Out of Breath (Breathing, #3)(111)

Evan smirked. ‘Yeah, you have a reputation. And this isn’t the first time I’ve ended up in the pool with my clothes on because of you.’

‘True,’ I replied, a flush rising to my cheeks. I couldn’t look away from his steel-blue eyes as he drifted closer. He lingered in front of me, scanning my face like he was looking for an answer … or permission. My pulse raced when he set his hand on my hip. I gripped the side of the pool to keep afloat. I couldn’t breathe as he moved closer – and then he was gone. I whipped around in search of him.

‘Hey, Emma.’ Brent smiled from where Evan used to be. And then he was dragged under himself. This was my cue to get out of the pool, needing some distance after yet another moment with Evan.

‘How did you not get thrown in?’ I asked Serena and Sara, who sat in chairs around a table, observing the bedlam.

Sara’s eyes glinted. ‘They know better.’

‘But you look ridiculous,’ Serena laughed, pointing to the jeans that hung from my hips, the weight of the water stretching them over my shoes. I attempted to pull them up, but it was useless.

‘Time to go?’ Meg confirmed from behind me.

‘I think you’ve made your contribution to the party,’ Serena stated, handing her keys to Meg. ‘But I’m going to stay a while longer.’

‘Me too,’ Sara added.

‘Well … have fun,’ I said. Meg and I left the girls and walked along the edge of the house.

‘Are you leaving?’ Evan called after us, running to catch up.

I indicated my uncooperative jeans with a slight tug and said, ‘I can’t stay like this. We’re heading back to the house. We’ll see you there.’

‘I’ll come back with you. Actually, I’ll meet you out front. I’m going to give my key to Sara so she and Serena can get back later with the guys.’

‘Okay,’ Emma replied, continuing towards the front of the house.

I found Sara and Serena seated by the posts of the deck, laughing at the spectacle.

‘Sara, use my truck whenever you want to drive back,’ I told her, handing her the key.

‘How are you getting there?’ she questioned curiously.

‘I’m leaving now with Meg and Emma.’

Serena grinned. I could only imagine what she was thinking.

‘Okay. I guess we’ll see you in a bit,’ Sara replied. I took off to find Meg and Emma, but stopped short when I reached the sidewalk. The girls were removing their jeans and placing them in a black trash bag.

‘Hey, Evan.’ Meg noticed me. ‘No wet shorts in the car – it’s our rule.’

‘Huh?’ I responded, having a hard time taking my eyes off Emma’s exposed legs. I blinked and focused on Meg’s face.

‘You need to take off your jeans if you’re getting in the car,’ she explained.

I raised my eyebrows.

‘Or you don’t have to drive back with us,’ Emma stated. She had to know exactly what seeing her standing in just a tank top and her underwear was doing to me. This ride might kill me.

‘No, it’s … okay,’ I conceded reluctantly. I took a quick breath and peeled off my jeans, dropping them in the bag Meg held open, and placing my shoes in the trunk among the cleats and soccer balls. With my eyes on Emma, I said, ‘You know what, you might as well as have this wet shirt too.’

Emma stared at me with her mouth open. Meg looked between us, shaking her head. ‘Whatever.’

‘You’re evil,’ Emma grumbled.

‘Hey, you broke the truce,’ I grinned, stripping my shirt off. I laughed when Emma turned her back to me, concealing her flushed cheeks.

‘You can drive,’ Meg said, handing me the key before throwing the trash bag in the trunk.

Emma sat on the passenger side, waiting. I caught a glimpse of her lean, muscular legs leading up to the black fabric of her underwear. Meg climbed into the back while I held the seat forward. I was oblivious to her revealed skin as she scooted by me, too distracted by the half-naked body in the front seat.

‘Why are you driving?’ Emma demanded in a panic when I got in the car.

I shrugged. ‘Meg asked me to.’

‘Meg!’ Emma groaned.

‘What did I do?’ Meg asked, completely confused. ‘What is wrong with you guys? It’s not like you’re naked. Stop acting weird and just drive, Evan.’

Emma turned her attention away from me.

The radio blared when I started the car. Emma whipped around and shouted at the same time as Meg, ‘David Bowie!’ but then Emma finished with, ‘ “Young Americans”.’

‘You suck,’ Meg shot back. ‘I couldn’t get the song out fast enough.’

I had no idea what just happened. All I knew was that Emma’s thigh was suddenly inches from my hand on the stick shift – and I couldn’t breathe. I forced my eyes to remain on the road. Any diversion in my current attire would not be good. ‘What was that about?’

‘It’s what we do when the car starts or someone changes the station; we see who can name the artist and song the fastest,’ Meg explained. ‘It’s just something between Emma and me.’

‘Like the pool thing?’

‘Exactly.’ Emma laughed. ‘Like the pool thing.’