Page 96 of Vicious Saint
“What the hell is with that guy?” I mutter as she links her arm around mine, dragging me closer to the death tub.
“You’ll get used to it.” She squeezes me. “Eventually they’ll become the human version of background noise.”
“You have a Carlo too?”
“No. I have a Stanley.” She waves to the old man nested on a lounge chair under an umbrella, sipping what looks like a delicious Piña Colada.
“The hell? Why couldn’t I get a Stanley?”
“Daddy wanted to make sure I didn’t feel smothered.”
“Why? ’Cause your brother does it enough?”
“Ha! You’re funny. But no. It was just a comfort he wanted me to have growing up.”
I roll my eyes. “Wish my mother shared his sentiment.”
“Like I said, you’ll get used to it!” Theory releases me, her steps turning into a sprint. “Now c’mon! The water feels great.”
“Uh, I’m good over here.” I point to the edge of the inground pool as she dives in.
Theory pops out of the water, then brushes her long, wet hair back with her hands as I sit. “Why not come in? You don’t like swimming?”
“More like can’t.”
“You can’t?” She nearly gasps. “Didn’t you have lessons as a kid?”
“No reason to. We didn’t have a pool.”
“Have you ever tried?”
“I took a class in school last year. Nearly drowned every time.”
“I can tell Daddy to hire one for you.”
“I’m good. My best friend Bex tried teaching me, but I gave up after the third time she had to save me.”
“Well, that’s a bummer.”
“Not really, I don’t care much for water anyway.”
Theory looks disappointed, as if counting on pool time to help us bond.
“But, hey, I don’t mind hanging around as you do. Especially since you have a fancy bar.” I jut my head to the bartender behind it, polishing glasses. “Think your boy over there will make me one of those Coladas?”
“Benson?” She scoffs, a wicked grin curling her lips. “For the right price? He’ll do anything.”
I do not like the insinuation here.
At all.
And I hope to God I’m wrong, because Benson looks not a day younger than forty.
“Anything?” I wince.
“Oh, my shit!” Theory cracks up. “Notthatkind of anything. I just mean sneaking drinks, helping escape after curfew.”
Thank fuck.
