That Girl by @((Y^!@ Allyvia (thriller novels to read .txt) 📕

Before

 "He's so going to dump your ass," Mindy Crenshaw snapped, glaring at me from across the cement and chlorine oasis we were tanning on. I didn't bother reminding her Todd and I weren't even dating, and instead raised a brow, lifting my sunglasses to get a good look at her. Meika, Emma, and Frankie had left the pool for five minutes; it took her half of one before insulting me.

"Whatever," I muttered, grabbing hanful of chips that were sitting on the hot concrete between us and stuffing it into my mouth. What did Mindy Crenshaw know about guys, except how to make them less sloppy, I wondered as I made a face and munched on chips. Eyeing her with the decent amount of dubious annoyance, I rolled my eyes.

The sound of Todd and a few of his friend's splashing in the pool put me at ease. He was here, with me. Sure, he introduced me as 'my friend, Saylor, who can hook us up with some good shit' to the few of his friends who had scraggled with, but I didn't let it bug me too much.

"I'm just saying, he's getting bored. You won't put out, and you probably suck at kissing. Honestly, why is he with you," she continued. She was just the poster-child for self-confidence bulldozing. Giving me an icy glare and her upper lip curling into a snarl that reminded me of a rabid dog, she added, "I mean, Frankie and I have a great relationship. We never get bored of each oher."

"I bet," I swooned mockingly, my voice sounding breathless and awed. The plastic strip of the chaise lawn chair dug into my thigh, the smell of chlorine attacking my nostrils. The cement was hot under my feet as I jumped from my spot in the sun and stretched, the lining of my bikini riding up a bit.

Mindy, jumping at the oppurtunity, added, "I mean, that least you could do is send him a nipple shot or something. I feel kinda bad for the boy." She sighed, laying back down in  her chair and adjusting her sunglasses. "He's chained to a tease."

 Before I could snap some icy comment back, the sliding of the glass door announced something to keep my mind off the seeds she had planted in my head.

"Hey, girlies, we've got the best tipsy Arnold Palmer on this side of the state," Meika cried, right before parading over and handing me an embelished, pink-umbrella-ed drink. The side of the glass was sweaty, the inside promising cold, sweet iced tea, Emma's mother's homemade lemonade, and half a bottle of Grey Goose. I smiled over the lip of the drink before taking a gulp. Squelching the summer heat, I smiled at the sour and sweet taste swathing my mouth.

"And I have been dubbed 'Most Secure in his Manhood' especially if I can carry this frilly shit around with me," Frankie laughed, helping Emma as she carried out a nicely set tray finalized with a pitcher of sweet tea, another tall pitcher of lemonade, and a flower arrangement that made me wonder where the fun juice went. Meika, sensing my confusion, grabbed her purse and exposed the neck of the familiar bottle from behind the purple fabric of her fake Prada.

"Just be glad my parents went to their all-day Jesus convention," Emma insisted, setting down the tray and falling back into her chair. I couldn't help but notice she only had a straight lemonade.

We all adorned our swimsuits, the girls' skimpy, the guys' clinging to their legs, soaking wet. Todd, Kyle, and Gage, all sopping, climbed out of the pool, cheering as grabbed the remainging glasses and chugged the stuff like they had grown on it. Todd smiled at me, from over the rim of his cup. Meika scowled.

"C'mon, Saylor," Todd teased, placing his cup on the concrete by my chair, "you gonna get in the water or what?"

"Mhm," I sighed, taking another drawling sip of hard lemonade, and shook my head. "How about 'or what'?"

 "Sorry, babe," he exhaled, plopping down on the edge of my chair and sending my stomach into a tizzy when he said 'babe'. The droplets of water that fell off his tanned, broad chest pooled onto the plastic, trickling towards me until they fell in between the cracks and onto the hot cement below. I met his Arctic blue eyes and admired the blond hair that clung to his sopping forehead. "But, your answer is invald."

Before I could figure out what he meant, his arms wrapped around me and I was hoisted from my spot. Thrown over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, I couldn't decide if it was insanely hot that he was carrying me, or a death wish.

"Todd," I yelped, my weak hands fisting against his back, my legs swinging but getting me nowhere. "Todd! Todd, put me down!"

My wish was eventually granted, Todd throwing me mercilessly into the pool before cannon-balling in afterwards. My tanned, warm skin prickled with goosebumps as the cool, contrasting water engulfed me. Chlorine fought through my nasal passages, bringing an insufferable burn with them. Opening my eyes, I watched as frothy bubbles began to subside from the surface, and a tangle of tan, muscular limbs tread water next to me. I think we broke the surface at the same time, breathing hard and laughter bubbling from his throat.

"Oh, you should have seen your face," he chuckled, shaking his head like a dog and letting droplets fly through the air, miniature water missiles. I scowled at him, and the water missiles slapping against my face, and pushed his arms from me, placing distance between us.

"That wasn't funny! My makeup is probably running down my face," I huffed, although I coudn't help but smile also. A mocking sad face, worn as a mask on his strong features, teased me, his golden arms wrapping around my middle.

"Saylor," he sighed, raising a brow teasingly. "Oh, c'mon, I think you're still pretty cute."

Publication Date: 07-10-2013

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To Austin, who, although you're probably not reading this, is the bestest friend ever, for someone who spends half his time watching the ever so climactic NASCAR! :D You've been there for me when I needed you, so, this one's for you!