Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Parched, I take a sip of water and set my glass next to my chair. “I’m going to head to the bathroom. Anyone need anything?”
“No. I’m gonna get in the water. Come in when you get back.”
I lift my bandages. “Can’t. Restricted. But I think I can take most of the bandages off and get in on some Band-Aid action soon.” Hannah frowns. I wave her off and get up. I steal one last look at Ben, but he’s already staring at me. My breath hitches at the way his heated gaze sears through me. I’m ashamed to admit my nipples poke at my thin dress. Before I make a scene, I break eye contact and hurry into the house.
Ben
I spike another volley over the net, which lands between Levi and Kip. God, I’m awesome at this game. “Last point and you pansies lose,” I holler as Levi tosses the ball over to me. I can’t help but steal glances at Makayla. I know she’s teasing me with her dress hiked up all the way. Every time I look over, she lifts her legs, giving me a peepshow of her pink panties. I really hope she knows what kind of game she’s playing. When I get her home, she’s going to get a thousand times more than she’s bargaining for.
My eyes drift to her again. She’s staring back, but her smile isn’t fully reaching her eyes. “Heads up!” I holler, palming another ball over the net. Levi dives for it, volleying it back to me. I sail it over, and Kip lands a solid spike. The ball soars over the net. I dive for it and miss.
“Point this!” Levi yells.
“Dude, you have one job—to win this for us,” Chase mumbles and snatches the ball, tossing it to Kip to serve. I aim my attention at Mak. She smiles, but something’s off.
“Coming your way, fire boy,” Kip yells as he serves. I hardly have time to set myself before the ball cannons over. When Chase barely moves, I dive again and miss it.
“Dude! What are you doing?” Chase gripes. I can’t keep my eyes off Mak. “We literally had this game!”
“Timeout,” I say, then swim to the edge. I lift myself up along the edge of the pool. “Hey, you good?”
Her face is suddenly pale. “Yeah, fine. You suck, by the way.” Her jab is barely audible.
“Ball!” Chase yells, and the volleyball lands in Makayla’s lap, knocking the water out of her hand.
“I said fucking timeout!” I yell. I turn back and climb out as she grabs her stomach. “Hey, you okay?”
“Fine—”
Turning, she leans over the chair and vomits. “Mak.” I race over to her. “Babe, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t feel—”
She pulls away, her chest heaving with another round of convulsions.
“Oh my god! What’s wrong?” Hannah runs over.
“Makayla.” Jenny is down next to me. “Here. Give her some water.” She tries holding the water up to her lips, but Makayla knocks it out of her hand. “Honey, the water will make your stomach feel better.”
“No, no water. I just need to—”
She turns and throws up again. “What the hell happened? Was she drinking?” I bark out.
“No. She hasn’t had a sip, I swear,” Hannah says.
I lean into her. “Mak, I’m going to pick you up and take you to the bathroom—”
“No, don’t move me.” She heaves. “I’ll be fine.”
She’s anything but fine. “What’d she eat?” I demand. No one answers me. I cock my head toward the girls. “What the hell did she eat?”
“I don’t know! A burger, maybe? We all ate the same thing. If she’s sick from the food, we all would be.”
Goddammit. I told her not to drink. “Okay, up we go.” She tries to fight me, but she has no energy. I lift her in my arms and carry her inside to the downstairs bathroom.
“Put me down,” she groans, but I refuse. “Please, I’m going to—”
I skid to my knees and hold her hair back as she expels another round into the toilet.
“It’s okay. I got you. Get it all out.”
She throws up three more times before the last of her energy zaps out. She rests her head on my lap and, shortly after, falls asleep. There’s a knock, and Jenny peeks her head in.
“How is she?”
“Sleeping. I think the worst is over.”
“I feel so bad. I know it’s got to be gross to deal with. You want me to take her home? I can—”
“I got her.”
“You sure? She can—”
“I’m fucking sure. I would appreciate it if you stopped questioning my intentions.”
Her smile drops for a split second before she catches herself and plasters it back on. “Okay. Sorry. Just trying to help. Have her call me in the morning so I know she’s okay?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
She nods and shuts the door behind her. I drag a hand down my face. Great. Now I look like a dick. But her feelings aren’t my main priority.