Page 13 of Pool Girl - An Instalove Possessive Age Gap

“You know my dad,” I say softly, feeling a new kind of shock pump through my system.

“Not just your pool guy. You actually know my dad, from like, forever?” I ask again, totally dumbfounded.

Will shrugs a little and moves to hug me, to draw me closer to him so as to keep me warm.

But I can’t.

I feel my head shaking violently. My fantasy has developed a new, nightmarish quality.

I can’t do this with my dad’s friends… I can’t… It doesn’t…

“I have to go.” I squeak suddenly, turning this way and then that way, trying to even think of what I’m gonna wear out of here, let alone how I’m going to manage to play catch up on the rest of the pool jobs I have booked for today.

Tomorrow and the day after are booked solid too, I can’t just skip a whole day.

My first day helping dad too. He’s got the flu and will be out for a week at least, probably two.

I hear myself whimpering again, whining.

But for a very different reason.

“I gotta go. Let me go, Will,” I shriek, tearing myself free from him and shuffling towards the kitchen, wanting to get to the pool house and get my clothes.

“Piper!” Will calls after me, but I can’t look at him. I feel like I’ve betrayed my dad and now I’ve ruined his business all in one day.

“Piper!”

He calls after me again, and I remember how hearing him say my name just a short while ago felt special, but now it only fills me with dread.

Because I know in my heart of hearts, like it or not…

That I’m head over heels in love with Will. And he’s my dad’s friend. My dad’s only friend.Chapter TenWillI didn’t think she remembered.

But no way would I have thought she’d react like this. I worry again that maybe she is seriously is unwell, that I should have called 911 or at least my doctor.

But, the thought of another person, another man examining her, touching her.

The thought makes me growl defensively.

No. Like she said, no doctors.

She’s just had a shock and now she knows I financed her dad’s business… hell, I’ve been carrying him for as long as I can remember. All for the sake of him being my friend and knowing he had a daughter to look out for.

But that’s nothing. It’s small change and worth it to know my oldest friend isn’t struggling.

So how’s he not gonna struggle once he knows what you’ve done. What you’ve done with his little girl?

I shake my head, my hands balled up into fists. I can’t think like that. He didn’t make Piper a part of my life because he was busy, we both are… months turned into years, but I always made sure they had enough, that he always had plenty to fall back on if times got tough or business went quiet.

Plus, she’s an adult now, able to make adult decisions.

And boy has she made some adult decisions today.

I laugh suddenly, relaxing my body and calling after Piper again. I remember the pledge I just made to Guy, and to her really.

I need to make sure she’s well and that she’s safe. I’ll clean her damned pool route if I have to. Why not? It might even be fun.

She can come too, but she has to stay bundled up and well away from the water.

“Piper!” I call out again, hustling to where I know she’s headed, passing the laundry as I walk through the kitchen.

Her washed clothes spinning noiselessly in the tumble dryer.

I reach her once she’s on her way back inside. The sun is low on the horizon now, its afternoon but it’s still more like winter than early spring this year.

She shivers and even coughs.

“Right. Get your ass in here. C’mere,” I order, shutting the doors behind her, bundling what looks like my bedspread tighter around her, and holding her close until I can’t help it.

I have to pick her up again, carrying her into the closest, warmest place, the living room.

I set her on the leather sofa, and although she’s done protesting or saying that she wants to leave, she’s pouting.

Scowling.

“What’s the matter?” I ask her. “I washed all your clothes, they’re drying right now, be done any minute.”

Her scowl softens, slowly turning into a smile.

“You washed my clothes?” she says, her eyes wide and she makes the cutest face I just have to kiss.

I feel instant relief, seeing her run like that, telling me she’s leaving… I can’t have that. I won’t have that. Not anymore.

“I told your dad and now I’m telling you. I’ll clean all the pools on your round. Today, tomorrow, all week if I have to. Just don’t say you’re gonna leave Piper. Not after what we just did… how I feel…” I stammer, hearing the emotion return to my voice, realizing just how deep I’m in with this girl now.

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