“What did you do?” I run my fingers through Nathan’s short hair. It’s got a little curl to it, something I had not expected, and I can’t stop touching it. “And when and why?”
“You like it?”
“I love it. I can see your face now.”
He blushes and an embarrassed smile tugs at his lips. “Thanks.”
Nathan’s grand entry has spurred everyone to get up and move around and Joel announces he’s going to take the boat out for a night drive. I follow Nathan down to the dock with some of the other guys who hadn’t gone out earlier. I look around for a certain tall, dark, and handsome man, but he’s nowhere to be found. A group of guys went in to play cards and Zeke must have gone with them. Or maybe his fun meter tapped out and he went to bed.
The boat roars to life and the wind whips through my hair. A shiver makes my whole body shake and Nathan wraps an arm around me sharing his heat with me. The houses lit up around the lake like a postcard and the gentle waves of the water as we cruise around has us all quiet and soaking up the moment.
I close my eyes, so tired and satiated from the day. It was absolutely perfect. I mentally cross weekend at the lake off my list but then add it right back because I want more weekends just like this.
“Gabs baby, wake up.” Nathan’s voice whispers as he runs a hand down my arm.
When I open my eyes, we’re the last two people on the boat and docked back at Joel’s cabin.
“Guess I was tired,” I say, a little mortified as I pull my head from his chest. I wonder how long I was passed out cold and hopefully I didn’t drool on him.
“It happens. Days out on the water with sun and beer take it out of you.”
I stand up and stretch, take a step to get off the boat and he grabs my hand. “Wait.”
He’s still seated and pulls me so that my knees are enclosed by his. “I, uh… wanted to talk to you before we go back.”
It takes a moment for my foggy brain to decipher the look in his eye and the way his thumb gently strokes my wrist. I’m caught so off guard I give my head a little shake, certain I’m dreaming this whole thing up. There’s never been anything but friendship between Nathan and me. Our friendship has been easy and comfortable – not the things of great love, or even great lust, stories. Or at least not from my perspective. The way he looks at me right now though, I think I’ve missed something.
“We’re friends, right?” I ask. He nods and the way his face falls, I feel awful for not realizing he felt differently sooner. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“It’s okay,” he says. “I get it.”
“No, you don’t.” I sit next to him. “The past month has been crazy. I was scared out of my mind, but every step of the way, you’ve been there. No one has been there for me more than you.” It’s only after I’ve said the words that I realize it’s not exactly true. Zeke’s been there for me more than anyone. Forced or not, it’s true. Blair, who will always be more like a sister than a friend, but she’s wrapped up with Wes and her own life. Nathan is a great friend, but he’s not always been there when I needed him. It’s been Zeke at every turn. “We’re friends. We’re good as friends.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” He lets out a long breath. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m such an idiot.”
“Hey,” I nudge his knee with mine. “You’re not.”
“No, I am. Trust me on that.”
“You can talk to me. You know that, right? You’ve taken care of me the past month, but I’m here for you too. Any time.”
“Thanks, Gabs.”
Back at the cabin we part, a little awkwardness still lingering. The last thing I want is for things to be weird with Nathan. I track down Blair and Vanessa inside and slump down onto the sofa between them.
“Hey, you,” Vanessa says coyly. “Where have you been?”
“On the boat with Nathan.” I let my head fall back.
“And?” Blair asks.
“Did Nathan finally make a play?” Vanessa adds.
I lift my head up and look to each of their smiling faces. “You two knew?”
Their laughter has me shaking my head.
“He cut his hair because of you! You said you liked short hair and voila!”
“No.” But as I say the word, I think back to the kitchen when I’d told him, and everyone else, that I preferred short hair. “I dunno. I honestly had no idea he thought of me like that at all.”
“We know,” they say in unison.
Blair squeezes my hand. “Are things going to be okay between the two of you? I know how close you two have become.”
“Yeah.” I nod. “I think so.”
“So now that Nathan has professed his feelings, who will be next?” Vanessa smirks. “You’ve turned into quite the little heartbreaker.”
My cheeks flush at her teasing and I smile, wishing that were true. “Have you guys seen Zeke around? He was going to help me with one of the items on my list.”
“Which item, Gabriella?” Blair bats her lashes. “Virginity?”
Vanessa’s eyes go wide. “I don’t know what list she’s referring to, but it sounds fun.”
I stand and shake my head at them.
“Anal?” Vanessa shouts after me.
Zeke
Gabby: Meet me at the dock
From my seat at the dining room table, currently covered in cards and poker chips, I can see the path down to the dock, but the dock itself is dark so I can’t tell if she’s already there.
“Raise,” Datson says and lobs three black chips into the center.
