Page 23 of Resisting the Fall

Alana gave a small smile. “That’s okay.”

I swam toward where Maven stood and lifted myself onto the dock. “Hey.”

Maven’s gaze flicked upward, her lips pursing. “Hey,” she muttered, still refusing to look at me.

“What’s up?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. I just need to talk to Carson.”

I glanced at her outfit, pushing my dripping hair off my forehead. “Aren’t you going to swim?”

She shook her head.

“At football this morning, Carson said you were planning to join us once you were done with your violin lesson.”

“I changed my mind.”

“Why?”

Her gaze finally fixed on me. “Because I’m allowed to change my mind, Bennett.”

Bennett? What had I done to deserve her calling me that? I mean, it was my name and most people called me that, including my mom and dad, but she’d called me Ben for years now. “Well, you’re missing out.” I gave a small shrug, trying to act unaffected by her current state of irritation. “The water is nice and cool, and you look hot.”

The moment the words came out, I realized the last phrase sounded different from how I’d intended. I’d meant hot—temperature-wise. Not hot, like a sun-kissed blond with a gorgeous smile and big green eyes. Not that she was smiling now.

Maybe she hadn’t noticed my Freudian slip.

A blush filled her cheeks.

Or she had.

Not that it mattered. Her gaze was fixed forward again. “Carson’s taking forever. Will you just tell him I headed home?”

She started back down the dock, and a strange urge overtook me. I jogged to catch up, stepping in front of her just after she’d passed the rest of the group. “Come on, Maven. Just stay.”

With an annoyed huff, she moved to step around me, but I blocked her again. “Bennett, move.”

“If you call me Bennett one more time, you’re going to regret it.”

She lifted her chin and looked me directly in the eye. “Bennett.”

I grinned and took a step closer, dropping my voice. “I warned you.”

Her eyes narrowed defiantly, but she took a hesitant step back.

I dove toward her before she could retreat any farther and threw her over my shoulder. “I hope you’re ready for that swim you came for.”

She wriggled and squirmed, but I held her tight. “Bennett, put me down!”

“Man. There’s that name again.”

We passed the group of laughing onlookers, including Alana, who had joined them, though she looked less amused. “Ready?” I asked, making it to the end of the dock.

“At least let me take off my clothes first.”

I stilled, unable to fight my smile. “Hmm. That is a pretty solid negotiating tactic.”

She smacked my back with her palm, which only made me laugh harder.