The Pass (Smart Jocks #5) - Rebecca Jenshak Page 0,56
but we decided we wanted more. And I plan on keeping this one, so stop stressing.”
“You two are really together then? A couple?”
“Yeah.” I chuckle. I swear I couldn’t convince people we were just friends and now they don’t want to believe we’re more than that. “We’re really together.”
“I don’t get it. I’m sorry. I don’t. I think it’s entirely too convenient you finally get together when it’s only the two of you out here at the lake. Why now? What’s different?”
“You’re analyzing it way too hard.” I laugh it off but worries I hadn’t even considered cross my mind and there’s a pit in my stomach that wasn’t there a minute ago. Things are different now, aren’t they? Or are we screwing up our friendship by giving in to the chemistry between us?
“I don’t want to see you get hurt and it seems like every time you get serious with someone else it ends because of your friendship with Sydney.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Why did things end with Amelia?” she asks pointedly.
“Aaaaand, I’m going to bed. See you in the morning, Tara.”
Inside, I toss my beer in the recycling and head to my room. Sydney’s not in my bed so I go across the hall and crack the door. It’s dark, but I can tell it’s her.
I kick off my shoes and undress then slide onto the mattress in front of her. Dark lashes flutter and then open and slowly her lips pull into a smile.
“Hey.” She nuzzles into me and I wrap my arms around her so I can pull her close against me.
This is what’s different. This feeling when we’re together. A completeness I’ve never felt before. Being best friends with Sydney was great, but being her boyfriend is everything. Maybe it took us getting away from Valley to figure it out, but we were always inevitable. I knew it before I ever admitted it to myself.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I whisper against her skin.
She hums her agreement and snuggles closer and her breathing evens out immediately.
The next morning I wake up to an empty bed. It still smells like sex in this room which makes me grin and also wish Sydney hadn’t already left. I pull on my jeans and head out to find her.
Tara and Corinne are on the deck in their suits, but I find Sydney sorting clothes and putting them into the washing machine.
“We need to have a serious conversation about waking up so early.” I drop a kiss to her shoulder.
“It’s after ten.”
“Really? Fuck, I’m surprised Tara let me sleep in so long.”
“I think you had about fifteen more minutes before her patience ran out.”
“Tanner, fucking finally!” my sister screeches as she shuts the sliding door behind her. “Get dressed, let’s go!”
I back out of the room and pull Sydney with me. “Five minutes. Twenty tops. Pack the cooler while we get ready.”
Sydney yelps and her cheeks pink as I drag her toward the bedroom. Tara rolls her eyes. “You have twelve and then I’m leaving you behind.”
I know she won’t. She hates docking the boat. Plus, she wants to hang out with me too much.
“Why do you look so embarrassed, babe?” I ask once we’re in the bathroom and I start undressing.
“Your sister knows we’re in here to…” She bobs her head. “You know.”
“Have sex?” I bite back a smile as I push my jeans down and my dick springs up.
Sydney slaps my chest playfully. “I want her to like me.”
“She does. She will. Tara’s a little guarded. You just need to spend more time together.” I link my arms behind her back. “A day out on the lake, and a cooler of beer is all you need. Well, that, and a couple of orgasms beforehand.”
Her gaze doesn’t even drop to my penis. “I’m going to help them pack the cooler.”
“One night of sex and I’m already cast aside.” I sigh, loud and dramatic. It doesn’t work. She leaves me holding my dick.
Jonah texts as we’re preparing to head down to the water, and we decide to head to his place to hang out for the day, instead.
“Jonah, hey,” Tara says with a big grin and hurries off the boat and to him.
“Missed you T. Shaw.” He wraps her into a bear hug and lifts her off the ground.
“Have your biceps gotten bigger?” she asks and makes a big show of wrapping both hands around his right arm.
I shake my head. Just what Jonah needs, someone stroking his ego.