Out of Breath (Breathing, #3)(66)

‘They have lots of sex,’ a snarky voice said in my ear. I turned my head to find Peyton. ‘Thanks for inviting us over, Evan. This is a great house, even if it isn’t yours,’ she said with a false sweetness.

I nodded, still speechless by what she’d said.

‘You were trying to figure out why they’re together, right? I saw you watching them,’ Peyton explained, grinning snidely. ‘They have sex all the time. They can’t seem to keep their clothes on when they’re near each other. I know … it sounds shallow, but that’s what it is. But don’t think he’ll be that easy to get rid of. He cares for her. And eventually, she’s going to let him. So leave her alone, Evan.’

‘You’re friends with him,’ I concluded, studying the small blonde with eyes like daggers.

‘He’s my boyfriend’s best friend,’ she clarified.

‘Ah.’ I was beginning to understand. ‘And you don’t like me.’

‘You hurt her.’ Her eyes tightened into slits. If she could have punched me, I’m pretty sure she would have.

‘What are you talking about? I’ve barely spoken to her the past two days.’

‘She was hurting because of you before you got here,’ she snapped. ‘And, no, I don’t like you.’ She strode off towards the deck, grabbing a beer along the way.

‘At least you’re honest,’ I muttered, knowing I was out of earshot. ‘And she left me, by the way.’

‘Peyton’s a bitch.’ Serena approached from behind me. ‘Don’t let her get to you.’

I laughed, turning around to find her standing at the top of the stairs that led to the lowest level of the house. ‘I thought you were friends.’

‘With her?’ She laughed like it was absurd. ‘She drives me f*cking crazy. I’m friends with Meg and Emma. I tolerate Peyton, and just barely. Come play foosball with me.’ She turned around and skipped down the stairs. I chuckled with baffled a shake of my head, and followed.

‘You play foosball?’ I asked sceptically, setting my beer on the edge of the foosball table.

‘No,’ she said, straight-faced.

‘I didn’t think so,’ I replied with a laugh, before dropping the ball on the white line.

‘I love this house,’ Sara sighed, dangling her feet in the pool. ‘Can’t we stay here instead?’

‘Sara!’ I scowled, looking around to see if Cole had overheard. He was still inside, getting a drink.

‘I know,’ she droned, ‘I’m grateful Cole’s letting us stay at his house, but this place is so awesome.’

‘It is,’ I agreed, admiring the large patio that encircled the pool, which included a professional outdoor kitchen. The house itself was three storeys, with a ground floor leading out to the patio and an entertainment room that rivalled Sara’s. It was difficult to wrap my head around the fact that this was a vacation home. No wonder the guys had a ton of parties here. Although the last one I’d attended was a bit of a disaster for me.

‘Can we please hang out here all the time?’ Sara sulked.

‘Nice,’ I shot back. ‘We can walk right out onto the beach where we’re staying. There’s no pleasing you, huh?’

‘I know. I’m spoiled,’ she admitted. ‘How’re the two weeks going?’ She eyed me cautiously, swirling her feet in the water.

‘Hey, ladies,’ Peyton said from behind us before I could answer.

‘Come sit, Peyton,’ Sara said to her. Peyton kicked off her sandals and sat next to me, lowering her feet in the water. ‘Are you coming back in two weeks too?’

‘I can’t. I start my internship tomorrow.’ Peyton focused on me and said, ‘But I have nothing to worry about, right?’

I scrunched my eyes in confusion.

‘Fuck!’ We turned our heads as Serena screamed from the rec room. Meg was leaning against the doorframe, watching.

‘Serena plays foosball?’ Sara questioned, sounding surprised.

‘Not from the sound of it,’ I responded. My heart skipped a beat, hearing Evan’s laughter coming from the same room. Then I caught sight of Cole coming down the deck steps, and I turned my attention away.

‘I suck!’ Serena pouted, spinning the handle in a humorous tantrum.

‘You’re not that great,’ I agreed.

‘Hey!’

‘What? You just admitted you sucked.’

‘I think I need another beer,’ Serena sulked. ‘Meg, what time are we leaving?’

‘Probably in the next thirty minutes or so,’ Meg answered, lingering in the doorway. ‘But I can drive if you want to get another beer.’ This offer brought an instant smile to Serena’s face, and she scampered upstairs.

Meg sauntered into the room, her arms crossed. I waited for her to say something, but she didn’t. Instead, she twirled one of the bars of the foosball table, still not looking at me.

‘Do you not like me either?’ I asked.

Meg appeared surprised by my directness. ‘You seem … nice. I’m just … protective of Emma.’

‘That seems to be the theme around here.’ I leaned back against the arm of the leather couch and took a swig of my beer. ‘It’s good, though, that you all care so much about her.’