and tucked it under her bra strap. They all laughed.

The four began playing round after loud, ruthless round of Uno, oblivious to the crowd waiting in line. After a few hands, it was obvious no one was going to play fair.

“Uno!” Stacey proudly held her one card up.

“No way!” Mark scoffed. “She’s definitely hiding them in her back pocket.”

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