Twisted (19 page)

Tanner laughed and pointed at Jay, who was staring at Maddie
with flirty blame-filled eyes.

"Don't look at me," she shouted.  "That was
all you."

Jay glanced back to me and shook his head side to side.  "Okay. 
Now that I see how it is, I'm ready," he hollered to me.

"Go, Abby!" Aliah roared, making sure no one forgot
she was there.

Tanner picked up the ball, handed it to me, and reached his
hand out for another tag.  I slapped his hand, so there was no awkward touching
and headed back for the service line.  I tossed the ball back in the air and
slammed it a little lighter, skipping the showy jump.  It was heading right for
Maddie, but Jay was not going to let this one go.  He stamped in front of her
and took the pass.  Though Maddie looked pissed, they managed to get it back to
us in three hits.

Tanner passed the ball to me and I set him up for a kill. 
His agile, chiseled frame leapt from the ground and floated in the bright blue
sky before his hand swiftly met the ball, and slammed it to the ground.  Jay
dove in the sand, but fell just short.

"Impressive," I told him, as I slapped his hand.

I meant the kill…but his bod is pretty damn impressive too. 
Dammit.  Why does this guy have me fumbling around like a fool?  Oh, it can't
be because he's godly.  Shit!  I am so going to pay for this.

The other two got more aggressive as the game went on, but
they couldn't compete with Tanner and I.  That mostly had something to do with
the fact that Jay was more concerned with Maddie's ass than playing the game.  After
a few more fun, but sweaty rallies, I had had enough.

"I think I'm ready to call it quits," I said, now
soaked with sweat.

"Yeah, it's been fun, but it's ridiculously hot,"
Maddie said.

Tanner wiped his forehead with his hand and smeared it across
his long swim shorts.  "Well.  It was nice meeting you Abigail," he
said smiling.

Dammit.  His body is glistening again.  Stop!  Focus.
 
"You too.  Good game," I said, with an unrestrained
smile.  I walked away from the Greek god of the sand and took my towel from
Aliah to dab the sweat from my chest and face.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, and I knew
exactly what she was getting at.

"It's harmless," I replied quietly, knowing it was
too late now.

"I was thinking," Jay said, then kicked his toe in
the sand bashfully.  "Since we don't have any other plans for the
afternoon, I thought maybe we could go get ice cream.  It's on me."  He
raised his eyebrows hoping Maddie would take the bait.  If he only knew Maddie
better.  She couldn't turn up a free turnip, if you offered it to her nicely.

"Sweet!" Maddie squealed.  She put her arm over
Jay's sweaty shoulder.  "I'm liking you more and more by the minute."

"Abigail?  Are you coming?" Jay asked, as they
started to head out.

"It's harmless," Aliah mocked quietly.

"Sure why not," I replied, flashing a quick glance
at Aliah.

"I'm sure Edwin won't mind at all if you do," Aliah
said.  Her quiet sarcasm was really starting to piss me off.  "God I hate
being the fifth wheel," she said, too loud.

"Ally, cut it out.  You're not the fifth wheel, because
I'm not with Tanner," I argued, as we collected up our things.

"I'm sure Edwin will see it that way too," Aliah
snapped.

What is her problem all of a sudden?  Jealous much?

Jay folded up Maddie’s towel.  "Ready to go?" he
asked, tucking it in her bag.

"Absolutely," Aliah replied.  And, when she didn't
get Jay's attention, she stomped off ahead of us like a child.  She was clearly
mad that she wasn’t centre of everyone's universe.  I hustled up behind her in
a hurry to reach the wooden boardwalk.

"There’s a shop up at the main lodge.  We can walk there
together," Jay said.

"I'm gonna drop my things off at the cabin first then. 
Here I'll take your bag," I said to Maddie.  "There's no reason for
us to carry all this stuff with us.  Besides our place isn't very far out of the
way."

Maddie handed me her things.  "Thanks Abby."

"You'll meet us there then?" Tanner asked, all too concerned.

"Why don't you go with her?" Jay pressured, tossing
him my volleyball.  "Looks like she could use a hand."

"Naw.  I don't think she wants me tagging along with
her."  Tanner handed my ball to me and smiled sweetly, though my hands
were nearly full with our things.

"No.  It's okay.  I mean, if you want," I flushed,
pushing the ball back in his hands.

Aliah's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.  I didn't
know what the hell I was doing either.

"Alright.  Cool.  We'll meet you all there then,"
Tanner said to Jay.

"Be careful," Jay said, already chuckling as he
flashed a look at Tanner.  "You know what I always say.  Girls are like
roads: the more curves they got, the more dangerous they are."

Maddie slapped him for me and I flushed redder yet.

"You're sure you don't want me to come with you too?"
Aliah asked, hinting that I should take her up on her offer.

"What are you gonna do, carry my bag for me?" I
teased, trying to be reasonable.

"Suit yourself beoch, but don't say I didn't try." 
Aliah slung her pink bag on Tanner's big, strong shoulder and winked at him. 
"Oh yeah, that's hot," she said, her scowl finally replaced with a
smile.

He smiled back and didn’t seem at all embarrassed about having
a pink bag hooked on his arm.  He must be more secure with himself than he lets
on.  And why wouldn’t he be when he looks like that?

The others walked off, so I led Tanner directly to my cabin. 
Tanner walked a step behind me, his shoulders easily carrying the load.  I
slowed up a step, so he would walk next to me.  I didn’t need him gawking at my
butt.

After an awkward moment of silence, "What was that all
about?" Tanner asked, obviously having picked up on Aliah’s latest
intimations.

Telling him about Edwin sooner, rather than later, would
prevent any natural disasters from occurring.  I sighed.  "I think she's
hinting that I've taken things with you a little too far."

