18. Greer
18
Greer
“ G reer?” Hunter hollers from behind the wheel of his red and white boat.
I jolt, having been too focused on people watching. I’ve never been to the lake on a holiday before, so the amount of people is insane. I’m pretty sure most of the town is here. There are groups set up on the shore, boats tied together, and all sorts of shenanigans happening.
“Hunter,” Sutton says from where she’s laid out across the bench seats, “there’s no need to yell at the woman.” Hunter shrugs and raises his bottle of water while maneuvering us near a shady cove.
“Yes, Hunter?” I tuck my beach bag underneath before wrangling my hair into my ball cap.
“You gonna try the wakeboard today?”
Sutton shoots up from her sun tanning position, eyes darting straight to me. “Oh my gosh, Greer, it’s so much fun.”
“Um, I’ve never actually done it before.”
“It’s pretty easy to learn,” Grace says, reapplying sunscreen to Adam’s shoulders. “Sutton is really good. Just copy Sutton.”
“Navy, you gonna try too?” Vinnie inquires, bumping her leg with his.
“Sure,” she mumbles around a mouthful of chips. Her face is barely visible beneath her giant sun hat, and it's clear she cares more about the snacks than anything else.
“We can walk you through it,” Luke says from his spot near the back of the boat. He drags a coiled rope out of a storage bench and removes the board from its holder. A giant inner tube sits nearby waiting to be inflated. Sunlight glistens off his broad shoulders, his muscles stretching and flexing with each movement. His board shorts sit low on his hips, showcasing a slightly tapered v , hair covering his chest and stomach. I always thought I didn’t like chest hair, but on Luke?
“Focus, babe.” He winks.
“Yeah, G. Save the ogling until later.” Hunter laughs. Sutton elbows him in the ribs as she joins them. “Ow, babe, you forget how sharp your damn elbows are.”
“I’m not your babe,” she says.
“Not yet,” he replies.
“You—oh, never mind,” Sutton says. “We all set, Luke?”
“Yep,” Luke says, handing me a yellow life jacket.
The boat bobs up and down, putting me off-balance as I rise from the bench seat and take the life jacket. My sundress catches in the buckles making me pause. Buzzing fills my ear as I take in everyone’s confidence in their swimsuits. I’ve never been ashamed of my body. No matter how it’s changed over the course of my life, I’ve found beauty in it. Even my scars don’t bother me as much anymore, but I’m also careful of who sees them. When people see them, it opens the door for questions, and questions lead to memories. I’ve tried my best to keep that door closed.
Luke wraps his arm around my hip, and I look up to his face. “It’s just us,” he says quietly.
He places a soft kiss on my temple before tossing the rope into the water. I straighten my spine. He’s right. It’s just us. A cool breeze ruffles the hem as I pull it over my head, revealing my Americana-themed swimsuit, red bottoms and a blue top with white stars.
“Hot damn,” Navy catcalls. “Who knew you had all that under there.”
“Oh, shut up, Navy,” I say.
“I mean it, G, you’re a smokeshow.” She shoves another handful of chips into her mouth.
“Agreed,” everyone says in unison. I’m sure my cheeks now match my bottoms.
I don’t miss the way everyone’s eyes dart to my scars. My hands move to cover the ones on my stomach. Luke’s warmth surrounds me from behind as his hands slide around my waist, pulling me close. His presence is a quiet comfort, and the reassurance of his touch settles the tension in my body.
“Nah, none of that, G,” Hunter says, shaking his head. “We’re family here. Invisible or not, your scars are part of the reason why we love you.” He pulls me from Luke’s arms and into a giant bear hug.
Over Hunter’s shoulder, Sutton’s face softens as she reaches for Navy’s hand. Their matching smiles send a wave of strength through me. Never in my life could I have predicted Life would shatter my world by taking someone I loved with all my heart, only to rebuild it with six people who might love me just as fiercely.
“Are we ready to ride?” Sutton blurts. She pulls me from Hunter, her fingers dancing over his arm, as she leads me to the back of the boat. She side-eyes me, daring me to ask what’s going on between her and Hunter. I don’t get the chance before she and Luke launch into their mini lesson on wakeboarding.
“Engage your core, keep your legs beneath you, eyes up,” Sutton instructs.
Seems easy enough.
“Hunter will go slowly at first,” Luke says, “so you can get your legs under you, but it’s easier if you go faster. Okay?” Luke’s eyes meet mine expectantly as he removes my ball cap and sunglasses.
