Perfectly Broken

(19) Beach Ball Bash

A burning feeling broiled in my gut like she just shoved a bottle of poison down my throat, it igniting when her eyes fell on me for the hundredth time today. Chelsea was now seated with Ryan in the living room. The moment we returned off the porch, Chelsea acted like she hadn't seen anything and practically made up every excuse to stay close to Ryan.

I returned my attention to Tori, closing the door of the bedroom.

"Do I go with the black bikini?" Tori asked, displaying both the choices. "Or pink?"

I shrugged. "Does it matter?" I was already in my bathing suit, ready to get into the lake. Tori was just being a prima donna and couldn't pick between two different colors like the paparazzi would show up any time.

She scoffed. "Jude likes black but I want the pink."

I pursed my lips, raising an eyebrow. "You really like Jude, don't you?"

Her cheeks burnt beet red at the assumption, confirming it true. "Yes." She plopped on the bed with a passionate sigh. "It's just...I don't know how to describe it. Since the first time we met, I felt like my hearts been on fire—a pleasant fire. Like after running a marathon. It does it every time I see him, it's completely maddening!" I giggled when she threw her hands in the air. She smiled at me. "Do you get the same way with Ryan?"

This time, it was my turn to blush. "When we first started having s*x, it got that way, but it was because I was always nervous around him."

"How about now?"

I shrugged, recollecting last night. I like Ryan—beyond the point, I'd admit. "Somewhat." That's all I'd divulged to her because I didn't understand it myself. One day we completely loathed each other and the next, we're telling each other we like (on his part: love) each other.

"Well," she sat up, "I'm going to wear black. And I think Ryan will appreciate what you're wearing." She winked.

I was wearing a blue bikini and a jacket over it, discouraged to show my body off. Wrapping my arms around myself self-consciously, I tightened my lips. She rose off the bed and headed to the bathroom. "I'll get changed and meet up with you."

"Okay."

When she closed the door, I quickly headed through the living room and then stopped. Ryan and Chelsea weren't out here like I expected. Good. I didn't need Chelsea glaring at me again. I guess seeing Ryan and me together this morning, she deemed me a betrayer because I bluntly told her the girl he was seeing wasn't anyone specific. I didn't tell her it was me.

"Hey," a voice greeted.

I swerved to see Alec in a short sleeve jacket and trunks, a tired smile on his bruised face. He told me he got it when he fell in the woods. And he says I'm clumsy. I smiled back. The other day we had a talk about how we should just be friends and yes, I was brokenhearted, but during our small time as s*x friends, I missed my best friend. I could tell Tori things but if something nostalgic clicked, I wanted to tell Alec and laugh about it. And when my mom called, it was the both of us she wanted to talk to, not just me.

"Hi," I muttered, feeling nervous all of a sudden. Looking down at my feet, I was afraid the tension between us would set in again. Although he apologized and we sort of got our friendship back, I feared I'd never be the same.

He lightly punched me on the arm, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Don't be like that, Emma," he said, that handsome smile greeting me. It didn't do much on my heart as it'd usually do. "Don't let things be awkward between us."

I pursed my lips, squinting my eyes at him. "What sort of awkward?" I shrugged. I hated that he could feel it too, gradually setting in against our will.

Then I yelped when he poked me in the stomach. "Like this awkward." He poked me again, making me giggle. "And this awkward." His fingers were going on a frenzy on my stomach. "And maybe that awkward."

"Stop, stop," I laughed, hands trying to push him away.

He finally stopped when joyful tears swelled in my eyes. "Can we put the past behind us?" he asked with that charming smile, eyes pleading.

I nodded, my heart no longer wishing to be connected with him. Yeah, it still hurt but if I had to choose if I wanted him as a boyfriend and have our friendship on the rocks, I'd go against it. "Yeah, of course, we can." I gave him a sneaky smile. "We can start off with me teasing you about crying during Titanic. You cried, you cried!"

"It's a sad movie!" he defended.

"You were crying when Jack declared himself a king. Were you crying because you wanted to be king?" I teased, poking him in the stomach.

