Beautiful Mess(95)

The sound of everyone counting down from the back yard reached them. Bri lifted her lips in anticipation.

“This is going to be our year, Bri,” Cole promised her. “You and me, together.”

Bri felt a warm shiver race through her at his words.

“Three, two, one...”

Cole’s lips met hers gently, sealing his promise with a kiss. Then they quickly grew more aggressive, as his passion took over. Bri could feel it in him. He wanted her, he needed her desperately, and she met his urgency with her own. With Cole she felt complete. She felt, for the first time, truly alive. They kissed unabashedly, under the slight scattering of stars that were visible above them. They stayed locked in each other’s embrace, neither willing to pull away, until the sound of Natalie’s voice announcing that the pool was officially opened caused them to return to reality.

“Well, I guess we’d better get back,” Cole reluctantly pulled away. Sadly, Bri nodded. She started walking away, when he pulled her back. “I forgot to tell you how hot you look tonight. Those boots are driving me crazy.” He gave her one more kiss.

“I’ll have to remember that for the future,” she smiled.

She headed back to the back yard and slipped back among her friends. Layla tossed Bri her bag, and they went off to change. She was relieved to find that Layla had also packed her black cover up. They returned to the back yard to find that Natalie had turned on the outdoor stereo and the party had officially moved out to the pool.

The pool looked inviting, but Bri didn’t feel like getting wet, despite being assured the pool was heated. After lounging on a chair for a while, she shrugged out of her cover up and settled for sitting on the edge and dangling her feet in the water. She waved to her friends, who were splashing across the pool.

“You know, you’re in a pretty precarious position right there,” a glistening dark head swam up to her.

“Oh? And why is that?” Bri laughed back.

“Because, anyone swimming by could easily grab you and pull you into the water.” Cole’s eyes glinted mischievously.

“You wouldn’t dare,” she admonished him.

“Only because I’m really enjoying the view from down here.” He grinned.

Bri felt herself blushing under his gaze. Remembering where they were, she glanced around quickly.

“I thought we weren’t supposed to be talking to each other in public,” she nodded over at Serena and her cronies, who were eyeing them from the other end of the pool.

“Well, we are going to be friends at school now, right? What better place to meet than at a midnight pool party?” He pulled himself out of the pool, and Bri couldn’t help but admire his bare, muscular chest. He sat beside her, water dripping tantalizingly down his body. Again, Bri blushed.

“So, how has your night been?” he asked, shaking the water from his hair.

“Um... uh, good I guess,” she replied, distractedly.

Cole, catching her staring at him, gave her his signature cocky smile.

“Well good. I’m glad you’re having a good time.”

“I am now,” she replied softly. It was nice, sitting next to Cole, talking to him. Unfortunately, a shadow fell over the two of them, and Bri looked up to see Cole’s date, Megan, looming behind them. She looked pissed.

“There you are, Cole. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Megan plastered on a fake smile that did nothing to hide her anger. “I thought I’d lost you.”

“Well, I’m right here,” Cole shrugged, making no attempt to move.

“Yeah,” Megan laughed tightly. “Well, a bunch of us were going to play Chicken, and I need you to be my bottom.”

Bri about choked when she thought about Megan sitting on Cole’s shoulders, her legs wrapped around him. Cole must’ve noticed.

“Um, that’s okay. I don’t really feel like playing. Why don’t you find someone else to be your partner.”

Disappointment crossed Megan’s face, but she quickly smothered it.

“Okay, but could you um, go get me a drink? I’m really thirsty,” she glared at Bri, then eyed Cole pointedly.

“Um, sure, I guess.” He grudgingly stood and gave Bri a sad smile. “It was nice talking with you. See you around, Bri.”

“See ya,” she returned and watched him walk away, Megan trailing right behind him. She forced herself to remember that this was the last time she’d have to watch Cole with another girl. It was the only thing keeping her from rushing Megan and yanking her hair out.

Deciding she’d had enough party for one night, Bri climbed out of the pool and grabbed her bag. After making sure that Layla could get a ride home with Devon, she headed out to her car to go home. As she pulled away, she saw Cole standing out on the front lawn, looking forlorn as he watched her drive away.