Chapter 50 CHAPTER 50

Chapter 50 CHAPTER 50
Kelly and I squealed the moment we entered our room. For a two-bed suite, it was far bigger than we expected. My feet shuffled through the cloud-like carpet as I placed my bag on the bed closest to the window. Sunlight streamed through gold-white curtains, casting a warm glow over everything. I peeked into the bathroom.

"Awww," I said, disappointed at the walk-in shower.

"Yeah, I kind of wished we got the bathtub too," Kelly said. "On the bright side, the pool has a jacuzzi right next to it!"

We unpacked quickly, sliding clothes into drawers and laying our toiletries along the counter.

"Should we put our bathing suits on now?" Kelly asked, holding up a one-piece that matched her eyes perfectly.

"Might as well. It's noon and everyone's probably headed to the pool."

I weighed my two swimsuit options-a simple white one-piece, or a scandalous red two-piece that had no business being in my suitcase. I didn't know what came over me when I packed it. Probably the part of me that wanted to see Cross malfunction.

A giggle escaped me at the thought of his reaction. In the red bikini he'd absolutely accuse me of trying to "seduce" him. But today's only day one, better to start with the safer option.

Outside, I winced when I realized I'd forgotten the most important thing.

"Do you have sunscreen?"I asked Kelly.

She rummaged through her tote, then triumphantly held up a bright orange bottle. Bless her. Just as I rubbed my arms a figure closed in. Curious, I peeked from beneath my sunglasses. It was a guy in swim shorts, chest pufed out like he'd practiced this moment in the mirror.

Unsure of what this meant, I paused. "Um, yes?"

He cleared his throat. "Hey, I'm Morris. You're pretty cute, so I got you a drink. Thought we could talk."

My eyes fall to the drink in his hand. A mysterious pink liquid that looked every bit girly and sweet.

"Oh! Thank you! But I have a boyfriend."

"You don't have to lie. I just want to talk." His hand boldly brushed my thigh, making me shrink back uncomfortably.

"Don't touch me," I snapped.

Morris stiffened at my tone, offended, then walked away in a huff. "Whatever. You're not even that pretty."

I rolled my eyes. Clearly, he didn't know how to take rejection.

Before I could recover, a wave of football players poured into the pool area, Cross at the forefront. Based on the annoyed expression on his face it appeared he'd caught the tail end of that guy trying to flirt with me. I waved before adjusting my sunglasses and settling onto my lounge chair.

"Hey, pretty lady." Cross said, his tall frame blocking the sun. "You're alone for one second and already someone's trying to steal you from me. That means I have to handcuff you to me."

"Pfft," I covered my mouth, smiling. "I handled it. You saw him leave, didn't you?"

Instead of taking the lounge chair beside me, he climbed right into mine-meaning his entire solid, warm body was halfway on top of me, as he could hardly fit.

"Listen, foxy momma," he said, voice low. "You wore this on purpose. Trying to make me give you babies?"

His rough hands slid down my thigh, stopping of all places--exactly where Morris had touched. He squeezed, leaving his own imprint there instead.

I pulled my sunglasses down to give him a look. "Do you mind? We don't fit in this chair."

"Says who?" Cross's pushed his bare chest further against mine, grinning as I blushed at the contact. "I don't think I've ever seen you show this much skin. It's turning me on."

I turned even redder. This was the modest swimsuit. And why is he saying things like that in public?

"How about you make yourself useful by getting me a drink," I said, shoving him off.

He stumbled, not to the ground, but onto his feet with that inhumane agility that reminded me he played a sport where people ran into him full force and bounced off.

He bowed dramatically. "Yes, love."

I shook my head, amused, while Kelly stared like she was watching a romantic scene unfold.

"Wow.." she said, dazed. "He really likes you."

"It took me a while to believe him," I admitted. "He was never the relationship type. None of the boys were."

Her eyes drifted toward the bar and I followed. David was with some girl, a hand around her low enough it pretty much grazed her bum. The girl was giggling, completely enamored by whatever he'd just told her. Sensing Kelly's mood dip, I nodded toward the jacuzzi.

"You want to head there instead?" I offered gently. She nodded, grateful. The jacuzzi was more to the side and would spare her the front row view of David's flirt-fest. From a distance, I signaled Cross, and he lifted his chin in acknowledgement. Kelly and I slid in, letting the bubbling water swirl around us and massage our skin.

Moments later, Cross came in. His hand immediately trailed my thigh under the water. I plucked it off.

"Behave," I warned quietly, giving him a look. I wasn't about to make Kelly feel like a third-wheel. I knew what that felt like.

He smiled unapologetically. "My hand has a mind of its own. It likes your bathing suit."

"My basic bathing suit?"

He titled his head, gaze darkening with mischief. "Maybe. But the white?" He hummed. "It makes me think you're asking me to ruin you and make you mine."

