Page 24 of The Heartbreakers
“No grabbing my sister,” Drew added quickly.
Xander flushed red, but JJ complained. “What is he supposed to do? Not touch her? Topple her over with a huff and puff?”
“Can we just get this over with?” I intervened.
“I know I’m a sexy beast, Stella, but you need to be patient,” JJ said and blew a kiss in my direction.
Ignoring him, I focused my attention on the best possible way to beat Xander. He was so skinny, and without his glasses, he might not be able to see as well. But he had long fingers, which would make it easier for him to hold on to my wrists in a death-like grip. It seemed best to go for a quick shove to the chest before he could get his hands on me.
“Someone say ‘go’ already,” Xander demanded. “Stella looks like she’s going to kill me.”
“On your marks, get set, go!” Alec said in a loud, clear voice. If I weren’t so focused on crushing Xander and JJ, I might have been shocked by the number of words that came out of his mouth.
Drew and JJ circled one another, neither making the first move.
“How long do you think this will take?” Drew asked me. I could tell that he was grinning. “Two minutes? One?”
I glared at JJ. “Ten.”
“Ten?” Drew asked, confused.
“Seconds,” I replied confidently. I dug my heels into his sides, like one would a horse, and my brother lunged forward in response.
My hands darted out and connected with Xander, slamming into his chest before he had time to react. I watched gleefully as his arms flailed and he and JJ collapsed into the water.Onedown, one to go…
“Xander, what the heck was that?” JJ sputtered when he resurfaced.
“Sorry,” Xander muttered as he tried to wipe the water from his eyes.
“Well, just don’t let it happen again,” JJ grumbled as he sank under the water so Xander could get back on his shoulders.
Alec directed the start of round two with a smile on his face. When he said “go,” JJ charged forward and the clear, blue water rippled away from his waist, creating a small wake.
Even though his face was pale with nerves, this time Xander was ready to counter my attack. As I shoved my hands against him, trying to knock their tower over, his fingers coiled around my arms, forming an unbreakable grip. I tried to rip free, but his hands stayed firmly clamped.
“Damn, you’re a lot stronger than you look,” I admitted to Xander as I tried to wiggle my way out.
“Thanks.”
“Concentrate, Xander,” JJ growled below him.
With newfound confidence, Xander furrowed his brows and tightened his hold on me. Then he started to pull.
“Come on, Stella,” Drew said, his voice rising in alarm. He moved forward, trying to find his balance so I wouldn’t slip forward off his neck.
A wicked smile spread across Xander’s face before he yanked me to the left with all his might. My stomach dropped and I hit the water with a splash. It happened so fast that Drew didn’t even fall over. Xander had pulled me right off the top of him.
“And that’s how it’s done, boys,” JJ gloated. Xander reached down and fist-bumped his friend, his lips turned up in a half smile.
Sighing, I peeked over at Oliver, who was sitting on the edge of the pool. He was glaring holes in the back of JJ’s unaware head. I cleared the hair away from my face again and swam back over to my brother.
“Anyone have any breath mints on them?” JJ called out.
Drew and I both ignored him. “What happened?” he asked.
“Xander has suction cups for hands. I couldn’t get free,” I answered. A knot started to form in my stomach. Whoever took the next battle would win overall, and I had no clue how to best Xander. I had already taken him by surprise during the first round, and I couldn’t think of any other strategies.
“I have an idea,” Drew said. He bent down and whispered in my ear.