"What do you mean exactly?" he asked, soft and
hesitant.

"I have a boyfriend," I blurted.  "It's kind
of new, but I think we're pretty serious."

"And?"

"And... she thinks I've given you the wrong
impression."

He smirked at me.  "It's harmless."

Oh shit!  How embarrassing.
 
"You heard that did you?"

"It's okay.  I didn't have any expectations for this
weekend either.  Just looking for a little fun."

"I really have to watch my mouth," I said, scorning
myself.

"Oh stop.  You really haven't done anything wrong.  That
is unless being beautiful is a crime," he said, breaking out that
incredibly dangerous smile.

"Mr. Bradshaw are you hitting on me?"

"I'm just saying that you can't help it.  With that body,
you’re gonna get men’s attention," he said, his eyes rolling over my bare
skin like hot coals.

I blushed crimson, though he probably didn't notice, since my
cheeks were still flushed from the game.  "You're one to talk."

"Miss. Abigail are you hitting on me?  And with a
boyfriend.  Tisk, tisk, tisk."

I had to smile.  "You can call me Abby."

"Sorry, I don't think I caught your last name."

"That's because I didn't tell you.  It's Jenkins,"
I admitted, but wanted to redirect the attention from me and put him back in
the hot seat.

"So these men giving me all this attention.  Are we
talking about all men in general or just you?" I teased.

"I'm sorry.  That was out of line,” he said, his
embarrassment pliable.  “I guess knowing you already have a man does put a
slight twist on things."

"Yeah, especially when he owns a gun," I said.

"What?"  Tanner froze outside the cabin door as I
unlocked it and let myself it.

"I'm only joking.  I'm sorry.  Too much too soon?"

He smiled and a hint of relief settled on his brow.  He was
still hesitant when he followed me into the living room, cautious eyes scanning
over the room.  He dropped the ladies things on the couch and stood there
anxiously.  It was obvious that I had made him nervous as hell.

Not making him suffer another minute, I headed back to the
door, quickly returning to the hot afternoon sun.  Tanner stood awkwardly
outside the door waiting for me to lock it up, his eyes shooting around the
grounds, as though he was looking out for danger.

"You can relax.  Edwin's not staying here," I said.

"Edwin?  So that's the lucky bastard's name."

"Quit it.  You're making me blush," I said,
swatting at him.               Then, giving me another good reason to blush,
Tanner removed his shirt.  The hot, hot day just got hotter, and it was so hard
not to stare.  "You must work out a lot," I said, against my better
judgment.

"Well I have a lot of time on my hands these
days."  He tossed his shirt over his shoulder and flashed me a smile
without revealing any more information.

As we walked toward the lodge, being at a loss for hot
topics, I decided to dig into his personal life.  "You have a lot of time
now?  As opposed to before…" I pried.

"… before my wife left me for another man."

Oh shit.  I didn't see that coming. 
"I am so sorry.  I really have
to learn to mind my own business."

"It's okay, I've come to terms with it I guess."

"So it must be pretty fresh then?" I said,
hesitating.  Did I really want to dig any further?

"It's been over a year now, but it doesn't make it any
easier.  My divorce was just finalized last month and Jay thought it would be a
good idea if we came here to celebrate."

"It doesn't sound like an event worth celebrating, if
you ask me," I said.  “But that’s just my opinion.”

"I feel the same way, but I'd bet she's celebrating
right about now.  She certainly didn't waste any time moving on.  I think the
court case had been holding up her wedding plans.  Now she can go ahead with them. 
I guess she wants to be married before the baby's born," he said, dropping
yet another bomb.

"The baby?"

"Yeah, she's pregnant with his child.  We were trying to
get pregnant right before she left me, but things don't always work out the way
you want.  You give a woman everything she wants and…"  Silence.

"I'm sorry.”

"I'm the sorry one.  I shouldn’t have depressed you with
my pitiful life."

"Take it easy on yourself.  I don’t mind.  I won't say I
understand because I haven't been there, but I can see why you would be hesitant
to move on.”

"And now you know why Jay's pushing me on you.  I
haven't exactly been dating since she left me.”

"You will, when you're ready."  I rested my hand on
his hulking arm and regretted it instantly.  It was so hard, and hot.

He didn't seem to notice my squirming.  "Jay keeps
saying that this is
the
weekend. 
My weekend.
  He thinks if I
mac-it-up with some random chick it will help me to get over her," Tanner
said.

"He may have a point there.”

"Wait a minute, you're siding with Jay?"  He
flashed me a slanted smirk.

"I guess I am.  Why should you be miserable for the rest
of your life, just because this one woman wasted your time?  Is she worth it to
you?"

"I used to think so.  Now, not so much.  Do you know
what it's like to hate someone that you're still in love with?" he asked,
the pain returning to his soft brown eyes.

"Sounds pretty messed up to me.  A word of advice?  You
should probably save that one for the second date," I teased.

He laughed, though it was half-hearted, but I couldn't blame
him.  "That's suggesting that I could get a girl to date this damaged
property in the first place.  I’m sorry.  I don’t know why I’m even telling you
all of this," he said.

"I'm sure you'll have no problem finding someone.  I
mean, I'd totally date you, if I didn't have a boyfriend." 
Shit!  I
totally should not have said that.  But look at him.  Damn!

"Thanks, that gives me hope," he said, a smile
softening his frown.

"Happy to help."  I smiled warmly at him and looked
up the gravel road.  I could see the others seated around the small picnic
table, eating their ice cream.  Maddie was conveniently attached to Jay's hip,
her leg dangling over his.

"I see your friend has taken a liking to Jay,"
Tanner said, chuckling.

"Yeah, Maddie has no shame.  We're friends of
convenience.  We work together," I said.