Chapter 28
Horseplay
CHARLOTTE
Nep started running toward me, so I did what girls do best. I squealed and ran away.
I’m not much of a runner either, and this was running in sand—and I still had a hurt butt from earlier. Nep caught me in about two seconds and quickly picked me up, putting me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.
“Hey, put me down,” I screamed, kicking my feet and hitting his back with my hands.
I could hear Nep and all the other guys laughing as he continued to carry me toward the water. Once we were about knee-deep, he moved me off his shoulder and literally chucked me into the water, toward where it got deeper. It wasn’t over my head or anything, but deep enough that I didn’t slam onto the bottom and hurt myself worse.
I slowly righted myself and stood up, coughing out a little water that had gotten in my mouth. I glared at him.
Nep just cracked up laughing, telling me I looked like a drowned rat.
Excuse me that I’m not some movie female that comes out of the water with perfect hair and makeup. He’s gonna pay for that.
I slowly stalked toward him and, when I was close enough, jumped on top of him, yelling, “Die!” My plan was to use the force of my body to make him fall backward into the water, but I underestimated his strength or overestimated my weight. He didn’t even move an inch.
“Um, not that I’m complaining, but is this supposed to be a punishment? I think I like it,” he said in an odd tone.
I looked down at him, confused, and that’s when I realized jumping on top of him essentially put my very wet, not-very-covered chest right in his face. I turned bright red before huffing and pushing away from him, which in turn just made me fall off him and straight into the water, landing on my butt again.
“You have got to stop dropping me,” I groaned, rubbing my butt again.
“Shoot, I’m so sorry, Mars. I didn’t mean to hurt you again,” he apologized, and I could tell he really meant it.
“Mars, are you okay?” Plut said, running up to me.
“Yeah, just don’t ask me to walk for a bit,” I moaned.
“Let’s stay in the water for a while then,” he offered, before picking me up and putting me on one of those cheap, full-body floats. It was perfect because it kept me above the water but didn’t put any pressure on my poor bottom.
The guys held onto the float and pulled us out into the water where it was chest deep for them, so that we would all be about the same level. We spent the next hour or so teasing one another and just chatting. I was amazed at how comfortable I was around them in person, but I guessed it was because I knew them so well.
Once we were tired of swimming, Plut picked me up from the float to carry me back to the house.
“You know, I can probably walk now,” I told him.
“Yeah, you probably can,” he said, smirking but not putting me down.
“I’ll get her bag,” Nep said, walking beside us.
“Guys, seriously, I think I’m fine now.”
“Yeah, but it’s fun to carry you and see your reactions,” Plut said.
“Okay, but please don’t drop me like Nep did.”
“I would never drop a beautiful lady,” he replied.
Once we returned to Plut’s place, he suggested I hit the showers first to rinse off the sea salt. I was grateful for the offer.
I inquired about our plans for the rest of the night, and they mentioned we’d just be chilling. So, I decided to slip into my pajamas after my shower.
I didn’t want to hog the bathroom, so I showered quickly, washed my hair, and changed into some cozy cotton shorts and a tank top.
“Your turn,” I announced, stepping into the living room.
Both guys just gawked at me for a moment before Nep muttered something about needing a cold shower and bolted from the room. I asked
Plut what was up with Nep, but he just shook his head and suggested I find a mirror. I didn’t get what he meant, so I just shrugged and plopped down on the couch. Plut came over and draped a blanket over me before sitting
next to me.
“Thanks. How’d you know I was chilly?”
“Uh, yeah, the blanket is more for…distractions,” he mumbled.
“Distractions? What do you mean?” I asked.
“Mars, I can’t tell if you’re genuinely this naive, but do you realize how short your shorts are?” he asked.
“They’re not that short, and besides, it’s just us here,” I replied, puzzled.
“Yeah, us, two very straight guys and one very attractive girl.”
“But I’m just Mars, and you’re just Nep and Plut. We’re friends,” I responded, still confused.
“Yes, and that’s why Nep is currently in the shower upstairs and I’m sitting here, using every ounce of my willpower to not act like a typical teenage guy,” he explained.
“You could make it easier by wearing clothes that cover more of you.”
“I thought these were pretty modest,” I said, still not getting it.
“Well, just keep the blanket on, unless you happened to pack a parka and snow pants?” he asked, sounding hopeful.
“Why would I bring those?” Plut was really throwing me for a loop.
“Never mind.”
Just then, Nep sauntered downstairs wearing only a pair of athletic
shorts.
“Did you forget something?” Plut asked.
“If she can wear that, I can wear this,” Nep retorted, settling down next to me.
I couldn’t help but admire his six-pack. I’d seen it earlier at the beach, but we weren’t this close then—at least, not above water. I could see why he had no trouble making girls swoon. Those poor, unsuspecting girls didn’t stand a chance.
“Like what you see, Mars?” he asked, his voice low and husky.
“Yeah, you must hit the gym a lot. That’s pretty impressive, dude,” I replied, tracing a finger over his muscles.
“Wow. You smell good too! I like your body wash.”
“Does she even know what she’s doing?” Nep asked, turning to Plut.
“I really don’t think she does,” Plut replied.
“What am I doing?”
“Nothing, darling, nothing,” Nep said, tousling my hair.
“Hey!” I protested, pulling away and trying to fix my hair.
“All right, I’m gonna go shower now. Nep, don’t try anything while I’m gone. Jup would kill us if we hurt her,” Plut said, exiting the room.
“So, how are you still this innocent at our age?” Nep asked.
“I’m not innocent. I’ve kissed guys—or, well, one guy,” I said.
“Sorry, babe, you’re innocent. Now explain.”
“Um, I guess because I don’t really talk to people, so I don’t talk to guys. At my old school, I didn’t have any friends and was considered a
weirdo.”
“What about at your new school?”
“Tracy, she’s my friend, practically forced me to talk to her. Her brother, the guy I was sort of seeing—well, we kind of bonded over video games. I guess I’m more comfortable talking when it’s about or related to games.”
“Bonding over games, huh? Maybe I have a shot,” he said, grinning at me.
“Um, you’re forgetting all the times I’ve heard you with girls over—all the moaning and screaming—and let’s not even mention the fact that I’ve heard you three comparing sizes,” I replied.
“Oh, yeah, that’s not a typical conversation with a girl, but I have nothing to hide, as you well know,” he smirked.
“Well, you could all just be fishermen telling tall tales about the size of your catch.”
“Any time you want to measure my catch, just let me know,” he replied.
“Again, gross. I think I’ll pass. Some things are better left a mystery.”
“Yo, what are you guys talking about?” Plut asked, descending the
stairs.
“How well endowed I am,” Nep replied.
“Okay, interesting topic. Why did we choose that one?” Plut asked.
“It wasn’t intentional. Can we change it?” I asked.
“Sounds good to me. How about a movie instead?” Plut suggested.
“Yes, please!” I quickly agreed.
Plut picked out a comedy for us to watch, and we spent the rest of the night on the couch, chatting and watching movies. All in all, it was a great night, and I was excited to finally meet my best friend the next day.
