On My Way To Mr. Right

Chapter 18

"You know Lottie, this is how I and Laura hooked up," he chuckled, his voice deep. "I took her down the pool."

There's the real James. I should've known. I do not fall for this pig.

I scoffed and elbowed him, determined to get him off me. I didn't need physical contact with a man-w***e.

"What’s your problem, Lottie?" He called as I trudged to the stairs outside of the pool.

I'm such a fool. I do not fall for James. He's just attractive. No one could ever resist his charms. Besides, I don't need a guy like him pummeling my heart.

"Hey, Lottie," James called. I could sense the worry in his voice. Well, of course, he'd worry. We're friends. "What're you mad at? Did I do something wrong?"

I huffed. Of course, he won't know what he did. Guys are always so insensitive. "Oh, nothing. You just pulled me into the water unexpectedly and it got to my nose and eyes, and it stings, James,” I reasoned, my voice agitated.

"Rinse it with fresh or tap water, Char. That will be fine. Now come on back in!" Bea laughed as she splashed water on my feet.

My brows united, which means I'm angry. But I want to be, since no one's at fault here except me. I mean, they don't know what's wrong. They don't know I'm starting to have feelings for James.

I turned around and faked a huge grin. "Nah, I think I'll just watch you from here."

I took out a towel from my bag and covered it with my freezing body. I knew swimming in November was not a good idea, even in a heated pool.

"Well, boo," Bea laughed. "You're missing all the fun. It's all in the water!" She screamed as she played with the water.

I gave her a tight-lipped smile. "I could see all the fun from here, B."

"Oh," James' said, his voice laced with disappointment. "Well, I'll just come over there and watch it with you then.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. I felt uncomfortable with him. I definitely did not need him to sit beside me right now.

“No,” I said so fast. “I’m going back to the pool. I just need to get my eyes settled.”

“Oh,” James’ concerned reaction turned upside down.

It was all fun and games. I had gotten back to the pool and threw duckie floaties at James for thrusting me into the pool earlier.

Not too long after our fun, Trixie decided to join in, bringing along some older girls with her.

“Hey, Jane, Cathy,” B greets them, approaching the small group. We all turned around, wondering who they were. “Guys, these are my cousins. They’re on their way to the city and decided to stop by.”

They were obviously in college. Jane’s boobs were fully developed. Cathy’s face looked like it had come from a fight between the eyeliner and mascara. I stood in the pool, displeased at their arrival. We were a fun group before them.

“Well, look at what the cat dragged in,” James playfully says, taking Cathy’s hand and kissing it gently. I felt repulsed. I thought this would be a fun little night for the group, despite Ross’ absence. Not some hoe-bag party.

“Aren’t you a people-pleaser,” Cathy plays along, jumping into the pool with James.

I floated along in my flamingo floaties, staring hard at James and Cathy, who had engaged in a private conversation in one corner of the pool. I glared at them so hard that if they were balloons, they would have already popped from the intensity by now.

“You’ve gotten silent, Char,” She notes. “Are you feeling okay? Or is it still the chlorinated water in your eyes and nose?”

“No, I’m fine,” I smiled back. “Just a little distracted. Which cousins are they, anyway?”

“Um, from my mother’s side. Remember the twins I said that lived in Switzerland? They moved back to New York City after high school to study.”

“Well, that’s pretty recent.”

“Yeah, they’re actually on their way to have their first orientation tomorrow.”

“Lottie, it’s getting late. What time did you say your father was picking you up again?” Charles asks, noticing the eerie silence of the night.

“Ten-thirty,” I told him, a little frantic upon noticing the time on the big clock on their porch. It read ten-fifteen. Dad hated it whenever he would have to wait while picking me up. Even more so in the Baxter residence where he’ll meet with Mr. Baxter. They do not have the brightest history together.

“What time are you going home, Charles?” B asked him as I ran out of the pool to change.

“Depends really,” He answers, looking at James who was effectively flirting with Cathy. “James is driving me home as it’s along the way.”

“Don’t wait up for me, you old chap,” James whispered excitedly, approaching our little group.

I slowed down in my steps to hear what he had to say.

“Cathy thinks I should stay longer. They’re staying at the other side of the house, right, B?”

Beatrice nods. I interjected straight away.

“Don’t you have rehearsals early tomorrow, though?”

“Yeah, but who said I’m not going home? I just mean I won’t be going home alone.”

He said with a wink. I inwardly scratched my face in disgust.

“Cathy’s in college, James,” B spits out, revolted at the idea of her cousin with James. As did I.

“I didn’t say anything was going to happen. I only mean something might, and it’s always good to keep your options open and wide.”

I immediately left after that. I couldn’t stomach the thought of having developed feelings for him. He was a complete pig at such a young age.

Just as I finish changing, my father beeps outside the gate.