Summer of Sloane (21 page)

“God, why does this have to be so hard?”

“I don’t know, Mia, but I do know that he’s going to find out soon enough that you’re with my brother, whether it’s from you or someone else. Don’t let it be from someone else.”

I pause for a second, wondering if that’s the best advice I can give. Or maybe I just signed my brother’s death certificate.

“You’re right, Slo, I know you are. I just hope Shep doesn’t do anything stupid.” She hugs me tight. “I promise I’ll take care of it tonight, but I think I should talk to Penn first—make sure we both agree.” She lets out a shuddering sigh as she tries to pull herself together. “Man, this totally sucks.”

“I know. But you’re going to feel so much better once it’s done and over with.”

We stare at the view of the city around us, then out to the beach and the darkness that is the ocean beyond. Then Mia spots my tattoo and spins me around for a better look.

“No way! You lose the cast and get yourself a tat? What does ‘
Memento Vivere
’ mean?” she reads out loud, twisting her head sideways.

Aside from Finn and now Mia, no one else has seen it. Not even my brother.

“It’s Latin for ‘Remember to live
.
’ Just a little reminder, is all.”

Finn comes up behind us and hands me my drink. “Pretty awesome, don’t you think?”

“Awesome? It’s perfect! I love it, Slo!”

“I love it, too, although it hurt like a bitch. And if it wasn’t for this guy, I think I would’ve chickened out.” I motion toward Finn, and Mia hesitates, like she’s trying to piece something together.

“Wow. Someone’s rubbing off on someone here. About damn time. But if you hurt my girl in any way, believe me, I’ll have your balls hanging from my rearview mirror in two seconds flat.” Then she actually pats his shoulder and smiles sweetly.

“No need to worry about that.” Finn smiles back, her comment not affecting him in the least as he leans down to kiss my temple. It’s the first outward display of affection in front of our friends, and as Mia squeals, I know my face has gone solar.

Finn excuses himself to greet a few guests, one of whom I see is Gianna, who at least didn’t come alone. As soon as he’s out of earshot, Mia shimmies her hip against mine.

“So it’s getting pretty serious between you guys, huh?”

I don’t even hesitate. “Yeah, I think it is.”

She watches me closely, then leans in and kisses my cheek. “Slo, I can’t tell you how happy I am to see
you
this happy. Because I hate to say it, but you were pretty messed up when you first got down here.”

“Ha-ha, thanks a lot.” My smile stretches so wide across my face, it actually hurts my cheeks. “I thought I was happy with Tyler, you know? I never knew it could be better than that. Until it was.” I take a sip of my drink and realize it’s already almost gone. “And even though I have no idea what’s going on between me and Finn, I don’t really care, because I like it…whatever it is.”

“So I guess Tyler’s old news, then? It sounds like you’ve made up your mind.”

“Yeah, I think I have.” I can’t believe how good that feels to say out loud. “I know it’s easier because he’s not here. But then again, I’m not sure that would make a difference now.” I stir the ice in my glass, then finish off the last of it. “Come on, let’s go get another drink.”

We order another round, and I down it there at the bar before we head out to the mass of bodies dancing on the makeshift dance floor. I spot Maile and Stacey grinding to the beat, and they’re pretty awesome together. I of course am not the only one who notices, as practically every guy within a fifteen-foot radius has stopped what they’re doing to watch. Mia and I make our way over to them, and with my second drink down, I let all my cares go and join them.

“Wicked tat!” Maile yells loud over the music as she pulls back the side of my halter top to get a closer look. She’s doesn’t ask what it means, but instead continues to sway her hips in groove to the beat, then her hands trail down my sides and grab hold of my hands, raising them above our heads.

Maile’s hands are replaced with ones that are much bigger, much stronger. I feel a different body pressed hard against my back, all muscle and male.

“Having fun?” Finn says in my ear.

“You’re damn right I am!”

He brings my clasped hands down around his neck, then his own slide along my arms, and settle on my waist as we move as one to the music. A shiver races through me, even though it’s hot, especially with everyone dancing so close around us. He leans in and kisses my neck, and I feel as if I might melt into a puddle right here.

We dance for several more songs, until my hair begins to plaster against my skin. The dance floor is packed, and there’s barely any room to move, let alone breathe.

“Come on, let’s go get another drink.” Finn grabs my hand and leads me over to the bar.

He signals for the bartender to make another round as I settle in close to his side, his hand low on my hip. His fingertips graze the skin above the waistband to my skirt and goose bumps race each other down my arms.

“The fireworks are about to start,” he says, and we take our drinks over to the railing.

The music changes, and the first of the explosions lights up the sky from a hotel down the beach. I don’t know how the DJ is doing it, but his beats are in time with the show and it’s spinning the dancers into a frenzy. Then another hotel lights up the sky, and then another one. It’s crazy and beautiful all at the same time, and I lean back against Finn’s chest to take it all in. Just when I think it’s about to end, the barge in the water directly in front of us knocks them all out of the park.

“Oh my God, it doesn’t even compare!” I squeal as the huge plumes of color burst and rain down around us. I watch in awe. It’s so close I can almost reach out and touch it all.

“Finale,” Finn says as the barge goes wild, unleashing a beautiful chaos into the night sky.

When the fireworks are over, the entire rooftop erupts in cheers, and the music only gets louder. Mia runs up to us and grabs both of our hands and pulls us in the direction of the pool.

“I hope you’re both ready to lose, because you’re going down!” She motions over to Shep, who’s already waiting in the water. When I give her a look, she shakes her head. “We have unfinished business between the four of us, so I’m taking one for the team.” She strips off her clothes down to her swimsuit and dives in, surfacing over near Shep.