My face flamed. "White is a normal color. And I'm not the only one wearing it."

"For me you are."

I hid behind my drink, taking a sip. Suddenly…

SPLASH.

A tidal wave of water smacked me in the face, drenching my hair.

"Theodore what the heck!" I yelled. "This is a jacuzzi, not a pool!"

He howled like an unhinged wolf. "Ooooooh baby! This water doesn't feel half bad!"

He stretched his shoulders back and strutted through the bubbles, settling right between Kelly and me. He gave Kelly those honeyed eyes that made most girls melt.

Of course, the dramatic splash drew attention, and once people registered that Cross and Theodore were inside, they were quick to follow their example.

Even David laughed from a distance and came to us with a drink in hand, abandoning the girl at the bar. She was quick to follow after him like a puppy desperate not to lose its owner.

"Great, just great!" I muttered under my breath.

This jacuzzi was not meant to hold this many people. The water sloshed dangerously as more students forced themselves in.

"You can come here, David." Cross said casually, gesturing to the nonexistent space beside him.

"Come where? Where?!" I snapped.

This was supposed to be a peaceful moment for Kelly and I, and now half the class was squeezing in.

Unbothered by my distress, Cross hooked his arms around me and lifted me onto his lap.

"Time to lap it up!" He announced proudly. And of course, the crowd followed his example and rearranged accordingly.

I wiggled in place, annoyed and flustered. Cross tightened his drip around my waist, pulling me deeper into him. His breath brushed my ear, smug and ever so pleased. "Easy there, baby"

"This is all your fault!"

He blinked innocently. "But I'm a victim of the circumstance."

He made move to kiss me, but I turned quickly, landing his lips on my cheek. Rather than pull away, he bit them.

"Why don't you let me kiss you?"

"We talked about this," I reminded him. Half the school was three inches away, no need for all that PDA.

His eyelids lowered, eyes dark and hooded. I felt his hands lazily graze over me under the water. Slow, like he was memorizing the shape of me. The look he gave me made my heart skip a beat.

He turned to David and commenced conversation about what we were doing tonight, still holding me as though my body belonged to him.

I shifted to face them. "I’m not dancing much," I warned them. They were discussing going to the hotel party hosted at 8pm after dinner.

Cross smacked my bum. "I know. They have other
L things there like throwing darts and pool. I know you like playing pool."

I glared. "Do that one more time and see what happens," I threatened.

"What? Will you smack mine too?" He asked, sliding his nose up my neck. His laugh vibrated through my skin. My arm instinctively looped around him.

"Mmm...remember, I have a single room if you want to sleepover," he whispered.

"Nice try," I said, bumping his nose with mine.

The bubbles continued to churn around us, voices overlapping in laughter and splashing water. Hilary was thankfully nearby and keeping Kelly company, refusing to sit on Theodore's lap and instead sitting over Kelly despite his consistent begging, She was telling Kelly about a guy who said she was cute and if he was her type.

Cross's chin rested lightly against my shoulder.

"She likes matchmaking," he mused.

"Does Hilary like anyone herself?"

"If she does, that's her best kept secret."

"Did you tell Hilary you liked me?" I asked.

His fingers traced slow, absentminded circles against my arm. "By the time I told her she said she already knew."

This time, Cross bit my neck. Nearby, Theodore groaned. "Get a room."

Cross smiled against my ear. "I already did. She rejected me."

I pat his thigh under the water. "Behave yourself." "You make it very difficult."

I shook my head. I let my eyes drift close as the water hummed around us, warm and turbulent, like the boy beneath me.

That evening two dresses laid across the bed. Similar to when I was deciding on which bathing suit to go with, I had a safe black option, and a daring red one.

"You should go with the red one."

I turned to Kelly. "Really?" I asked, somewhat unsure.

"There's a reason you brought it. Might as well make use of it," She answered lightly.

She wasn't wrong.

Within half an hour we were ready. Hair done, makeup light, and nerves buzzing just beneath the surface.

"Clara. " Kelly hesitated, biting her lip. "I know this is dumb, but can you do me a favor?"

"Of course," I said immediately.

She'd been quieter since we camne back from the jacuzzi. Withdrawn in a way that was unmistakable. I already knew why. David barely looked at her out there, too distracted by the girl hanging off his side.

"Can you ask David how he feels about me?" she whispered. "I know it's probably nothing. I just...I need to know."

I gave her a reassuring smile and nodded. Sometimes clarity hurt, but uncertainty especially dragged out could hurt even worse.

The party was in full swing when we arrived. Music pulsed through the room, laughter spilling from every corner. Kelly touched my arm the moment.

I spotted a familiar trio crowded around a table, deep in some sort of drinking game. Cups lined the surface, half-empty and suspiciously strong if their wincing was any indication.

