If I didn’t know better, I’d think Griff was too easy on his friends as employees, but I do know better. All of us are grateful to have jobs in the industry we love, and we’re loyal to him. We want this to succeed, we’re invested, and no one’s slacking off. But being friends also means there’s trust on both ends. If the work is getting done, there’s no need to keep strict regular hours.

  “Weird, I haven’t heard from Jordan. I’ll give her a call.”

  “You think she’s mad at you for not telling her about Zora and Brie?” Griff asks as I scroll to Jordan’s contact.

  I shake my head. “I think she’ll understand. Wouldn’t have kept it a secret from her if I thought otherwise.”

  She doesn’t answer when I call though, and I start to wonder if I misjudged. I shoot her a text, letting her know I heard she might not have a ride here after all and if I should come to her. But I’m already off the treadmill.

  “I’ll just go there.”

  “You sure she’s not on her way here already?”

  “No, she’d answer if she was. I guess she could have borrowed Zora’s car or something,” I realize. Then I shake my head. “Nah, she’d text me first.”

  “We need to get that girl her own ride, don’t we?” he asks as he gets off the bike.

  I shoot Griff a glare. “You don’t need to, man, but there’s no way she’ll be down with me buying her a car. Should’ve given her my old Jeep. Maybe I’ll get another Jeep as a second car and let her use it.”

  “Or I could give her a bonus in the form of a car if she podiums at the X Games or something. I get you’re the boyfriend, don’t worry, man. But I’m her sponsor and a friend.”

  “I see where you’re going with that. We’ll talk. But I’m out for the night.”

  Griff laughs and slaps a hand on my back. “Nice workout, Beck. What was it? Six minutes on the treadmill total?”

  “Hey, I’m not thinking about my dad or Vienna anymore, so it did the trick. Thanks for the therapy session, man.”

  “Anytime.”

  It’s been a while since I’ve second-guessed myself with Jordan, but as I toss some overnight clothes in a bag, I’m checking my phone every few minutes. Why hasn’t she called? Does she think we’ve been spending too much time together? If Taylor and Brie are there, that means this party or whatever isn’t just a roommate thing. I’ve gotten so damn comfortable with her and our relationship, it hasn’t occurred to me that maybe she’s not on the same page. She’s got to be though. Everything about the way she is with me and when we’re together says so. Sometimes I forget she’s way younger, and maybe not quite as eager to get a place together for just the two of us, or isn’t counting the days until it’s acceptable to start planning our wedding.

  My phone rings as I hit the highway toward Summerside and when I see it’s Jordan all my dumb thoughts fly away. “Hey Hotshot.”

  “Beck!” She calls my name, and I can hear music blaring behind her. “How was the meeting?” she asks, her voice still too loud.

  Meeting? What meeting? Oh, right. “Fine. I’ll tell you about it later. Hey, I figured I’d drive up to you since it sounds like you won’t be able to come to Jay Beach tonight.”

  “You sure? I feel bad you’ve been working all day.”

  “Of course I’m sure. I miss you.”

  “Okay, it’s just I have to do a heart to heart with the girls tomorrow morning.”

  Right. “That’s fine. I just want to see you. Are you girls drinking?”

  “Yeah, how can you tell?”

  “I don’t know, you sound a little different.”

  “Sorry, I think I might be a little drunk.”

  I’ve yet to witness a drunk Jordan, and I press the gas a little harder. I’m sure she’s fine with that crew, but still.

  The first time she got a tiny buzz, she kissed another guy. Yeah, we weren’t together and I’d just turned her down, but I’m not taking any chances that a drunk Jordan won’t get herself into a situation.

  No one answers when I knock on the condo door. It’s locked when I try it, and I realize they must be hanging somewhere else. I call Jordan again, but she doesn’t answer, so I send her a text asking where they’re at.

