Every Little Thing

Going For A Swim...I Guess

Jace and Amy walked into the kitchen, Jace looking like he'd just run a mile.

"I don't think a party's ever been shut down that fast in the history of parties, bro," he said, grabbing another beer like nothing had happened.

I glanced at him, unimpressed. "I'm not the one who started it."

"No," Amy chimed in, arms crossing, "but you sure as hell finished it. I've never seen you so pissed."

I looked over at her and chuckled. "Those morons went too far. Hopefully, they learned not to mess with me."

Jace grinned, eyes gleaming with mischief. "So... how about a swim?"

I stared at him like he'd lost it. "Dude, really? After that?"

"I think it'll be fun," Lily added from beside me, her voice light.

I turned to look at her, surprised by the sudden shift-and maybe by the way she was very clearly avoiding my eyes.

"Well, Amy?" she asked, still not looking my way. "What do you think?"

Amy shrugged with a grin. "Sorry, Caleb. I'm with them."

I threw my hands up, defeated. "Why am I always outnumbered?"

Lily laughed, that soft, melodic sound doing stupid things to my insides before she disappeared down the hall with Amy to change. I glared at Jace, narrowing my eyes.

"I don't know what you two are trying to pull, but it's not gonna work."

Jace popped his head out from the bathroom, smirking like the little shit he was. "No idea what you're talking about." He ducked back inside just as I launched a pillow at his face.

We made it to the pool first-of course, Jace cannonballed in like a toddler on Red Bull. Shaking my head, I walked over to the hot tub and slipped into the warm water.

"Lame ass!" he shouted, splashing water at me.

I tilted my head back toward him, pointing to the cut on my brow. "Yeah, I totally want my face to sting like hell."

He splashed again, then swam off laughing.

I let out a quiet chuckle and leaned back, letting the jets ease the tension from my muscles. The warmth helped dull the ache in my temple and the adrenaline still burning in my veins.

It felt good. Letting myself break, I mean. Don't misunderstand, I'm not some monster addicted to making others feel pain. He just had it coming, and I was glad to be the one to finally shut him up.

A splash echoed nearby, and I glanced over to see Amy jumping onto Jace in the pool. He caught her easily, spinning her around as her laughter filled the backyard.

"I can't get over how cute they are."

Her voice. Sweet, quiet. Close.

I turned my head-and just like that, my brain short-circuited. Lily sat down near me in a dark purple bikini, water lapping around her waist.

Every soft curve, every freckle, and glint of water on her skin had my full, undivided attention - but it was just that. It was her. So achingly familiar, but more somehow. More grounded. More guarded. Still breathtaking. My heart stuttered.

Don't go there. Just friends.

"They weren't always like this," I said, forcing myself to look at her face. "Jace used to be a complete disaster around her."

She smiled, sitting back a little more as her shoulder dipped beneath the surface. "Seems like he's over it."

"Until she wears one of his favorite dresses... or nothing at all." I smirked and shook my head.

Lily's eyes widened just slightly, and she gave a small laugh. "That's fair."

She leaned her head back, relaxing into the water like she belonged there - like she always had. My gaze flicked to her for a second too long before I forced myself to look away.

I couldn't help but think of all the beach days when we were younger. The number of times I had caught myself staring for far too long.

She was just beautiful. She was breathtaking. Always had been, at least to me.  

"So," she said, her tone casual but curious, "aside from football and secret languages... what else have you been up to?"

I raised a brow, eyes shifting back to her. She was eyeing me curiously, twisting her bracelet under the water. The small diamonds sparkled against the pool lights, painting her skin in stunning blues and greens.

I draped my arms across the ledge of the hot tub, trying hard to seem calm and composed. "What exactly do you want to know?"

She tilted her head, a small grin tugging at her lips. "You tell me."

The ease between us was both comfortable and terrifying—because it used to mean everything. And now? I didn’t know what it meant. I only knew I didn’t want to lose it again. I couldn't take another vanishing act from her.

Because this time... I don't think I would recover.