Just Friends

Chapter 11

I woke surprisingly early and threw on some clothes to go for a run through the lake house complex. As the cooling lake air rushed in and out of my lungs, I began to feel refreshed.

Calmed.

Renewed.

More like myself again.

My pace slowed to a walk as I came back up on our rental, but my curiosity was piqued and kept me from going back in. Rowdy male voices carried over the breeze which intrigued me for such an early time of the day.

"Damn, there's some fine ass chicks here!" One voice bellowed over the others and was followed by a loud ass smacking sound.

Judd jogged over to me from his back patio. "Sorry, Eva. My buddy doesn't know how to shut the hell up," Judd apologized.

His bare chest glistened under the sun's weak morning rays and his gym shorts hung low under his defined v.

Holy shit. I just want a little taste...

"Eva, you alright?"

"Um- yeah! Yes. No worries about your friend, it's totally fine." I shook the dirty thoughts from my my mind. "You boys are starting pretty early, huh?"

Judd shook his head and turned back to look at his friends. "Nah, just Ethan," he laughed. "That asshole has the highest fucking tolerance than anyone I've ever seen. He likes to start his buzz early and fuels it the rest of the day."

I laughed too because he obviously has never met Sam, who can put her alcohol away like no one else for someone so tiny.

"You just finish a run?" Judd asked.

I nodded. "It's part of my morning routine, keeps me sane. What about you?" I gestured to his drool worthy body.

"Same, every morning. Maybe we could meet up tomorrow morning and go together."

"I'd like that." I smiled up at him.

"Sweet. We'll make a plan. Want to come meet everybody?" He threw a thumb back towards his rental.

"I'm so gross and sweaty right now and I don't want to intrude on your early morning guy time."

"Nonsense. You look delicious, I mean gorgeous, as always." He grinned mischievously down at me. "Plus I'd love for you to meet my friends, and I'm damn sure they'd like to meet you." He hooked his arm in mine with finality and lead me over to their patio.

The guys were laughing around the table as we approached. Judd yelled over all their banter. "Hey assholes!" To my surprise they all stopped and turned toward us. "This is my friend, Eva." Judd continued. "Eva, this is Garrett and Hudson, and that fucker over there is Ethan."

I gave a sheepish smile and waved as their smiles grew and their eyes raked over me. I tugged the hem of my running shorts down self consciously.

"So did you already call dibs on her or what?" Ethan slurred and pointed his beer can in my direction with a cocky smirk on his face.

Judd's jaw clenched as his eyes shot daggers at his friend. "Fuck off man and go drink some fucking water."

Ethan put his hands up in surrender and laughed.

In hopes of easing the tension between friends, I placed a hand on Judd's chest and leaned into him, but eyed each of his friends. "Actually I think it's only fair that I get to call dibs on whoever I choose, so get your shit together boys." I grinned and turned to leave in the direction of my own rental, but blew a kiss to them over my shoulder. "Nice to meet you guys, see you around this weekend!"