One Hot Summer

Chapter 1: Summertime

RILEY

I carefully walked into the back of the UHAUL with my last box

“I think that’s the last of it” I say, looking at my best friend Brynn.

“Finally! Let’s get to the house so we can finally relax” Brynn says walking back out of the truck. I follow and slide the door down.

I looked back up at the apartment we had shared for the last 3 years and felt a little emotional.

I had just finished my junior year at Mississippi State University. Brynn and I happened to be randomly paired as roommates our freshman year. Ever since day one we had been thick as thieves. We quickly became close with our housemates, Lana and Megan and the four of us did everything together.

That was until this past year when Megan and Brynn became interested in the same guy. Everyone knew Mac was a player so I’m not sure how they didn’t realize he was playing them both. A huge fight broke out and I chose Brynns side while Lana chose Megan’s.

Since it was our senior year, Brynn and I decided that we could just move into our own apartment together.

“Mom is ordering in sushi for tonight. Sam is picking it up” Brynn tells me as we drive to across town.

“Where are your mom and Sam off to this summer?” I ask.

“Barcelona, Spain. I begged her to go back to Florence but she said she needed a change of scenery. She’s so old” Brynn complains.

“Your mom is not old” I laugh. Brynn waves me off.

Every summer since I started at MSU, I’ve lived with the Banks family. Being so far from my home back in North Carolina I had decided that I’d stay near campus and work. I’ve worked the past two years as a lifeguard at the Starkville Park Pool.

My mom cried a lot when she first found out I wouldn’t be coming home. My family is and always has been tight knit. It probably didn’t help that I’m the youngest of four and the only one who went to school out of state.

My older brother, Hayes who is also the oldest sibling is almost 10 years older than me. He and his wife have three kids and live in Charlotte, NC.

My oldest sister, Noah and her husband Brent have two kids and also live in Charlotte. They all went to college there and I guess they loved it enough to never leave.

My older sister Logan, who happens to be closest to me and her fiancé Cade live in South Carolina. Up until my choice to flee, Logan was the daredevil who lived furthest from home.

Being the youngest did have its advantages though. By the time I had made my appearance in the world my parents were much more lenient on certain issues and they didn’t hover as much. Aside from Noah, I was the most well behaved of the four.

Being the youngest also had its disadvantages. I grew tired year after year hearing about how beautiful and smart my sisters were. It was no secret that they were gorgeous. Noah with her wavy brown hair and Logan with her wavy dirty blonde hair.

I was the unlucky sibling who ended up with dirty blonde, pin straight hair that dangles down to my shoulder blades. My sisters both stood at 5’5. Yet, somehow I ended up taller than both of them standing at almost 5’7.

I was blessed with sparkling blue eyes that held flakes of green in them and an hour glass figure that only seemed to enhance my “assets”.

My breasts were larger than both my sisters and I had slightly wider hips and a small waist. I used to be embarrassed because of my body shape but after becoming an adult, I f*****g love my body.

I managed to gain the freshman 15 which only seemed to add to my curves but I was not large at all and I worked really hard to stay in shape.

Brynn and I had become avid workout buddies our freshman year and it’s carried on ever since.

Brynn, is a gorgeous woman. She always complains that her breasts aren’t big enough and that she doesn’t have an ass but trust me when I say that the men don’t seem to mind. Brynn has gorgeous black hair and olive green eyes. She carries herself with confidence and has quite the mouth on her. You either love her or hate her but know that if she hates you first, you better run.

Her tough exterior aside, Brynn is loyal as hell and has always been there for me. Especially through the perplexing relationship between my boyfriend James and I. She doesn’t like him. She’s made that perfectly clear.

James and I have been together for about a year and a half now. I admit he was much different when we first got together. He was more attentive and kinder. He’s become a bit of a d**k over the last several months and I’m not sure why I put up with it. Maybe it’s because he was my “first” and has drilled it into my brain that he’s the best I’m ever going to get.

I know, I know. Why the hell would I be with someone like that? Contrary to my statement about him being a d**k, he does have his good moments too and I guess I try to make those count for more these days.

All that aside, I’m very excited to be staying with the Banks family again this summer. They are wealthy and they know it. Their house is huge and sits in a quiet gated community. All the vehicles that sit in their driveway are brand spankin new. From Mercedes, Bentleys, and a Rolls Royce. The Mercedes Benz belongs to Brynn and it’s her pride and joy. My red 2010 Toyota Camry looks incredibly out of place sitting off to the side of their gorgeous, shiny vehicles.

I don’t know the whole story but I do know that Sam isn’t Brynns real dad. He married her mom, Tara about 10 years ago. All she’s ever told me is that her dad left them when she was four. She doesn’t remember much about him. Sam adopted her when she was 15. She has an older brother but from what she’s said, he doesn’t come home much. He attends college somewhere in Florida.

I’ve never met him which is fine by me. Every summer I stay in his old room which is, apparently left just like it had been when he was in high school.

We pull into the gated community and to the last house on the street. I put in the gate code and we travel up the driveway.

“I’m so hungry” Brynn exclaims tapping her stomach.

“Me too! I have enough time to eat but then I have to go to the pool for a meeting” I tell her as we walk through the front doors.

“Hello ladies, how did packing go?” Sam asks walking into the kitchen. I give him a thumbs down and Brynn rolls her eyes.

“Fun stuff” he chuckles.

Tara roams into the kitchen on her phone. She seems a little off.

“I know. I understand. That’s fine, Bennett” she says and I instantly know she’s talking to Brynns brother. She moves out of the kitchen a little more for privacy but we can still vaguely hear her. Everyone silently stares in her direction as we load our plates with sushi and yum yum sauce.

“Yes, dear. I don’t care as long as I get to see you this summer. Please honey. It’s been 4 years since you’ve been home. I promise. I love you honey” she says before hanging up.

We all snap our heads down to our plates and make small talk as Tara heads back into the kitchen.

“Was that Bennett?” Brynn asks. Tara nods with a small smile.

“And?” Sam adds.

“Bennet is moving home for the summer” Tara says trying to keep her cool. It’s easy to sense the excitement that’s bubbling up inside of her.

“What!” Brynn screeches clapping her hands.

“I’m glad to hear it. Will he be joining us in Barcelona over 4th of July as well?” Sam asks. Tara shrugs.

“Let’s not push it. He got a flight out tomorrow but will be in late” she replies and turns to me.

“Riley, dear. Since Bennett will be home this summer would you mind staying in the guest room?”

I shake my head, “Not at all. I totally understand” I say washing my plate.

I walk up the curved staircase and down the hall to Bennetts room. I grab my things and move through the connected bathroom into the guest room.

The walls are a bright cream color with white sheer curtains. The queen bed is much higher than Bennetts and covered in a plush down comforter. I just hope that this bed is just as comfortable as Bennetts.

Grabbing my car keys I make my way out to my little car and drive to the pool.