Chapter 158

“That’s ridiculous,” I sputter, but then I feel a hand on my shoulder and jump.

“What’s ridiculous?” Creed asks, kneeling in the sand beside me. A shiver travels through me, and all of a sudden, all I can think about is the hot tub. The hot tub. That goddamn hot tub. I flick my eyes his direction and see that he’s studying me carefully.

“Nothing important,” I manage to get out, scooting over so that our bodies aren’t quite so close to touching. There’s too much tension between us, and I’m too confused as to what our relationship even is. Are we friends? It was literally just over a week ago that I told him he was the subject of a bet. And literally just over a week ago that he stood up for me in front of all his friends … “Zayd’s going to come down and join us for a little while.”

Creed nods, like he expected that, and then unfolds his long body in the sand, leaning back and lying there in his half-buttoned shirt and shorts. The wind tousles the fabric of his shirt