It’s nice to enjoy a minute of calm. The water is fresh, not too fresh. The lake is peaceful and lonely. I’m in no hurry to swim back to the shore. My parents’ lakehouse, right above the beach, is obscured by a thin line of trees.

Drying myself under the early morning sun, I’m winded but still manage to hear people approaching along the small path to the Johnsons’ cabin. I’ve not seen Diane and Kevin in years. She looks great in her one-piece swimsuit, and her once-lanky brother walks confidently next to her.

The only one who’s not aged gracefully is their grandparents’ old golden retriever, but I can’t quite recall its name.

“Hey, Roman!” Diane calls out cheerfully, closing the distance between us. “Long time no see!”

She leans in for a light hug, not the least bit bothered by how wet I still am. With my head over her shoulder, I nod to her brother.

“Kev’.”

“Sup, dude,” he retorts, seemingly confused by Diane’s comfort with me. He’s never been the sharpest tool in the shed. “Maddie and Paige are not with you?”

“Last I saw, they were still eating breakfast,” I say as politely as possible. My sister and her best friend are not morning people. “But they might be ready to come over by now.”

“Sure,” he says, already moving toward the lakehouse like my words were an open invitation. “I’ll try the front door.”

Oh well. We're back to our old configuration. Kevin is closer in age to Paige and Maddie, while Diane and I are from the same year. When I was a teenager, the neighbors’ granddaughter was a much more appealing companion than my sister and her obnoxious best friend, five years my juniors.

And if history has a way of repeating itself, I just hope we don’t pick up where we left off. Fooling around behind rocks would make this vacation a whole lot messier.

The dog follows Kevin up the steps, tail wagging, visibly happy to be led around. Just like that, Diane and I are alone on the beach. 

She spreads her towel beside mine, stretching her legs and arching her back to soak in the sun. It’s effortless. Maddie could actually learn a thing or two from her about subtlety.

“So,” she begins, looking at me through half-lidded eyes. “Grandpa and Grandma told us they ran into Maddie and you on the way here.”

Her tone is casual, but the implication is clear. Thankfully, there’s no way the Johnsons caught Maddie going down on me while I was trying to keep up with their demented driving. I take my time sitting down next to her.

“Yeah, I gave her a ride here.”

Diane lifts a brow.

“She moved to my city,” I add, shutting down whatever theory she’s working on. “For college. What’ve you been up to?”

“Nothing much,” she shrugs. “Graduated, moved across the country, got laid off from my first real job… Anyway, that’s my reason for being here. What’s your excuse?”

“Dumped by my fiancée. That put a damper on my vacation plans.”

“Aww,” she coos, bumping her shoulder against mine before letting it rest there. “I’d say ‘her loss,’ but if I recall correctly, you used to be kind of an ass.”

I snort. “And yet you kept coming back.”

Diane giggles. “What can I say? I make terrible life choices.”

She lays her head on my shoulder. I take back what I just said about subtlety.

This is the exact moment our younger siblings, the dog, and Maddie decide to barge back onto the beach.

Paige almost doesn’t notice us. She’s holding onto the leash, her attention entirely focused on the golden retriever. Banjo? Boomer? Something with a B. We never had pets growing up, so anytime she gets near an animal, it’s like the rest of the world ceases to exist.

Kevin, for his part, is completely transfixed by Maddie and the pareo wrapped around her chest. Unlike my sister, she hasn’t changed into a bikini. A little out of character.

But that thought evaporates the second I meet her eyes.

Maddie isn’t looking at Kevin. She’s looking at me. At Diane’s head resting on my shoulder. How can such a petite woman look so threatening?

“Hey guys,” Diane offers as she stiffly separates herself from me. “Looks like the gang’s all here.”

“Sorry,” Maddie says in an even tone. “We didn’t know you guys were hanging out. Didn’t mean to intrude.”

With that, she drops her bag on the sand and lays her towel facing us. Kevin moves to do the same while Paige rubs the dog’s offered belly.

