Page 31 of Spotlight
I leave cash on the bar in front of me and take my drink with me as I head outside. The music is louder out here. Lots of girls in bikinis and guys in trunks are in the water or sitting on the edge. The whole vibe is just… more. People are drunk and having fun. It’s the kind of environment I’d usually be all about, but tonight I’d rather be back inside sitting and talking to Olivia.
Still, I walk around until I find the guys. They’re at a table on the right side of the patio. Three women are sitting on the edge of the pool, their feet dangling in the water as they talk to them.
The girls look first as I approach, and the guys’ attention follows.
“We thought you bailed,” Gunnar says, then quieter adds, “Everyone always bails.”
That feels like a loaded statement that I don’t want to address tonight.
“I ran into someone I know inside,” I say then tip my head to the women with a polite smile.
“I know you.” One of the women narrows her gaze at me like she’s trying to place me. She has short black hair and light brown skin. I’m proud of myself for noticing anything other than her giant boobs because, damn, they’re basically falling out of her top.
“Flynn.” I lift a hand in a wave and take a seat beside Freddie.
“You’re on that billboard.” She points then nods excitedly as if she’s more sure of it now that she’s said it. “You’re one of the Holland brothers, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Ooooh. Can you introduce me to your brother? The motocross racer.” Another girl, sitting across from me, grins wide as she waits for my answer, then lets out a dreamy sigh. “He is so hot.”
“Sorry, he’s married.”
“Too bad. I guess you’ll do then. I’m Sadie.” She smiles and bats her lashes innocently. She’s fucking with me… I think. Her demeanor reminds me of Olivia a little.
A surprised laugh escapes my lips. “Lucky me.”
As the seven of us talk, Gunnar and one of the girls pair off, clearly into each other. Bo and her friend with the very large boobs are in deep discussion aboutThe White Lotus, I’m starting to sense it’s a hot topic for him, and that leaves me and Freddie with Sadie.
Sadie’s pretty cool actually. I’m not into her, mostly because I can’t stop thinking about Olivia, but I’m enjoying talking to her. Freddie, on the other hand, is silent. When Sadie goes with her friends to get a new drink, I look to the guy next to me.
“Is everything okay with you?” I ask him.
“Yeah. Fine.” He drags both palms over his thighs.
He’s not fine, and after I stare at him a few seconds longer, he finally adds, “I just can’t talk to women. I get all flustered and nervous.”
“Seriously?”
He looks embarrassed as my brows lift in surprise, and I let out a low chuckle.
“Sorry, I don’t mean to laugh. I’m surprised. You’re a cool dude and not terrible to look at.” I’m fucking with him. He’s got this good ole country boy vibe about him. Blond hair, blue eyes, golden skin. If he pulled his shirt off in here, he’d look like he was modeling for some popular clothing line.
“At best, I’m an eight out of ten. Then knock off three or four points when I open my mouth, and nothing comes out.”
“You haven’t said a single thing to them all night?” I ask, thinking back if I can remember him uttering a word since I’ve been here.
He shakes his head.
Well, fuck.
The girls are walking toward us, so I don’t have time to ask him more. Sadie drags a chair over next to me. She’s pulled on a pair of jean shorts with her white bikini top. She’s sexy as fuck, but I’d be leading her on by pretending to be interested in her while I can’t stop thinking about Olivia. And Freddie needs a win.
I clear my throat. “Hey, I’ve got a question for you.”
“Sure,” Sadie says.
“Say a guy wanted to impress a girl but he keeps messing it up. He says the wrong thing or does the wrong thing, or maybe he doesn’t say or do anything at all.”
