“I could use a cool down,” I said, pushing my plate away. “This heat is going to drive me up the wall.”
I was sweating, and it was one of the most unattractive things to have happen, but the hot sticky air clung to my skin and a swim actually sounded perfect. I could find a corner to sit in, away from my horny, over-affectionate friends that had a hard time being decent in public.
And I can avoid seeing Reid and Stella.
“Well what the fuck are we waiting for you skinny bitches, let’s get going.”
I laughed at Grady’s unfiltered comment. He had an uncanny ability to say the crudest thing in the funniest way, and let’s face it, some things don’t seem as offensive coming from a gay guy.
He took my hand, and helped me from my chair.
“C’mon, sweet cheeks, let’s go before these freaks start giving the other guests a fucking sex show.”
He dragged me away from our table, and I almost tripped going up the stairs.
“Dios mio, Grady, what’s the damn hurry?”
The elevator doors opened just as we reached them, and he pulled us inside before our friends could catch up.
“The hurry,” he said, banging on our floor button, “is that you need to look shit hot so that Reid will come to his fucking senses and ditch that hobbit. Bitch has been trying to kill you with her squint eyes all night, and I had to stop myself from flying across that table to slap her to Siberia.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I laughed. “Reid seems to be into her, so why should I care?”
He looked at me incredulously, and when the elevator doors chimed, he pulled me to our room. “Reid has been seduced by her hobbit vagina, and he needs to see that the person he belongs with is actually a hot, stubborn Spanish babe. Now tell me you brought a sexy as fuck bikini, or else I’ll send you down there in your birthday suit.”
I sighed. “I don’t want to cause drama, Grady. I’d rather just avoid them altogether. In fact, I think it would be a good idea if I stayed right here.”
He rested his hands on my bare shoulders and shook me. “What is going on with you right now my tootsie roll? Where’s the feisty Jade that never backed down from a challenge? Where’s the girl who was ready to spit fire at anyone who even thought of crossing her?”
I’d been wondering the same thing for quite some time. I was waiting for the moment where I snapped out of my funk, and returned to normal.
But that was pre having-sex-with-my-best-friend-turned-friend-turned-stranger. Grady couldn’t possibly understand what had transpired between Reid and me but I loved him for wanting to coax Feisty Jade out of hiding. Maybe I needed him to kick my butt.
“You’re going to have to help me find her,” I said quietly.
Grady’s face broke out into a gentle smile, and he cupped my cheek. “For you my sexy amigo, I will cut a bitch if it means we get the old Jade back.” He spun me around, and shoved me towards my luggage. “Now go change.”
With a tap on the butt, I walked towards my luggage, and took out the several bikinis’ I’d brought on the trip.
Grady was right. I’d been in hiding, and it had to change. Grady didn’t need to know that I had no desire to get Reid’s attention while we were here, but if going along with our stupid plan would somehow bring a semblance of my old self back I’d try anything.
Chapter 3
Jade
The Pool
I strolled down to the pool, and within fifteen minutes Grady had abandoned our plan, for the cute bartender who’d made our cocktails earlier. Secretly I was relieved. His idea to get Reid’s attention felt a little juvenile at best and I knew I would regret starting a game I couldn’t finish. So I slipped my sandals off, adjusted my leopard print monokini and stepped into to temperate water, away from the other students who’d had the same idea to take a late night dip.
I waded through the water, trailing my fingers through the ripples, until I reached the deep end where the water slipped over the edge. The view was magnificent, peaceful, still. A sharp contrast to everything I’d been feeling in the last few weeks. I soaked it up, pushing away the subdued thoughts occupying my mind.
A burst of shrill laughter infiltrated the quiet, and I spun my head around. I wished I hadn’t.
Reid had just stepped into the water on the other side, and he lifted his arms to help Stella into the water. She smiled at him, her eyes turning up at the sides, and leaned down to kiss him. I should’ve looked away, but I was a glutton for punishment and just continued to stare. Her eyes lifted, and I swore her mouth tilted into a smirk while her lips moved against Reid’s. She was taunting me, dangling Reid in front of me like a damn bone.