“What if my leg can’t handle it?” I whisper. It took months of rehab to heal my leg and months more to gain back its strength. A spin bike is one thing; wakeboarding is a whole other level.
“Then, you say something, silly,” Sutton answers. “Just keep a bend in your legs and use those delicious thighs you have there. I promise you’ll be fine.”
Sitting on my butt, I slide to the edge of the swim platform. Luke snaps the bindings on my boots, and I wade into the lake. The cool water surrounds me as I float out behind the boat, the rope’s rough texture anchoring me while the extra rests atop of the water.
“You ready, G?” Hunter calls.
I inhale deeply before shouting back, “As I’ll ever be.”
The rope goes taut, and the board plunges beneath water. My heart slams against my ribs. I’m not looking to die out here.
“Don’t worry!” Sutton shouts. “You’ll get on top soon enough. Brace your core, and as the boat goes faster, you’ll feel the board come to the top.”
A few seconds later, the board starts to surface, and I attempt to stand up but plop right back into the water. Cool water splashes over me, dousing me completely. When I shake the water from my face, those nervous tingles still, transforming into determination.
Hunter slows the boat, and I grab the rope. It pulls forward. I can barely hear Luke’s voice above the boat’s engine reminding me to brace my core and squat down. It takes more effort, but soon enough, I’ve got myself up on the board and on top of the glittering water.
“Yes!” Navy shouts, flinging the bag of chips at Vinnie.
“Way to go, G!” Sutton yells. “Ready to go faster?”
I nod, too afraid talking will cause me to lose focus. The boat pulls ahead quicker now. At first, it’s bumpy as hell gliding over the wake, but I remind myself to engage my core and thighs.
“Can we go faster?” I call out. Luke smiles.
The board moves from side to side over the waves. Wind whips through my hair, and water sprays my legs and my face as the speed increases. We might be going at a snail’s pace, but to me, I was flying. My heart soars out of my chest as every thought or worry evaporates from my mind. I’m free. I should have known that nature would knock me down a peg or two.
When the boat eases to the left, I don’t see how big the wake is and suddenly, I'm bouncing uncontrollably. My whole body shakes, and I think I hear Luke shouting to drop the handle. I let go, and the rope jerks forward, splashing into the water. I immediately start to sink, my body tilting backward until my butt hits the water. It envelops me, and all I can picture is sinking toward the bottom of the lake.
Thankfully, because my feet are still connected to the board and my life jacket, I don’t sink like a rock. My lungs heave for oxygen as I lie back, spreading my arms out like an angel. The sun’s rays beam onto my face, blinding me. Covering my eyes with my arm, the boat’s engine roars in the distance. Straining my neck, I lift up to see Hunter has pulled around to retrieve me. The minuscule amount of fear I had diffuses into the lake, every cell in my body invigorated. I did something new and scary, and I’m alright.
Luke dives into the water before the boat even stops and charges toward me. When his head pops above the water, there’s fear in his eyes.
“Shit, are you okay?” He’s doggy paddling toward me.
“Oh my god, that was awesome!” I say. Laughter and joy burst from every pore.
Luke finally reaches me and places his hand around my ankles to pop the bindings. With one hand on the board, he wraps his other around my waist, my legs naturally encircling his waist.
“You scared the hell out of me,” he says.
“Did you see me? God, that was awesome! I was flying!”
“Yeah, sweetheart, you were. But are you okay?”
“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Most people get pretty wrecked the first time they bail on a board.”
“I’m not most people, now am I?” My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. He pulls me in and crashes his lips into mine. They’re cold and wet from the water, but within seconds I’m warm all over.
“No, you’re not most people,” he says against the side of my neck. “Let’s get you back to the boat.”
We paddle back, and Vinnie helps me onto the platform. Everyone congratulates me and checks for injuries.
“Y’all can stop mothering me now!” Irritation washes through me. “I told you I was fine. Now, who’s up next?”
The rest of the afternoon rushes by as we take turns on the board and inner tube, even Navy. She might have hollered at Hunter half the time for going “too goddamn fast,” but her goofy-ass smile told a different story.
“See you at Luke’s!” Sutton says. “We’ll talk about the listing, okay?” She gives me a quick hug. She smells like coconuts and sunshine.
“Yes, of course,” I say.
“Good. Love you, G!”
Stunned, I shout back, “Love you!” but she’s already closed the door. I've never said that to a friend before, but in that moment, it felt right.