  I’m more annoyed than I should be as I pace the parking lot, waiting for a response. If I’m honest with myself, it’s probably got nothing to do with Jordan. I didn’t exactly sweat out my hang-up about Vienna or my dad like I’d planned, and it’s still simmering beneath the surface. The uncertainty on what to do about that isn’t what’s got me in a funk either. No, it’s simply the fact that the man is my father. I don’t want to be like him, and I don’t want my relationships or anything about my life to resemble his smarminess.

  After a couple of minutes pacing I realize the sounds I’m hearing from the pool are probably Jordan and her friends. As I get closer, I see the pool deck is packed with people. I almost turn around, thinking it’s someone else’s party. But then I see her standing at the top of the water slide and I start to smile. It’s wiped right off my face when I realize she’s on her board. What the hell is she doing? That isn’t even safe sober. A wet skateboard on a steep slippery surface? Bad idea. This isn’t some little kiddie slide either, it spins around.

  My legs are already moving in her direction, but it’s so loud and crowded, she doesn’t notice me.

  Jordan crouches low and somehow manages to keep her speed in check as she winds her way down, zooming off the end with a loud splash. I’m panting when I get to the edge of the pool as she rises to the surface, a grin on her face. Was I overreacting? Probably. But I was right to worry about her not being sober, because she shouts my name at the top of her lungs the second she sees me. She knows that will draw attention, and that people here probably know who I am. My celebrity status is highest in two places: skateboard competitions, and Summerside University parties. I can see now I’m at the latter.

  Jordan swims over to me and places her board on the edge of the pool before starting to climb out. She’s in a bikini and, sensing eyes on us, I refrain from making a scene hauling her to me. She wobbles when she’s partway out, and I change my mind, wrapping my arms around her. That’s when I catch the mischief in her eyes and before I know it, she’s grabbing me around the waist and pulling me in with her. I could fight it, but I don’t want to. With her wrapped around me like an octopus, we splash into the water. Bubbles cloud my view, but I see her eyes go wide underwater as it dawns on her what she did. Yeah, she did it on purpose, but I guess she didn’t think through that I’m fully clothed, with stuff in my pockets. She starts to rise to the surface but I tug her back down for a quick underwater kiss, letting her know it’s cool. Hell, it’s more than cool.

  Once we’re above the surface she sputters, half laughing, “I’m sorry Beck, you looked so grumpy I just couldn’t help myself. I’m a jerk.”

  “Hey, you’re not a jerk,” I tell her quietly, pulling her around the waist as we tread water. “You’re right, I was grumpy. But I’m not anymore.” I can’t even remember what had me all wound up a second ago.

  Chapter Nine

  Jordan

  “What about once you realize your phone’s probably in your pocket?” I press.

  Beck doesn’t give me the horrified reaction I’m expecting. He leans closer and tells me quietly, “You keep forgetting I’m loaded. Replacing a cell phone isn’t going to set me back.”

  Any other guy would sound like a real tool saying that, but I know Beck’s only trying to reassure me. It works. I’m back to thinking about how hot he looks treading water with clothes on while a party rages around us.

  He shakes his head a little like he knows just what I’m thinking, and swims to the edge of the pool to get out. It doesn’t hit me until then that I’ve made quite the spectacle. It’s not just any fully-clothed guy I’ve pulled into the pool. Nope, it’s Beckett Steele, Summerside University’s most famous alum, in the flesh. Dripping wet and now pulling his shirt off as he shakes his head and laughs. Oops.

  I take in a half dozen phones out, probably videoing this little tease, and I try to ignore the queasiness rolling in my stomach.

  “You coming?” he calls out, either oblivious to the attention or ignoring it.

  My eyes continue to scan the party, waiting for people’s interest to wane or at least for the phones to be put away.

  “You got a towel down here?” Beck asks, apparently noticing my hang-up.

  “Here,” a familiar male voice says, handing a towel to Beck. It’s Davis, and he’s got my cell too, which he gives to Beck with the towel.

  Beck shoots him a disapproving look even as he says, “Thanks.”

  Davis is roommates and good friends with Coby, Lucy’s boyfriend. He’s also the only other guy I’ve kissed in college, and Beck knows this. Sure, it was over a year ago and Davis has been around hanging out with all of us a bunch in that time, but Beck will never totally let his guard down around the poor guy. If I could, I’d erase that kiss just to make things a little more chill when we all hang out, but it is what it is.

