"That mean you want to fuck me?" I ask.

He doesn't take the bait. "You're not my type."

"It's obvious. He feels threatened." Iris looks up at me. "Like you're gonna stop hanging out with him now that you have a girlfriend."

"But we're not—"

"I know. But maybe he doesn't believe that." She sprinkles water over her forehead. It drips off her chin and onto her chest.

"He gets the same way whenever Sabrina shows up," Brendon says.

Iris turns to him. "Who?"

He shoots me a really? look.

Really. It's my baggage. I can keep it close.

She turns to me. "Who's Sabrina?"

"My sister." I run my hand through my hair. Suddenly, the sun feels too hot. My feet are tired. My back is aching. My stance is awkward.

"Did she and Dean date or something?" She cocks her head to one side, trying to understand.

"No. It's nothing like that." I offer her my hand.

She takes it.

Brendon shoots me a look then moves forward. "I'll stop him at the next hill."

"Yeah." I turn to Iris.

She's looking up at me with those beautiful blue eyes. "Why does your friend not like your sister showing up?"

"He just doesn't."

She presses her lips together. "That's it? He just doesn't."

"Yeah."

"Really?"

"Yeah. We've all been friends forever. They've always hated each other." That's bullshit, but it's the story I'm selling.

Iris nods like she believes me.

But I can tell she doesn't.

* * *

She's quiet for the rest of the hike.

Dean's more friendly and more obnoxious. But normal obnoxious, not I don't like you having a girl-space-friend obnoxious.

He carries the conversation—Brendon's never been much of a talker.

I try to focus on the strain in my legs, the sun on my skin, the crystal blue ocean spreading over the horizon.

But I don't.

Tags: Crystal Kaswell Inked Hearts Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net