I look at my hand one last time as if I’m truly considering it and toss them down. “Fold.” I push back from the table. “Deal me out.”
“Lame,” Joel calls out. He places his hand over his head and then turns it into a thumbs down.
I can’t make out her form until I’m halfway down to the water. She sits on the dock, feet dangling above the water. She’s so fucking beautiful and innocent and I want to ruin her and worship her all at the same time. I’m not going to do either of those things, though. I’m going to stick to the path. The path doesn’t include dating. The path doesn’t even include fun most days and Gabby deserves days that are all about fun.
She turns her head as I get closer and there’s that big Gabby smile pointed right at me. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself. Whatcha doing down here all alone?”
“I thought we could cross skinny dipping off both our lists.”
My brows raise. “What about your tattoo?”
She shrugs. “It’s been a week. I’m willing to risk a quick dip if you are.”
I rub a hand over my chin. I’m not ashamed of my body, but I’d also prefer not to have my black ass photographed if one of my teammates happen to stumble upon us. Last year one of the sophomores got drunk at a party and passed out naked in the bathroom. I have no idea why he was naked in there, but the photos of his hairy ass were everywhere. My ass is baby smooth and awesome, but I still don’t want it on display.
“Well, come on before someone sees us.” She’s unbuttoning her shorts and pushing them down while I stand there gawking. The sight of her bare legs puts me in motion. Just not a part of me I want in motion right now. I turn around, give my dick a little pep talk that includes promises I won’t be a celibate asshole forever, and then undress to my boxers.
“You decent?” I ask over my shoulder.
“No. Oh my God, don’t look.” She laughs, I hear her footsteps on the dock and then a splash. A few seconds later, she calls, “Your turn.”
I push my boxers down and then hold my hands over my junk, semi-erect still because promises be damned, and take two large steps before jumping in beside her. Her happy squeals direct my entry into the lake as I clear the water from my eyes. We’re treading water buck naked not two feet from one another. It’s a little trippy. I haven’t spent time with a girl naked like this in… well forever. If I’m naked and this close to a girl, it’s for one purpose and though I’m a gentleman, of course, it’s not about anything but carnal desires being met. Thrusts and grunts and release.
I don’t think it would be like that with Gabby. No, I know it wouldn’t be like that, which is another reason it can’t happen.
“So now what?” she asks, suddenly looking a little nervous.
“Far as I know, this is all there is to it. How do you feel?”
“Naked.” She laughs. “But also like a rebel.”
She splashes water at me playfully and I do it right back.
“Think anyone can see us?”
I shrug. “Maybe. Do you want them to see you?”
“God, no,” she says too fast. The excitement in her eyes is a dead giveaway. I think Gabby likes the thrill, the possibility of being caught, and God help me because I want nothing more than to keep her safe while she explores every sordid fantasy.
I’m lost in ideas that I’ll never act on when she swims toward the dock. “We should probably get out. Don’t want to ruin Van’s work.”
I turn while she pulls herself up out of the water.
“All clear.”
When I face her, she’s dressed, shirt clinging to her still damp skin, and her long, wet hair shines under the moonlight.
“Can you grab my phone for me?” I ask and point to my stack of clothes. “It’s in the front pocket of my shorts.”
She looks apprehensive but does as I ask, bringing the phone to me and placing it in my outstretched hand.
“Lean down here and take a picture with me. Gotta capture the moment.”
She snorts, smiles, and bends down as I angle the camera to fit us into the frame. I’ve never taken a selfie before but turns out it’s easy with my long arms and Gabby’s beautiful face. I snap a couple and then hand the phone back to her.
After she deposits it on top of my clothes, she asks, “Was that your first selfie?”
“That obvious?”
She giggles. “Is that for your adoring fans?”
“Nah, that was for me.”
I pull myself out of the water and she takes a seat back on the dock, facing away from me and giving me privacy without my asking. Once I’m dressed, I join her, phone in hand.
I glance down at the pictures, opening them one by one and then stopping on my favorite. Her smile is biggest in this one and she looks so happy and relaxed. She’d tilted her head toward mine so the left side of her face is hidden. I sort of hate that. I hate that even in a post skinny dipping selfie where she’d just bared herself of clothing and modesty she’d already thought to hide her scars.
“I like this one,” I say and hold it out for her approval.
She nods and plays with the frayed hem of her shorts. “You should post it. It won’t be goat yoga popular, but it’s pretty close.”
“Yeah, alright.” I pull up my social media and upload the picture. “Got any suggestions for hashtags on this one?”
She takes my phone and types the caption, Late night swim at the lake with friends #collegedays #daysonthelake #nightswim #friendshipgoals #skinnydipping #seizetheday
There are about a dozen more hashtags, but my attention focuses on the last one. Seize the day.