He put on a pouty face. "He always gets to be king," he pouted in a forged childish voice, stomping his foot. "I wanted to be king! Why not me?" We laughed at his childishness, whatever tension that surrounded us long gone. Once we caught our breath, he spoke again in his regular voice. "I'm heading to my room, you going to the lake now?"

"Yeah, I need to get my shoes first."

He nodded. "See you there." He walked passed me to his room.

The moment he was gone, a sigh of relief released out of me. It felt good to get back to where we were once before. And, in all honesty, I hoped that split moment of us being s*x friends would be out of mind soon. For years I've loved him, but I could still love him as a friend, right?

Putting that out of mind, I headed to the living room where I left my flip-flops just when Chelsea entered. The moment we caught each other's eyes, a dreadful feeling sunk into my guts, making it sting. Mentally, a gong went off and all I could hear was "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!"

She smiled angelically at me. "Emma, just the girl I wanted to see."

I quickly looked away, finding my shoes by the couch and slipping them on. "Oh, why?" I didn't look at her, afraid that venomous stare would hit me and send my knees quaking. Over the course of today, I was learning that Chelsea could be a little scary.

I tentatively looked up to see she was closer and I jumped back, that venomous stare I wanted to avoid greeting me. Her lips were frowning which, oddly, made her supermodel looks appear sharper.

"I think you know why," she said menacingly. Every time I stepped back, she took a step forward. "You neglected to tell me there was something going on between you Ryan. I guess you're not the little angel I thought you were."

"Chelsea, I—"

She held up her hand to silence me, giving me a dominant expression. "I wasn't done," she hissed through her teeth. "You hurt me, Emma. I thought I could trust you but I guess not. So I'm only going to say this once. Ryan. Is. mine!

This might be a little fling for you, a puppy crush since you don't get that much attention from guys like Ryan. But all you are is an easy target. Guy's like Ryan go after girls like you when they're taking a break from chasing their real targets, the one that makes them settle down.

I'm that girl for Ryan and vice versa. So I advise you to end your little crush and step away. I'm nice to you now but, believe me, I can be your worst enemy. You and Ryan need to take a detour down Splits-Ville, capiche?"

Throughout her words, I turned from afraid, to confused, to angry, now balling up my fist at my side and giving her a dirty look she refused to surrender to.

Instead, she looked amused.

I smirked smugly which caught her off guard. "Obsessed much?" She frowned when it was my turn to approach her. "I don't know what you've created in your mind to think Ryan is 'all yours' but if he wanted to be with you, he would be." I couldn't believe that came out of my mouth. She couldn't either, eyes widening. I was glad it did though. She offended me with her ranting last night and I hated that she was doing it again. And I wasn't going to take her insults when I didn't do anything wrong.

Her nose scrunched up in disgust, jabbing a finger in my chest. "It's not in my mind. Ryan loves me but you're distracting him from the truth. We're the same, him and me. He's been my rock since I've met him and I'd be damned before I let him scamper off with you."

"You've lived without him for a while now, I'm sure you'd be alright," I crossed my arms.

She scoffed. "I'll be alright?" A mask of dread fell on her face, looking down at the floor. "He's the only man who's never hurt me, who's believed my words, who's never forced me to do anything. He loves me and protects me. He promised. We're the same." A tear fell from her eyes and I felt a ping of shame for igniting those feelings in her. "He promised." She gulped a strain in her throat, wiping the tears away when she looked at me angrily. "And you're making him forget that promise."

I rolled my eyes, my fist clenching and unclenching. "Chelsea, I'm not going to fight over Ryan," I told her calmly. "This is his choice." I could say that confidently, knowing he loved me. But has he ever said the same to her? "You don't have the right to choose anything for him."

Her teeth gritted together, her pretty face dimming with an angered look. I suppressed the needed to step back. Then she cracked an unexpected smile. "Fine." With that, she walked away and head down the hall to her bedroom. I hadn't noticed I was holding in a hot breath until I blew out in a loud sigh of relief, my hand over my racing heart.

Gradually getting the feeling back into my legs, I marched out the door to the lake where Tori and Jude were playfully kicking in the water, sitting on the pier. I didn't see them walk out. They probably used the back door.

