Unbound

up and to make matters worse, I saw her hanging off of Gates when they thought no one was looking.

“About fucking time Baker got here,” Jimmy said to my right, rolling around on the towel as Zack’s car parked nearby. His eyes were darting around anxiously and he was fidgeting more that usual. And if truth be told, the Rev had been restless since we arrived and I wasn’t quite sure what was up with him. He had been acting differently lately, but then again we were talking about the Rev here.

I smirked and leaned back on the towel, looking over my shoulder with my aviators on. Damn this sun felt good on my skin. “Was he bringing booze?” I asked. That would make this beach day even more fun.

“I fucking hope so,” He laughed, wagging his eyebrows at me. “Then maybe I can get out the rest of the song that’s bubbling in my head. It’s been tormenting me and playing the same three notes over and over for days. It’s like pure internal torture!” he yelled, throwing his hands up in the air and falling onto his back.

“Well, sing me those notes then,” I shrugged, hearing Zack’s car turn off and a door shut in the distance.
“Maybe I can help.”

“I CAN’T that’s the problem!” I sighed loudly. “They keep changing their order and rhythm and I am going fucking insane! I’m going through internal failure, I’m sure of it! It’s like they’re there to…” Jimmy trailed off and I looked back over my shoulder to see Zack with his arm around Leana’s waist and the Dibenedetto twins following closely behind. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

My eyes instantly went to Michelle and the short cut off jean shorts she was wearing. Her legs looked miles long and I bit down on my bottom lip, my eyes traveling up. She was only wearing her blue and white striped string bikini top with a white button down shirt that was hanging open. Damn…

I quickly shook my head and forced myself to look away, knowing that I would have a very large and hard problem if I didn’t stop looking at her breasts. But within seconds, Gates was standing by her sides helping her put on sunscreen. Fuck! Where did he come from anyway? Wasn’t he surfing? That should have been my job!

For the next ten minutes I watched Michelle talk and giggle with Haner and I was about to lose my shit. Damn this sucked! How could she be so hot with me one minute and then the next be hanging all over Haner? It didn’t make any sense to me. Okay, so maybe Zack was right and those two had been drooling over each other since middle school, but still! I helped her through the loss of her dad and I understood her, not Gates. I should be the one with her now! I couldn’t just sit here and watch this.

With a frustrated growl, I got up and started to walk down the beach. I needed a break and a distraction, which apparently came in the short ggand immature variety. “Hey Shads did you see the fucking bikini McFadden was wearing? Damn…I mean, is there any fabric on that thing. Not that I’m complaining,” Johnny said, practically jogging to keep up with my long strides. He was like a hyper little dog that got excited anytime he saw tits and ass.

“I just never thought of her like that before…but damn if Zack ever got tired of her, I’d like a piece of that.” Oh sure, go for sloppy seconds. That’s really charming Christ.

I just kept taking longer strides, hoping that he would get the point and leave me alone. Unfortunately the faster I moved, the more he talked and the more annoying he got. Couldn’t this little shit take a hint?
Fucking hell!

“Or how about those Dibenedetto twins?” he continued when I didn’t say anything. Just hearing their last name made me roll my eyes and run my hands over my face. What was I going to do? I wanted to be with Michelle but how was I going to let her know that? “Val looks smoking hot in that white and black polka-dot bikini…boy would I like to throw her in the water. Or how about Michelle—“

“Jesus fucking Christ, Johnny do you ever think of anything else besides half naked women,” I finally snapped turning on him as one of the girls let out a shriek in the distance. I didn’t want to talk about Michelle!

“Oh, I think about naked women too, Shads…lots of naked women,” Johnny said and I rolled my eyes.

This wasn’t the kind of distraction that I was looking for. I wanted to think of anything but Michelle right now and he really wasn’t helping, but maybe that was the point? Maybe it was time to start focusing on someone else? No way! I was Matt fucking Sanders and I didn’t give up on anything! I would just have to prove to her that she belonged with me.

