Page 14 of Best Vacation Ever

“Does my brother know?” I ask him, gesturing to my wrist.

Kellan nods. “He wouldn’t admit it to you if you asked, but he told me it was a good idea, since you’d find a way into the red events anyway. At least you won’t get yourself in trouble this way.”

Damn straight a piece of paper isn’t keeping me out of the cool parties. At least now Lori won’t be nagging me the whole time because she doesn’t want to get caught.

“Plus,” Kellan adds, raking a hand through his hair, “he said this way he can watch out for you. Don’t tell him I told you, though, because he’d deny it.”

If I was drinking, I would’ve done a spit-take. My brother said that? Adam “I ignore my girlfriend tormenting my sister”

Murray? The last time he “watched out” for me was a week ago when he stole my brownie midbite to “make sure it didn’t have nuts.”

I’m not allergic to nuts.

I snort. “Adam’s a buzzkill. I’m not planning on sticking around him at the red events.”

“Either way, you wouldn’t be getting into those events without yours truly.” He puckers his lips and gestures to them, a playful gleam in his eyes as he waits for his thank-you kiss.

No onetells me what to do. Especially not a pain-in-the-ass, stupidly good-looking boy.

I smile, but he misses the mischievous intent behind it.

“Fine, I’ll give you what you deserve.”

Satisfied that he’s getting his way, he closes his eyes and leans toward me.

I lean in and swiftly grab the water bottle in my open bag, and in one motion, whip off the lid and empty the cold liquid all over him.

His eyes pop open in shock, his mouth wide, disbelief written all over his beautiful face.

I bite my lip and try not to laugh. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

A challenge ignites in his dark eyes and a smirk molds his lips. “And this is your warning . . .”

I yelp as he stands up, but I’m faster. I run away from him in the general direction of the ocean, laughing and screaming as Kellan chases me, not even caring that I break a flip-flop. His carefree laugh is music to my ears as we splash into the infinite blue water.

—

Lori and I eat dinner together. I haven’t seen Adam or any of his friends for most of the day, and I don’t mind. I’ll see them at the foam party, so I put on my cutest bikini and force Lori to do the same. I may not be tall, toned, and have legs for days like her, but I know for a fact that my curves look sensational in bikinis.

I’m wearing a hot-pink halter bikini set that’s always a crowd-pleaser and has never failed to get all eyes on me, and Lori’s in a light-blue string bikini that she totally rocks.

We hear the music and laughter before we even reach the resort’s red-wristbands-only pool.

“Do you think Dean will be here?” Lori asks nervously as we flash our wristbands at a worker to get access to the pool.

“That’s a dumb question,” I answer as I take in the scene in front of us.

Even though it’s pitch-black outside, the pool and surrounding area are bright with purple and blue and red lights. There’s foam covering the pool, and half-drunk late teens and early twentysomethings with wrists covered in glowstick bracelets are splashing around, throwing foam at each other.

“You’re right. Obviously he’s here.” Lori scans the sizable area, trying to spot Dean in the crowd.

I grab us a couple of glowstick bracelets and drag Lori over to the packed bar where I’m sure we’ll bump into Kellan. He’s probably over there, flashing his perfect smile at some unsuspecting girl while she falls for his stupid charm.

Not that I’m jealous or anything.

As I’m scoping out the yummy boys from all around the world, Lori gets my attention by frantically slapping me with the back of her hand.

“Ow! What?”