Free The Hazards of Skinny Dipping by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page A

one.
    “I’ve got you.” Kyle put an arm around my
waist. I contemplated shrugging him off, but it seemed better than
nothing.
    I leaned over to get a better look at the
driver. Yup, another Phi Omega. “Kyle, does this happen to be a
fraternity floating trip?”
    “Technically, yes.”
    I glared at him. “Then why did you tell me
you were going with some friends?”
    “I am. These guys are my friends.”
    “Don’t you think Dylan’s going to think it’s
weird that I’m going floating with Phi Omega while he’s away?”
    He leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Who
cares?”
    I pulled away. “I’m not one hundred percent
sure what’s going on with your brother and me, but I don’t
particularly want to upset him.”
    “Chill out, Juliet. You guys have hooked up a
few times. He can’t decide what you do and don’t do.”
    Tally turned around in her seat. “Don’t
worry. We’ll hang out and do our own thing.”
    “Thanks.”
    “That’s cool as long as it involves me. I
didn’t see you at all this summer. We need to catch up.”
    “How long is this car trip? Let’s catch up
now.”
    He laughed. “Only twenty-five minutes.”
    I looked out the window. I loved how Southern
everything was in Charleston. The moss-covered oaks and the houses
with columns and huge porches.
    “What did you do this summer? Other than
Dylan, that is.”
    I glared at Kyle again. “If you’re pissed at
me, why’d you invite me today?”
    “I’m not pissed. It was a joke.” The humor in
his eyes matched his words.
    “Fine. I worked as a lifeguard at the
community pool back home.”
    “Didn’t you do that last summer too?”
    “You remember?”
    “Of course I do.” He ran his free hand
through his dark brown hair.
    “What did you do?”
    “Not so fast. That can’t be it. I doubt you
worked every minute.”
    “I hung out with my friends. There isn’t much
else to tell.”
    “Did you do anything cool for
graduation?”
    “Not really. There were some parties, but
that’s it. I’m guessing you did something.”
    “I spent a few weeks in Europe, and I was
down at the beach for most of July.”
    “Oh, I guess we missed each other.”
    A Journey song came on, and the driver turned
up the radio.
    “Yeah…who knows what would have happened if
I’d come down at the end of the summer instead.” He adjusted his
arm around me.
    “Who knows?”
    “Is that an acknowledgement that you might
have hooked up with me instead?”
    Did we really have to have this conversation
with other people around? Even if his frat brothers already knew
about my hookups with Dylan, I didn’t need to have it
broadcast.
    The pledge next to me—I still didn’t know his
name—laughed. For some reason, more than the laughter, it annoyed
me that he hadn’t introduced himself. “Who are you?”
    “I’m Gregg.”
    “Hi, Gregg.”
    Kyle ran his hand down my arm. “Yes or
no?”
    “No. I wouldn’t have.” I wasn’t going to let
him make me sound like a slut.
    Kyle brushed my hair away so he could whisper
in my ear again. “If it had been me skinny dipping with you, you
wouldn’t have let me take you home?”
    What? He knew about that part? I figured he
only knew we’d hooked up. The only reason I didn’t kill Kyle then
and there was that the music was so loud that I didn’t think anyone
else heard.
    He must have noticed my expression. “Yes, I
know all about it. Dylan didn’t spare any details.”
    “Lovely. Just lovely.”
    “Trust me. I didn’t want to hear it. I’ve
wanted you for so long, and then he just took you.”
    “He didn’t ‘just take’ me.” I felt my anger
rising.
    “Just so you know, it doesn’t change
anything. I’m still interested…”
    “What?”
    “I’m just saying… I hate that you’re with
him, but I’d still want to date you.”
    “Do you realize how bad that sounds? I’m
dating your brother, and you’re trying to ask me out?”
    “He knew how I felt and went after you
anyway. I’m