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Standard disclaimer.

MERCEDES

The hamburgers, I'd taken my time preparing and getting set, were chilling in the fridge, gussied up and all ready to go on the grill later.

Everyone was out in the pool, and I was hovering in the kitchen, wasting time, watching the local news on TV, and the only thing I discovered, was that, someone had spray-painted a mustache, on some statue, in some town I'd never heard of.

Breaking news around these parts. Wow!

I moved to the kitchen door, nursing a bottle of hard lemonade and from my vantage point, I could see everyone.

The deck connected to the pool, in a very interesting design, with a wide bridge connecting the main deck to the pool deck, which was at a lower level since the pool was an in-ground one.

Having grown up, with a rather large pool in the backyard, landscaped to mimic a rocky beach, I knew the owners had to have paid a pretty penny, just for the deck and pool.

Shay and Caleb were on one side of the pool, trying to drown each other, at least, that was how it appeared to me.

Then, my gaze drifted to the left, and I swore under my breath.

Sam.

Dammit!

My lips parted and there might've been drool forming, but I honestly didn't think anyone would blame me for that.

Sam currently looked like he was posing for a photo, for one of those 'hot guys' Tumblr pages, especially, the one with the kittens.

God, I loved the hot guys and kittens Tumblr page. Whoever came up with that page, deserved an award...a lifetime achievement award.

Sam's arms were braced behind him, on the side of the pool.

Muscles bunched in his shoulders, and his biceps were flexed.

My gaze traveled over his broad, defined chest and the tightly packed abs, that rested underwater.

His head was thrown back against the ledge of the pool, face tipped up, as the sun kissed his cheeks and well-formed lips.

He was grinning, a private smile, that made me feel like he knew I was hiding in here, watching him like some kind of lovesick girl.

But I wasn't lovesick.

But I was hiding.

Before I made the hamburgers, I'd changed into my bathing suit and had slipped my clothes back on over it.

Why in the world, I had thought, it would be a good idea, to wear a two-piece was beyond me.

For some dumb-ass reason, I figured, since it was black, it was slimming. Which was stupid, because, honest to God, there was truly no such thing as a slimming bathing suit, no matter what the advertisements claimed.

At the moment, Shay hauled herself out of the pool, her hair glossy and black and her body...I sighed.

She was a tiny girl, and she looked perfect in a bikini, completely at ease. I should've packed a one-piece, but I didn't think I owned one.

Clutching the bottle to my chest, I glanced at Sam again.

He hadn't moved, and I felt like one of those cartoon characters, whose tongue rolls out of its mouth.

Both guys out there blew the hotness charts, but Sam...he'd always caught my eye.

And I'd never caught his...until now.

What the hell was he up to?

And his behavior in the car?

And in the bedroom earlier?

Yeah, it was weird that he'd come over last night to apologize and make sure we weren't going to ruin the trip for Caleb and Shay, but his impromptu visit, hadn't prepared me for the way he was acting.

And I seriously doubted, 'behaving ourselves' meant hooking up.

Could I hook up with Sam?

Apparently I could kiss him when I was drunk.

He lowered his chin, his lips spreading wide, as he laughed at something Caleb shouted from the other end of the pool.

I couldn't hear it, but my tummy fluttered nonetheless.

Oh, yeah, I could totally hook up with him.

Suddenly, without warning, I felt it...the flutter in my stomach had moved to my chest. And it wasn't a pleasant, delicious feeling.

It was sudden and sharp, kicking my heart rate up.

No. No. No. This is not going to happen.

Turning away from the door, I leaned against the counter and closed my eyes.

I tried to take a deep, even breath, but my chest squeezed in, cutting it off.

No...my chest was not squeezing in. Nothing was happening. It was all in my head. It was always in my head and nothing more.

Pressure clamped down, but that also wasn't real.

I forced my lungs to expand, desperately ignoring the way my heart raced. And my knuckles ached, from how tightly I held the bottle.

A wave of shivers rushed up my neck and over my scalp, like an army of ants.

Then, a sharp pain lanced across my chest, and I shook my head, clamping my lips together so fiercely, my jaw ached.

What if it was going to happen?

What if I couldn't stop it?

I would...

I cut those thoughts off, as I opened my mouth wide, gulping air.

Nothing was going to happen.

Nothing had happened.

The sudden violent anxiety, wasn't really tied to anything. It was all in my head.

