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“Those hormones are really doing a number, huh?” Caitlyn teased as she got to her feet and threw her arms around her friend. “And shut up, you’re gorgeous.”
“Glowing, even,” I offered, smiling up at the bride.
“Fuck you, Andy,” Paula said, rolling her eyes before dropping into the empty chair on Caitlyn’s other side. “God, I just want this day to be over.”
Dave hadn’t even bothered to come see us, which was fine. I had a feeling Paula had set us up alone at this table so she could run back here and hide with Caitlyn anyway.
“I’m going to get some air,” I said, pushing away and winding my way through the room, taking the path that would keep me furthest from Trevor.
The yard was empty and I inhaled deeply, releasing my breath as I stared down into the clear water of the pool, its surface rippling from the soft breeze.
“Fuck you for looking better than me,” Trevor’s deep voice said from behind me.
I whirled around, panic rising up in my chest already. I didn’t want to fight with him. Not here. Not with half the town a hundred yards away. It was humiliating enough when it was just a dozen people in the hallways of school watching him torture me. I couldn’t stand the thought of everyone knowing how fucking weak he made me.
“Don’t,” I said, holding a finger up toward him.
“Just giving you a compliment, Princess,” he said, a smirk pulling at his mouth. “What’s the matter? Scared?”
“I’m not afraid of you,” I told him firmly.
“I know that,” he assured me. “That’s what makes it so damn fun.”
“Man, what is your problem?” I snapped. “High school is over. Grow the fuck up.”
He took a step toward me and I backed up, not remembering where I was, and suddenly I was falling. I don’t know if he was trying to help me or shove me, but Trevor’s arms came out toward me and I grabbed his wrists, pulling him with me into the pool.
We surfaced at the same time and he lunged for me, dragging me back under the water, his hands closing around my throat as I kicked at him, trying to break free.
Panic welled up in my chest as blood rushed to my groin, the stirrings of an erection beginning the way it always did when Trevor put his hands on me. Confusion and fear blinded me, terror of him noticing, of anyone noticing, coupled with the lack of oxygen making my head spin.
Suddenly the water around us churned and Trevor released me so I could kick my way up again, sucking in a lungful of air and looking around to see a dozen of our classmates, in their full formal wear, jumping in with us.
“You shits!” Paula screamed from beside the pool. Caitlyn was next to her, doubled over in laughter, but the bride had murder in her gaze.
“Now it’s a party!” Dave yelled before he, too, launched himself into the pool.
I rolled my eyes as I pushed my way through the crowd to climb out, water sluicing from my hair and my suit, dripping on the ground at Paula’s feet.
“It was an accident,” I mumbled lamely, resolutely keeping myself from looking behind me toward Trevor, thankful that my erection had subsided completely before anyone could see. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, well, that makes it all better, doesn’t it?” Paula snapped. “You ruined my wedding.”
“Technically just the reception.”
“Not helping,” Caitlyn stage whispered at me. “Honey, it’s fine. Everyone is having a good time. And it was bound to happen eventually. Don’t blame Andy.”
I wanted to tell her to blame Trevor, but I was already in deep shit with Paula, so it was probably best to just let it go.
“Come on,” Caitlyn said, linking her arm over my soaked elbow. “Let’s go.”
We turned to leave and I found myself turning my gaze back to the pool, where Trevor was bouncing in the water. He stared back at me and winked before diving back under the surface.
What the fuck was wrong with him?
What the fuck was wrong with me?
Chapter One