Page 84 of Lone Star Longing
But he looked particularly fine today, his hair mussed by the wind, in a t-shirt and shorts that showed off a fit body. She already knew he was fit, but her doctor’s words came back to her, reminding her that her hormones were not to be trusted this trimester.
She needed that tattooed on her arm, because damn. He, Javi and Con stood in the shadow of his truck, all three handsome men in the prime of their lives, but she couldn't take her eyes off of Beck.
“Yeah, I’m not making any promises,” Poppy said as she hopped out of the car and went around to the trunk to get out the insulated bags with the sandwich supplies.
Beck stepped forward to help her as Lacey got out of the car, grabbing her own plastic tote bag of clothes and supplies. She wore her bathing suit under her clothes because she didn't know what kind of facilities the pool would have and she didn't want to take any chances. She was going to float in the water.
She also dragged a tube she’d ordered from the internet out of the back seat to make room for Sofia and Hailey. Maybe Beck would let her put it in the bed of his truck, if he didn't have much else back there.
Con came over and took it from her. “We have a pump, so you didn't have to blow it up ahead of time.”
“I wasn't sure.”
“I think it’ll fit in the truck.”
Beck had already popped the lid to the truck bed to put Poppy’s bags in, and he made room for the float. “You going to share?”
“Fat chance. If no one else thought to order one, that’s on them.”
“I got dill pickle chips for the trip.”
She blinked. “Oh. Thanks, but I’m riding with Poppy. I was just making room for the girls.”
“I thought we could all ride in the truck.”
“All of us? Your truck is big but it’s not that big, for a two hour drive. You take the boys, and we’ll take the girls.”
His mouth twisted in disappointment. “I haven’t seen much of you lately.”
She turned to face him. She’d thought he’d been avoiding her on purpose. Weird of him to say he missed her, so maybe he hadn’t been avoiding her. “We’ll see plenty of each other once we get to the pool.” Before she could let him talk her into changing her mind and going with him, she headed back to Poppy’s car, gathering Hailey and Sofia on the way.
“I thought we were all going together,” Sofia complained as she climbed into the back seat of Poppy’s sedan.
“We can’t fit. And besides, we have better snacks, better music, better gossip,” Lacey promised.
“Just like high school,” Sofia said with a sigh.
“Not better scenery,” Hailey grumbled.
“Wait, what?” Lacey twisted in her seat as she buckled her seat belt. She couldn't believe the jealousy that was bubbling up in her. “Who?”
“Javi.” Hailey batted her eyelashes.
Poppy nudged her. “He’s too young for you.”
“Only about five years. No big deal. And he’s pretty. Those big brown eyes. Those shoulders. The curly hair.”
Lacey was too busy being relieved that Beck wasn't Hailey’s focus to insert her opinion.
“Curly hair? I guess?” Poppy said, putting the car in drive and pulling onto the road before the guys had even gotten into the truck.
“It’s got those nice thick waves that I just want to bury my fingers in,” Hailey said with a smile.
“You know, I know we don't have a lot of guys around town that are our age,” Sofia said. “But Javi?”
“No, he’s cute,” Poppy said, drawing the word out so it was almost a question. “Definitely fit. And just because we’ve known him since he was a littlegorditoin first grade doesn't mean he’s not cute. I just look at him and see the toothless smile and the wild hair.”
“I bet he was adorable.”
