Page 34 of The Pass
“I bet Tanner would love that. He finally gets you to himself, and you still find ways to cockblock him.”
I fumble for words. “I’m not… he’s not… we’re…”
“I was kidding, but wow, you sound guilty. Did you two finally hook up? You bitch. I expected you to call me immediately when that happened. Tell me everything.”
“You misunderstood. I only meant that he doesn’t care about having me alone. Datson is coming up tomorrow, and his sister and her friends are coming later this month. We’re just friends, Em.” I do consider telling her about the kiss, but I think that will only add fuel to her theory that Tanner and I are inevitable.
Maybe it’s part of my stubborn competitiveness, but the more people insist Tanner and I are more than friends, the more I want to prove them wrong. Sparks be damned.
11
Tanner
Jonah racksthe barbell and we both move to add another plate to either side before taking a quick rest between sets.
He takes a seat on the bench and wipes his forehead with a towel. “What are you guys doing tonight? Do you want to head over to The Cove?”
“That sounds good. I’ll run it by Sydney.”
“What’s up with you two? I can’t figure you out.”
“We’re friends, man. I’ve told you a million times.”
“I don’t buy it, and it’s not because I don’t think guys and girls can be friends. It’s the way you talked about her all these years and then seeing you two together.”
“Sydney is super competitive. You guys were basically daring her to kiss me, therefore guaranteeing that she would just to prove you wrong.”
“That kiss was fucking hot. Best guy on girl soft-core porn I’ve ever seen, but that’s not what I mean. It’s when you are just sitting next to one another or standing together. There’s this connection and awareness, soul-deep shit that I won’t even pretend to understand, but I know isn’t normal friend behavior.”
“Soul-deep shit?” I ask with a chuckle.
He lays back on the bench for his next set, and I get in position to spot him. He gets five easy and I help him push out two more.
“If I had that with someone, I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss it, that’s all I’m saying,” he says, still breathing hard.
“I don’t take it for granted for a second,” I tell him honestly. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” I know it sounds cheesy as hell, but it’s true.
He nods in understanding. “You might want to examine why that is.” He holds his hands up defensively, probably at the hard look I’m giving him. “I’ve said my peace.”
“Noted.” Eager to change the subject, I ask, “You remember my friend John Datson? He came up last summer and went to The Cove with us over Memorial Day weekend. Anyway, he’s coming up tomorrow.”
“Datson! Yeah, love that guy. He’s a good time.”
I chuckle. That he is. They are a lot alike in that regard. Datson’s a good guy, and definitely always up for a good time.
“I have a few friends coming up this weekend, too. A couple of very good-looking girlfriends. And by friends I mean people I don’t want to hook up with. You know, since we seem to have different definitions of the word.” He winks. “I think you’ll like Willow. Tall, blonde… that is your type, right?”
I flip him off. He’s not wrong. That’s exactly my type.
We finish up in the gym and head inside. We’re both already in our swim trunks and I’m dying to get in that pool to cool off. Jonah mixes up protein smoothies for us and I stare out the window to where Sydney’s floating on a yellow raft.
He brings me a strawberry smoothie and a water. He’s carrying his own drink and smoothie, and we take a step outside before I stop in my tracks. “I should grab Sydney something.”
Jonah chuckles. “So thoughtful. In the door of the fridge.” He continues on and I go back to get another water.
The extra twenty seconds gives Jonah a chance to grab a floatie and join Sydney. I sit on the edge of the pool while I finish my drink. They’re at the farthest point on the lazy river. Their voices and laughter are barely heard over the music. Jonah is complimenting her body and Sydney’s laughing as he goes on and on and on and on. Your stomach and those shoulders. All right, Jonah, that’s enough I want to tell him. But the smile on her face as they come into view stops me. He’s not saying anything that isn’t true and anything that makes her happy, makes me happy.
We stay at Jonah’s house until around dark. Sydney was all about going out tonight, so we head back to shower and get ready.
