Page 70 of When Wrecked Meets Ruined
I played dumb as if I didn’t know. “Yeah? What did you do?”
“I beat the shit out of his car with a baseball bat. Then I spray-painted a few choice words on the side of it. Chad Miller has a tiny dick.” She smiled, but it seemed forced.
I didn’t even pretend to be amused. “And you think that made you even?” I asked, barely able to contain my anger.
Instead of answering, she quickly changed the subject. “Did Ainsley tell you that I stole money from her mom?”
Evie had come here with an agenda. First the rules, and now this.
I hesitated a moment before nodding.
“I didn’t.” She gave me a defiant look, daring me to call her a liar.
“I know. She was always jealous of you.” I knew that without having heard it from Kelsey. I’d take care of Ainsley and set the record straight.
“We’re even now.”
“I didn’t know this was a contest. How are we even?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “You shared some deep shit. I shared some deep shit. Now let’s move on. For the rest of the summer, let’s stay in the shallow end.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem. I’m about as deep as a puddle.”
She snorted. “You’re not as good an actor as you think, Dally Boy.” She stood up and dusted off the back of her shorts. “But yeah, let’s not get in too deep. That’s my final rule.”
I think we both knew it was too late for that, but hey, we were good at pretending. I jumped off the tailgate, wrapped my hands around Evie’s waist, and lifted her to the ground. “I’m thinking we should just dive right in.”
“Haven’t you been listening?”
“Mmhmm.” I pulled her against me. “I hung on every word.” I kissed her on the lips, and she clutched my shirt in her hands. “Agreed to all your rules.” I dipped my head and took a bite of her neck. “And I solemnly swear to give you a summer of fun. So let the games begin.” My hands coasted down her back, and I palmed her ass cheeks, giving them a squeeze.
She pushed up on her tiptoes, pressed her mouth against mine, then sank her teeth into my bottom lip.
I swiped my tongue over my lip and tasted the metallic tang of blood as I swung open the passenger door. “My lady.” I gave her a courtly bow, and she laughed as she brushed past me.
“Next up on our agenda is something guaranteed to make you wet.” I smacked her ass before it hit the seat.
The car door slammed shut, and it was a damn good thing I had quick reflexes and jumped out of the way in time. I could have lost a finger. Or worse.
Evie was brutal, and I fucking loved it.
But payback is a bitch.
* * *
“No!” she shrieked. Too late. She was already airborne. Nothing like being thrown into a lake fully clothed. I’d ensured her phone was safe first, of course. Priorities.
I dove in after her. Jesus. Talk about a shock to the system. The water in this lake was spring-fed, and the temperature was ten below arctic, even in the middle of a hot-ass Texas summer.
I pushed back my hair, my eyes darting around the lake, searching for Evie. It was getting dark, and I hadn’t thought to turn on the lanterns on the dock. I spun in a circle but still couldn’t see her. Where the hell had she gone?
A splash behind me was followed by her low, dirty laugh. “Catch me if you can.” I struck out in the direction of her voice and caught sight of her feet following her head underwater.
I dove deep and caught her by the foot, tugging her toward me, then grabbed her waist and pulled her against me when our heads emerged. She turned in my arms and pushed her hair off her face.
Even in the shadows of dusk, her green eyes seared through me, burning so bright I could almost feel the empty hole where she’d stolen part of my soul.
I released her like her touch burned even though the water was so cold my legs were starting to get numb. “This is the equivalent of a cold shower. Pretty sure my nuts have shriveled to the size of peanuts.”
