Fire Burning

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The air outside was warm again, but my skin still hadn't stopped tingling from what just happened inside the kitchen.

Jeremy's words echoed in my chest.

Pick someone who isn't afraid to take you first.

My legs carried me forward, but my head was somewhere else entirely.

The backyard was already full of noise-laughter, splashes, loud music vibrating through the summer air. Everyone was in the pool or laying across lounge chairs, half-dressed and glowing in sunlight. Addie wore oversized shades and a red bikini like she was shooting a movie. Maddie had her hair up in a messy bun, legs sprawled out as she painted her nails poolside. Hades was mid-cannonball, spraying water everywhere, while Duke cursed at him from the shallow end.

I spotted Aristotle across the yard.

He wasn't in the pool.

He was sitting under the shade of the big tree in the corner, shirtless, dark swim trunks hanging low on his hips, drink in hand. His eyes were on me the second I stepped out. No expression. Just heat.

Like he already knew.

I avoided his gaze.

Instead, I made my way to a sun chair near Addie and dropped down, wrapping a towel over my legs.

"About time," Addie said. "I was ready to send a search party."

Maddie smirked over her sunglasses. "You sure you're okay? You've got that whole post-make-out glow going on."

I didn't answer. Just tucked my legs closer.

"Where's Jeremy?" Addie added with a teasing grin.

"Don't," I said softly.

She held up her hands. "Fine. But don't act like the tension triangle isn't obvious. Everyone sees it."

Maddie looked up. "And girl... if I had Ari looking at me the way he's been looking at you? I wouldn't even breathe near another man."

I flushed.

Jeremy came out a few minutes later, towel slung over his shoulder, like nothing happened. Like he hadn't just backed me into a corner and kissed me like he owned the moment.

He greeted the others, then made his way toward the edge of the pool where I was sitting. "You coming in?"

"Maybe in a bit," I said.

He offered a half-smile, then dove straight in, surfacing right in front of me, wiping the water from his face. "Don't keep me waiting too long."

Before I could respond, another splash landed behind him.

Ari.

He came up slow, blinking water from his lashes, then glanced at Jeremy.

Then at me.

It wasn't a glare. But it wasn't friendly.

They didn't speak.

They didn't have to.

My stomach twisted.

And still... I got in.

The water was cool. Soft. It wrapped around me like silence. And for a few seconds, I let myself float there, weightless, my body caught between two tides.

One was calm.

The other was about to pull me under.

And I hadn't decided which one I wanted to drown in yet.