Fear of Falling

made me want to show her off. I wanted everyone to know that she was mine, even though we hadn’t seriously had that conversation yet. She knew I wanted to be with her and only her. And while she would sometimes show it, she hadn’t said that she wanted the same.
    Once Mr. Bradley announced that lunch was served, our group lined up to pile their plates high with meats, salads and sides. I let everyone get their fill, standing back to sip on a cold beer. When Kami, Angel and Dominic stepped up to get food, I watched intently. Not because I was jealous. Not because I was having a semi-creeper moment. But because something seemed... odd.
    They stood side by side, Dom and Angel on either side of Kami, as if they were glued together. As Dom distributed meat onto the girls’ plates, Kami moved effortlessly around his hands to place side items on each of their plates. Angel dressed their food with condiments and grabbed silverware. They didn’t speak. They hardly even looked at each other. It was like they already knew what each person wanted without even communicating. As if they were much closer than I had originally thought.
    “Dude, are you seeing this?” CJ asked, suddenly beside me, watching the trio just as intently.
    I took a long swig of my beer. “Yeah.” What else could I say?
    “Are you sure the three of them are just friends? I mean, they look like a helluva lot more.”
    Another swig. “Yeah. As far as I know.”
    “Well, there is something going on with them. That doesn’t look just friendly. Pretty suspect as fuck.”
    I couldn’t disagree with him. I downed my beer and went for another, just to give my eyes and head a break. Once they had found a place to sit—together, of course—the shit just got more bizarre. It seemed like they were always touching. Kami pushing a lock of Angel’s hair out of her face. Dom wiping a smidgen of ketchup from the corner of Kami’s mouth, then sucking it off his thumb. Angel feeding Dom a bite of her food. Them rubbing each other’s backs. Resting their heads on each other’s shoulders. What the fuck was going on? Was I the only one who saw a problem with this shit?
    Thankfully, they finished their lunches, and Kami’s eyes searched for me in the crowd. When those green depths landed on me, the irritation evaporated instantly. I only saw her. But, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to fully have her until I understood the relationship she had with her roommates. I had unknowingly shared a woman with someone before. I’d be damned if I’d let that shit happen again.
    “This seat taken?” I asked, as she was reclining in one of the beach chairs. Dom and Angel had decided to go swimming, finally leaving her alone.
    She lifted her sunglasses to the top of her head and peered at me mischievously. “Hmmm, I don’t know.”
    “I come bearing gifts,” I grinned, holding up two Coronas.
    “Eh, I guess. You’re lucky I’m thirsty, and it’s so hella hot out here.”
    I handed her the beer, then slid my seat closer to hers before sitting down. “That’s the only reason you’ll let me sit next to you?”
    “Well, there are definitely other advantages.” Kami placed her perfect lips around the rim of her bottle, and I prayed my dick wasn’t pitching a tent under my board shorts.
    “Oh? Like what?”
    She took a small sip, then let the ice-cold bottle skid across the top of her cleavage. My eyes followed the movement, hypnotized by every drop of condensation that slid off the bottle and onto her plump breasts.
    “Well…if I don’t put on some sunblock, this hot country sun is going to burn me.”
    I laughed, throwing my head back. “Hot country sun? I think the sun is the same no matter where you are, babe. And Charlotte is hardly the country. I bet Atlanta was way more country-fied.”
    She shrugged. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Though it wasn’t as bad as Memphis.”
    Another tidbit of info, thank you. “You’ve lived in Memphis?”
    Kami answered with a quick nod of her head, then avoided my eyes by rummaging through her beach bag to retrieve her sunblock. “Please?” she asked holding out the bottle.
    I looked her up and down and licked my lips reflexively. “You’re gonna have to take that dress off.”
    “Not all the way. I just need a bit on my shoulders and back.” She turned around to give me access, and gathered her long, thick hair in her hands. I fought the urge to kiss and lick every inch of her neck and back. Fuck, she