Flowers and Pop Rocks

36

p o p p y

"Hey, guys," I shut the sliding door behind me, walking over to an empty pool chair and setting my bag down.

"Look who finally decided to show up," Levi hollered from Grant's pool. All four of them were there, splashing around like five year-olds.

"It's not my fault that nobody told me we were swimming today," I remarked. "I wouldn't have been late if I didn't have to drive back home to change. Also, I'm always the first to get here, so shut up."

Curtis laughed. "She got you there, dude."

Blake got out of the pool to grab his phone ringing behind me.

"It was Blake's fault, not mine," Levi raised his hands up as if to say that he was innocent.

My boyfriend stopped in his tracks and shot a look at his cousin who just shrugged. He walked over to me, hair dripping from the pool before kissing my cheek. "Sorry, Flower. I totally forgot."

"No worries," I smiled at him. It really wasn't a big deal. I just liked teasing Levi.

"Ooh, take some notes, Lev," Grant kept smacking Levi's arm with the back of his hand. "That's why he's the only one of the four of us that's in a relationship."

A laugh escaped my lips when I heard that. I definitely did not expect it, but it seemed like Blake was so used to their antics that he just rolled his eyes as he continued on his way to get his phone.

I stripped down to my bikini and took a seat on the pool chair I claimed, throwing on a pair of sunglasses so I didn't go blind from the sun. Swimming at Grant's house was usually the only time I could get a tan, so I had to take the opportunity.

Blake came back from his phone call moments later and took the chair beside mine.

"Everything good?" I asked.

"Yeah," he assured me. "It's just Bri making sure I'm okay. She found out that my mom and I fought again."

I sighed, sitting up. It was honestly my fault that there was even a fight to begin with. "I really wanna help."

He offered me a smile. "Hey, it's not your fault, and there's not really anything you can do. Don't worry about it."

"Isn't it your mom's birthday next week?" I recalled. I wasn't sure if it was this week or the next, but I was sure it was in March.

Blake shook his head. "Friday, two days ago."

My eyes widened. "So what you're telling me is that you fought with her the day after her birthday?"

"Huh, I guess I did," he shrugged.

The shocked look on my face still hadn't left. "Fuck, no wonder she hates me."

"I already told you that she doesn't hate you. She just doesn't like the thought of me being in a relationship with you," he clarified.

"Like that's any better," I frowned.

"Stop being so serious over there," Grant splashed water at us, making me jump a little. "Get in the pool, love birds."

Blake got up from his seat and extended his hand for me to take. "I promise it'll get better soon. Now, let's go before they get all our things wet."

We made our way over to the end of the pool where the boys were, and Blake jumped in, making me step back momentarily. I wasn't planning on getting my hair wet, so I stayed on the edge of the pool, dipping my legs in the water.