Chapter 17
Arianna
Ash was going to get his was whooped.
Hw was running down the path to the pool area. Though I can’t explain it, I decided to come back to the pool. Though I would never admit it, I kept looking at the gate area for him to walk in.
He walked to my chair. He was wearing a Yankees hat backwards, hiding his messy blonde hair. He sat down at the edge. “Who were you talking to?” he asks, motioning to the phone in my hand.
“Hannah,” I said. I was not going to have him talking to Logan. Logan would never let me live it down.
He nodded, understanding. I caught his eyes slowly running over my purple bikini. I sighed, and reached over to flick the hat off his head. “Pervert,” I blamed.
He pretended to slap himself. “Sorry. I’m trying. It’s hard to teach a old dog new tricks. I’m trying though, I swear.”
I smiled. He kept telling me he was trying to grow up. He didn’t want to be someone’s one-night-stand anymore. I knew it was hard to believe, but I can’t help but hope…
His voice broke my thoughts. “Want to go swimming?” he asked.
“No. It’s too cold,” I said.
He glared at me. “Oh, so you don’t know how to swim?”
I rolled my eyes. “Ash, I live on the ocean. Of course I do.”
He smiled deviously. “Only one way to find out.” He scooped me up into his arms and carried me over to the pool. I squealed in protest, kicking and punching. But he was too strong. He swung me back and forth, and sent me flying into the air. My arms failing, I hit the water.
I came up to breathe, shivering. “You’re dead!” I screeched. I reached towards the edge of the pool and grabbed his ankle. I tugged him in, his hat and all.
He submerged from the bottom of the pool. “I believe we are even now,” he said, smiling.
I rolled my eyes. “Not even close.”
He wiped a piece of hair from my face. His eyes sparkled. Slowly, he put his fingers to my chin, lifting it to face him. He leaned in to kiss me.
I turned my head slightly, so he kissed my cheek instead. I leaned away. “Not yet Ash.”
He turned away, his eyes sad. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
I smiled sadly. “It’s not you. It’s me.”
I know how cliché that sounds, but it’s true. And I know this is crazy, turning down on one of the hottest guys in town. But after what happened with Hannah, I’m scared to even hug a guy anymore. Stupid, I know.
I shook my head, trying to fix the moment. I pulled myself out of the pool and reached for Ash’s hand. “Come on,” I said. He took my hand and hopped out of the pool. We walked over to my stuff, dried off, and walked away.
Oh Ari you heartbreaker :P
Still debating baby names!