Wingless, book 1 of Wingless Series

Family secret

"Watch me!" Ari says as she dives into the pool. She hits the water disappearing for a few seconds before bobbing to the surface like a little dolphin. She laughs hard as if it is the funniest thing that has happened to her

I sit at the edge of the pool, dipping my toes in. Evan and Kenny are both sitting in the lawn chairs like usual.

Ari swims over to me, grabbing me by the toe. "Come in, it's fun!" She laughs.

"No. I think I'm okay right here," I say, I prefer the feel of the sun on my skin.

Evan comes from behind, lifting me, I scream.

"You don't want to swim?" he asks, raising his eyebrows.

Ari bust a gut. I wrap my arms around his neck. "If you try, I will take you with me," I promise, preparing to defend myself.

He weighs his options, smirking. "I really doubt that would happen," he says.

I lace my fingers, and wrap my legs around him.

Kenny watches from his chair. "What are you guys doing?"

Evan steps closer to the pool, lifting my chin, and gives me a quick kiss. "Sorry." he tells me, jumping in with me holding on.

I gasp as we hit the water, letting go as we go under. I surface, Kenny shakes his head at us.

"Come on, Kenny!" Ari says. "Don't be a pussy!" She teases.

"It's easy to have balls when you're already in the pool." Kenny says.

He pulls his shirt over his head, and does a running flip into the water.

"Are you having fun?" Evan asks, wiping his eyes, the water dripping off his face makes him gorgeous. He looks even more amazing wet, I think to myself. He pushes my hair off my shoulders.

"Always when I'm with you," I say.

Evan watches me. "What about that picnic your dad told you about? Are you going?"

"I don't know." I shrug.

"It's your family picnic. You should go, those things are important," he says.

Our family picnics are the same every year, same food, same cousins, aunts and Grandma's, same everything. It's important to my parents. Ever since I was a kid we went, besides when Marcus died.

"Are you going to come with me?" I ask.

"If you want me to come I have no problem doing that," he says, pulling himself out of the water and sitting on the edge of the pool. His body glistens. The sun does a very good job at showcasing how muscular and tan he is.

"Okay, we will go," I say, Evan helps me out of the pool so I can get ready.

***

I walk down the hallway, wondering if anyone in my family will be accepting of the choices I made.

I don't want to be the sore thumb. But I'm proud of Evan and I want everyone to meet him. I want them to meet the guy that stole my heart.

Evan whistles as I step into the foyer. I blush and Ari checks me out.

"You have amazing legs, Eve!" she gushes, touching my arm.

Evan smiles, enjoying how uncomfortable flattery makes me.

"I wish I was that tall," she complains.

I don't enjoy flattery.

"She's gorgeous. I don't know how I got so lucky," he says to Ari, not taking his eyes off of me.