Page 32 of Buzzer Beater

“Sounds perfect.”

She stood up and pulled on my blanket. “Then get your butt up.”

“Fine.” I rolled out and grabbed a swimsuit to change into. By the time I walked out of the bathroom, Elena was ready and waiting for me by the door.

“I grabbed your phone and sunscreen.” She patted her beach bag.

“Thanks.”

We headed out and met Amber and Riley at the cabana.

“How are you guys already up?” I asked. It was like they didn’t need sleep. Or food.

Riley laughed. “We’re used to it.”

“Whatever. Some of us have jobs we have to be up for at normal times.” Elena threw back.

Riley was an up and coming social media influencer, or so she’d told us. She bragged about not having anyone telling her what to do or when, so she didn’t understand the pressure of a normal, office job.

“Stop arguing and lie down,” Amber said.

I smirked but did as she ordered. Once I was situated, laying on my stomach with the sun warming me, and the sounds of wave crashing, I relaxed. I’d needed this vacation more than I’d realized. Not just the rest but getting out again. Meeting people. Realizing I could still have a good time.

“Do you want a drink, Lucy?” Amber asked.

I must have fallen asleep since Amber’s voice pulled me out of a dream.

“Hmm?”

“Drink?” She asked again.

“Piña colada.” I slurred out the words before turning onto my back. Hopefully I wasn’t getting too burned.

“Hey girls.”

I cringed at Chloe’s voice. It wasn’t that I had anything against her, she’d been perfectly nice. It was just that she was always in the same vicinity as him.

I propped myself on my elbows. “Hi, Chloe.”

She smiled. “We’re just down a few, and I saw you guys. How are you?”

Since we’d seen each other less than twenty-four hours ago I didn’t know what to say.

“Good.”

A very pregnant woman walked up next to her. “Hi, I’m Emma.”

I waved my hand. “Hi.”

I didn’t bother with my name. They all knew who I was, I was sure.

“I’m bummed I didn’t get to go snorkeling yesterday,” Emma said. “I heard it was amazing.”

I let Amber and the girls pick up the conversation. I didn’t get why Colin’s friends kept coming around. We didn’t all have to be friends because I knew someone they did. We had nothing else in common.

I looked away, accidently finding Colin standing and stretching.

I watched him approach a different cabana where his teammates were already lounging. He was bare-chested, with ripped muscles from his punishing workout. He moved slowly, like he had all the time in the world, a glorious hockey god, and my throat ached with longing.