“Wow, Maddie. I almost didn’t recognize you. You’re all grown up now.”

Ok, Diane and I are a little older than the others, but not that old. She’s overplaying it.

As if to show off just how ‘grown up’ she is, Maddie chooses this moment to untie her pareo and let it slip down her body.

Just like she has for the past two days, she’s wearing nothing but a bikini bottom. Her glowing skin is turning golden to match her hair from all the sun she’s been able to soak up.

“That I am,” Maddie nods, smirking smugly as she stretches out.

Kevin's eyes are about ready to pop, and even Diane loses some of her composure. I begin looking for a way to get Maddie to cover up before thinking better of it. I’ve already lost that battle.

Besides, I’m not her dad.

“Uh…did you forget something?” Diane’s fingers tug absentmindedly at her own modest swimsuit. “Is that even legal?”

“Not planning on calling the cops, are you?” Maddie asks, all mock innocence.

“Nope,” Kevin blurts out, too quickly. “Definitely not calling the cops.”

Maddie grins, lazily turning her head toward Diane. “Relax, we’re all friends here.” Her eyes slide to me. "Family, really.”

Behind her smile, there is unmistakable anger. I’m ashamed of how much I enjoy seeing the rivalry unfold.

I shouldn’t, really. But after how brutal my breakup was, the attention is actually kind of nice. 

“At least put on sunscreen,” I cut in for the first time, tossing her my tube. “You’re gonna burn up.”

“Thanks,” she squirts a dollop into her palm before leaning over to hand it to Kevin. “Do my back?”

The poor guy barely processes what’s happening before nodding, too mesmerized by the half-naked nineteen-year-old in front of him to put up a fight. He doggedly obeys, his hands careful, almost reverent, as he spreads the cream over her skin.

Maddie shifts, rounding her shoulders to give him better access, but keeps her movements on the practical side. A far cry from the suggestive show she could’ve put on if she wanted to. I exhale, relieved.

“Paige,” I call out to distract myself from the view more than anything. “Put some on too.”

My sister tears her eyes from the ball of fur rolling around in the sand, almost startled to be brought back to reality.

“Oh, yeah. Right.” With a stretch, she gets to her feet, not even remotely fazed by the display her best friend is putting on. “Come on, Bodie.” She pats her thigh for the dog to follow before swiping the sunscreen from Kevin’s trembling hands.

Any hopes of making the situation less charged are dashed away as she follows Maddie’s example and casually unties her top, letting it drop to the sand next to a blushing Diane. I drag my hand over my face. Christ.

“So, what have you girls planned for today?” I ask to steer the conversation toward a friendlier shore.

“What do you mean you girls?” Maddie interjects instantly, tilting her head and squinting her eyes. “Didn’t plan to spend the day with us?”

I could almost take her hurt tone seriously if not for Kevin’s hands rubbing all over her back.

“Come on, don’t start. I’m just asking. You two weren’t exactly chatty at breakfast.”

“Honestly, we’re probably just gonna spend the day at the beach.” Thank God for Paige and her bluntness. “You’re up for it, Kev’?”

“Uh,” he does his best to look away from the expanse of naked skin in front of him. “Yeah. Sure. Beach sounds good.”

In the corner of my eye, I catch Diane’s amused smirk. She’s enjoying this. Whether it’s Maddie’s antics or my slow descent into frustration, I can’t tell.

Once the general awkwardness dissipates, it’s actually sort of nice to catch up with old friends. Even Kevin has turned into an interesting person when Maddie’s relentless teasing doesn’t turn him into a blubbering idiot.

To my surprise, her attitude does get under my skin.

I’m starting to feel irked by her constant display of attention to him. Slowly, the thought creeps in that I should have fucked her last night rather than try and be a good guy.

Eventually, Paige gets up.

“Let’s move up the shore, I want to take Bodie to the rocks. He loves it there.” 

She knows more about this dog she sees once or twice a year than I do about most of my friends.

Kevin follows suit, and Maddie sticks her hands out at him. He pulls her up, and the force sends her tilting toward him. She doesn’t correct it right away.

