Outside the Lines(63)

Jake jumps in next, and Danielle sits on the swim deck and dangles her feet in the water.

“Hey, Liss,” Jake says and paddles over. “I just realized … Mindy is the same Mindy who used to bully you in school, right?” I don’t want to agree and let Ben know our history. The past is in the past, but it still embarrasses me. And it shouldn’t. So my embarrassment shames me. Win win for everyone.

Not.

“I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have let her come if I knew.”

“It’s fine.” I brush it off. I can’t look at Ben in the eye right now. I want to sink below the surface and never return. Well, I’ll return in like thirty seconds. I can’t hold my breath very long.

Jake gives me a lopsided smile and I know he genuinely feels bad. Though he’s younger than me, he took his role of brother seriously when we were growing up and stood up for me as much as he annoyed me. He turns and works on coaxing Danielle into the water. I grab Ben’s hand and pull him into the cove. The shore is rocky and covered in weeds, making it undesirable for beach goers. Which is desirable for us boaters, who like the calmness of the water without the hassle of dealing with the boat getting tossed into a swimmer.

“Your tits really do look fucking fantastic in that,” Ben says as we get away from the boat. “They look fucking fantastic on their own too. You can ditch the top anytime.”

“Tonight, baby. They’re all yours.”

“And sorry if saying I was your date imposed,” he says.

“No, not at all.” We try to embrace but end up bumping legs as we both tread water to stay afloat. “I wanted to ask you, but wasn’t sure if you’d even want to go. I know weddings can be kinda lame.”

He nods, agreeing. “Being with you isn’t lame.”

“Thanks,” I say and let my arms fall, giving up on swimming and kissing. I float on my back, spreading my arms and legs out to keep myself up. “I was seriously dreading being stuck at the singles table again since they’re not doing the head table with the whole bridal party. Or be put with my parents like a loser.”

Ben laughs softly. “You’re not a loser now.”

“You don’t mind going?” I ask, unable to hide my insecurities. “I know you have a lot going on.”

“Do you want me to go?”

“Yes. I really do.”

“Then no, I don’t mind at all. I want to make you happy,” he tells me. “And I don’t want you to feel like a loser.”

I laugh. “That’s very considerate of you. And now I’m actually looking forward to the wedding.” A weight I didn’t know was on my shoulders lifts. Not only do I have a date to my brother’s wedding, but it’s the best possible date ever.

Ben stacks our lifejackets together and sits on them, then pulls me into his lap. With a little paddling, we are able to keep our bodies locked and stay above the surface.

“It’s nice here,” Ben says, moving his head down to kiss me. “Did you come out here a lot when you lived here?”

“We did. I feel like this is our little spot of the lake. I get pissed when I see other people here, like those guys over there.” I narrow my eyes at the other boats, who no doubt feel the same about us. “The seaweed is pretty bad so a lot of boaters don’t bother. That’s why the boat’s way out there and we have to swim here. And the shore isn’t good for laying out or playing or anything. The water is calm and it’s quiet. I like it.”

“I do too. I imagine the lake isn’t always this crowded either.”

“Not at all. Weekends are pretty full, but not as bad as a holiday. I like coming out during the week at the beginning and end of summer, when the kids are still in school.”

“More privacy,” Ben says and kisses my neck.

“What about you?” I ask. “What did you spend your summers doing?”

“Typical, boring stuff,” he laughs. “I played sports and hung out with friends. I did camps when I was younger. And by younger, I mean I went until I was fifteen.”

“They still let fifteen year olds in camps?” I tease.

“They let you go even longer. We lived in the same place for all of my high school years, so I had friends to hang out with then. Summers were boring, but winters were more fun. I like to snowboard.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“I’d say I’m better than average at it, but I’m no pro. It’s fun. I still go every winter with friends. And ride snowmobiles.”

“I much prefer warm weather activities.”

He chuckles. “I like warm weather too. I told you, when it’s bad I won’t even go into work. But it’s different when you’re doing something fun like snowboarding and skiing, or riding a snowmobile. You get all geared up and stay warm.”