Page 34 of Just for Tonight

"Belly flop!" AJ called when he saw us both shedding our dry clothes and getting down to our swim trunks.

"I'll tell you right now, I am not doing a belly flop," Beau said.

"Me neither," I added.

"Front flip off of the diving board then," AJ said.

"Fine," Beau agreed easily.

"Actually… jump off the diving board while holding Holland."

"While holding Holland?" I said, overhearing. "Don't drag me into his trick."

"A front flip for fifty points, or pick Holland up and jump off of the diving board with her for a hundred."

I was mortified. I didn't even know if Beau could physically pick me up. I wasn't a tiny girl. "We would break that board," I said.

"Then off the side of the pool holding you, no diving board," AJ said.

"Do not ask him to pick me up," I said, feeling honestly horrified. I had never been picked up by a guy.

"If she doesn't want me to, then I have to go for the fifty points."

"What does he get for points, anyway?" I asked. "What does it equal in real life?"

"Bragging rights," Charlie said.

Beau walked toward me casually as I set my shorts and t-shirt on the table. "I am scared I'll hurt you," I said, where only he could hear.

"Why would you be scared of that? I'm scared I'd hurtyou. I don't want to hold you wrong jumping off of that diving board."

"He said you could jump off the side," I said. "And he didn't specify how you had to hold me. If you turn around, I'll just jump on your back and we can perform an ol' piggyback ride."

He nodded as if this plan was serious business. "I think this could work if you're up for it."

"I'm ready when you are," I said.

Chapter 12

"We're going for the hundred points!" Beau announced to the others who were in the shallow water at the far end of the pool.

I heard a few whoops, but I was too busy paying attention to my one job of waiting to jump on Beau's back. He nodded at me and turned around, and I sprang onto his back, being as light as I could possibly be. He hefted me up, getting a good solid grip of my legs above my knees, and I did my best to hold onto him. He walked carefully but quickly with me, covering the distance in only a few seconds.

It was a thrill riding his back like that. It was only for a few seconds, but I felt a wave of anticipation at the feel of his skin next to mine.

Beau jumped in with me, but he completely shielded me, turning as we went under and helping me get to the top.

"Are you good?" he asked when we came up.

"Yeah," I said, laughing and swimming toward the side of the pool since we were in the deep end.

I felt a steadying hand on my back that pushed me toward the side. I turned and I looked back at Beau.

"Thank you," I said.

"Thank you," he said, holding onto the side of the pool next to me. "I don't know what I would have done with my life if I didn't go for those extra points."

I laughed and shook my head at him. I held onto the side of the pool with one hand while I let my other hand drift through the water. It was dark out now, and everyone else was chin deep in the water and not paying attention to us.

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