“Thanks,” she purrs, letting her fingers briefly graze his forearm before stepping back.

“What about you, Di,” Paige asks. “Coming?”

Diane’s eyes flick between Maddie, her brother and then land on me. 

“I think I’ll hang back for a while. I want to catch some rays,” she says, stretching her pale legs out as if to emphasize the point. “Seriously, I’m practically translucent next to you guys.”

She then tilts her head toward me.

“Do you mind keeping me company?” That smile is full of promise. 

I don’t even need to look at Maddie to know she is boiling. Two can play this game.

“Sure,” I shrug.

“Alright, let’s go,” Paige urges, leading the other along the beach. I feel somewhat guilty for not going with them, but I can’t give in any time Maddie throws a tantrum. It’d set a bad precedent.

We watch them go, the silhouettes of the three teenagers and the dog detaching themselves from the shimmering water. I’m still baffled at how blasé everyone’s become about my little sister and her best friend running around half-naked.

But this pales in comparison to the whiplash I’m experiencing from Maddie giving me the cold shoulder.

I know this is a punishment for an imaginary slight against her, but a sharp pang of jealousy still pinches me. I shouldn’t be this affected by her childish antics. 

I’m an adult. I’m mature and well-adjusted.

Right as they’re about to disappear behind a bend in the shore, Maddie turns around, catching my eyes with a devious smirk. She then proceeds to wrap herself around Kevin’s arm, pressing her chest into his skin.

For a second, I wonder how the others would react if I were to carry her over my shoulder like a caveman and take her back to the nearest bedroom.

“What a little slut,” Diane's cutting voice brings back to Earth.

“Huh?”

“Come on,” she rolls her eyes at me. “I’ve seen you looking. The way she’s showing her tits off, throwing herself at Kevin.”

“She’s harmless,” I say in a dismissive tone. “Besides, you weren’t exactly shy back in the day either.”

She grins. For an instant, I’m pretty sure she’s going to flirt back. I’m harmless too. Instead, she scoffs.

“Whatever. We’ll be lucky if my brother doesn’t catch an STD from her before the end of the week.”

I shake my head. Diane might be older than Maddie, but she doesn’t get it. Obviously, Maddie’s toying with Kevin to make me jealous.

She’s not actually trying to sleep with him.

 Right?

Diane is lying on her back, propping herself up on her shoulders to make eye contact. The sunlight filters through the trees at the edge of the beach, painting small, moving shadows over her pale curves.

We talk about nothing, letting the nostalgia guide us: The last summers we were here together, improvised parties with local kids. For some reason, we steer clear of real life.

A memory bubbles up to the surface. Diane, breathless in a red bikini, letting droplets drip from her tanned skin. She’s so close that I can feel the cold water clinging to her right before her fresh hand finds mine. 

But in the blink of an eye, it is washed away. Replaced by a nagging itch in the back of my head.

What is Maddie up to?

“We should go check out on the others,” I say, cursing myself silently. I’m too weak. “Make sure no one’s dead.”

“When did you turn into such a worrywart,” Diane’s knowing smile from earlier is back.

“It’s not that,” I pause for a second, trying to find the right words. “It’s been made clear to me that I’ve not been the best brother in the past. And this,” I gesture to show the space between us. “Is not really helping my case.”

Diane chuckles, unimpressed. “The girls have got you wrapped around their fingers.”

I press my lips together. I could think of at least three times in the past seventy-two hours when Maddie had her fingers wrapped around me instead.

But Diane doesn’t need to know about that.

“Coming with?” I ask, getting up.

She lies her back flat on the sand, resting her head on her arms. “I’m good, see you later.”

I wave, but she’s already closed her eyes, so I just walk away.

‘The rocks’ Paige talked about earlier are a collection of smooth boulders and jagged stones jutting out along the shore.

After walking along the deserted beach for a few minutes, I can see Maddie and Kevin's heads peeking above the lake's calm water in the distance. 