We’re sun-kissed and exhausted as we drive home. Luke’s hand rests over mine, and I can feel every part of me relax. I can’t remember the last time my body felt this quiet . For months, I’ve been telling everyone I’m fine, but this is the first time I actually feel it.
Sutton has been a godsend, helping me list the house. What once felt like an impossible task is now something I look forward to. It’s time for my old house, one full of fond memories, to become part of another family’s story.
Luke’s thumb moves back and forth over my skin, and I sink into the comfort of his touch. I once thought it would be impossible to fall for someone new, but then this man came into my life. And now? It feels inevitable.
The accident and Brian’s death took so much from me, but reclaiming the fragments of myself I thought I'd lost feels good. It feels right.
“I wakeboarded today, Brian. Can you believe that? Me.” I run the loofa over my body, washing off loads of sunscreen and lake water. Excitement swirls through my body. “You’d love my new friends. Did I tell you I questioned Sutton when she first invited me for coffee? I bet that doesn't surprise you. I’ve always struggled with friends. Well, not anymore.” I grab a towel and pat my body dry. “Navy and Sutton are the best, and I think they really do love me. I mean, I’m not sure Navy is the type to say I love you, but maybe we can change that.”
“Who ya talking to, sweetheart?” Luke says, tapping on the bathroom door.
“You can come in,” I call out, wrapping a towel around my body.
“Well, damn. I’m too late.” I love his grin as he tugs me by my towel and plants a loud kiss on my cheek. “So, who were you talking to?”
“Oh . . .” I say, busying myself with brushing my hair. “Just Brian.” My cheeks flush. I've never been caught by anyone but my parents talking to Brian.
Luke steps back and leans against the wall, his arms now crossed over his chest. At first, he doesn’t say anything. Embarrassment flares in my chest. I know I’m not doing anything bad, but I’m not sure how Luke will feel learning I talk to Brian. It’s too quiet. I wish he’d say something.
He catches my eyes in the mirror. “You still talk to him?”
“Yes, sometimes,” I confess.
“Why?”
“At first it was because I was sad and lonely. I didn’t know how nor did I even want to do life without Brian. Talking to him made it easier in a way. Made me feel less alone.”
Luke nods his head up and down. “And now?”
“Brian was always the person I told everything to. Now, I’m not sure. I guess it’s just second nature. Are you mad?”
Luke erases the distance between us, pushing me against the counter. He brackets his arms on either side of me before kissing my forehead.
“Would it sound crazy if I said I was jealous?” Luke’s gaze is thoughtful, intense.
“Jealous? Why?”
“Because I want to be the one you tell everything to.” He raises one shoulder. “I know, it’s crazy to be jealous of a dead guy, but here we are.”
“It’s not crazy.” Smiling, I lean forward and place a tender kiss on his lips. “And you will be. Someday.”
“God.” He groans and buries his face in the crook of my shoulder. Warm hands press against my back, holding me tight. “I keep telling you we're not on any timeline, and, here I am, giving you one.”
“It was an honest question and an honest reaction. You’re not giving me a timeline.”
“Maybe not, but sometimes I forget you might not be as ready for change as I am. That you need time.”
“And that’s why we communicate.” I grin, escaping his arms, and walk to my closet. I drop my towel, slipping on a bra and haphazardly pulling a sundress over my head. Luke is still near the sink, his eyes boring into mine.
“Do you know how goddamn beautiful you are?”
He stalks over and captures my mouth. Where his kisses were once sweet and gentle, this one is fueled with desire. Firm lips kiss trail along my jaw and down my neck, nipping lightly at the sensitive skin there.
A moan escapes as I press my body into his. He grips my hips and pulls them flush to his body. Ever so slowly, his hands caress down my body, palms rough against the smooth skin of my thighs. He kneads my thighs and lifts me to him. My legs instinctively wrap around his waist. With careful steps, he backs out of the closet, turns, and places my ass on the bathroom counter. Goosebumps erupt up and down my body from the cool surface.
My hands ghost over his chest and into the hair at the nape of his neck. My thighs relax, and he settles in the space between. Suddenly, I remember I’m bare under my dress. Butterflies take flight in my belly at the thought of Luke’s hands exploring every part of me. For now, he seems intent on leaving his hands where they are. My frantic impatience permeates each of his kisses.
“Luke,” I murmur. Whether he hears me or not, I’m not sure, because he’s completely focused on my mouth.
“Please, Luke,” I say.
“Please what, sweetheart?” He lifts my wet hair and dots kisses along my neck and collarbone.
