Must be the heat

Warm wind blew through his hair, making his bangs reveal the rest of the face they usually hid. It was hot outside, the summer keeping its promise of sunny and long days. The young man leaned back in the camping stool with closed eyes. His fingers were tapping the stool, following the rhythm to the music that played lowly from the radio. Rings shining in the light.

He was sitting in some shorts, letting the sun lick his pale skin with joy. Legs stretched out, feet tapping the ground in their flipflops to the music

"You're going to get sunburnt."

He held up his index finger, shushing the other.

"Shh, now comes the good part." He said clearly hinting to the guitar solo that ripped through the air.

Claire rolled her eyes. She was laying on a blanket on her stomach, leaning her upper body on her elbows with a book in her hands. Like Eddie she had gotten rid of unnecessary warm clothing, only wearing a bikini top and some shorts. But compared to her best friend she had already gotten a nice, soft tan.

They were enjoying the nice weather by Lover's Lake, Eddie's van parked right behind them. Finding a nice spot in the grass. Claire had taken a dip in the water already, but Eddie had stayed in his chair.

Eddie jumped when a tube of sunscreen was smacked at his chest. He opened his eyes and gave her a glare as if she had tried to murder him. She saw right through it and rolled her eyes yet again.

"I'm not kidding, you have started to turn pink." She said and pointed at his chest.

"Oh, wow Claire, I didn't know you were so busy staring at me. Better start paying attention to that book of yours."

Her cheeks tinted a soft pink, but the young man didn't notice. He was too busy following her advice for once, squirting sunscreen at his chest and rubbing it in furiously.

"You're like a goddamn child Eddie." She sighed as she got up, reaching for the sunscreen.

He handed it to her. "And you're like a stuck-up mom, bossing me around."

"Ew, don't call me your mom."

Eddie leaned forwards resting his arms on his thighs, giving her access to his back. Claire froze a second, his naked back on display for her as he moved away his messy hair.

"Go on then."

"Sure!" she said quickly, applying it generously to his back, trying not to think about how soft his skin was. He was being nice and sat completely still, chatting about how excited he was for his new campaign with his club. She was too aware of how broad his shoulders had become compared to when they were younger. She stroked his skin cautiously, trying not to linger at any spots for too long. Claire thought she was doing great at covering up her inner conflict, that was until Eddie let out a deep moan. Without realizing it she had started to massage his neck and shoulders, and the sound he made set fire to her cheeks.

"Okay I'm done." She snapped and moved away from him.

"What, ahh noo massage me more!" he whined as he turned to look at her. Claire shook her head. "No, I'm going for another swim." she managed to rasp out, her voice sounding hoarse.

Eddie grabbed her wrist, the grip hard and not willing to let go. Claire collected herself before looking at him, hoping she looked normal enough. He really didn't need to know how much she felt for him. How she had had a crush on him since he was fourteen and she was twelve, ever since she saw him fell from the apple tree in her garden, breaking his arm while doing so. Her father had yelled at him for his reckless behavior and Claire's heart had skipped a beat as Eddie only shot her a wide grin with tears in his eyes. He turned up at her house the next day, a cast on his arm and a sharpie in his hand, asking her to sign it. That had been the start of their friendship, and the ridiculous crush that grew for each day.