"...I could totally pull off Ariel," Tori giggle, splashing water on him. "Dye my hair red, get a tail and get a pre-recording of her voice."

"She hardly talked during the movie so you've already failed," Jude joked.

She gasped, offended when I marched up. Without another word, she leaned over and kissed Jude passionately on the lips. I was about to look away then she suddenly pushed him into the water when he leaned in closer. She laughed over his gurgling yelp as he fell in.

"That's what you get, son!" she mocked, pulling her feet out before he could grab her.

Grabbing her attention when I walked in the pier, she stood up proudly in her pink bikini and smiled. "Hey, Emma, oh look!" She skipped off the pier and onto the grass where she picked up a colorful beach ball. "We're going to play beach ball bash!"

"What's beach ball bash?" I asked, unzipping my jacket.

"The same thing as volleyball but with a cooler name." She threw the ball into the water which splashed Jude. She ignored his playful glare, giving me a concerned look. "I heard you and Chelsea, well, not the words, but the tone sounded harsh, and I recognized Ryan's name being said."

I shrugged, not all that worried about being overheard. "Yeah, she's just being possessive of Ryan."

Tori didn't look pleased to hear that. "Aren't they broken up? She should back off if Ryan didn't want her, why does she think he'll change his mind." She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. If she becomes more of a problem, I have an uncle in the mafia who wouldn't mind getting a request from his favorite niece." She looked proud about that, giving me a wide grin.

I shook my head. "No, thanks, we leave in two days. I'm sure she can't do much in that time to scar me."

Tori pursed her lips. "Well, if you change your mind..." Returning, she bent down to Jude who was floating on his back, blond strands stick to his forehead. "The first rule of beach ball bash, you have to jump in to be a player!" Immediately, she did a cannonball into the water, sprinkles falling on me as I threw my jacket on the deck.

The cabin door opened and I stared at Ryan walking out, my breath halting for a minute. He was wearing some black trucks, shirtless. Familiar with his body, I have to be honest, I loved his muscles, the way they rippled perfectly, and if you were held by them, oh my gosh...

Looking away before he could see me gawking as he headed toward the pier, I followed Tori's instructs and jumped in. As expected, the lake was freezing and a thousand needles pricked me hard, unable to restrain a gasped like last time. I swam to the top, flipping back my hair and shivering at the chill rupturing to my vein.

"Emma," Tori smiled, swimming towards me. "Jude and I were talking. We think tomorrow night, we should have a campout."

The ball floated to me along with Jude. "I don't think we have tents," I mused.

"And I'm not sleeping in the dirt," Jude added.

Tori wiggled her brows. "Well, Emma and Ryan already showed us a way to sleep in the great outdoors," she teased. Jude busted out laughing, forgetting that he was floating and his feet dropping, startling him. Tori and I both laughed at his clumsiness.

"RYAN!" a voice called happily. We all turned to see Chelsea strutted quickly to Ryan who had made it to the grass just before the pier. "Look at my new bikini!" She spun around with a model posture, giving him a beautiful smile when he stared at her. Her bikini was see-through white and a thong. "You like it?"

Ryan looked dumbfounded. "Um...sure?"

She leaped in joy and crashed into his arms, surprising him and us at her boldness. "I'm so happy." Then, to my dislike, her lips captured his. My blood boiled at the sight, the kiss seeming like an eternity instead of the three seconds it actually was.

"Chels—" Ryan gasped when they broke apart.

She skipped off before he could finish, jumping off the pier in a graceful dive that an Olympic star would envy. The water barely splashed around her.

Tori nudged me, getting my eyes off Chelsea and thoughts off Ryan. "Come on, let's play." I knew it was a way to distract me, something I appreciated. I only looked their way when Alec walked out of the cabin.

Chelsea came up for air a little ways from us. "What're you playing?" she asked, running her hands through her wet locks.

My jaw clenched at the sight. It's the s*x jealousy, Emma, I told myself. But I knew it wasn't true. This jealousy was beyond just s*x.

Tori answered. "Beachball bash. It's like volleyball but with a cooler name." She showed no sign of bitterness towards her until Chelsea looked away. That's when Tori stuck out her tongue. "Well, let's break apart."

