EPILOGUE

 

Warm hands pressed against my back shoving me forward. Screaming, I flew into the pool. When my body hit the water, it was so cold it stole my breath. As I sunk downward I heard Ava squeal from somewhere above me. Then she crashed into the pool a few feet from me. Once my toes brushed the bottom, I pushed off and swam back up. I sucked in a breath the minute my head broke through the surface.

Sputtering, I held myself up by moving my arms in the water in a circular motion. Ava popped up beside me. Nick and Sam stood above us laughing, their shadows casting over our bodies.

“You’re gonna get it!” I hollered.

“Oh, yeah, they are,” Ava agreed.

Hitting the water with my hands I splashed upward. Laughing, Nick leapt into the pool and swam toward me. When he reached me, he looped his arms around my waist and tugged me toward him. Sam jumped in as well, and I heard he and Ava laughing and talking behind us.

 “You brat. I can’t believe you pushed me in,” I said, reaching up to sluice water from my face.

“Trust me, I did it for your own good.” Nick jumped in and swam up to me, his blond hair slick and wet, his blue eyes sparkling.

“Really?”

“Yeah.” His gaze shot down my body. “It’s over a hundred degrees out there. And you’re hot enough as it is.” He winked

Rolling my eyes, I said, “That’s pretty cheesy.”

“But is it working?” He cocked an eyebrow, his face nearing mine.

Giggling, I shoved away from him and swam under water. I almost got to the end when Nick’s hand clamped around my ankle, yanking me toward him. Feeling weightless and free, my body easily slid toward his.

Our heads bobbed up above the water just as Nick’s hands tickled my stomach. Squealing, I kicked and flailed.

“Stop it. I hate to be tickled.”

“Oh, come on. You know you love it.”

“I…do…not,” I panted between giggles.

“Then why do you sound so happy?” He grinned, continuing to tickle me.

“This…is…not….a….happy…laugh.” I finally broke free from his grip, and I swam as fast as I could to the other side of the pool. Grasping the edge, I took deep breaths.

“Seriously, you two,” Ava laughed. “Get a room.”

“You get a room,” Nick retorted, but thankfully he stopped tickling me.

I caught my breath and jokingly punched him in the shoulder. “Nice comeback,” I said sarcastically.

“Oh, really?” The gleam in his eyes told me I shouldn’t have said that.

Shrieking, I dove back under and swam swiftly away from him. But this time when his fingers brushed my leg, I whirled around and latched onto his hand. He smiled at me underwater, bubbles escaping through his lips. We stayed there for a moment, suspended in the water, our fingers lightly connecting and disconnecting.

When we came up for air, Nick curved his hands around my waist, his fingers digging into my flesh. Moving close to him, I wrapped my legs around his torso. Our bodies bobbed in the gentle waves.

Behind me, Ava and Sam giggled and chatted. My insides warmed so much they almost matched the hundred-degree heat outside. I loved summer days like this when we were all together.

“Have you talked to your sister? Do you know how it’s going this weekend?” I asked.

Smiling, Nick nodded. “Yeah. Stacey says they’re having a lot of fun. Dad’s being cool, and they’ve had some good talks.”

“That’s awesome.” I nestled into Nick’s chest, the scent of sunblock wafting under my nose.

“Yeah, it is,” he agreed, holding me tighter. “How has it been having your dad home?”

I peered up at him. “So great.” Dad had only been home for a couple of days, but he was here for the entire summer.

Nick tilted his face downward.  I scooted up, pressing my lips to his. My hands slid down his bare, muscular chest. The one I used to daydream about touching. He moaned softly as our tongues slid together. When our lips parted, his gaze collided with mine.

“I love you,” he murmured.

“I love you too,” I said back, delicious goosebumps arising all over my skin.

I had no idea what would happen at the end of the summer. Would we stay together through college and beyond? I hoped so. But I wouldn’t worry about it right now. At this moment, we were together and in love, and for me that was enough.

Traveling back in time had taught me one important thing: Live for today. Make the most of every moment.

You never know what will happen when you wake up tomorrow.                                               

THE END

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