Page 50 of Facing the Line

She bounces on the balls of her feet. “Ooh, yes. Send some texts and make it happen, Joe. This is gonna be awesome.”

The bikini is as bad (good?) as I feared. Tiny pink triangles, strings, and skin. Acres of tan skin, waiting to be licked. I keep checking my phone for phantom texts, so I have something to glance at other than Hadley. I can’t embarrass myself in public. Even my mom’s messages about the weather would be welcome right now.

Turning on her lounge chair, she presents her back and holds out a bottle of sun lotion. “Can you put it on for me where I can’t reach?”

I stifle a groan. She knows they make spray sunscreen, right? Then I wouldn’t have to (get to?) rub the sticky, coconut scented lotion all over her shoulders and back, kneading her muscles.

Is there a way to force the blood to stay in my brain? I’m getting lightheaded, and it’s all traveling south. I clear my throat when I’m done, hoping not to embarrass myself.

She spins to face me, lips quirking up in a teasing grin. “Joe, are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

“Uh…”

“Here, have some water.” She hands me a plastic bottle from her beach bag, and I crack it open. I swallow half of it in one go, and I’m tempted to pour the rest over my head like a cold shower. Or over hers for torturing me.

“Slow down, don’t make yourself sick.” Hadley puts her hand on my bare chest, and I pause and stare at it. I’m frozen, like my brain is broken.

She snatches her palm away and stands. “Are you feeling up for a water slide?”

“Yeah,” I manage to croak out. “For sure.”

I finish off the water and Hadley surveys me, hand on her hip. “Did you put on sunscreen?”

Oh no. God, no. Kill me now. “Um, I’m fine.”

She glares and shakes the tube. “No way. Come’ere.”

There’s a part of me that knows she’s right. I have the ability to tan, unlike two of my sisters and my mom. They have red hair and fair skin, but I have my dad’s dark hair and complexion that can be in the sun without turning into an instant tomato. But I freckle and burn if I don’t wear sunscreen.

What’s worse? Being crispy and uncomfortable for days or turned on and uncomfortable for a few minutes?

Sighing, I submit. Walking over, I sit on the lounge chair in front of her. Her long legs frame me, and I take a deep, shuddering breath. I inhale for a different reason as the cold lotion hits my skin.

Hadley giggles, minx that she is. “You’re such a baby.”

“Am not. It’s cold.” The conversation distracts from her hands, rubbing up and down my shoulder blades.

“And aren’t we at the pool because we were too hot?”

“Doesn’t mean I want your ice hands all over me.” Lies. That’s exactly what I want.

She leans into me, and I bite back a moan. Her palms circle my neck and ears, then she runs her fingers down my biceps.

“You’re very thorough.” My voice comes out strained. Can she hear how much control I’m exerting?

“Can’t have you getting fried. You’d be an even bigger baby if that happened.”

Her touch turns feathery, and she tickles my sides. I hop up and round on her, and she gives me a smirk.

I smile back, loving the playful vibe. “Okay, you’re going to pay for that one.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

Taking a step towards her, I point to the tallest water slide. There are two—one is the more traditional tube with a series of spirals, but the second one has three long slides side by side.

“I mean we’re going to race down that slide, and you’re going to lose.”

Hadley laughs and grabs my hand, tugging me with her. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

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