A handful of seconds turned into a minute, and that minute turned into two.

Eventually, my pulse slowed and the tingling receded from the back of my neck.

Hand shaking, I lifted the bottle and swallowed.

Just then, the sliding glass door opened, and I opened my eyes, breathing a sigh of relief, when I saw that it was Shay.

Her hair was twisted over one shoulder and she was securing a beach towel around her hips.

"There you are," she said. "I've been wondering where you were."

My smile felt as weak as my knees.

"I was just getting the hamburgers ready for later."

She glanced around the kitchen.

"You were?"

"Yeah. Just finished," I lied, pushing off the counter. "They're in the fridge."

A knowing look crossed her face.

"You're hiding."

"No. No, I am not."

She crossed her arms, as she lifted a brow and waited.

I sighed.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Shay knew, sometimes I wasn't okay.

In the beginning, I'd tried to hide it from her, but being that she was going for a doctorate in psychology, there wasn't much she missed, when it came to my weird behaviors.

She was one of those people, who always read you within five minutes of meeting you, and was dead-on in her observations.

"I'm okay."

I took another drink and then set the bottle on the counter.

Tugging the elastic band off my wrist, I swept my hair up in a quick, messy ponytail.

"You're right...I am hiding. Kind of."

"Do tell." She headed to the fridge, grabbing a soda. She wasn't much of a drinker.

I glanced at the door.

"Sam...he's acting weird." I knew I had her full attention in that moment. "He actually came over last night."

"What?" Her eyes widened. "You didn't tell me."

"I didn't think it was a big deal. He wasn't there for long. He actually apologized for being a dick the other day."

I stopped, pursing my lips. I so wasn't ready to vocalize the fact that, I had kissed him Saturday night.

"Well, I wasn't very nice either, but whatever. He stopped by to apologize. I didn't think much of it."

"I think a lot of it," Shay replied. "He could've called you. Or he could've said something when we got here. He didn't need to stop by your place."

"I know."

I picked up my bottle and then drifted towards the glass doors.

Water sprayed out of the pool, as Caleb and Sam played around.

"He's been really flirty. I mean, really flirty."

"I've noticed that. I'm not surprised."

I shot her a look.

"What? You two have been dancing around each other since you met."

My stomach dipped.

"But why now? Why all of a sudden?"

"I don't know. Does there have to be a reason?"

I laughed.

"Yes."

"There really wasn't a reason, why Caleb and I finally moved from friends to more. Yeah, we were stuck in the cabin together, but it could've happened at any other point. It just did then. Maybe it's the same thing with you and Sam," she explained. "Maybe you two just needed to be someplace...a place like this, all romantic and what not."

"I don't think he's looking for romance." I faced her. "I think he's looking to get laid."

She rolled her eyes.

"How do you know that?"

"Um...let's see. He's pretty damn vocal about not doing relationships. Based on his dating history...or should I call it, hook-up history, because, I don't think he really dates...I'm going to go with...he's looking to get laid."

"People change. Caleb did."

"That's because he was always in love with you."

Shay smiled brightly.

"True. But maybe Sam has always..."

"Oh my God, don't even finish that statement." I snickered. "Because, that would just be absurd."

"Okay. Fine. Are you looking for a relationship?" she challenged.

I opened my mouth to say no, but I snapped my jaw shut.

I had no idea if I was or not. I wasn't actively seeking one, but if a good thing fell into my lap, I wouldn't toss it away.

And even though, I probably wouldn't throw Sam out of my lap either, I knew he wasn't a good thing.

Well, that was a complete lie.

He would be a great thing, but there was no way someone like him, wouldn't grow tired of me...of my bullshit. Sometimes, even I was tired of it.

I shrugged, as I glanced back outside.

Sam was standing next to the pool, with his hands on his hips.

He was staring at the doors, and I stepped back, feeling my cheeks heat. Thank God he couldn't hear us.

"I don't know Shay...I mean, who wouldn't go slut-a-roo for him?"

Her laughter filled the kitchen.

"Slut-a-roo? Hooking up with someone, doesn't make you a slut."

"That I know for sure," I said.

I sent her a cheeky grin over my shoulder, and she laughed again.

"I don't know. It's just weird. It's just..." I nibbled on my lower lip. "I've never told you this, because, honestly, I never saw the point and it was before I knew you, but...I met Sam my freshman year."