  Beck holds open the towel and I step into it, letting him wrap me up and pull me to his chest.

  Davis rocks back on his heels. “Sly is on a mission to set up a ramp for skateboarding into the pool.”

  “You warning us or asking us to help him?” Beck asks.

  “I’ll let you make that call. He’s pretty fired up but it could be fun. As long as some of the people here who can’t skateboard don’t try it, I’m down.”

  Beck glances at me and I nod. “Let’s do it.”

  Taylor’s spotted us and he jogs over, slapping Beck on the back. “Oh good, you got anything in your van we can use for a ramp?”

  “I might. Let me check.” Beck keeps his arm around me as we weave through the crowded pool deck. People call out his name and he waves.

  “Do you know a lot of people here?” I ask once we’re through the gate and walking to the parking lot.

  “Just your crew, and I recognize a few faces from classes last fall, but can’t remember names.”

  “You’re really good at this celebrity thing,” I tell him.

  “And you’re really good at making me worry about you. I saw you standing at the top of the slide on your board and thought you were wasted and about to crack your head open.”

  We reach his van and I give him a little shove. “Seriously? I’ve never been wasted before, why would you think that?”

  “You said on the phone you were a little drunk.”

  “I’m like a tiny bit buzzed, that’s all.”

  Beck leans back on the hood of the van and pulls me between his legs. “I think I was just kind of cranky after my meeting with Vienna, and I was hoping you’d be at the Jay Beach house already waiting for me.” He looks sheepish. “Wow, I sound like a clingy little shit.”

  “You don’t. I like that you need me. I need you too. I missed you.”

  He slides his hands underneath the towel, his hands grasping my thighs. “Come here,” he murmurs, pulling me up as he slides back until I’m straddling him on the hood.

  “I heard you found out about Brie and Zora tonight.”

  “Yeah. How long have you known?”

  “A couple weeks. I hated keeping it from you. But Zora asked me not to say anything until she had a chance to talk to all of you together. You mad?”

  “No, I don’t think I’m mad. I don’t like secrets between us though.”

  “Maybe that’s why I thought you’d be wasted. I hate to bring up my ex with you straddling me like this, but Kelly used any reason she could find to create drama. She would’ve ditched me for a party, gotten wasted, and flirted with another guy just to stir things up. And she wouldn’t have actually cared that I was trying to do the right thing by keeping a secret, it would’ve just been a reason to get my attention.”

  “You know I’m not like Kelly, Beck.” I’m a little offended about his train of thought.

  He grimaces. “You really aren’t. And I know it. But as good as we are, seems I’ve got issues that flare up once in a while.”

  “Why tonight? The meeting was bad? Is Vienna really with your dad?”

  “I guess I get uptight too, not anxiety like yours, but man, my dad and shit with him really triggers the worst in me. No, Vienna’s not with him, and I’ll probably keep her as my agent after all. But I was pissed off about all of it.”

  He moves his lips to my collarbone and starts kissing up my neck, signaling he’s shelving this conversation. I’m cool with that.

  “Thanks for pulling me into the pool,” he murmurs.

  “You don’t sound sarcastic,” I point out as I refrain from squirming too much on his lap. After all, we’re still in public, even if no one’s around.

  “It snapped me out of a funk. But damn, these wet boxers and shorts are not real comfortable right now,” he comments.

  I’m tempted to help him change out of them in the back of his van, but we hear Taylor calling out, “Hey! I thought you were coming out here to find something for a ramp!”

  He feigns outrage, but I’m glad he came out to check on us when he did. Otherwise we were about to forget all about the ramp and the party. Taylor shows us what he’s managed to scrounge up, a couple of boards that seem sturdy enough to drop in. What we need now is some way we can get air.

  Beck’s van is sort of like this magical genie that always seems to have everything we need, no matter how random. So when he pulls out two giant wooden wedges used to play cornhole from under the bed in back, I’m not even surprised. “Do you always keep those there?” I wonder, having never seen them before.

