Page 20 of Jumping In

I blow out a breath. It’s one thing for her to give me a book she annotated, but it’s another way to spend more time with her outside of the professional setting.

“Look, dude,” he hands me his phone. “You’re obviously on her mind, because I’m pretty sure that’s your handwriting.”

On his phone, Instagram is open and there is a photo of MJ in her hammock. Well, it’s of a book propped up on her legs in the hammock.

Caption:Early morning by the creek. Can’t wait to dive in. #sunrise #sunrisebythecreek #readingbythecreek #divingintoagoodbook #annotationsfromafriend

I hand Austin’s phone back to him. So, she’s reading the book I returned to her. Doesn’t mean much and I guarantee it doesn’t mean what the hope blooming in my chest wants it to. Can I be just friends with MJ, though? We were friends for so many years before feelings became more than friendly and it was all fine. Until it wasn’t.Fuck.

All three of our phones ping, pulling me from my swirling thoughts.

“Dude, here’s your chance.” Austin bounces on the couch with excitement.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and look at the message in the Dream Team chat.

MJ:Hey heyyy, it’s Friday… Who’s up for another grill and chill by the creek tomorrow?

AUSTIN:Hell yes! What time and who’s cooking?

I look over at Austin, who’s wearing an encouraging look on his face. My eyes scan over to Blake, who’s also looking hopeful.

“Come on, man. Just try?” Blake says.

Sighing, I roll my neck and look back down at my phone. It would be nice to get to know her again and see if I can’t start repairing our friendship a bit. I look at Austin, who looks like a puppy waiting for a treat, and I smirk and start typing.

ME:I’m in.

Austin and Blake’s phones both ping and then Austin yells, “Fuck yes!”

June 15

The gravel crunches under my tires and dust kicks up around me as I roll into the makeshift parking lot off the side of MJ’s parents’ house. Rumbling at an idle beneath me, I cut off the engine of my ‘72 red Chevelle. Dad always tells me to take pride in my things and the Chevelle is one thing I definitely take pride in. However, dirt roads are the norm in Oakridge, so she has to get a little dirty now and then. Thank fuck Sheriff Clayborn didn’t impound her when he pulled me over a few weeks ago. All the evidence was within eyesight and there was no need to take her in and further search. Minor miracles and all that. I’d probably still be fighting with him to get her back if he had taken her in, and who knows what would have happened in the Cedar Bend impound.

Before hustling down the hill to the creek, I grab my backpack, sling it over my shoulder, and pocket my keys. I’m already late and I know I’m gonna catch shit from the guys. I’m surprised my phone isn’t blowing up with the assumptions that I bailed. My stomach has been in knots all day thinking about this evening and spending time with MJ again. I almost put coolant in the oil reservoir of the car I was working on. A fuck up like that and I probably would have bailed, but I caught it just in time.

I crest the hill and see Austin standing by the picnic table, talking with Blake. Blake is, surprise, standing in front of the grill. The wonderful smell of chicken wafts up the hill and my stomach growls in response.

“If you have corn on the grill too, I just might have to marry you,” I call out to Blake in jest. Both twins turn to face me, Austin cracking a smile and Blake nodding his head in acknowledgement.

“Holy shit, you actually came,” Austin greets me as I approach, giving him a quick bro-hug.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m here,” I reply.

Blake sets the tongs down and greets me in the same fashion. “Better get down on one knee because I most definitely have corn on the grill.” I look over Blake’s shoulder and, sure as shit, he does.

“I don’t have a ring. Maybe next time.” I wink at Blake playfully and then take a quick inventory of the area. It’s just Blake and Austin up here, and I’m curious where the girls are. “Where’s—” I stop when I hear water sloshing in the creek. I turn and am instantly stunned by the sight beforeme. Picking my jaw up off the ground, I take in MJ walking out of the creek in a red bikini. Holy fuck, I’m in trouble.

Her wet skin glistens, already tanned from the time spent out here under the sun. With every step she takes, her thighs ripple with power, and I wonder how it would feel to squeeze them. Shaking that thought out of my head, I continue to scan up her body, taking in her soft stomach, the way she spills out of her bikini top, and then finally her gorgeous face. She’s smiling from ear to ear as she pulls her hair over her shoulder and wrings out the water from it.

My eyes are likely the size of saucers, and Blake practically confirms it when I turn around and he nearly chokes from laughter. “Fuck,” I whisper. Facing the grill, I take a moment to adjust myself in my swim trunks. Fucking perfect. Blake throws his head back, laughing at my expense, and I shoot daggers at him with my eyes. This is going to be a long night. I gotta get it together and quick.

Adjusted and confident she won’t see the evidence of my arousal, I turn to face MJ as she grabs a towel off the table and dries off. “Mac, hey.” Her breathy greeting makes my cock twitch, and I try not to groan. Her eyes scan my body slowly, and I swear they linger a little too long on my swim trunks. MJ flicks her eyes up to mine and the briefest hint of a smirk graces her full pink lips.

Standing awkwardly for a beat, I break the silence. “I’m gonna go grab a drink.” Dropping my bag gently on the seat of the picnic table, I head toward the cooler and hear heavy footsteps following me.

“Dude,” Blake whispers. “You good?”

“Fuck no!” I whisper-yell back.

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