Ryan was jumping in by the time we were making enough room to toss the ball comfortably. And Alec followed suit after, kicking his shoes off. "Tori, Emma, and I will be on one team," Jude announced. "Alec, Ryan, and Chelsea will be on the other."

Jude was the first to toss it, hitting it towards Ryan who tossed it back. I caught it before Tori who was reaching for it and hit it, flying in the air to Alec. He missed and Tori gave me a high five.

He served it and it went flying to Jude who went sailing into the water, missing. Once he came back up and pushed the water out his eyes, he served it towards Chelsea. She immediately spiked it, the inflatable ball hitting the water and almost hitting me in the face. I blocked it with my hands though.

She gave me a 'Did I do that?' expression, biting on her nail. "Oops, you okay, Emma?"

I snarled. "Just peachy." I served it to Ryan who hit it to Tori who did a spike herself towards Chelsea which made me first smile then frown.

"Ahh!" she squealed, swimming to Ryan before it could hit her. She wrapped an arm around his bicep, looking frightened. It only riled me up more. Beneath the water, my fingers were itching to punch that smug look off her face. I wasn't a violent person but I would be if she kept provoking me.

"Get the ball," Ryan ordered her. She complied without hesitation, swimming back for it. She grabbed it and, only to irritate me, she swam back to his side and pulled him in for a wet kiss. I could feel heat enflame my cheeks in rage, eyes widening at the shock. I looked away, feeling my heart tense. Why wasn't he pulling away from her? The thought only made me more aggravated. Only hours ago, Ryan and I were in each other's arms, not he's so wrapped up in hers that he can't see that—

"Emma, watch out!"

I couldn't even react before the ball hit me in the head so hard I blacked out.

"What do you mean you like Ryan?" Alec fumed, appalled when I told him my true feelings.

"I mean, I like him. I really like him. Like...a lot," I gushed, my words slightly slurred. The alcohol I just drank was hitting me hard but I didn't care. "And you never know, I might even love him."

"Emma, what—"

My attention immediately darted to a blond girl in a short red dress, her hands touching Ryan in ways I've mostly touched him. And you better believe I didn't like it one bit. Blocking Alec out, I stood up and marched to Ryan, hearing her say, "...Stop wasting your time with a little girl when you can have a real woman."

"Okay."

Out of the kindness of my heart, I pushed her off him instead of slap her like I had the urge to. And to make her know she was a lost cause, I wrapped my arms around Ryan's neck and savored the taste of his lips. They filled me ecstasy and my body was responding needy for it. I pulled away, knowing exactly where I wanted to go after that, turning to the girl with a sneer.

"He has his woman, now be gone, little girl." The sight of her pretty face turning sour only made this moment more precious. But I had to get a piece of Ryan before that feeling of ecstasy left. Grinning slyly, I grabbed his collar and led him upstairs to the guest bedroom Tori told me I could use tonight. It came in handy.

Once inside, I locked it, smiling at his confused expression. "Emma...did you just say...you're my woman?"

I nodded, slowly unzipping my dress. "I told Alec I love him but I like you too." The dress pooled to my feet and I stepped out, feeling drawn to him. "I want to see if we could become more than s*x friends...after tonight, of course." It's true, I was falling for Ryan harder than I ever expected. It scared me but invigorated me at the same time.

I captured his lips in mine, loving the taste and the feel of his large hands roaming my body. We fell on the bed in seconds, his kiss tasting like heaven, sending heated waves through my body. I pulled at his shirt, eager to feel his naked body against mine. He flipped me on my back and a moan escaped when I felt his erection touch my core.

He was everything I wanted, now and forever.

I moaned his name and he slipped off my panties, his lips still trapped to mine, the sensation lurking off becoming addicting. His fingers started to play with my core and the moans seemed to come one after another, pleasing him, tempting him to continue with pleasure.

His lips soon trailed from my lips to my core and a surge of anticipation rushed through me, feeling his lips inch downwards. Then they became one with my core and the feeling was so amazing, I was clawing the bed, moaning his name like a chant.

"Ryan, I need you!" I screamed, feeling myself explode in pleasure.

