Page 69 of Nerdplay
In the shower, I think more about Cricket in her sundress, about peeling down both straps until the bodice slips to reveal a pair of perfect breasts, which is a mistake when all I want to do after this is sleep.
At least the water is cold.
* * *
The temperature doesn’t dip in the night, and the humidity is stifling, so I awaken drenched in sweat. I glance at my Apple watch. Five-fifteen. As much as I would’ve liked to sleep longer, no surprise it’s impossible. A quick look outside reveals ribbons of bright golden light filtering through the trees. Sunrise.
I’m up anyway. Might as well see what the fuss is about.
I pull on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt and wander down to the lake. Cricket is already on her yoga mat with her face tilted toward the rising sun. I stop at the edge of the lawn to observe her. Without her usual oversized T-shirt, you could actually see her body.
I wish I hadn’t. More fodder for bedtime.
She’s more toned than I realized, not that it matters. I’m not interested in Courtney. She is the vampire I’m desperate to stake.
Shit. Never mind.
She stretches toward the cabins and spots me. Her whole demeanor changes in the blink of an eye. Gone is the lithe, graceful woman. She wobbles on one leg before falling smack on her ass.
The geek is back.
I hurry toward her. “Are you okay?”
Flat on the mat, she rubs her backside. “I wasn’t expecting to see you—or anyone.”
“Sorry. I should’ve shouted.”
“Not at this hour. Someone might think it’s a wildlife emergency.”
I help her to her feet. “I didn’t sleep well, so I decided to watch the sun rise since you seemed so enthusiastic about it.”
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Check out those colors.”
I follow her gaze to the burning rays of light rippling across the water. “I can see why you like to do this, but sunset is every bit as pretty.”
“Except everybody’s awake at sunset.” She inhales deeply. “This is my quiet time. When it’s me and Mother Nature kicking it old school.”
“I’ll tell you who else is kicking it old school. I saw Bradley outside smoking a cigarette. Can you believe that guy sleeps in striped long johns? He looked like a candy cane.”
Cricket bursts into laughter. “Are you serious? No, I had no idea.”
I like her laugh so much, I find myself wanting to hear it again, but I can’t think of anything funny to say. Not without caffeine first.
“I remember he posted a picture in our group chat in March when we all celebrated Pi Day. I thought I caught a glimpse of candy stripes but figured it was a shirt.”
“You can eat pie whenever you want. Why do you need a special day?”
She slams the heel of her hand against her forehead. “Not the pastry, dinkus. The mathematical equation.”
“Wait. Did you call me a dinkus?”
“What’s the problem? Is it too early for insults?”
“Hey, I’m not the one throwing math parties.”
“You obviously like to learn or you wouldn’t have gone to law school.”
I snort. “Yeah, that’s why people become lawyers, a love of knowledge.”
