Page 100 of Drama Queen

“You just gonna beat up my boy and walk away, faggot?”

Man, this guy really needs to get up to speed. Nobody insults people like that anymore. What a loser.

I sigh and look him over, shaking my head. “Sorry you’re stuck where you are,” I say with a sad smile before jabbing out to break his nose as well. Once he’s howling and covering his face, I turn back to Troy to check on him. “You good?”

He looks up at me like I’ve handed him every dream he’s ever had. “I’m good now,” he breathes.

I chuckle and we walk back to the campsite, my arm back around his shoulders where it belongs.

Four

KARA

A dayat the beach is exactly what the doctor ordered. I’m relaxed and happy with the warmth melting my body into a pile of relaxed goo. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I swear all the guys look extra hot today. I need to remember that these guys are friends, not food. At the same time, I’m really hoping that they all notice me in this new suit. I grabbed it a week before we left, and it’s worth every penny.

It’s red with white polka dots, and a high-waisted bottom with a balconette top that pushes the girls nice and high. So far, none of the guys have seen it, since I have my cover up on, but I’m excited to see what the reactions are when it comes off. I take another deep breath and let myself relax a little more in the heat, smiling at how good it feels to justbefor a little while. I can see the beach starting to fill up, and when I sit up, I realize I’ve got sweat trickling down my chest between my boobs. Nobody likes that feeling.

I stand up, deciding that now’s the time to hit the water. I put my hands on my hips and look at all the guys. They’re watching me now, and I decide it’s the perfect moment to reveal this new suit. Without taking time to second guess myself, I reach downand whip off my cover-up, letting the guys get their fill. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m pretty sure I see four tents making an appearance on the beach.

Smiling, I declare, “Last one to the water is a rotten egg!”

My feet move and I race to the water as fast as they can carry me. They guys shout behind me and catch up quickly, most of them hitting the water at the same time I do. I feel arms band around me from behind and laugh when Dan growls playfully in my ear. We make it a few more steps before he lets me go and we all dive into the water and splash around a bit. Flynn’s holding the beach ball and starts tossing it back and forth with Zeke and Troy. Dan and I join in when we see what’s going on and soon we’re in a small circle, tossing the ball back and forth in the water.

We start to let other people into the circle, making the game bigger, when I notice a total jock head slide in next to me. He’s even wearing his sunglasses on the back of his head. That’s clearly a massive red flag, only absolute douche bags wear their sunglasses that way. We’re just playing in the water, though, not on a date, so I look over the red flag. I’m not sure if he realizes this, though. The guys are all here so I’m sure it will be fine. I’m not in real danger, just the danger of being annoyed to death. Jock looks over at me and gives me a once over before pulling the cringiest move ever. He tilts his head back quickly in greeting.

I give him a flat, close-lipped smile and turn back to the game. The ball splashes in front of me and I squeal before grabbing it to lob back.

“Gettin’ wet over there, sweet thing?” he asks.

“One, that’s a creepy line. Please never use it again. Two, I’m not interested.”

I can feel his eyes on me even though I’m steadfastly ignoring him.

“Aww c’mon. I’m just tryin’ to be friendly. I’m sorry.”

I glance over at him quickly and nod quickly, letting it go.

Maybe he didn’t mean to be creepy. And maybe I didn’t buy this swimsuit hoping to spark the guys’ interest.

Yeah. Right.

The ball continues to make its way around the circle when this guy makes a second pass. “You here with your girlfriends? I got some friends with me. We could all hang out later.”

“No, I came with some friends, but we’re not going to hang out later. Sorry.”

“You sure? We’ll show you a real good time. We’re nice guys.”

“I’m sure you are, but I’m not interested,” I insist. I am not sure he’s a nice guy, but I don’t want to escalate this.

“You look good in that suit, sweet thing.”

I’m so done.

He is creeping me out to no end and I can’t handle standing next to him anymore. I turn to face him fully, placing my hands fisted and set on my hips.

“Back. Off. I am not interested, and you’re making me uncomfortable.”

I need to get away from this guy, so I turn and start heading back to the blanket, letting my guys know I’m done. Hopefully, this guy will try to pick up some other chick. I’m so over this. My legs work to trudge through the hip-high water until it’s shallow and I finally make it back to the sand. In my periphery I can see Dan following suit, so at least I’ll have someone to sit with. My heart warms at the reminder of how observant he is and how much he cares.

---