“Where are you going now?” Johnny called after me as I turned away from him and started back toward our little area.

That was it, I was going to prove to her that I was the better choice for her. Only when I got back to our spot, Michelle and Gates were nowhere to be found. Now where had they run off to? I was only gone for a few minutes! Fuck.

I slumped back down on my towel and put my hands over my eyes, trying not to eavesdrop on the Rev and Val who were sitting a few feet away. God this was the worst. I had to come up with a plan to get Michelle back…but what? Could I prove that Gates was fucking around with both twins? But what about bros before hoes? Damn I didn’t’ know what to do!

“Jimmy put me down!” Val suddenly cried. My eyes instantly snapped toward the beach just as she was thrown into the water, but not before I could catch a glimpse of her.

Johnny was right, she looked just as hot as Michelle today. That white bikini with black polka-dots hugged her in all the right places. Damn her tits looked huge in that top and her legs were killer too. How had I never noticed it before? Oh, right, it was because for the past three years she’s been a bitch. Though after her father passed away, both her and Michelle changed. Maybe I just didn’t notice it as much from Val because I always assumed she was still the bitch she was in middle school? Had I been wrong about her?

I watched as Val jumped out of the water and came running back towards the beach, her lips blue and chattering. Without even thinking, I grabbed a towel and headed for her.

"You look like you need this. Are you ok?" I asked with a smile as I looked down at her. She looked so small and fragile from this angle that I almost thought I was talking to someone else. Not to mention that she looked breathtaking beautiful even though she’d just been thrown in the ocean. How could I not have noticed before?

"Yes, I'm ok. I'm just cold,” she said as I put the towel around her shoulders, gently rubbing up and down. I froze for a moment when my fingers touched her skin, feeling a shock. What the hell? Must have been static?

I didn’t think about that too long because at that moment, my eyes met hers and a smile spread over my face. She looked so beautiful with her tanned skin and dripping wet hair, though one thing would make it even better… Before I could stop myself, I reached out and brushed a stray lock of her bangs behind her ear. The sensation from touching her cheek tingled in my fingers and all the way down my spine. Now that wasn’t some kind of static shock, this was something completely different.

"Um, Matt, I need to sit down," Val stammered as I looked into her eyes. She teetered into me slightly and I wrapped my arms around her to steady in our accent to the blanket. All of a sudden my heart was racing in my chest and I didn’t know why, though I couldn’t deny that something felt right about holding Val in my arms. Now what was that about?

“Are you sure you’re okay? Do you need a drink or something?” I asked, feeling her body shake as she moved. Something was definitely going on here but I didn’t know if it was from the frigid water or my presence. I wouldn’t have that effect on her would I? I mean, last time I checked I wasn't on her good list.

"No, I'm ok. I just need to sit down.” Val smiled up at me and I couldn’t help but return it. Her face just seemed to light up with that simple motion, sending my heart into a quicker palpitation. What was going on with me? I liked Michelle…not Valary, right?

I quickly shook my head and sat Val down on her blanket before I grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler. I just had to separate myself from her for a moment to get my mind back in check. We were friends and I was helping her out. That was it! I was into her sister and whatever that little feeling was didn’t actually happen.

I took in a deep breath and handed Val the bottle of water, only to see her still shivering. Shit, she was freezing to death and I was standing her like an ass trying to convince myself of something that wasn’t actually happening. She was just cold. That was it. So, I sat down behind her, put my legs on either side of her, and pulled her back into my chest to warm her up.

"Just lean back against me until you feel better," I said with a smile. Val slowly relaxed into me as I tightened the towel around her and moved my arms up and down hers. Friction created heat, right? She would be fine and back to normal in no time. Or at least that’s what I was trying to write this all off as.

“So,” I said trying to start a conversation. I didn’t want this to be awkward. “You’re going to the homecoming dance with Jimmy, huh?” My hands kept moving up and down over the towel and to my relief Val slowly stopped shivering.

"Yeah, I thought that we would have fun together and I needed a date," she replied and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. What was that about?