As Kelly slipped off to the side, I approached alone and locked on my target. David tilted his head back, downing a shot like it was water. When I touched his shoulder, he didn't react. I dug my fingers harder.

"Oo -hey, CJ!" He laughed, pulling me into the circle.

His gray eyes were still sharp, but glassy around the edges.

"What are you drinking?" I demanded.

"What everyone else is drinking," he shrugged. "Stop being so stiff." David grabbed a hold of me and before I could respond and started tickling my ribs.

I burst into laughter instantly. "I.. hate... tickling!" I gasped, folding in on myself to get away from those evil fingers.

David's smile widened, and it's not until another pair of hands pulled me away from him that I felt like l could breathe again.

"Nice dress."

Cross’s gaze sweeping over me from head to toe with open approval. His eyes turned to mine, brow lifting.
"Well?"

"Well, what?" I asked.

"Aren't I getting a reward for saving you from that monster?" His thumb pointed toward David, who was already reaching for another drink.

I pursed my lips, snatching the cup mid-lift.

"Hey!" David protested. He looked exactly like the time he got his Xbox confiscated for failing a test. time he got his Xbox confiscated for failing a test.

"CJ, I just lost. Loser has to take three shots."

My jaw dropped, mentally fuming. "Three shots?! Who's the idiot that came up with that rule?"

David looked away. "I don't remember... " he muttered guiltily.

Behind me, Cross snickered. It's too obvious who came up with the idea.

"I don't care, you're not finishing three shots!" I snapped. "The night just started and I'm not dealing with three wasted idiots."

Catching Theodore out of the corner of my eye, I yanked him into the circle by the collar. "Do you hear me?!"

"What did I do?" Theodore whined.

"No getting shitfaced tonight," I said firmly.

All three nodded.

I exhaled. Crisis temporarily averted.
"Glad we're clear," I pushed Theodore back to the table. Then I turned to David. "Now…Kelly,"

His hands went up instantly. "Whoa, I've been good, I swear!"

"What do you think about her?"

His hand fell to the back of his head. "Uh, she's pretty? She's cute? She's nice?" He worded his statements more as a question, checking my face to see which assessment wouldn't upset me.

"So... no feelings for her or anything?"

"I mean, I'd bang her if that's what you mean, but you know I'm not looking for anything serious. I told you, I've been behaving...with your friend," he reiterated, giving me one of his good-boy smiles.

Exactly what I expected. It was disappointing, but at least it was honest. Kelly would feel more at peace knowing the truth.

"Okay just make sure you're not flirting, I don't want her getting conflicting messages."

David kept nodding, albeit slightly dopy. "I know, I know. The only reason I sat with her on the bus is because Cross was having an aneurysm at the thought of not sitting next to you."

Of course.

"Meeting abjoured," I sighed, stepping away. The longer I stayed here, the longer Kelly was alone navigating a party.

"Wonderful, now you can spend time with me," Cross said, holding my hand. He nodded toward the pool table like it was already decided.

"Not right now. I have to find Kelly. She doesn't have fifty friends orbiting her at all times like you do."

Cross groaned, rolling his eyes. That was when I really noticed him tonight. Dark jeans, a deep blue button up that highlighted his broad shoulders, and sleeves rolled up to show his forearms.

"What are you, her babysitter? I have needs. And one of those needs is you."

I tried to tug my hand free, but he only laced our fingers tighter, anchoring me in place.

"Cross, I don't want her to be lonely. I also need to tell her something."

"Why right now?" His tone sharpened. "You said you were going to spend time with me. And she's fine. look."

I glanced back. Kelly was laughing with a small group of cheerleaders. Hilary stood nearby, animated as ever as she chatted up with the football player she'd sat with on the bus. Surprisingly, Amy and Larissa were talking. I'd thought since Larissa insulted her Amy would keep her distance, but that didn't seem to be the case now.

"Okay, let me tell her where I'll be and then we can play pool," I negotiated.

I knew she was anxious to know David's answer, and I didn't want to keep her in suspense all night.

Cross yanked me, pulling me straight into his chest. The smile was gone now, his eyes hard. "Fine. But if you're not back in ten minutes, I'm getting you myself."

I giggled. Was he actually being serious? "Ooo, is this what it's like to have a jealous boyfriend?" I teased.

Cross clenched his jaw. "Yes."

Before I could respond, he released me. I left fast before he could change his mind and reel me back in. Halfway across the room, I felt it. An unmistakable prickle along my arms. Someone watching me.

Searching, my eyes clashed with Larissa. She smiled when our gazes met. Right when I reached Kelly, she raised her hand in a small wave. She mouthed the words easily.

We need to talk.

My head spun with questions, but I nodded once, even thouoh every instinct in me screamed this wasn't going to be a simple conversation.

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A/N: What would Larissa want to talk with her?
She just doesn't know when to quit.

Anyways, majority went for the double upload so as promised, last chapter has been uploaded already!