CHAPTER 14: THE CONTEST
Saturday, August 28, 2014
“Hey Carter?” Abe called from the kitchen.
We were home alone while Katie and Mom went grocery shopping. Bennie was at his new friend Colby’s house. Dad was obviously at the hospital. Blane was at lacrosse practice.
“Yeah?” I called from the second floor.
“Can you come down here a minute?”
As I walked down the steps, I prepared myself to talk to him about Blane and I being together regardless of his permission. I opened the kitchen door and found him standing on the tiled floor shirtless and dirty.
“What happened to you?” I asked trying not to stare at his six pack.
“I was just messing around with the soccer ball I found in the bushes, haha. Don’t worry. I was just wondering if you’d help me wash off.”
“You need me to help you wash off? Who am I? Your mother?” I asked sassily.
“Carter, come on. I’m not giving up on this friendship. I don’t think you should either.”
“I don’t think Blane would be comfortable with me taking a shower with my ex-boyfriend.”
“Why do you have to make everything such a big deal, god! I just wanted to hang out like old times and you just can’t wait to bring up Blane. Blane this! Blane that! I get it, Carter. You have a boyfriend. Forget it. It was just a harmless invitation.” He said angrily.
“Abe, I’m sorry. You’re right. I’ll help you. You’ve got some pretty nasty cuts on your knee that I could take care of.” I apologized.
As soon as we went outside and I started washing his back off, I immediately regretted the whole white tank top, pink bra combination. He grabbed the hose and splashed water all over me.
“Ahh! Abe!” I screamed as water covered my body.
I grabbed the hose from him and tackled him to the ground. We rolled on the ground laughing and trying to throw dirt at each other. He chased me into the backyard and picked me up. Then, as if we weren’t wet enough, jumped into the pool with me in his arms. We both splashed around and played Marco Polo for a while.
As I was calling Marco, Abe suddenly grabbed me from behind and whispered, “Polo” in my ears. I opened my eyes and saw him staring at me with his hands on my shoulders. I was fully prepared to shove him off and bring up Blane again, but I couldn’t. He was staring into my eyes and I was staring back at him. His hand traced my jawline and combed the hair out of my face. I didn’t know what to do or say so I didn’t say anything. I had a wild habit of doing that. Nothing.
“He’s so lucky to have you, Carter. Don’t ever let him forget that like I did.” he said.
Just like that, he let go of my shoulders and walked out of the pool, leaving me in there feeling like I had just been run over by a bus.
“Hey, if I’d known there would be water and wet t-shirts, I would’ve skipped practice” Blane said jokingly.
“Haha, hey… B-B-Blane. What’s up? How was practice?” I asked nervously.
“Goooood. The usual.” He jumped in the pool and hugged me.
I kissed him passionately trying to rid myself of Abe nostalgia.
