Page 21 of Should've Been Us
“And Con hates to lose.” Dereklaughed.
“I’ve lost enough to you over the years.” He glanced back at Lulu, “I think it’s time we changed thegame.”
“What was that?” Dean yelled from the other side of his brother as he and Nikki tried to rebuild a turret on their castle that kept falling. “Can we be done with this shit? I feel like a fucking twelve year oldgirl.”
“The game isn’t over yet!” Aubrey yelled, wiping sweat from herbrow.
“Sorry guys, the bride has spoken.” Derek leaned over and gave his fiancé a kiss and Lulu looked away, staring out at theocean.
“You guys finish up here then, I’m going to get a drink and a volleyball. We’ll play a real game when I get back, yeah?” Connor pushed to his feet, wiping more sand from his arms and legs. “Lu? You in forvolleyball?”
She turned back to him with a snort, “You want me to play volleyball with you? What? This little teamwork activity wasn’t adventurous enough foryou?”
Connor chuckled, “What can I say, I’m amasochist.”
“Clearly.” She grinned but shook her head, “But no thanks, I’ll be a spectator. Volleyball isn’t really mything.”
“Afraid you’ll break a nail?” Heteased.
“Never been a big fan of balls flying at my faceactually.”
“Well that explains the sad state of your love life.” Connor snorted and she flipped himoff.
“You’re such an asshole.” She shot back but couldn’t keep the smile out of hervoice.
That only made him laugh harder, “Trying to break your record? I think we’re up to fifteen times you’ve called me thattoday.”
“Must’ve been a slowday.”
“God, you’re a brat.” Connorlaughed.
“And you’re anasshole.”
“We’ve already covered that, Lu.” He motioned towards the lounge chairs, “Go get in the shade. You’re starting to look a littlepink.”
“Don’t tell me what todo.”
She glanced down at her arms and chest and unfortunately realized he was right. She was burning in the hot summer sun despite the lotion she’d all but slathered on. She did need to grab some shade or else she’d be the color of a lobster by dinnertonight.
“Take care of yourself so I don’t have to.” He shot back with a knowingglare.
“I’m going to go sit in the shade but I’m doing it because I want to, not because you told meto.”
“Whatever you say, Lu. Whatever yousay.”
She ignored him and headed for the line of lounge chairs that each featured a colorful umbrella for shade. Aubrey’s friend, Sierra, was already kicked back relaxing in one so she plopped down next to her. Sierra was fair skinned and the sun would have done a number on her if it was burning Lulu so it was probably a good thing she’d spent the day in the shade. The gorgeous blonde was wearing a red and white polka dot bikini, ridiculously oversized sunglasses and a gigantic floppy hat. She looked like a movie star and from the way she kept snapping her fingers requesting drinks and generally telling everyone why their castles sucked, she could have beenone.
She’d had an unknowable amount of margaritas at this point but she handed over a full glass to Lulu as soon as she sat down beside her, “Here ya go, lovely. Cooloff.”
“Thanks.” Lulu took the drink, “I’m not stealing yours amI?”
“Nah, I got another.” Sierra picked up a second full glass and giggled, “I have them bringing me two at a time. Saves them a trip. I’m nothing if nothelpful.”
Lulu laughed with her and took a small sip of the frozen drink. It was refreshing but she mostly just held the cold beverage between her hands. The idea of getting drunk again didn’t seem like such a good idea after her pity party lastnight.
“I get it now, by the way.” Sierra wiggled in her chair, resituating herself so she could see Lulubetter.
“Get what?” Lulu askeddistractedly.