Paige is still on the shore, tossing a ball for Bodie, oblivious to my approach. The old golden retriever doesn’t react when I step closer, and my sister squeals in surprise as I pick her up in a swift movement.

I know the lake by heart and select a spot with slightly deeper water and only soft sand to cushion the fall of the girl wriggling in my arms as I toss her.

Paige vanishes under the surface, but when she reappears, she’s gasping with laughter. Bodie barks excitedly, his tail wagging even as he dives after her.

“Rom!” She calls out happily. “You came!”

I jump in, splashing both girl and dog, but they are too drenched to even flinch.

“Obviously.” I wipe my wet hair back. “Had to make an entrance.”

She chortles. “Dumbass. I could have had a heart attack.”

We’re joined an instant later by Maddie and Kevin. She makes a big show of not addressing me directly, laughing at Kevin’s jokes, flicking water at Paige, and keeping her distance.

Of course, the act falls apart completely when I consider how fast she came over the second she saw I was here.

For a while, we swim aimlessly. Paige regularly returns to the shore to let the dog rest a little. Kevin is just happy to be here and has an all-around positive energy now that he is no longer under Maddie’s spell.

My eyes keep finding her. She looks like a water nymph as she gracefully maneuvers her toned figure through the water. Her golden hair trails behind her and glistens in the sun.

From time to time, she catches my gaze. And when she does, her face betrays her. A quiet, pleased smile, a flicker of color in her cheeks.

I should look away. Instead, my mind wanders.

I imagine myself bringing her back here, alone. Convincing her to discard that last piece of fabric. Letting her swim naked in the still water, just for me. I could watch her for hours.

She kicks the water behind her, splashing my face and making me snap back to reality.

We’re following Paige and Kevin going further along the shore when I finally catch up to her.

“You’re done pouting?” I ask in a low tone.

“You’re done flirting with your old girlfriend?” She shoots back bitterly.

“Oh, grow up. We’re just friends.”

Maddie doesn’t answer and just swims away. She pulls herself up on the rocky bank. I watch her take a few steps before she slips and falls right down on the sharp surface with a dull sound.

“Roman!” She calls out, and I rush to join her.

The others are startled and get there before me, but when she calls my name a second time, they make room for me to reach her.

Maddie’s sitting on the ground. She clutches her knee with one hand while the other hides her chest. That moment of bashfulness makes her look much younger, much smaller.

I kneel next to her.

“Are you okay?”

There are tears swelling in her blue eyes. She simply nods.

Paige crouches next to us, rubbing her shoulder. “Let us see,” she coaxes gently. 

After a brief hesitation, Maddie pulls her hand back. Scrapes, red and raw, streak across her knee. It’s hard to tell how deep it is beneath the mix of water and blood.

“Doesn’t look too bad,” I say. “Just need to clean it, and you’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, we should head back. We have what we need at the house,” Paige offers.

“No, it’s okay,” Maddie cuts abruptly. She then pauses to wipe her eyes with her forearm.

“You guys can stay out here. Rom will get me home. You know, to apologize for ditching us earlier.”

Paige cackles. “Nurse Roman? It has a nice sound to it.”

I’m too stunned to react. Maddie has no shame.

“Pull me up,” she reaches out. Paige and I tug on her arm, but she winces as her foot touches the group.

“Is your ankle sprained?” I ask, unable to keep the worry out of my voice.

“Relax, I can walk. It’s just a little sore.” Maddie answers, giving me a reassuring smile.

She keeps one arm wrapped modestly around her chest and leans into me for support. I feel a shiver run through her body where our skin touches.

“You’re sure it’s gonna be okay?” Kevin asks, sharing Paige’s and my uncertain tone.

“Yeah, no point in ruining everyone’s morning,” Maddie says, before tapping my shoulder twice. “Let’s go.”

She holds on to me as we retrace our steps, her weight warm against my side. That is, until she leans closer, lips brushing my shoulder, to look over it.

“They’re gone,” she whispers.

Then, just like that, she detaches. The limp disappears, and she saunters beside me like...