You All Over Me [BxB]

Thirty-One

Stella lounges in her beach chair, having just emerged from a refreshing swim, when a man standing around six feet tall approaches her. The sun is slowly dipping into the horizon, painting a blend of red and orange hues across the scene. She checks him out covertly, discerning that he's not only good-looking but also appears a few years her senior. He's clearly keen on getting her phone number, too. Sadly, her mood isn't receptive to conversation, prompting her to deflect his advances and keep her responses concise.

"Hey, Stella."

It's Austin. She looks over his shoulder and sees Lindsey still on the inflatable.

"Austin," she utters, her tone wary.

Austin casts an unconcerned glance at the persistent suitor, who knits his brows.

"Aren't you going to join in?"

It is a way out. But why Austin again? Why is he always keeping an eye on her?

"Um, yeah."

The guy rubs his nape. "Oh, sorry. I didn't realize you had a boyfriend."

"It's fine," she lies with great difficulty, masking it with a carefree smile. Austin extends his hand, which Stella reluctantly accepts, and they walk away from the persistent stranger.

As soon as the guy is gone from view, Stella widens the gap between them.

"I was okay. You didn't have to worry."

"You seemed uneasy to me."

She sucks in a breath, teeth gritted. "I was fine, Austin. Don't mind me. Just have fun with Lindsey."

Austin frowns. "What do you mean? It's what we do. We look out for each other."

Stella's annoyance flares, though her body feels leaden. Back to the friend zone. "I guess."

She averts her gaze and silently wills herself to fall into the pool.

Water rushes into her nose and ears, clogging her airways. Panicked, she swiftly straightens her body, planting her feet flat on the pool's floor, her head breaking the surface. She wheezes, steadying her breathing, and swims urgently toward the opposite end.

She needs to get away from Austin. Her stomach churns at the guilt of getting butterflies when she was mistaken for his girlfriend.

Pathetic. She's so pathetic—and evil—for wanting him even though he's already dating someone else.

Bang.

Stella's forehead crashes against the pool wall. Woozy, she raises her gaze and sees Lindsey walking toward her.

"Oh my God! Are you okay?"

Stella's head spins. Worse, she's engulfed in a wave of humiliation. She rubs her forehead, tears welling in her eyes. "Yes, I'm fine—"

"Stella!" Austin's voice echoes from the other side. He swiftly jumps into the pool and swims to her. "What happened?" He cradles her face, inspecting her forehead. "Does it hurt?"

The lump in her throat intensifies. She wishes the pool would open up into a vortex and could suck her into another place.

Away from the resort.

Away from Lindsey and Austin.

She places her hands on his shoulders and shoves him away.

"Stella—?"

Her vision blurs, not from a possible concussion, but from tears. Her voice trembles. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry."

"What's wrong? Wait, where are you going?"