“You know what.” I sigh. He laughs and sucks my skin. “You know what I want,” I say. A flush descends from my cheeks and settles in my chest. Vocalizing my needs and desires is not something I’m accustomed to.
“Mmm . . .” Luke moans, kissing the flushed swell of each of my breasts. His lips close over my nipple through the thin fabric of my dress. “I love this color.”
I’m antsy and try to pull him closer. I need all of him against all of me. My cheeks lose feeling when his hands smooth down my arms and up the sides of my body. His thumbs brush the sides of my breasts before descending to my waist and hips. Tingles follow the path his hands take. He brushes down my calves before sliding up and up until he’s lifting the hem of my dress. I open my legs wider, and cool air brushes against my heated core. A soft whimper escapes me.
“Jesus, baby,” Luke says. “You’re on fire.” His breaths come in ragged gasps as he takes in my flushed complexion. “Tell me what you need, Greer.”
“Touch me. Please, Luke. Just touch me.”
My heart soars when he smiles. His hands inch their way up my thighs, squeezing and kneading my flesh. Luke presses his my mouth to mine, rough and insistent. Our tongues dance together as his fingers brush over the sensitive skin between my thighs.
“Fuck me.” He moans into my mouth. “You’re bare?”
I nod. He’s tentative at first, brushing his fingers over my smooth center before putting slight pressure on my swollen bud. My hips jolt in reflex. Body buzzing, I lean back against the mirror, gasping for breath.
“Can I?” Luke asks through hooded eyes.
“Yes,” I answer, knowing he likes to hear me.
Without breaking eye contact, his finger places pressure at my entrance before pressing inside. I groan, both in pleasure and pain, at the intrusion of his large finger. He pulls me to the edge of the counter.
“You’re so wet.”
I nod.
He shoves my dress to my hips, allowing him to see me fully. Looking down, I’m mesmerized watching his finger slide in and out of me, his thumb tracing gentle circles over my clitoris. Quick pants escape me as fire crawls its way up my spine. I clench around his finger. I know I’m not going to last much longer.
“I feel you, baby.” He adds another digit and coaxes my G-spot. I thrust my hips forward. Wanting more.
As if I said it out loud, Luke’s ministrations become rougher, more demanding. His palm presses against my clit as he fucks me with his fingers. All at once, the damn breaks. My body clenches down on his fingers, but he doesn’t stop. He draws out my climax like a maestro.
“You are breathtaking,” he says.
Slumping against the mirror, I attempt to slow my breathing. Luke doesn’t remove his fingers. I look from between my legs to his handsome face. I should feel shy, but I don’t. The way he looks at me sends a surge of desire through my body. Placing my hand over his, I slowly thrust his fingers into me.
“Shit,” he says, allowing me to use his hand how I need. He’s just as desperate. Lavishing me with encouragement, kisses, and lust-filled caresses between each inhale.
Just as my climax begins to crest again, someone yells from the living, “Hey, lovebirds, party is next door. You planning to join us or what?”
We burst out laughing at the fact that no one in our life seems capable of knocking. Luke nods at me to continue, so I do, another orgasm already building.
“We’ll be right over, Grace,” Luke yells over his shoulder.
“Uh-huh, well, hurry it up already,” she shouts back.
“You heard her,” Luke whispers. He’s laser-focused on the space between my legs, on my hand using his fingers to pleasure myself. “Come for me, baby.”
It takes a few minutes more, but eventually I fall from the ledge. Convulsions wrack my body, my core clenching, hips lifting from the counter as uneven breaths escape my lungs. Luke takes over in firm, but slowing thrusts, helping me come back to earth.
When he slips his fingers from me, he locks eyes with me, then places them in his mouth and sucks off my release.
“Holy shit.” I breathe. Snatching his wrist, I yank his mouth to mine, tasting the tangy, sweet essence of myself. He pulls away. A blaze of lust stares back at me.
“Do we have to go to this party?” he asks, helping me off the counter and adjusting my dress.
“Yeah, we do,” I answer.
“Ugh, fine. Guess we better go.” He readjusts himself and tucks his hard length into the waistband of his jeans.
“Yep!” I say, sauntering into my bedroom, slipping into my sandals, and heading to the living room.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” he calls after me.
“Not that I can think of.” I grin, knowing I haven’t forgotten anything. I’m fully aware I don’t have panties on and that my legs are sticky with my release.
“Fuck me.” He groans. My heart surges at the thought.