"So you're not dating him or anything, right?" I couldn’t stop the words from coming out of my mouth. I had to know, but I didn’t know why it mattered all of sudden. I really had been out in the sun too long today.

Val looked back at me over her shoulder with a raised brow. Damn that was a sexy look right there. I always knew she was sexy but this right here seemed to be the eye opening moment for me. Valary Dibenedetto was smoking hot and I must have been blind all this time. “No, why?”

I shrugged, shaking my head and playing it off as if it were just an innocent question. “No reason, just wondering since the Rev hadn’t said anything.” And that was the truth, though it still didn’t answer why he was acting so weird.

My eyes drifted over across the beach to where Jimmy was now trying to burry Johnny in the sand. Only his eyes weren’t on the task at hand. I followed his line of vision to the lifeguard stand only to see Zacky heavily making out with Leana. He had her back pressed against the chipped white frame and her legs were wrapped around his waist. It seemed way too intimate so I quickly looked back over to the Rev. Why was he frowning? Was he pissed off at Zacky for dating Leana? I know the two were the best of friends but she seemed to make Zack happy. That’s all that mattered, right?

“Who are you going with?” Val asked pulling me from my train of thought. “Sorry what was that?” I asked, shaking my head as she caught my eye. My breath hitched in my chest when our eyes met again, feeling like she was staring into my soul. What the hell?

“I said,” she laughed with an eye roll. “Who are you going to homecoming with?”

I shrugged my shoulders, and leaned back a little with one arm, Val’s body following in suit. “I don’t have a date yet.”

Val looked at me in disbelief, slowly moving into the space next to me but staying extremely close. I could smell her sweet perfume and floral shampoo and damn did she smell good. “You’re telling me that the star of the basketball team doesn’t have a date to homecoming?”

“Yep, that’s exactly what I’m saying,” I sighed, looking away from her. I didn’t want to see the judgment in her eyes.

“Why not? A guy like you could have any girl in school,” her voice was so soft that it shocked me. I looked down at her and was surprised to see a small frown on her face. But I was more stunned by her fingers that were now tracing the tattoos on my bicep. She was sending goosebumps over my skin and slowly turning me on. Did she know that she was having this affect on me?

“Well,” I swallowed thickly. “You see…the-the girl I wanted to go with is going with someone else,” I stammered when she bit down on her lower lip. Damn now that was the hottest thing I had seen all day.

“And who did you want to go with? Maybe I can talk her into changing her mind…” Val whispered breathlessly, her eyes locking with mine. I opened and closed my mouth a few times but I couldn’t get any sound to come out. Who did I want to go with again? It didn’t matter now because all I wanted to do was kiss those perfect lips in front of me.

“Hey, babe, what are you guys up to?” I looked up to see Gates plop down on the other side of Val. Shit, what did he want now?

“Just talking to Sanders,” Val said coldly, slowly sitting up.

“About what?” Why was it his business? And what did he do with Michelle? He get bored with her all ready? That thought alone pissed me off and I narrowed my eyes on him.

“Just homecoming stuff, not that it matters to you since you’ve already got a date,” she snapped and the look on Brian’s face was priceless. Looks like he didn’t expect her to find out about his two timing game.

Serves him right. I told him not to do that shit, especially since Michelle belonged with me. But if I was being honest, I really didn’t like the idea of him with Val either. Actually, I hated it and it really pissed me off. He didn’t deserve either of them. “I know you’re taking Michelle.”

“Okay, so I should have told you, but she begged me to go with her,” Gates said and I rolled my eyes.

That was a boldfaced lie and we all knew it. He wasn’t really going to try and pick up Val right in front of me was he? Not after he was just all over Michelle, no way. He wouldn’t stoop that low…or maybe he would. “She was in tears and I couldn’t say no. You know how fragile she is…”

“Bullshit, Gates,” now that was my girl! Tell him off! Oh, I would pay to see this. “I know your fucking around with her too and you better back off. I swear if you fucking hurt her I will rip your balls off and tie and make them into your corsage for prom!” Ouch…that made me wince and I wasn’t even the one she was talking to. “You can’t have us both!”

