Sometimes Things Fall Apart

Chapter Sixteen

       I stood in front of a mirror, staring at the reflection of myself in a bikini. "Jeez, I look..." I was thinking along the lines of skimpy, but a voice behind me made me stop. "Good." I turned around to find Rick in my doorway, leaning against the frame. "Oh my God, Rick, you almost gave me a heart attack!"

        I took a second to calm down, taking in his outfit. Currently, he was wearing swimming trunks and, of course, his lab coat. He must've noticed me staring because he cleared his throat, making me look up at his face, and winked. "Oh my Goooood."

       I ran to the other side of my room, digging until I found a skirt designed to be worn over a bikini bottom. It was very lacy and see through, but I still felt slightly less self conscious. "I was told to come get you. Everybody's outside, waiting for you." We both made our way downstairs and out the back door.

        Summer and Morty were already in the pool, relaxing. Beth and Jerry were picking at some of the snacks I had laid out. "Well, since it's only turning four, I guess we can chillax for a while before I drag the grill out. Sound good?" I received several nods in agreement before I made my way over to the edge of the pool. "Having fun, guys?" Summer turned to look at me, "Yes! This is awesome, (F/N)! I thought we were actually going to die in the heat." She laid her head back against the edge of the pool, floating in the water. Morty nodded in agreement, "This is really fun. Thanks, (F-F/N)." I laughed, ruffling his wet hair. "No problemo, Morty."

       Jerry and Beth both made their way over to the ladder, stepping into the water and splashing about. I felt hands around my waist and turned to see Rick. "Gonna get in anytime soon?" His lab coat was on a chair by the table of food and he was just standing behind me, hands around my waist. I looked at everybody else enjoying themselves in the pool, "Sure. Why the hell not." I wriggled out of his grip and took off the skirt, throwing it in the direction of his lab coat, and walked over to the pool.
       I had barely reached the edge, near the ladder, when I was suddenly picked up and tossed into the water. "Oh my God, Rick!" I had managed to grab onto the edge of the pool, coming face to face with a smugly smirking Rick.

        Laughing, he made his way to the ladder and hopped into the water, wading over to me. I playfully hit his shoulder as he leaned up against the side of the pool. Everybody was just enjoying themselves in the cool water, finally able to escape the heat for a little bit. After a moment, Rick swam to the middle of the pool, closing his eyes. "Marco?"

       Quickly, we caught on, moving around silently. "Polo!" Everybody was trying to escape.

       "Marco?" I laughed, trying to cover it up, as we all called out 'polo'. Rick must've heard me because he started my way, "Marco~" I swam away quietly, "Polo".

         Very quickly, I realized I was going to lose. Everybody else stood at the other end of the pool, watching as they each tried to stifle their own laughter. I reached the edge of the pool, my back pressed up against it, as Rick got even closer. "Marcooo~"

       "Polo." He had found me, placing each hand on either side of me as he opened his eyes. "Gotcha, bunny." He laughed, "I win."

       I stuck my tongue out, folding my arms like a spoiled child, before I got an idea. I went under water, swimming under his arm and popping up out of the water behind him. I splashed him as he turned around, only to get water thrown back at me. "Big meanie." I laughed as I swam around, enjoying the cool water.
       I laid on my back, floating in the water. Hands went under me and, once again, I was lifted into the air, just above the water. "Rick, put me down!" I couldn't stop laughing.

       "You can't make me." He pulled me closer to him, holding me above the water as he stuck his tongue out at me in the same manner I had. "I've been called a lot of things, but big meanie is a new one." I laughed, trying to get him to put me back into the water.
       "Nope. You're stuck here." I batted my eyelashes in the most comedic fashion possible, "Pleeeease~"

       I felt his hold loosen, managing to slip back out of his grip again before he could realize his mistake. "No faaaiiiir." He crossed his arms, pouting. I swam back over to him, "Maybe you shouldn't have let go."
       "You're such a tease, (F/N)." He laughed, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me against him, looking down at me.

       "You're one to talk." He laughed before looking me up and down, smiling. "Like what you see?" I laughed sarcastically. "Very much~" He made a growling noise and I felt like my face caught on fire.

       We both looked over at the family when we heard somebody clear their throat. Summer's eyes were wide and Morty looked lost. Beth and Jerry were pretty much in the same position as Rick and I, enjoying one another's company behind Morty and Summer.
       "What?" Rick questioned. Summer stared for a moment longer before looking away.

       After a few seconds, Jerry turned to face us, "H-..." he took a second to take in the scene before him, causing Rick to slowly release his hold, "umm. Thanks for having us over, (F/N). Don't worry about grilling. Beth and I will take care of it."
       "Th-Thanks, Jerry. The grill is over there, in the corner of the yard." I pointed at the grill, wishing my face would chill. Both Beth and Jerry waded out of the water, leaving the rest of us. Rick looked as awkward as I felt, and Morty and Summer were swimming around on the opposite end of the pool.

       "S-Sorry 'bout that." Rick scratched his head sheepishly. "What exactly was that all about?"

       Summer came over to us suddenly, "Oh my God, grampa, you were totally flirting with her!" Rick's eyes went wide and his face went red. He made a motion with his hand, trying to make Summer shut up. "(F/N), he was totally all over you!" She squealed, "Adorable! Weird as ever, but adorable!" Rick slowly sank further and further into the water, completely submerging himself. I watched bubbles come up and I swear it was like he let out a frustrated scream under the water.

       After a moment, he came back out of the water, shaking his head to get it out of his hair. "You're like a dog." I laughed, trying to stop the water from splashing me, while Rick stopped to wink and wiggle his unibrow. "Oh.. my... God..." I laughed, "No! Bad, very bad!"

       He made another growling sound and winked. I swam to the ladder, "I'm gonna go get a drink from the house. I don't want any of the soda I have out here." I climbed out of the pool and made my way to the house, not caring about dripping on the floor.
       I opened the fridge, grabbed a can of V8, and made my way back through the living room to find Rick walking through the door. "Sorry, again. Summer doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut sometimes." He laughed awkwardly.

       "I don't mind. That was fun." After a second, Rick stared at me, grinning. "Oh, really?" I looked at the can in my hand, "Yea."

       A seductive smile tugged at his lips as he shut the door and made his way over to me. "Really~" He grabbed the V8 from my hand and set it down on a nearby table before pulling me by my hips. "Is this fun?" I looked at the floor, wishing my blush would stop already. "Hmm?"
I looked up at him and smiled, "Y-Yea." He let go of my hips and put his arms all the way around me, pressing me against his body. I let out a nervous laugh. He put his face right in front of mine, his warm breath fanning my already warm face, "And now?" I giggled, "That's a yes."

       He moved even closer, his lips brushing my own, "How about now?"