There was a pause and then,

"What?"

Wincing, I swore she'd hit a decibel higher than normal.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sam dive into the pool. "

Well, we didn't really meet and he had no idea who I was. He was just in two of my classes, but I had the biggest crush on him."

"Why did you never mention this before?"

I shrugged and then faced her.

"When I say he had no idea who I was, I'm not kidding. After my freshman year, I didn't think I'd really see him again, just around campus, but then, he turned up at the bar with Caleb that one night."

She eyed me closely.

"Okay. Now your attitude towards him, is starting to make sense, and I know it's more than just him not seeing you, or paying attention. What did he do?"

My cheeks started to burn.

"Remember Claire Hansen? She was my roommate my freshman and sophomore year."

"Um...yeah. A little. She wasn't at your dorm a lot. That I remember."

Shay joined me at the door.

"Well, she had one of those classes with me. And she had to know that I had the hots for him, because, I think I drooled on myself, every time he walked into a lecture. I mean, I never told her that I did, but...whatever, it doesn't matter."

I took another drink, enjoying the burn it made, cascading down my throat.

"One night I was studying at the library and came back to the dorm late. And Claire wasn't alone. She was in bed and she was most definitely having sex."

"Oh. Oh no." Shay groaned. "Let me guess. She was with Sam?"

"Yep."

"What a bitch!"

"Like I said, I never told her that I liked him and I never even talked to him."

Anger pinched Shay's pretty face.

"Whatever. How in the world does he not remember you, when you walked in on them?"

"He was...um...he was busy, and the moment I saw who it was, I backed out of that room, faster than I've ever moved."

I finished off the bottle and continued.

"He had to have known someone had opened the door, but he doesn't know it was me. And I know it's stupid, but that whole situation, has always bothered me."

"I can see why," she said quietly.

Walking over to the garbage can, I tossed the empty bottle.

"But it's dumb. Because, he didn't know me. I totally recognize that. And I'd like to think, I've matured a bit since then."

I laughed when Shay raised her brows at me.

"So, yeah, that's that."

"What are you going to do about it now?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"I don't know."

A slow grin spread across her face.

"Well, I think you'll figure it out. But only if you come outside and stop hiding."

SAM

The hamburgers Mercedes made, were literally the best damn burgers I'd ever tasted, and I tried to tell her that, but she'd spent the better part of our little cookout, up under Shay's ass, and now that it was dusk, we hadn't exchanged more than a handful of words.

If I didn't know better, I'd think she was avoiding me.

And I wasn't down for that, as I was feeling rather attention-seeking at the moment, especially, since the lovebirds were plastered to each other, in the shallow end of the pool.

Shay was in Caleb's lap, and I really hoped there were no shenanigans going on.

Sitting on the ledge of the pool, with my legs dangling into the water, I leaned forward, as Mercedes came back outside.

Arms crossed under her chest, she came to the edge of the pool and looked at me.

I waved.

Her head tilted to the side, and in the fading sun, parts of her highlighted hair was a burnt auburn, reminding me of the season not too far away.

Lips pursed, she glanced in the direction of Caleb and Shay.

"Andy," I called before she interrupted them.

Her head swung toward me.

"Sam?"

"Come here."

I smacked the spot beside me. And surprise shuttled through me, when after a moment of hesitation, she made her way over.

After that afternoon, I figured I'd have to get down on my knees and beg her.

As Mercedes sat down beside me, dipping her pretty toes into the water, I could barely drag my gaze away from her shapely legs.

"I've missed you."

She laughed, as she folded her hands together.

"You did not miss me."

"Yes, I did." I leaned back on my hands, as she stared at the water. There was a freckle under her left ear. I wanted to taste it.

"I've been right here," she said, splashing the water with her feet.

What would she do, if I ran my tongue along that little speck?

"Still missed you."

"You are so full of shit," she replied, but she was smiling, so I figured that was a good thing.

Not good enough for me to lick that freckle. She'd probably punch me in the balls if I did that.

Glancing at me, she lifted a brow.

"It's a good thing you're cute."

"You think I'm cute?" I asked and reached up, tugging gently on the black string around her neck.

"Sometimes." She smacked my hand away.

Grinning, I tapped her fingers with mine.

"That's because, the other half of the time, you think I'm a sexy beast."

"Sure." Her eyes flashed to mine. "If that's what helps you get on with your day."

I laughed deeply.

