Juliana Haygert - Playing Pretend

“Sure,” I said, handing him the toy.

“Wait, what?” the guy on the side said, reaching for the ball. From his crossed eyes and jerky movements, he was probably tipsy. “No. This kid will just throw it again. Don’t give it to him.”

I pulled the boy to the side, out of reach from the guy. “Here. Just be more careful.”

“Will do.” The boy smiled, hugging his ball tight. “Thanks.”

I nodded. The boy ran away and the drunken guy turned to me. “If I get more sand all over me, it’s on you.”

My fists clenched. I turned to the guy. Charlotte’s hand on my arm sent a shock—a good shock—through my system and I took a deep breath. This guy wasn’t worth my irritation.

I gave him my back and faced the beautiful girl lying beside me.

A smile adorned her face.

“What?”

“You. Being kind to the kid. I like it.”

I shook my head. Well, I had almost complained too, but he was just a kid. It wasn’t his fault. I knew he hadn’t thrown the ball at us on purpose.

A few moments later, Charlotte’s friends Liana, MaryAnn, and Rebecca joined us.

It was odd to be the only male among four beautiful girls, but if it meant I could spend a few extra hours with Charlotte, then I would put up with their girlie conversation.

Liana and Becca took the chairs, and MaryAnn sat on the edge of the towel.

“So,” Becca said, her gaze scanning the crowd, “how many hot guys do we have here?”

Liana grabbed a beer out of the cooler. “Too many. The way I like it.”

I groaned. Every guy had a limit. “Could you girls not talk about guys right now?”

Charlotte laughed, her eyes closed.

“Why?” MaryAnn smiled at me. “I bet that you talk about girls all the time with your friends, and the words you use are not appropriate for the general public.”

I took a sip of my beer. “Yeah, well, I’m not with my friends. I would appreciate it if you refrained from speaking about guys at all while I’m here.”

Liana laughed. “Oh my God, those big words. Appreciate? Refrained?”

MaryAnn winked. “He’s trying to impress our gal.”

“I think she’s already impressed,” Becca said.

“Leave me out of this,” Charlotte protested without opening her eyes. She seemed so at peace, savoring the sun’s rays on her shining skin. I wanted to roll over her and lick h—

“What are we gonna talk about, then?” Liana asked.

MaryAnn finished her beer in one long gulp and stood. “I know what we’re gonna do.” She beckoned the other girls to stand. “Hot guys at four o’clock, and I think they’re alone. Let’s go over there.”

“What?” Becca eyed the group. “Just go and introduce ourselves?”

MaryAnn smiled. “Well, I was thinking more along the lines of standing close, making eye contact, and letting them come to us.”

Liana jumped up. “I’m in.”

And just like that, they weaved their way to the group—their victims for the night.

I shook my head.

“What are you smiling about?”

I turned to Charlotte and found her spying on me, her hand over her eyes, a smile of her own.

“Just amused,” I answered.

She rolled to the side. “They are quite the handful, but I love them. They are my real friends, the ones who truly get and accept me.”

Real friends. What did that mean? I didn’t ask, because I knew she wouldn’t answer. Still, I couldn’t stay quiet.

I lay down on the towel, my body turned to her. “And who is the true you?”

She rolled her eyes. “A girl. Period.” She sighed. “I’m not gonna talk about that again, and I really want to have a good last night with you, okay?”

Charlotte glided her index finger over my bare chest, stopping at the waist of my shorts.

I shivered. “Only if you let me take you back to your hotel room right now.” I reached for her, placing my hand on her neck, and leaned in. I brushed my lips over hers, and suppressed a moan. Christ.

She chuckled against my mouth. “But we just got here.”

“I don’t care about here.” I slid my lips along her jaw, and whispered in her ear, “I want you.”

Charlotte pulled my face to hers and kissed me. Her lips were soft against mine, and her taste addicting. Her tongue teased me, and I thought I would lose it, right here, in the middle of a crowded beach.

“Hey, Mason.”

Groaning, I pulled back from Charlotte, and turned to my brother. “Hey, Matt. You remember Charlotte, right?”

They had met on the second night, when Matt had come to the bar.

“Yeah. Hey.”

Charlotte waved. “Hi.”

I sat up. “What are you up to?”

“Just hanging.” Matt ran his hand through his hair. We looked alike, though Matt was two years younger and less built. For now. My little brother went to the gym almost seven days a week to, as he said, beef up. “Saw you and came to say hi.”

“Mason!” Brody appeared from behind Matt. “Man, haven’t seen you in days.” His gaze shifted to Charlotte and his eyes widened. “Okay, I see why and I’d say you’re definitely forgiven.”

“Hey, Brody, this is Charlotte.” I held her hand in mine. “Charlotte, this is Brody, my friend.”

“His best friend,” Brody said with a large grin.

“Hi, nice to meet you.” Her tone wasn’t as laid back as usual.

“You too.” Brody shook her hand, and then turned to me. “Hey, there’s going to be a party tonight at Connor’s house. They will set up a bonfire and hula dancers. Are you guys coming?”

I looked at Charlotte. I’d go if she wanted, but preferred to avoid such places, knowing who would probably be there. Besides, I wanted to take advantage of every second of my last hours with her.

“Your call. Want to go?”

She leaned close and whispered in my ear, “I think we have other plans in my hotel room.”

Smiling, I planted a quick peck on her lips. “Agreed.” I turned to the guys. “We’ll pass.”

“I see.” Brody frowned. “Good call. Tamara is probably gonna be there and I know you’ve been avoi—”

I tensed and Matt smacked Brody’s stomach with his arm. “Shut up,” my brother hissed.

Brody’s face fell. “Oh, sorry.”

Matt put his arm over Brody’s shoulders. “We’ll leave you two in peace. Later.”

They rushed away, but the damage was done. My mood had taken a sharp turn.

Charlotte’s hand rested on my arm. “It’s okay.”

I dared a peek at her, and was surprised by how gentle her expression was.

“You have a past. Everyone does. But, if you’re cheating on her with me, please don’t tell me, okay? I really don’t want to know if I’m being used like that.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “No, I’m not cheating. We broke up a couple of weeks ago.”

“Oh, okay.” Charlotte scooted closer, resting her chin on my shoulder. “Let’s forget about it. I didn’t hear anything.” She pulled back. “Unless … you’re too upset now, to … you know, be with me ag—”

I cupped her cheek and kissed her. I was upset, yes, but nothing could keep me away from her during these last few hours. I wanted her. I needed her. I showed her just how much when I deepened the kiss, threatening to break unspoken social rules of how to behave in public.

Charlotte pulled back, out of breath. “I think my bed is calling us.”

I stood and offered her my hand.

With a smile, Charlotte took it.

In that moment, it seemed she would agree to go anywhere with me, and that filled my chest with a sensation I thought I’d forgotten.

Charlotte

The only things I knew about Mason were that he was born and raised in this cute beach town, that he still lived with his parents, though he wanted to move out, and that I had met his brother.