One Hot Summer

Chapter 14: Set Up

Bennett

Ever since Riley and I kissed the other night it had been damn near impossible to get her out of my mind. So what if I was lying to myself constantly about my feelings? Brynn would have my head if she ever knew I harbored feelings for her best friend.

I decided to do what I did best. I went on dates, desperate to find a girl that would snuff out these feelings. Hopeless. All of it. No matter how many girls I took out for the night I always ended up spending my night thinking of the one I couldn’t have.

It was torture in every way imaginable. Not only had Riley infiltrated my mind but she had somehow managed to ruffle up feelings that I couldn’t navigate. Feelings that I, myself had never felt. It was the greatest and worst feeling all wrapped into one. However, it gave me the greatest high and I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life feeling this way.

The next day I was helping Nick and Milo unstack lounge chairs and that’s when it hit me. The answer to my problems was standing right in front of me.

Milo Sanchez, a fellow guard and all around good guy who seemed to have a genuine interest in Riley. I spent what felt like hours contemplating my decision and what I was about to attempt. That’s when she caught my gaze. Riley walked into the pool area, her dirty blonde hair blowing over her shoulder. Her sunglasses shaded her sparkling eyes. With the back of a pen pressed against her lips she stared down at the clipboard in her hands. Her long dainty fingers drummed against the back of it and I felt a pang of longing bubble up in my stomach.

I glanced over at Milo before jogging up to him.

“Hey man, you got a minute?” I asked rubbing my hands together. He nodded, “sure, what’s up?” He asked.

I looked over at Riley one more time to make sure I wanted to do this. She was now leaned over one of the picnic tables with her elbows resting atop it.

“You like Riley, right?” I asked, instantly wanting to swallow my words. Milo slowly glanced over at Riley before turning back to me.

“Y..yeeeah, why? What’s up?” He asked, unsure where this conversation was headed.

The words felt like acid in my throat but I pushed through.

“She’s been through a lot with her ex and I think she could benefit from having a good guy in her life.” I started to say. Milo nodded as I continued, “and I think she may be interested. I just wanted to encourage you to ask her out if you were still interested” I say, the lump in my throat refusing to leave.

Milo nods with a smile, “yeah, I think I might. Thanks man” he says giving my shoulder a smack as he walks by. I throw on my best fake smile before turning my gaze toward Riley. Without realizing it my eyes had begun traveling down the curves of her body. I could almost make out the scent of her body lotion.

Every morning as I would get dressed she’d stand in front of the mirror applying her favorite scented body lotion from bath and body works. It was called “In the Stars” and the scent would always be my favorite because of her.

RILEY

The sun was hotter than normal today. I felt like a pig roasting over a fire. Beads of sweat trailed down my face and arms as I sat in the lifeguard tower. My mouth was parched as I swung my empty water bottle back and forth. 10 more minutes until it break time.

As my eyes carefully scanned over the multitude of people below I felt a burning sensation on my leg. I screeched in response jerking my leg away.

“Whoa there! Sorry” Milo said taking a step back, a bottle of water in his hand. A chuckle escaped my throat as I realized how ridiculous I must’ve looked. The bottle was so cold that its instantaneous feeling felt burning hot.

“Oh my goodness. I’m sorry, Milo.” I said taking the water from him. The corners of his mouth turned upward into a smirk.

“Thank you” I tell him before chugging half the bottle. “Today is the worst” I add. Milo nods before standing back and crossing his arms. His muscles flexed as tingles danced down my back. Milo was the perfect distraction I needed from my failing crush on Bennett.

“You doing alright otherwise?” Milo asks. Without taking my eyes off the water I give him a shrug.

“Best it can be, I suppose” I chuckle. “Well, maybe we can go grab a drink sometime and you can tell me about it” he suggests. I could keep myself from smiling at his subtle attempt to ask me out.

I glance down at my watch before blowing my whistle 3 times signaling for all to exit the water.

“Sure” i say climbing down from my post.”great! I will hit you up” he says before turning back toward the pool house.

Walking into the air conditioned office was like heaven. I decided to use my break to work on schedules for the upcoming weeks.

Knock knock

I glance up and see Olivia grinning ear to ear.

“Do you know how fast word gets around this pool?” She said prancing in and sitting directly on the desk in front of me. Rolling my eyes I lean back in my chair.

“No, but I bet you’re gonna spill some tea right now” I say excitedly. Her face scrunches up as she tilts her head to the side.

“Uhm, no sis. I’m waiting on you to spill the tea…so spill”

“I don’t know…” I begin to say until Milo pops into my head. There’s no way she could’ve heard of that already. “Wait…are you talking about Milo?” I finish before rising to my feet.

“And bingo was his name-o!”

An unsure breath of air escapes my throat.

“Liv, I…there’s nothing to tell. He just asked if I’d grab coffee sometime” I say still unsure of how this is public knowledge.

Glancing down at my watch I notice that it’s time to get back out to the pool. I grab my sunglasses and visor and start to move toward the door.

“We are talking later, missy!” Olivia shouts after me.

Closing came and I was actually thrilled. As we wiped down and stacked loungers I felt a hand brush my shoulders. I felt my eyes roll involuntarily as I suspected it was Olivia again ready to drill me with questions. I glanced over my shoulder to see Nick with a grin on his face.

“Please don’t, Nick. There is no tea. It’s just a drink” I said trying to end the conversation before it could start.

“Alright, alright I’ll keep to my self” he said throwing his hands up in defense. I chuckled and continued working only to stop in my tracks at the comment mumbled under his breath. “What?” I asked unsure if I heard him right.

“Nothing, I was just saying maybe I should let Bennett play matchmaker with me” Nick said nonchalantly before walking away.

I stood up and looked over at Bennett who was on trash duty. My heart clenched in my chest. Did he really hate me that much? Is that really why Milo asked me out? He caught my glance and smiled. I turned away trying to hide the hurt on my face. The kiss, the kiss that I couldn’t stop thinking about truly meant nothing.

I walked slowly back to the lockers and retrieved my things. Slipping into my car I slouched down as I waited for the air to cool down the interior.

Ding

Ding

Ding ding

Ding

My brows came together as I glanced at my phone. I had 3 text messages and 2 missed calls from James.

Unsure of what came over me in that moment I hit the call button.

“You actually returned my call” James said with a chuckle. I smiled slightly, “what do you want James?” I asked.

“My dad wants to have dinner…I need you to be my date” he said, the desperation flowing from his voice.

I’d never seen James fear anything more than he feared his father. James senior, more affectionately known as Big Jim was a hard man who was 110 percent business. He expected James to take over his business after college. If you were lucky, you could avoid the hour long story of how he built his premium tire shop from the ground up after a 15 year stint in jail. It was no surprise that he wanted his son on the straight and narrow.

Thats where I came in. Big Jim loved me. He treated me like royalty even if his son didn’t. He referred to me as the light James needed in his life.

“I don’t know James…” I said resting my head on hand. A long pause came over the phone.

“Please Ri…he doesn’t know that we aren’t together” James pleaded, his voice cracking. “I know I don’t deserve this but you know how my dad is” he added.

I glanced up to see Milo and Bennett walking out together. My heart raced in confusion.

“Just this once, James” I hear myself say.

“You are amazing! I swear you’re perfect…”James started. “I already said yes” I snapped. “Okay okay. I will pick you up tomorrow night at 7. Wear a dress”.

“Alright, I will see you then”.

“And Riley…thank you again” James said before hanging up.