“Sorry I’m late,” said Ashley. “I overslept after my afternoon siesta.”

“Sure you did,” replied Grady, which earned him a slap on his arm from Chase as he took a seat next to his brother. “Ouch, you asshole. What was that for?”

Chase glared at Grady, and there was some kind of silent conversation going on between the two of them. Ashley took the only open seat opposite me – between Chase and Stella - and started fiddling with her napkin. I wasn’t surprised that something had been going on between the two of them. After Chase had sorted his hormones out, and gotten over what he thought he felt for Kennedy, he’d started hanging out with us a lot more, and watching a few interactions between him and Ashley, I predicted it was just a matter of time before they decided to put all that sexual tension to good use.

What I didn’t understand was why they kept it a secret.

With our table complete, everyone in our group slipped into conversation, like they always did when we were all together. The only person who looked bored and uninterested was Stella. Then again, she always looked like she’d eaten shit for breakfast – her face had a permanent scowl, unless she was hanging all over Reid. Then she just looked like a desperate hooker.

“Keep staring at Reid and the Hobbit will hack you into pieces in your sleep tonight,” muttered Kennedy.

My brows dipped into a frown. “I wasn’t staring.”

“You kinda were,” said Grady.

Jesus. Was I that obvious? I hadn’t even realized I’d been staring until Kennedy and Grady had pointed out. Luckily Stella was too busy whispering something into Reid’s ear to notice, so I was safe from her incessant need to kill me. For now.

We ordered dinner, and I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I started eating. The food was incredible, and even after having sushi for a light starter I still put a good dent in my main course. It wasn’t until dessert that I started to feel like I’d eaten too much. I sat back in my chair, and rubbed my hands over my flat stomach.

“I think we should all go for a swim,” said Kennedy. “It’s still early enough.”

“Anything to see you in a bikini, Kitten,” replied Dane. He leaned down and kissed that spot below her ear, causing her to giggle. It was both sweet and sickening to watch, really. She was so happy, and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving, but I found myself feeling a little envious too.

Despite what people thought I wasn’t a hussy. I’d only ever slept with three guys, one of which was Reid. I hadn’t been with anyone else since him, and I worried that it would take me months, or even years to have the courage to date.

“I could use a cool down,” I said, pushing my plate away. “This heat is going to drive me up the wall.”

I was sweating, and it was one of the most unattractive things to have happen, but the hot sticky air clung to my skin and a swim actually sounded perfect. I could find a corner to sit in, away from my horny, over-affectionate friends that had a hard time being decent in public.

And I can avoid seeing Reid and Stella.

“Well what the fuck are we waiting for you skinny bitches, let’s get going.”

I laughed at Grady’s unfiltered comment. He had an uncanny ability to say the crudest thing in the funniest way, and let’s face it, some things don’t seem as offensive coming from a gay guy.

He took my hand, and helped me from my chair.

“C’mon, sweet cheeks, let’s go before these freaks start giving the other guests a fucking sex show.”

He dragged me away from our table, and I almost tripped going up the stairs.

“Dios Mio, Grady, what’s the damn hurry?”

The elevator doors opened just as we reached them, and he pulled us inside before our friends could catch up.

“The hurry,” he said, banging on our floor button, “is that you need to look shit hot so that Reid will come to his fucking senses and ditch that hobbit. Bitch has been trying to kill you with her squint eyes all night, and I had to stop myself from flying across that table to slap her to Siberia.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I laughed. “Reid seems to be into her, so why should I care?”

He looked at me incredulously, and when the elevator doors chimed, he pulled me to our room. “Reid has been seduced by her hobbit vagina, and he needs to see that the person he belongs with is actually a hot, stubborn Spanish babe. Now tell me you brought a sexy as fuck bikini, or else I’ll send you down there in your birthday suit.”

I sighed. “I don’t want to cause drama, Grady. I’d rather just avoid them altogether. In fact, I think it would be a good idea if I stayed right here.”

He rested his hands on my bare shoulders and shook me. “What is going on with you right now my tootsie roll? Where’s the feisty Jade that never backed down from a challenge? Where’s the girl who was ready to spit fire at anyone who even thought of crossing her?”

I’d been wondering the same thing for quite some time. I was waiting for the moment where I snapped out of my funk, and returned to normal.

But that was pre having-sex-with-my-best-friend-turned-friend-turned-stranger. Grady couldn’t possibly understand what had transpired between Reid and me, but I loved him for wanting to coax Feisty Jade out of hiding. Maybe I needed him to kick my butt.

“You’re going to have to help me find here,” I said quietly.

Grady’s face broke out into a gentle smile, and he cupped my cheek. “For you my sexy amigo, I will cut a bitch if it means we get the old Jade back.” He spun me around, and shoved me towards my luggage. “Now, go change.”

With a tap on the butt, I walked towards my luggage, and took out the several bikinis’ I’d brought on the trip.

Grady was right. I’d been in hiding, and it had to change. Grady didn’t need to know that I had no desire to get Reid’s attention while we were here, but if going along with our stupid plan would somehow bring a semblance of my old self back I’d try anything.

ILoveDPG
Chapter 3

Jade

The Pool

I strolled down to the pool, and within fifteen minutes Grady had abandoned our plan for the cute bartender who’d made our cocktails earlier. Secretly I was relieved. His idea to get Reid’s attention felt a little juvenile at best and I knew I would regret starting a game I couldn’t finish. So I slipped my sandals off, adjusted my leopard print monokini and stepped into to temperate water, away from the other students who’d had the same idea to take a late night dip.

I waded through the water, trailing my fingers through the ripples, until I reached the deep end where the water slipped over the edge. The view was magnificent, peaceful, still. A sharp contrast to everything I’d been feeling in the last few weeks. I soaked it up, pushing away the subdued thoughts occupying my mind.

A burst of shrill laughter infiltrated the quiet, and I spun my head around. I wished I hadn’t.

Reid had just stepped into the water on the other side, and he lifted his arms to help Stella into the water. She smiled at him, her eyes turning up at the sides, and leaned down to kiss him. I should’ve looked away, but I was a glutton for punishment and just continued to stare. Her eyes lifted, and I swore her mouth tilted into a smirk all the while her lips moved against Reid’s. She was taunting me, dangling Reid in front of me like a damn bone.