Free Riley's Pond (New Adult Romance) by Harley Brooks Page A

doorframe.
    “How the hell can you walk around with a ribbon of fabric tucked in your craw like that? Looks damn uncomfortable, if you ask me.”
    “Grammy!” I shrieked, scrambling to find something to cover up my exposed cheeks . The “ribbon of fabric” happened to be my purple thong underwear, barely covering my lower regions.
    “I didn’t know you were there! Please knock from now on, okay?”
    She dipped her teabag, raising a disapproving brow. “My house, missy. Besides an open door doesn’t require a knock.” Stepping inside, uninvited , Grammy pulled the red sweater off the floor. “This color looks much better on you. The shirt you have on is so drab.”
    “But this one’s cut so low, it shows too much cleavage.”
    “Honey, when you bend over in those low cut jeans and expose that purple dental floss, no one’s going to notice the crack between your breasts. They’ll be too busy measuring the smile on your backside.”
    I didn’t have a response to my grandmother’s crass observance. My mouth just hung open in shock.
    “Where did you say you were going again?”
    “Barneys. At the end of town. That lady at the boutique says that’s where the kids my age hang out.”
    She regarded me. “Wear that cute sundress you bought,” she stated matter-of-fact. “And wear your hair down, not in a ponytail. Boys like girls who are feminine. No need to give away your secrets all at once.”
    Great. My grandmother ranked me as a slut.
    “Grammy, I’m not meeting boys.”
    “Sweet angel, the boys will be meeting you. ” She walked out, still dipping her tea bag.
    **
    The engraved heart pendant Daddy gave me for my thirteenth birthday, dropped to the perfect spot below the hollow of my throat. The sterling silver had antiqued somewhat, dulling the brilliance but complimenting the simplicity of my chambray sundress. I tugged my lace edged leggings over the purple dental floss and slipped my feet into my gray and white Converse sneakers.
    “Much better,” Grammy noted when I bounced down the stairs. I did an eye roll, hating that she was right. She pulled through the long strands of hair falling over my shoulders. “Is that the necklace your dad gave you?”
    “Yeah,” I answered plaintively.
    “Bastard always did have good taste. Got to give him that much. Now, when will you be home?”
    “Grammy, I’m eighteen.”
    “But I’m not, and these old bones won’t rest until your home. Make it midnight.”
    “ Graaamm . . . ” I whined.
    “You going to stamp your feet too? Taylor, nothing good happens after midnight, trust me.” She walked away, waving her hand. “I’m just sayin’.”
    **
    I parked three rows behind a certain red truck, second guessing my decision. We never really firmed up pizza plans for tomorrow night, but ever since I arrived home from swimming, I hadn’t been able to think about anything but kissing Riley Martin.
    When I walked inside, there may as well have been a neon sign over my head flashing “fresh meat” by all the leering stares my entrance attracted. Girls cuddled closer to their guys, placing territorial kisses on their cheeks and necks to mark them, while never removing their eyes from me.
    Scanning the room, I looked for the one person who consumed my thoughts, but couldn’t see him. Shaking my head full of insecurity, but covered in a mane of fantastic hair, I did the clichéd toss of my golden locks. A hot kid with dark brown hair watching me pass from the end of his pool cue, flinched, sending the cue ball hopping over the side of the table and rolling across the floor.
    I put my toe out and stopped it. Reaching down as delicately as a prima ballerina, I picked it up and held it, perched on my fingertips. Purposely, I lifted a brow to match my not-so-subtle grin.
    “Looking for this?” I asked in a flirty lilt.
    The fastest way to flush out a guy would be calling the scent of another one into the mating ring .
    His hands covered the ball, holding it