One look at Finn and I know there’s no way we’re losing this time. I yank my halter top up over my head and shimmy out of my skirt. My sandals take a little bit more work. Finn is already out of his T-shirt and kicks his flip-flops to the side. And then we both dive in.

Seconds later, I’m rising up, high above the pool, as water rains down off me and onto Finn below. But it’s no contest this time. Mia’s arms flail as she and Shep teeter trying to stay upright, then they both crash into the water. Finn holds a hand up, and I slap it in a high five as Mia breaks the surface, her face the epitome of disbelief.

“What’s the matter?” I pretend to pout. “It was easy taking advantage of an injured arm, but you’re not so tough now that I have my cast off, eh? Come on and get back up, we’re so not done here!”

Finn and I beat them three to zero. But then my brother has some redhead high up on his shoulders, and I’m not sure how he’s keeping her there, since he’s wasted and her hair—that she’s busy swishing from shoulder to shoulder—far outweighs the rest of her. I’m surprised she’s actually willing to get it wet.

“Think you guys are hot shit, eh?” Penn slurs. “Well, Misty and I beg to differ. Twenty bucks says we take you down, best of five. And I’m so telling Mom about that tattoo, Slo.”

He sticks out his tongue in a playful gesture. “Oh you’re so on, P. And make it fifty. But if you lose, not a word to Mom.” As if he agrees, Finn squeezes both of my thighs.

I spot Mia as she climbs out of the pool, slapping Shep’s hand away as he offers to help. I know she’s mad about Penn and Misty, but I’m sure my brother wasn’t too happy to see Shep as her partner, either.

Finn and I slowly make our way toward the tower of the other two. I have no idea what Penn was thinking when he put her up there, because I barely even touch her and she’s already squealing and falling off. The second round, she gives me a little bit more of a challenge, and I wonder if maybe she’s holding back, but once again she goes down. The third round, she tries to play dirty and takes a swipe at my suit. So gross. Where the hell does my brother find these girls?

I reach out and grab both of her shoulders and shove her hard backward. The momentum is too much for Penn, and they both go crashing down. And just like that, we’ve beat them three to zero.

High fives go around the pool as others challenge Finn and me.

“Sorry, guys, I hate to disappoint, but this lady is done for the night!” I feign that my arm is starting to hurt, which wins me many sympathy votes, but really, it’s because I’ve had my fair share of booze and God help me if I were to puke on Finn.
Again
. I’d never live that down a second time.

“Wow, even I almost believe you,” Finn says with a smirk. He helps me from the pool and wraps a fluffy robe around my shoulders, then grabs one for himself.

I look around for Mia and Shep, but they’re nowhere to be seen, and I really hope it’s for the reason I think—that she’s actually telling him the truth. We make our way over to a cabana where most of our friends are playing a drinking game and all of them give us a rousing round of applause.

“You guys wanna join?” Maile asks.

I look around at the many cups of beer set up on the table and realize this would be a very bad idea.

“Actually, I think I’m done for the night,” I say, and look up at Finn.

He smiles. “Me too.”

Our friends boo as we say good night. Weaving through the rest of the guests, we sneak in the back door and down to his suite.

“I had such a great time tonight. That really was one hell of a party.”

“Thank you for helping me plan it all.” Cupping my chin in his hand, Finn kisses me softly. He pulls away and looks down at me, and I know he’s wondering if this is okay.

And it is.

I pull on the front of his robe and lead him toward his room and lie down on the bed. He lies down next to me and kisses me again, then his lips trail down my chin and along my neck. Moving aside my robe, he feathers soft kisses across my collarbone.

Then he pauses, cradling my face in his hands, and everything about him feels right. This moment feels right.

And thinking of nothing else, I let myself go.

Finn and I go back to our waterfall the next day. And even though we jump a few times, we spend most of the morning tangled around each other on the blanket.

My first time with Tyler was awkward and clumsy, but he had still somehow managed to make it special. Not to mention, I was in love with him, so nothing else mattered. Nothing.

But with Finn it’s different. I can’t keep my hands off him or pull him close enough to my body. Like I want to crawl inside his skin.

A little while later, I realize I must have nodded off, because I start when my phone buzzes. I roll over to see a text from Mia:

“Everything okay?” Finn runs a hand through my hair, and I lean into his palm.

“It’s Mia. I have a bad feeling things didn’t go so well last night after we left.”

I toss my phone back into my bag and lie down, staring up at the sky.

“Hey, I’m sure everything’s fine.” He traces his fingertips along my forehead until they trail down and reach my lips. “Have dinner with me tonight. Let me take you someplace nice. Just the two of us.”

He waits for me to respond, but before I have a chance, he tugs at my bottom lip and does his best attempt at my voice. “Why, Finn, I’d love to! I thought you’d never ask!”

I playfully jerk my head away from his fingertips and laugh. “Sorry…but I just told Mia I’d meet her for dinner. You think I can get a rain check?”

He looks disappointed at first, but shrugs it off quickly. “Of course. Damn, I knew I should’ve asked sooner.” He pretends to make a snapping motion with his fingers, like he just missed it by that much.

An easy smile lights up his face, but then it fades and he looks at me with so much intensity, it’s almost as if it hurts. His lips find mine, and one minute, he’s kissing me with this raw passion I’ve never felt before, as if he can’t get enough, and in the next, he slows, my heart racing wild like it does when we jump. He rests his forehead against mine and closes his eyes.

“You need to know…I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I’ve never bothered with a serious relationship. Hell, I’ve never even spent more than a few days with the same girl.” He cradles my cheek in his palm and stares at me. “You’re just so different, Sloane. I don’t know how to explain it.” He shakes his head like he’s trying to grasp at the words, and they aren’t coming. “This isn’t just a casual thing for me. Not with you.”