“You’re right…” Brian said, looking down at the ground with a nod. “But if you would just let me explain I promise it’s not what you think.” Oh this had to be good. “Can I talk to you in private for a minute? Will you let me explain and make it up to you?” Gates’ eyes shifted over to me and I scoffed, hoping Val wouldn’t fall for this shit. She deserved someone much better than him…some like me.

No, Sanders, you’re into Michelle and you’re just suffering from withdrawal. That’s why you are attracted to Val, she looks like Michelle…except blonde. There is nothing more there!

“Explain what? That you’re a two timing dick?” Val said, slowly standing up and putting her hands on her hips. Her ass was inches from my face and I took a moment to admire it’s perfect shape. From the looks of it, she must have been hitting the gym too. I liked that.

Brian stood up, frantically shaking his head and waving his hands, though Val had just hit the nail on the head. “I was a dick but I’m not two-timing you…please just let me explain,” he begged and I rolled my eyes. “Let me take you out and I’ll explain and make up for everything, babe. Please, let’s just go talk…”

“Fine, but I’m not falling for your shit again, Gates. Talking, that’s it,” she said shortly and I narrowed my eyes at Gates. How the hell did he always get everything that he wanted? God, he pissed me off! Why did he have both Dibenedetto twins when I couldn’t even get one?!

Leana’s POV

“Come on, Chelle, just come to the movies with us. It will be fun!” I begged, standing in the beach bathroom with Michelle. We were having the best day with the guys and I didn’t want to stop just because it was going to be getting dark soon.

“I don’t know,” Michelle said, fixing her lipstick and pulling her hair up into a sexy up-do. “Who’s going?”
I smiled and jumped up onto the counter. It had gotten a little colder outside so I was now wearing my cutoff denim shorts and Zacky’s baseball hoody. Oh, it smelled so damn good! His cologne was so mouthwatering that I could stay cuddled up to him for hours and never get bored. “Well,” I said, looking up, trying to remember what Zacky said. “Zacky and I…”

“Well, if it’s just you two, then I’m sorry I’m out,” she said before I could finish and I rolled my eyes. “I love you to death, Lee but I’m not going to be the third wheel while you make out with Zack the entire time,” she teased. “When are you just going to come out and admit that you two are a couple?”

“Because we’re not!” I half laughed, half blushed, my shoulders coming up with my hand gesture. “We’re just friends…” she gave me a pointed look. “Okay fine…we are friends with benefits…but we are not dating!”

“Why not! You guys are too damn cute together,” Miche gushed and sighed. I did really like Zacky and would love to be his girlfriend, but I think we were both afraid that we would ruin our friendship. We were friends first, and we really didn’t want to compromise that, especially since he was one of the only people in my life I could rely on.

My mind suddenly drifted back to the night of Angela’s party when Jimmy saved me from being attacked by the group of jocks. He was just so kind, gentle, and patient with me and that really touched me. And if I was being honest, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him and that little thank you kiss I pressed on his lips. I didn’t like him, did I? No this was more of the hero complex thing going on. It had to be—I couldn’t like Jimmy Sullivan. We were mortal enemies and hated each other!

“I don’t think it’s going to happen,” I said before moving back to talk about the movie. “Besides you wont have to worry about that because, Zacky said that both Jimmy and Matt were going to go.” I said, trying to ignore my palpitating heart from just saying Jimmy’s name.

“I don’t know, Lee…” Michelle sighed again and I knew it had to do something with Matt.

“Well…what if I make sure that you don’t sit next to Matt? Besides, Zacky still had to check with Brian and your sister to see if they wanted to go,” I said and Michelle thoughtfully chewed her bottom lip. “Please! I don’t want to go with the sausage fest! You and Jimmy are like BFF’s so you could distract him from me so I don’t have to deal with his back handed comments.”

