Page 25 of Beach B!tch
Against my will, I smiled back at her. She was being honest, and as hard as that was to hear, it was helpful. And I liked the idea that Dean knew my crazy and liked it.
Bailey jumped in with her two cents. "Listen, you need to just be you. If he doesn't like the genuine, awkward, silly, fun, passionate you, then screw him! I'm serious. You don't want him if he's not gonna like the real you. So just relax, like Esa said, and be open with him. You're fuckin' awesome, girlie, you just need to be confident. Take all that confidence you show on the volleyball court and be that way in every area of your life. Men like Dean are strong enough to want a kickass woman. Don't try to hide that."
I watched the waves roll onto the sand, lost in thought.
A group of loud kids walked by us, eager to hit the sand and surf for an afternoon of fun. I barely heard them as I thought about everything Bailey had said. I loved how alive I felt on the court. The focus. The energy. The drive. That was when I felt most like my true self. I needed to take all of that and apply it to the rest of my life. That was the girl I was on my way to becoming. That was a side to me Dean would have to get to know and decide if he wanted.
Huh, who knew Bailey could be so deep?
I looked back at Bailey, who was focused on my face to gauge how I took her advice. I felt a happy energy bubbling up inside of me that caused a big smile to form on my face. My girls were there for me, I was on my way to being recovered and back on the court, and I had a hottie lifeguard waiting for me to pick a day for our first date. Things were looking rosy. No need to be stressing.
I went with the happy glow and leapt onto Bailey, tackling her to the sand, and tickled her sides.
"Wha-- Stop! No! You bitch! Get off me!" Bailey screamed in-between fits of laughter. I kept tickling her and let myself be happy.
Esa jumped on top of us both and joined the dog pile. We tussled, tickled, giggled, and cursed. Sand was flying and I'm pretty sure some handfuls went a few places I'd be finding later tonight. I took an elbow to the head. Bailey accidentally grabbed Esa's boob instead of tickling her waist. It was straight hilarious.
I'm also sure we were causing a scene, but we didn't give a damn. It was like that preschool song, "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands." When life is good and you have good friends to share it with, you just gotta show it.
When we got tired, we all rolled out of the pile to lay on our backs and catch our breath. The blue sky above was fading as the sun began to set. I couldn't remember a happier time in my life and I couldn't help but think that opening up to these friends and exploring a relationship with Dean was a huge part of that happiness. If only I could bottle this feeling and keep it for later when things weren't so great. Because life couldn't always be this good, could it?
Dean
"I was wondering when you'd get the nerve to call me," I said into my cell phone, a sly smile on my face. I slammed the door closed after I climbed up into my truck. I was leaving work as the last rays of the sun set into the ocean. I'd heard from Kai, a fellow lifeguard, that my girl and Ivan's girl, were down on the beach earlier today causing a scene. He said it was a girl-on-girl sand wrestling match that caused a few bicycles, ridden by men of course, to crash into each other as they tried to get a better view. I didn't blame the guys...our ladies were hot.
But I hoped that the Squad, as they preferred to be called, had talked some sense into Brinley. I was quickly seeing I was in for the fight of my life just to pin this girl down. I got her to talk to me, now I was working on getting that first date. As much as I wanted to get her into my bed, I knew that was a ways off. I'd never seen a skittish colt in person, but that's what she reminded me of. I needed to be patient and show her I was in for the long haul.
"Yeah, I figured I'd keep you on the edge of your seat a little longer. Suspense is sexy, yes?" she drawled in my ear.
"When it's you doing it, yeah, I'd definitely say it's sexy. Please tell me you're calling to put me out of my misery..." I wasn't too proud to beg if I had to.
She giggled, a sound I hadn't heard from her before. It was high-pitched like Minnie Mouse with a touch of badass like Lara Croft...basically, the most erotic laugh I'd ever heard. I shook my head to clear the image of her long legs wrapped around my waist, giggling as we engaged in some naked wrestling.
Focus, asshole.
"Yes, I am. I had someone dare me today and I never lose a challenge. So, what day are you taking me out?" Brinley asked me, her trademark determination out in full force.
Jesus, that sweet voice of hers, asking me to take her out...I'd be playing that over and over in my head tonight. "My first thought is to pick you up right now, before you rescind the offer, but I want our first date to be special. I'm shooting to have many dates with you, sweetheart, so the first has to be impressive enough to ensure that happens. How does Friday night work for you?"
"Many dates with me, huh? Quite sure of yourself, buddy," she teased me again.
"I'm sure of myself mostly, except when it comes to you. Friday? Please?"
"We have a therapy appointment Friday morning. Sure you won't be sick of me by then?" Brinley questioned quietly, losing the teasing tone entirely.
"Why would I be sick of you?" I couldn't stand to hear her talk about herself like that. Who the hell made her think she wasn't someone to treasure? "Have I not made it clear how much I want to be with you? You've pushed me away at every turn, sweetheart, not the other way around."
She was silent for too long. I banged the back of my head against my headrest. I was about to apologize for speaking to her so harshly when she spoke. "I know. I'm sorry. That's not how I want to be."
"Will you tell me about it on our date? I want to know who made you doubt yourself. Will you share that with me?" Then I'd go smash their face in, but she didn't need to worry about that. I wanted to bring a smile to her face and make her see herself like I did.
"Yeah, I think I will. You should know what you're dealing with here." She chuckled darkly, though neither of us found anything about it to be funny.
"I'll put some things together and let you know at therapy on Friday what to expect. Just a warning: if my plans work out, you'll want to be in a dress." Please God, make it short so I could see those long, tan legs all evening. It'd be straight torture as I had a strong feeling the evening wouldn't end in her bed or mine, but it'd be worth it.
"See you Friday, Dean."
"Sleep tight, Brinley."