  “No, Mom and Marco were talking about how they played for the first time at a potluck the other day and had a lot of fun. So I put these together with some extra wood pieces at the Brazen Shop. I keep meaning to paint them.”

  Our Sunday night family dinners have been hit and miss with him living a little farther away now. “Let’s do it this weekend, we can bring them over for Sunday dinner.”

  Taylor grabs one. “First let’s put these to good use as a sick pool jump.”

  I grab the other one so Beck can change into a bathing suit before joining us. The ramp design takes some trial and error but we end up with one epic setup. It’s definitely not for beginners, but it allows us to skate down a shaky ramp to get a little speed, and then up a double-stacked cornhole wedge. My roommates and Coby and his group of surfers have always claimed that their skateboarding skills are weak, but they prove they’re perfectly competent when they take turns. Beck and I stick to modest tricks but Taylor’s all about flips and shock value, which Ellie gushes over. It’s weird seeing Zora and Brie exchange touches and looks, not because it’s two girls but because it’s Zora. I’ve never seen her with anyone, and she’s always seemed so intent on her independence, on staying single. But this relationship looks good on her too.

  We’re having too much fun to turn in, and by the time we finally do, Beck has to carry me up the stairs to my bedroom I’m so tired. Okay fine, he doesn’t really have to carry me, but I have him lift me anyway, and deliver me right to my bed. He takes a long look at me. When he peels my bathing suit off, I’m expecting his suit to drop a second later, but he returns with my underwear and a sleep shirt. “Hey,” I protest as he starts to slide my underwear up my leg. “I’m not ready for bed yet.”

  “Too tired to walk up the stairs but not too tired for sex?” Beck’s eyes are laughing at me from under his eyelashes.

  “Beck, you’re kneeling in front of me and you’ve got me laid out on my bed. What do you expect?”

  “It’s three in the morning, Hotshot. You rarely stay up past ten. I thought you’d be asleep before I pulled your underwear on.”

  I fling the underwear off my foot and place my leg on his shoulder. “Well, I am sleepy. But I didn’t say I was doing any of the work,” I tease, moving my other leg to his other shoulder to make it perfectly clear what I’m asking for.

  “And I was starting to think you weren’t very high maintenance,” Beck murmurs with a chuckle. My eyes drift closed as he bends his head down right where I want it, but I definitely don’t fall asleep. No, the dreamland I drift into is my reality.

  Chapter Ten

  Beck

  “Is this what a hangover feels like?” Jordan groans as she sits up on an elbow in bed.

  “No, this is what it feels like when you set your alarm for the same time you usually get up even though you stayed up five hours later.”

  “Oh,” she mumbles into my shoulder, snuggling closer.

  “Can I turn it off or is there something you need to be up for?”

  “You can turn it off. I thought I’d want to skate before brunch with the girls but for once I’d rather sleep.”

  I’m not sure I’ll be able to fall back asleep myself but I’m damn comfortable lying here with Jordan curled up to my side. After turning off her alarm I go to reach for my own phone before remembering it didn’t survive the pool last night.

  There’s a group text from Griff to me and Jordan on her phone, so I open the message.

  Looking good, Beck.

  Then there’s a GIF showing a snippet of me pulling a wet tee shirt over my head by the pool last night. It’s only a few seconds and just plays on repeat. I should have known better last night but getting objectified isn’t high on the list of things to be pissed about, not when I’ve got the threatening messages to Jordan ingrained in my mind. Now that gets me pissed, especially because I’ve received zero flack about announcing my relationship with her after supposedly having some secret affair with Camila on Shred Live.

  It’s a double standard, for sure. Come to think of it, I wonder if Camila’s received criticism for supposedly moving on so quickly after me too. I open the Instagram app and search for her profile, but there’s nothing on there about her relationship with Donnie. There’s a post about the Brazen opening, but it’s a shot of her, and no mention of her date. Huh, maybe I misunderstood and they aren’t actually together.