“He’s not that bad,” Michelle said, finishing her hair. “He’s just a bit eccentric and he just doesn’t like that you are too. He wants to be original,” she laughed and I couldn’t help but join in. There was definitely only one James Sullivan in the world. I just wished I could stop thinking about him.

“So what do you say? Will you go with me? Please! Please! Please! With a cherry on top! I’ll even get you your favorite candy!” I prompted, knowing that she couldn’t say no to those cookie dough bites. Those were her absolute favorite.

“Fine, but as long as you keep me away from Matt,” Michelle said, pointing a finger at me. “I told you what he did at Angela’s party and I just don’t want to deal with it right now…I just want to focus on Brian and I…”

“Deal!” I gushed, pulling her into a hug and dancing around. “We’re going to the movies! We’re going to the movies! We’re going to the movies!” I sang, jumping up and down as we made our way back to our group.

“What are you so happy about?” Zacky laughed, pulling me down into his lap. They were all sitting around a small driftwood fire, roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. The day was perfect if you asked me and it was about to get better. How could it not?

I cuddled into Zack, enjoying the feeling of his arms around me. He was just so comforting and I didn’t know what I would do without him. “Chelle is coming to the movies with us,” I whispered to him before he kissed my lips softly. The cold metal of his snakebites tickled and I loved it. He was so damn sexy.

“Well, that will be fun…” Zack said, gently nibbling my neck. My eyes slowly looked up across the fire to see Jimmy glaring at me with narrow eyes. He looked so angry and when our eyes finally met, he shook his head and looked away. What was his problem? I didn’t do shit to him! Hell, I’d left him alone all day just like he’d asked me to do on countless occasions.

“So what are we seeing at the movies?” Matt asked, pulling my attention from the stare off Jimmy and I were currently in. God his blue eyes were hypnotizing, kind of like deep blue pools of water that I could drown in… No, Lee, get that thought out of your head!

“I was thinking that new action film with the mummies,” Zack shrugged and I nodded in agreement. “The previews looked good,” I said, earning an eye roll from Jimmy.

“Oh, shit! I wanted to see that,” Brian said, looking pissed off now.

“So you’re not going?” Michelle asked softly. Even through the twilight, I could see the blush on her face. She was just so cute around Brian and it was about time those two started something. They had only been crushing on each other since like sixth grade, and in my opinion, that was way too long.

Brian sighed and put his arms around the twins, one on each side of him. “Unfortunately no. I have to head back to mom’s house. Something about an important dinner that both Brett and I have to be at…” he grumbled, but I only half heard. I was too busy listening in on the conversation Jimmy and Matt were having about a song.

“I’ve got some more of it! Give me some paper!” the Rev yelled as Matt scrambled around to find some paper. “It just fucking came to me and it’s brilliant!”

“Shit, we don’t have any paper,” Matt looked around panicked and I quickly moved to my purse. I had to have something they could use.

“Well go get me some toilet paper! I can’t forget this now!” Jimmy continued between humming a unique little melody. “It’s perfect! Come on, Shads!”

“I’ll be right back!” he said and sprinted off toward the restroom just as I found some sticky notes and pencil in the bottom of my bag.

“Here!” I said softly, handing them to the Rev. Those blue eyes looked up at me, meeting mine and taking my breath away. The look he head in them was something I’d never seen before and it made my heart speed up. What was that? “Thanks…” he muttered before taking it out of my hand, his fingers gently brushing mine, making my heart stop. What was going on with me?

An hour later, the five us found our seats in the theater. Apparently Val had some study group with her friend Gigi and couldn’t make the movie either but it would still be fun without her. “Chelle come sit next to me!” I cried, leaning into Zacky’s side as he held onto the popcorn.

“You know how I am, Lee,” Michelle blushed. “I have to sit on the end because I always have to pee 85 times throughout the movie.”

“Fine,” I sighed as Jimmy moved into the seat next to me. He was bound and determined for whatever reason to look start ahead or at Michelle the entire time, which I didn’t really understand.
“Here we go!” I giggled as everything went dark and the movie started.

Notes