Page 65 of The Lie
“No, I’m actually just going to grab some stuff and go over to my dad’s girlfriend’s place. They have a hot tub, and it’s calling my name.”
Since I got my cast off two weeks ago, that’s all I want to do. I just haven’t had the time to do it this week. Until now.
“Okay, see you tomorrow,” he says as he gives me a shy smile. He’s so cute. Go Grady.
I get inside my house, put the roses in some water, grab what I need for tonight, and jump back in my car.
“Hey, good looking. You want anything?” Walker calls from the kitchen as I pass on my way to the hot tub.
I pause in the doorway and see he’s dripping water from his board shorts onto the tiles. “Kate’s gonna yell at you.” I point at the puddle he’s made while standing at the refrigerator.
He gives me his cocky grin and winks. “She will be dazzled by my smile and forget all about it.”
I laugh and shake my head. He’s so full of himself, and he knows it. “You wanna bet on that? Should I call her in here now and see which one of us wins?”
As I pretend to go get Kate, his warm arms wrap around my bare waist ,and he lifts me up, spinning me around before planting my ass on the kitchen counter. He takes a step back and looks over my body. I smack him on the chest and he chuckles.
“Hot stuff, if you’re gonna be wearing that tiny red bikini, I need to check you out.” He lets out a whistle. “You sure your heart’s set on Hunter?”
With a laugh, I shove him again as he starts to show off his biceps, like that will change my mind.
“I’m very sure it’s not wanting you and your big ego.”
“One night with me, Mila.” His wily grin has me rolling my eyes. “And you will change your mind about my bigego.”
He grabs a towel and mops up the water from the floor as I hop down, fixing my bikini before making my way outside. I don’t want to be in the same room as Walker’s big...anything.
Madison’s out here with her friend Bella. They made up with each other, and I’ve met her a few times this week. I guess her spending more time here means I will see more of her. They’re sitting on some deck chairs as I wave over at them.
Madison jumps up and runs over, hugging me. “So glad you’re here. It’s weird with Walker always here.”
I hug her back. “Just ignore him. He loves it,” I tell her and she giggles. “I promise.”
I hear water splashing from the hot tub and look over to see Asher watching me.Fuck.He’s reclined back, a soda can in his hand, and he gives me a small smile and nod hello. I do the same in return. That’s been pretty much the only thing we’ve said to each other in weeks.
“Want to come in the hot tub with me?” I practically beg Madison. She shakes her head and shrinks down a little as Walker comes strolling out, food and drinks in his arms.
“He doesn’t bite,” I reassure her, but Walker must hear me.
“Only in the best ways, I promise.”
My mouth drops open. He didn’t just say that to Madison.
Asher catches it, and I hear him yelling, “that’s my sister, dick.” Walker says he’s joking. He better be, or I will go over there right now and junk-punch him.
I haven’t been around Asher like this since he admitted he wants to be more than my “friend.” Not to mention, the butterflies thing I get around him.
Which is only worse now that he hasn’t exactly spoken to me. I don’t know how to fix this. Are the butterflies just because I’m anxious around him now? Or is it because something is still there, and I don’t know how to process it? I don’t know if he’s giving me space because of what he said, or if he’s worried about what I will say. I just need a night off from everything and to have a little fun.
Hunter and Roman are meeting me here, but I don’t know how long it will take them to show up. Fuck.
“Come on, Mila, or I will bite your ass,” Walker calls from the hot tub, and I roll my eyes at Madison. Her cheeks are pink, and I nod for her to go back to Bella.
“If you bite my ass, I will punch you right in your ego,” I reply before I turn around.
Asher has Walker in a headlock. They’re splashing around a bit, and it’s the perfect distraction for me to get in and not have them watch me.
I dip my toes in the hot water and moan at the warmth. It’s so good, I want to live in here. I submerge my whole body, my head just above the water, close my eyes, and sigh as I tilt my head back.
