Hanging With The Bad Boys (Edited)

Chapter 39- Do You Want To Hangout At My House? - Part 2

Anastasia's POV

With Brandon and Arlene busy, it's just me and the boys. I ask Freddie to make cookies and pizza for us.

I take a nap to ease my headache while waiting for them. When I hear a knock on my bedroom door, I wake up to Freddie saying, "There are six gentlemen downstairs for you, Anastasia."

I reply, "Tell them I'll be down in a sec."

I put on my bikini, grab my phone, and leave the bedroom.

Jordan asks, "Do you like my gift, Anne?"

I nod, "It's nice, but Greg's is the best—free pizza for the rest of the year." Justin rolls his eyes.

We head out to the pool.

Jacob asks, "Where's lover boy?"

I explain, "He's in school; his mom woke him up." He nods.

Freddie brings out the homemade pizza and sodas. I ask him to grab my iPod and camera from my room, then listen to music while playing games.

The boys are fooling around by the pool when someone pushes Justin in. He glares at Jordan.

Jacob says, "Run."

Justin chases after him, and I laugh, shaking my head. Boys will be boys. I eat my pizza and drink my soda.

Luke sits next to me, pulls out his new iPod, and goes on Instagram.

***

I get a text from Brandon after 2 PM.

Brandon: Just walked out of school. I'm going to the beach. Want to come?

Me: Who's going?

Brandon: My friends and Stephanie with Jackie and Nikki.

Me: I'll pass; I'm hanging out with the boys at home. You should come.

Brandon: I really want to go to the beach. See you tomorrow at school.

Me: Fine, choose your friends over me.

Brandon: But that's what you're doing.

Me: At least I have an excuse; you're hanging out with my enemies. What's yours?

Brandon: I want to hang out with my buddies.

Me: Yeah, and Nikki too.

Brandon: Nothing is going on between us, Ana.

Me: Oh really? Then why weren't you in class when Nikki pulled you away from me?

Brandon: We had biology.

Me: Wow, biology. How can you do two subjects at once?

Brandon: I don't want us to fight, Ana.

Me: You started it. You just 'had to hang out with your buddies,' and my enemies will be there.

Brandon: Stop being selfish, Ana. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow.

I sigh and put my phone away, feeling overwhelmed.

Justin asks, "Trouble in paradise?"

I sigh, "Brandon is just being a jerk."

Justin retorts, "I don't trust Nikki around him."

I agree.

I dive into the pool and float, but Carlos does a cannonball, breaking my concentration. I groan.

"You just had to ruin my relaxation, huh?" I say to Carlos, who smirks.

I roll my eyes and swim to the stairs to get out.

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Brandon's POV

After my argument with Ana, Jack drops me home. "See you in an hour," he says.

I open the front door and walk inside, where Mom is in the kitchen helping Brenda with her homework.

"I know something's bothering you; start talking," she says.

I glance at Brenda and reply, "I want to do it privately."

Mom turns to Brenda, "Why don't you go to your room and watch a movie?"

Brenda smiles and leaves quickly without greeting me.

I sit down, and Mom says, "Spill." I tell her about my argument with Ana.

"This is all part of relationships; there's always fighting. Nothing is perfect," she says. I nod.

"What should I do, Mom? I'm lost."

"Surprise her; she won't know what hit her," she suggests. I nod.

I head to my room to change into swim trunks and a jersey, thinking I'll take Brenda with me since she rarely goes out.

I knock on her door and open it. She's watching a movie on her tablet and singing along. No one gets between her and her movies, so I close the door again.

I grab my keys and leave. "Mom, I'm going to the beach, okay?"

"Be careful and don't do anything stupid," she replies.

"I won't."

At the beach, I spot my friends and the girls at our favorite spot. Nikki is in a red bikini, Jackie in black, and Stephanie in pink with white stripes.

I walk over, and Nikki smiles at me. "Yay, we're all here."

I have a dark secret that even my best friend doesn't know: Nikki and I secretly dated in freshman year behind our friends' backs. She wanted to have sex, but I wasn't ready, so she broke up with me and changed. It took me two years to get over her, and then Ana came into my life. I promise not to hurt Ana, but I'm unsure I can keep that promise with Nikki around.

Nikki grabs my hand and drags me to the bar. "I want a smoothie," she demands.

"Ask Jack or Blake; I don't have any money," I say. She sighs.

I don't spend money on girls, and I'm glad I don't have to on Ana because her dad is loaded.

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