Page 82 of Bad Crush
“Well, fuck,” Rhett says. “Double or nothing?”
“I’m going in.” Mav puts his sunglasses on and runs toward the pool. He jumps in and holds his beer up to keep it from going under.
They get set for another chicken fight, but this time Dakota gets on Mav’s shoulders, and Reagan sits on the side of the pool cheering them on.
I glance over at Rhett. I haven’t seen him on the phone all day. “How’s everything with Carrie?”
“Eh.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
His brows lift toward the hat covering his head.
“I’m a good listener,” I insist.
He hesitates as if he’s considering it, but then shakes it off. “Nah, thanks though. I’m cool. Things with you and Reagan seem good.”
“Deflecting. Nice.”
A grin tugs at his lips.
“They are good. She’s great, man. I didn’t realize what it could be like. It’s…” I struggle to put it in words.
A real smile spreads across his face. “Congratulations, my man. Sounds like you’re in love.”
* * *
After a long dayoutside in the pool, we grill and then head inside. The fireplace is going, and we’re all in the living room drinking and talking.
Half-empty bottles of liquor litter the coffee table. Maverick went all out, buying everyone’s favorites, including his own.
“Happy twenty-first,” Heath says and lifts his cup.
We all mimic him, and Mav grins shyly as he raises his bottle of MD 20/20. “Thank you guys for being here. This is the first birthday in a long time that hasn’t royally sucked.”
Reagan’s sitting between my legs. She reaches over and squeezes Mav’s arm, and I wonder if she feels that way too. Reagan’s parents aren’t around, and Maverick’s think they can buy him off instead of spending any time with him. I’m irritated with my own parents for how they’ve acted recently, but not one birthday has gone by, my entire life, where they haven’t made it feel special.
I dip my head lower to kiss her shoulder. “We should play sardines or something.”
“I bet this house has some killer hiding spots,” Rhett says.
Dakota groans. “No, let’s play something different. We’re on vacation!”
“Truth or dare?” Ginny suggests. “Or I’ve never?”
“I love I’ve never,” Mav says. He puts his beer down on the floor and rubs his hands together. “I’ll go first. I’ve never kissed a girl.”
“We all drink except Reagan and Ginny.”
Mav cackles at Dakota as she drinks.
She glares. “I told you that in confidence.”
“Yes, I know. I’m sorry, babe, but it’s such a great visual.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’ve never had a threesome.”
We go around the room, taking turns. I’ve played with the guys before, so I know most of their secrets, but it’s fun finding out a little more about Reagan. Like, she’s kissed more than one guy in a single day, and she’s had a one-night stand. Stupid things that don’t change how I feel about her, but just peel back more layers and remind me what an idiot I was not to notice her before.
