Faded (Rock Star Trilogy)

you should catch it,” Stephan urges me.
    So we both paddle out together. I manage to stand up and am excited when I don't fall right away. But the shore is coming fast, and I've never actually ridden all the way in so I don't know what to do. As soon as my board hits the sand, I go flying forward. I land face first in the sand with my mouth open.
    I hear Stephan and Ethan running up to me.
    “Are you okay?” Ethan asks.
    I pull my face out of the sand, and start spitting the sand out of my mouth. When I do, Ethan and Stephan both laugh at me. I glare at them.
    “Not…” I stop to spit. “Funny.”
    They keep laughing. “Yes it is,” they both agree.
    “I'm going to wash my mouth out and take a shower,” I say, storming past them.
    “Oh, come on, Scarlett!” Stephan runs up beside me. “It was funny.”
    I spit again. “Maybe it will be funnier once I get all of this sand off me.”
    “Do you want help? I would be glad to assist you in the shower,” he offers.
    I can't stay mad at Stephan long. “You wish.”
     
    When I come out of the bathroom, Stephan is waiting for me in my bedroom. I'm only wearing my bra and a thong. I scream and try to cover myself up with my hands.
    Stephan is topless from surfing, and he has on his blue swimming shorts. He looks good, and for a second, I'm almost distracted by the fact that I'm basically naked.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Oh, come on,” he smirks. “I just saw you in your bikini. Your bra and panties cover up more than it did.”
    “My bikini wasn't a thong. Close your eyes,” I demand.
    He does as I ask. I walk with my butt facing the wall on the way to my closet, and then I run inside. I put a short, white skirt, and a red lace tank top, and walk back into my bedroom.
    “Did Ethan go home?” I ask Stephan.
    “Yeah, I think he's going to Mona's house or something,” he answers. “Mind if I take a shower?”
    I swallow hard. “Um, sure,” I say, trying not to sound affected.
    Right before he walks into the bathroom, he turns around. “It's only fair…” I'm about to ask him what he means, when he turns his back to me and pulls down his shorts. I only see his butt for a second before he walks into my bathroom.
    I can't help but smile.
    He has a nice ass.
     
    6:51 PM
    Wedding night
     
    “Let's go on a date,” Stephan says when he walks out of the bathroom.
    “Right now?” I ask.
    “Yeah.”
    “Okay. Where are we going to go?”
    He thinks for a couple of seconds before responding. “Do you know how to play pool?”
    I laugh. “I’m a rock star. Of course I know how to play pool. I am unbeatable.”
    “I highly doubt that, but let’s go.”
    Ten minutes later, we pull up to “Marvin’s Tavern”. It’s a hole in the wall, which I like. Stephan pays for the table, and I rack up the balls.
    “So is this just your excuse to watch me bend over?” I ask. I already know the answer.
    He licks his lips suggestively and responds with a shrug. “Maybe.”
    Thought so. I grab a pool stick. “Do you want to break, or should I?”
    He smirks. “Go ahead, Miss Expert Pool Player. Break away.”
    I shoot the ball, knocking in two solid balls in the process. I look over at Stephan and I can’t help it, I gloat. “What was that you were saying about doubting me earlier?”
    He rolls his eyes. “Are you going to gloat now?”
    I nod. “Yes, yes I am. In fact, if we weren’t in a very public place right now, I would dance.”
    “You’re annoying.”
    I laugh. “You’re the one who asked me out.”
    “A decision that I am already regretting,” he jokes.
    We both laugh, and I can’t help but think that this feels like old times — Stephan teasing me. It’s how life is supposed to be. For the first time since Bridgett got sick, I feel normal again, and I realize that it’s Stephan. He is the only one who can make me feel this way.
    “What are you thinking?” he asks.
    I’m thinking that I’m in love with you . But I don’t say it out loud. Instead I say, “Just imagining the look on your face when I beat you.” I bend over to shoot again and smile when I see Stephan checking me out from behind. I shoot the ball, and it goes in the pocket.
    “I could watch you beat me all night. Seriously. What an amazing view.”
    I try to act annoyed, but the smile on my face deceives me. “Now I want to miss so it will be my turn to watch you.”
    “I see that my master plan is working.”
    “Master plan?” I question.
    He puts his