"You know what will help me get on with my day?"

"What?"

"Seeing what's under this top and those shorts," I told her. "You're wearing a bathing suit, and seeing that, is something that will definitely get me through the rest of my days."

Shaking her head, her attention returned to the pool, to where her feet paddled in the water.

"You are just on a roll, aren't you Sam Evans?"

"I have no idea what you mean."

I totally knew what she meant. Leaning my arm against hers, I savored the warmth of her skin and the way she bit down on her lower lip.

"So...you changed your major, right?"

She nodded, as she tipped her head in my direction.

"That's right."

"What do you plan to do, then?" I asked, genuinely curious. "Live a life of leisure?"

The moment that question came out of my mouth, I wanted to punch myself.

It was supposed to be joke, but it was about as funny, as an accident on the beltway.

Mercedes twisted at the waist, facing me and her brown eyes darkened, turning stormy.

"Contrary to popular belief, asshole, I don't sit around all day and have people wait on me hand and foot."

I pulled back.

"Mercedes..."

"I've changed my major to teaching, and as you know, teachers aren't living the life of Riley. And when I'm not in class, I'm not just hanging around, getting manicures and pedicures. I spend the bulk of my time volunteering at Holy Cross Hospital. And not as a candy-striper, either." She pulled her feet from the water and stood briskly. Too quickly. "You don't..."

Her feet slipped in the puddle gathering on the deck and she went down, her knee cracking off the edge.

My hand shot out, reaching for her arm, as she started to pinwheel, but I wasn't fast enough.

One minute she was standing next to me, and the next second, she was in the pool, water spraying into the air.

"What the...?" Caleb broke away from Shay and turned towards us. Disbelief colored his tone.

"Did you push her?"

Ignoring him, I jumped into the pool, just as Mercedes' head broke the surface.

"You okay?" I asked.

Gasping from the shock of the cold, she treaded water, her eyes wide when they met mine.

Anger flashed across her face, quickly followed by a deep dark red, that seeped into her cheeks.

I doubted that was anger. Oh no, that was a very different kind of emotion.

With a little shake of her head, she turned from me and swam to the ladder.

Her hair was soaked and stuck to her cheeks, as she climbed out of the pool, her clothing clinging to her curvy form.

I followed, but she stormed across the deck, not looking back.

Cursing under my breath, I reached for the side and launched myself out of the pool.

"What happened?" Shay asked, already starting towards the steps.

"She fell." I shot them a look. "I got this."

Shay frowned.

"But..."

"I got this," I repeated, and thank God she backed off, because, Caleb would probably flip his shit, if I had to repeat myself for a third time, because, it would not be pretty.

"Sam," Shay said.

Losing my patience, I faced her.

"I..."

"She volunteers in the mental health part of the hospital," she said, letting me in, on the fact that she'd heard a part of our conversation. "And she also volunteers at the suicide hotline center in Georgetown, whenever they need her."

Stunned, I blinked.

"What?"

Caleb was staring at Shay, like she'd sprouted a third tit.

"Are you serious?"

She nodded.

"It's not something she broadcasts, but I thought you should know."

For a moment, I didn't move, as I absorbed that hidden piece of knowledge about Mercedes...the girl I thought of as a rich girl, a little spoiled and definitely a party animal.

Never once had it crossed my mind, that she volunteered her time for anything, unless the volunteering involved drinking, or shopping for purses.

"Shit! I had no idea," I said, but that wasn't an excuse.

Shay didn't respond, and guilt exploded in my stomach like buckshot.

Again, I was reminded of the fact that, there was so little I knew of the real Mercedes.

I murmured a thanks and then made my way across the deck.

Tiny puddles led the way for me, once I was inside the house.

She'd gone upstairs, so I took the steps two at a time and went straight to her room, ready to admit to being a complete dick.

"Andy, I'm..."

I opened the door, and words left me...they flew right out of my mouth and did a power dive out the window, head first.

My brain shut the fuck down.

I didn't blink. I'd never blink again, and there was no way I'd ever get this image of Mercedes out of my head.

I wouldn't want to, because, standing in the middle of the bedroom, she wore nothing but a towel...a small towel. And whole lot of brown skin was on display, sweetly curved and soft-looking, especially where the towel gaped.

Lust...a heated, insane kind of primitive lust, slammed into me and I grunted out,

"Have mercy!"

Stay safe!