Page 10 of Chasing Elliott
“I respect that you’re trying to look out for your friend, but I’ve only just met the guy. That aside though, I’m not the type to string someone along. I’ve always made it very clear to theguys I see what my intentions are. Now whether or not they listen to what I say is another story,”I told him, thinking back on Marcus. “If he asks me out, I’ll be honest with him because that’s the type of girl I am. I already have one boy I’m having trouble letting go of, I don’t need to risk adding another to that list.”
“So, you’re not then,” Benjamin stated as he took his eyes off Kara for the first time to look at me directly. “You’re not ready for a serious commitment?”
I sighed, ignoring his question as I folded my arms in front of my chest. Shaking my head to try and clear any thoughts or chances of second guessing out of my mind, I made my way toward Kara who was now watching us from the water. I stripped out of my still stained jeans and set them down with our shoes before walking in.
The cold water nipped at my skin, but I didn’t mind as I decided against my better judgement and dove in. Coming back up for air, I turned around as I pushed my wet hair off my face and watched Cooper approach Benjamin. Benjamin already had his shirt off and was working on his jeans when I saw them exchange a couple words. Suddenly, Cooper stripped offhis clothes and my breath hitched in my throat.
He had a defined six pack that I could see clearly from here, even in the dark, and Inoticed what looked to be a half sleeve on the bottom half of his left arm. To say he was my type looks wise was a massive understatement.Too bad he’s looking for a relationship,I thought to myself as the boys came running toward the water.I’m sure he’d be great in bed.
Kara and I both squealed as they jumped in, effectively soaking us. Kara still stood closerto the shore, hating the feel of clothes on wet skin, while the water was just under my breasts. Cooper’s hair was sticking slightly to his face as he wadded over to me with a smile and adevious look in his eye. When he stopped right in front of me, I brought a hand up and pushed his hair out of his face as I shook my head.
Cooper smiled softly down at me, and I pulled my hand back as my cheeks flushed slightly. I tore my gaze away from him, embarrassed, and caught Kara grinning devilishly in my direction. I rolled my eyes and began to make my way out of the water, passing Benjamin as Idid so. Once the water was at my knees and I reached Kara, I heard a low, breathy whistle from behind me and turned to see Benjamin laughing as Cooper’s eyes were locked on my ass.
I took out my hair and flipped it down so I could fix my messy bun. Standing back up, Icaught Cooper still checking me out, so I flashed him a cheeky smile and winked which caused him to quickly avert his eyes.
Grabbing our clothes, we walked over to the now deserted bonfire and sat on the logs that rested around it. Benjamin and Cooper sat on their own as did Kara, but I decided to sit on theground and rest my back against her legs, not caring about the sand sticking to my body.
“So, girls,” Benjamin started to say as he glanced around at the three of us. “What do you say we make things a little more interesting?”
“Depends,” I started to say, perking up slightly. “What do you have in mind?” Cooper rolled his eyes, but a smile stayed on his face as he turned to look at me.
“How about a good ole game of do or drink?”
“But we don’t have any drinks,” I pointed out, though I was stating the obvious.
Cooper leaned back and I heard something bang shut when he suddenly turned aroundand revealed two beer bottles. I tilted my head back to look at Kara, instantly knowing that she wouldn’t want to; she hated being put in awkward situations, so I waited for her to give me the word to shut it down, but instead her eyes stayed locked with Benjamin’s as a cocky smilegraced her freckled face.
“I’m not sure you can keep up,” Kara drawled out as she leaned forward, her elbows resting on my shoulders. My eyes widened at her sudden boldness, but a smile came to my face.
“Let’s find out.”
“Alright, Elliott,” Benjamin said as he folded his hands together and flashed me a cocky smile. “Truth or dare?”
“You said this was do or drink,” I told him, my eyebrows furrowing slightly in confusion. “I’m not playing a middle school game.”
Benjamin rolled his eyes as he rested his elbows on his knees. “Okay fine, text the last person you slept with or take a drink.”
I smiled, thinking back on my time with Johnathan two nights ago but I knew he was working late tonight,and I wasn’t sure what was in store for Kara and I. Shaking my head, I held my hand out and Benjamin smiled as he slipped the bottle into my grasp. I took a long swig, hating the taste but obliging anyway. Beer was definitely not my drink of choice.
“Can we know who it was?” Cooper asked suddenly, curiosity evident in his voice.
“I think I’ll keep that to myself for now,” I responded curtly, avoiding his gaze. I didn’t want to see the look that rested there when he realized the one guy I couldn’t seem to let go of, the one guy who was the reason I wouldn’t let anything happen between him and I, was the guy who waited on us tonight.
Kara gently squeezed my shoulder, and I rested my hand over the top of hers, grateful for the support she always gave me. Even though it was my body and my choice what I did with it, that didn’t mean that sometimes I wished I could put that broken piece of myself behind me and quit doing what I was doing.
It’s hard to let someone love you when you don’t even love yourself.
“Alright, Kay,” I said a little louder than intended, trying to fill the awkward silence as Ileaned my head back to look her in the eyes. An evil thought came to my head for a brief moment, but I knew I couldn’t do that to her; it’d be taking who she was to my advantage.
“Go ahead,” she whispered to me. She must have seen the look in my eye and easily pieced my idea together.
I smiled softly, nodding as I brieflylooked over at Benjamin. “Go skinny dipping or takea drink.”
Kara instantly stood up from the log and turned her back to the three of us. She quickly slipped off her skirt, sweater, bra and underwear and sprinted toward the water with no hesitation. I started laughing as she dove in, and I took that opportunity to finally glance over at Benjamin; a small smile covered his face.
“Hey, El? Can you bring me my undergarments, please?” Kara asked shyly, catching my attention to see she stood with the water just below her shoulders. Chuckling softly, I pushed myself off the sand and walked over, making sure I stood directly in front of her so the boys didn’t see more than they needed to.
Once her undergarments were back on, we walked back to the fire hand in hand and sat down next to one another, my legs resting over her lap. Kara glanced between the two boys and settled in on Cooper with a mischievous smile which caused me to narrow my eyes at herslightly.
