The Pass (Smart Jocks #5) - Rebecca Jenshak Page 0,18
get to the lake. We stop at the grocery store and grab enough food and alcohol to get us through a few days, and then we’re pulling up to the house.
“Wow, Tanner, when you said that you had a place at the lake, I was picturing a condo or, well, something a lot less house than this.”
“It’s three bedrooms, three bath—basically big enough for the whole family to stay. That was important to my parents when they were looking for real estate out here. I think they’re hoping we can keep spending time out here even once Tara and I graduate.” I grab the bags from the back. “Come on, I’ll show you the best part.”
We go in through the garage and I drop the groceries in the kitchen and usher Sydney to the living room. It’s too dark to get the full effect, but Sydney still gasps beside me.
“Right?”
“Tanner, this is amazing. Holy shit. Are you sure it’s cool that I’m here?”
“Definitely.”
I watch as she scans the horizon and takes it all in. Her blonde hair is wild from the drive up with the windows down and her brown eyes are wide with excitement. Totally worth the entire trip to see her this excited.
The lake is lit up with boats. The moon shines down over the water and there’s a faint lull from the boat motors.
“Tomorrow, I’ll take you out on the boat, but it’s pretty killer sitting out there at night if you’re up for dinner and drinks on the deck.”
“Definitely. What can I do to help?”
“I need to turn on the water and check around the place, then I’ll cook. Grab a drink and relax. I’ll join you when I can.”
She doesn’t need me to tell her twice. She has a Malibu and Coke poured and is padding outside before I even get the groceries put away.
Tara calls as I’m pulling the toasted raviolis out of the oven and putting them on a plate.
“Hey, what’s up?” I hold the phone between my ear and shoulder and grab a mostly still warm beer from the fridge.
“Did you make it to the lake?”
I twist off the cap and toss it in the trash. “Yep, just got in about twenty minutes ago.”
“Ah, I’m so jealous. Stupid summer school.”
The sliding glass door opens and Sydney steps into the dining room with an empty glass.
“Do you want another drink, babe?” I ask away from the phone.
“I got it.” She snags a toasted rav on her way to the fridge.
“Is that Amelia?” my sister asks excitedly. “Did you convince her to come up sooner?”
“Nah, Sydney’s with me.”
“What about Amelia?”
“We broke up.”
“In the five hours since I’ve talked to you, you’ve managed to break up with one girl and replace her with another? Jesus, Tanner,” my sister admonishes. “Insensitive much? I need to call Amelia and check on her.”
“It’s just Sydney, and Amelia’s fine. She broke up with me.”
“Not without reason, I’m sure. You were so good together. She was nice and decent.” She sighs and then her voice softens. “What happened?”
“Can we talk about this later?” I glance at Sydney and force a smile.
“Yes. Are you okay?”
“Never better.”
Sydney makes another drink and takes it and the plate of raviolis out to the deck.
“I gotta go. I’m starving and Sydney’s about to eat all the toasted ravioli. I’ll call you next week to hash out plans for the Fourth, and I’ll see you in a few weeks with my sweet summer tan.”
“Jerk,” she says playfully. “Bye T.”
I pocket my phone and hustle outside. The sun has almost completely disappeared, and the only sound is the water lapping and the boats speeding by. I love everything about being on the lake. The heat of the sun out on the boat, zipping around on jet skis, party cove, but sitting outside after dark chilling with a drink in hand, might be my favorite.
Taking a seat next to Sydney, I raise my beer. “Cheers to the best summer ever.”
8
Sydney
When I wake up it takes a few seconds to remember where I am. Smiling, I throw back the comforter and pad across the hall to the master bedroom where Tanner is spread out face down on the king-size bed.
“Wake up.” I bounce onto the bed. “It’s after nine.”
He groans. “We’re on lake time. Nothing good happens before noon.”
Still, he turns over, hair mussed and face lined from the pillow. His gaze drops to my chest and over my body and he smirks. “You’re already in your suit?”