Bad Habit (Bad Love 1)

“It’s about time you realized it.”

I leave the bathroom first, grab my stuff from my room, and shoot off a text to Nat telling her how much I hate her for not being able to come today, while the boys load up the trucks with beer and snacks.

I ride with my brother and Adrian, while Whitley hops in with Asher—shocker—and the other guys. The lake is a good forty-five minutes away, and somewhere along the way, I decide I’m going to have fun with my brother and our friends, regardless of Asher and Whitley’s presence. Adrian cracks jokes and keeps the conversation flowing, and by the time we pull up to the lake, I’m feeling lighter. Happier.

Ignoring the pain from walking barefoot on the rocky beach, I go straight for the water. It’s a scorcher at one hundred fourteen degrees today, so I don’t waste any time.

An arm is slung over my shoulder, and I’m tugged into Adrian’s warm, tan side. Arms still crossed, I look up and offer him a big smile. Asher was my crush, but Adrian was always like another brother to me. Albeit, a perverted brother, but a brother nonetheless.

“Hey.”

“Why do you look like you’re about to off yourself?”

“Shut up, I do not.” I laugh, throwing an elbow into his side. “I’m just thinking.”

“Thinking about…?” he hedges.

“Just stuff.”

“Stuff like the fact that Whitley is here and hanging all over Kelley like he holds the key to all the blow in the entire state?”

I cringe, not only at that visual, but also because, apparently, I’m so transparent that even Adrian can see through me.

“He doesn’t want her, sweetheart,” he says, ducking his head close to mine.

Giving up the charade, I ask, “How do you know?”

Adrian looks backward, a cocky grin plastered to his face.

“Because if he wanted anything to do with her, he wouldn’t be staring over here, looking like he’s about to commit murder right after he pisses on you to mark his territory.”

Trying to appear as casual as possible, I glance behind me to see Asher sitting on the tailgate of his truck, white knuckling his beer bottle. Clenched jaw. Spine ramrod straight. Yeah, he’s pissed. Meanwhile, Whitley is oblivious, prancing around in her hot pink bikini that barely covers her crotch and half a nipple, making every effort to be noticed by Ash—and every other guy at the lake.

“Then, maybe he should do something about it,” I say, suddenly feeling so fed up with this game we’re playing.

“Give him a minute.” He chuckles. “Kelley doesn’t catch feelings for anyone. Not once in all the years that I’ve known him has he had a legitimate relationship. Figures the first girl he falls for ends up being his best friend’s little sister.”

The first girl he falls for…

I don’t know if what Adrian is saying holds any truth—Asher is a very different person than he was before he left—but those words dull my anger, just a little. Sweet, vulnerable Asher doesn’t know how to love anyone. Doesn’t know how to let anyone love him. I could’ve loved him enough for the both of us if he let me.

“Let’s go!” Dash yells, and I look over to see him standing on Adrian’s dad’s pontoon that they’ve already managed to unload into the water. “Who’s taking the Jet Skis?” he asks, holding two keys attached to bracelets.

Slipping out from under Adrian’s side, I run up and snatch one of the keys from him. I love these things, plus the more distance between Whitley and me, the better.

“You sure?” Dash asks, concern etched into his features.

“I’ll be careful, Dad,” I tease, giving a reassuring smile. Dash tosses me a life jacket, and I strap it on over my chest. I unbutton my shorts and let them fall to my ankles before tossing them onto the pontoon.

“All right, who else?”

Adrian starts toward us, but Asher hops off the tailgate, tosses his empty bottle into the bed of his truck, and then claims the other set of keys without a word. Adrian shoots me a knowing look.

Lovely.

“Stay close to Kelley. I’ll see you out there.”

Everyone piles onto the boat while Ash and I make our way toward the Jet Skis.