He was all too willing to give in to my desires, not even a second going by before I felt his manhood touch my core and eventually, he filled me up. This was the most enthralling s*x I'd ever had, everything about him churning in my mind with every thrust. His hazel eyes, his lips, his body, his smile, his laugh, the way my heart thumped in my chest at the sight of him.

Everything.

It was like we couldn't get enough of each other, hours of ecstasy running by as our lust turned into gluttony for one another. That night was the first time I could truly admit that if he ever told me he loves me, I'd tell it to him back.

I could fall for him.

I was falling in love with him.

I fell in love with him.

After hours of passion, we fell beneath the covers and fell asleep. I don't know what time it was but I had to go to the bathroom so badly. I crawled out of bed weakly, my body now sore, but I wouldn't replace the feeling for the world. Because it was Ryan who filled me with this pleasurable soreness.

"Ryan..."I mumbled, touching him on the shoulder. He looked so adorable, hair in a sexy mess, eyes barely opening. "I'm going to the bathroom, okay?"

He nodded. "Okay."

I tiptoed out to the bathroom, too sleepy to notice that much around me. I could have been naked in a crowd of people and not give a damn. Damn, I was still drunk if I'd go through that willingly. I found the bathroom without a problem and once finished, I headed back to the room, needing to get back in bed.

I walked into the darkness, hands out to find the bed. Finally finding it, I crawled in and wrapped an arm around Ryan and he held me back. It immediately felt strange yet familiar but I blamed it on the alcohol.

I gasped for breath, vomiting water from my lungs and coughing wildly. When my eyes opened, I could see them all staring down at me worriedly, concealing the sun too bright for my eyes.

"Emma, are you alright?" Tori asked, her eyes looking like she was about to cry.

I continued to cough up the nasty lake water. It tasted like salt. I sat up, holding my head that was ringing, feeling a large hand on my back. I turned to see the hazel eyes I just dreamed about with a newfound love for them. "Ryan?" I muttered the second I caught my breath.

"You alright, Emma?" he asked, concerned.

I gulped the water in my throat that evaded being put out. I coughed one last time before saying, "Yeah, I'm alright." Besides my head and the burning salt water in my throat, I felt like I'd survive. He helped me to my feet when I attempted to stand up, my legs feeling wobbly for a minute before getting the hang of it. I gave them all reassuring smiles, well, except for Chelsea who was forging worry, and Alec.

"You going to be okay, Em?" he asked. My eyes dimmed on him, walking out of Ryan's grasp and marching towards him with disdain in my eyes. He looked perplexed at the suddenness. I guess he was more perplexed when I slapped him across the face, glaring at him. I heard gasps behind me. I ignored them though.

"You lied to me!" I shouted. "You said we had s*x and we obviously didn't!"

He held his bruised face that was double bruised now, mouth opened in surprise. When my words sunk him, ashamed expression shadowed his face. "Em—"

"Don't talk to me at all! You're my best friend, the person I trust—trusted—the most, and you lied to my face. And when you had the chance over and over again to tell me the truth, you only prolonged the lie! Friends don't do that! So I guess we aren't really friends!"

I walked passed him in a fit of rage, marching up the stairs and into the cabin, knowing my exact destination. Inside my room, I opened the closet and smiled at the bag of goodies catching my eyes. Quickly, I grabbed the bag and placed it on my bed happily. The first thing I opened was, of course, the deluxe art kit I've been eyeing with greed for days. It clicked open and the scent of acrylic paint, pencils, fresh unused paper drifted to my nostrils. Nostalgic thoughts of the days and nights I'd spend drawing whatever clouded my mind.

But drawing wasn't the goal right now.

A knock rapped on the door and I looked to see Ryan at the doorway. "Emma, you alright?" he asked again.

I gave him a smile, making him take a step back. "I'm perfectly fine."

He examined me then behind me, a devious smirk claiming his lips. "Is that the art set I bought you?" I nodded, biting my lip with a guilty smile. He raised an eyebrow, stepping inside. "Is it open?"

My smile only widened wickedly. "Maybe...I guess you're going to punish me...?"

That mischievous smile took over and he closed the door behind him, locking it. "You guessed right."