"Where are the hot guys Dedra said you already found? We could use their help with these bags." I laughed and pulled mine up the stairs, as well, wondering why the hell I hadn't packed several small suitcases instead of one huge one.
"Let me help." Dedra moved in beside me and pressed her shoulder to mine as we gave it one good heave, almost falling over backwards with our efforts.
"Hot guys? Please. They're all too busy working on their tans to care too much about helping anyone out." Cindy opened the door and smiled. "I made cookies."
"Why am I not surprised to hear that? You're always baking something, and yet you still look like a model." I tugged at the front of her t-shirt before walking into the house.
The open floor plan had the living room, kitchen, and dining room all visible from the front door. The delicious scent of chocolate and sugar wrapped around me, and I breathed in deeply.
"Hey it's hot out here. Move it on inside." Emily pushed at my bag.
"Oh, right." I laughed and moved into the coolness of the house. "I love it. I was hoping it would look just like it did in the pictures."
"And, it does." Cindy moved up beside me. "Plus, the lake is gorgeous. We've been lying out and boating for a couple weeks, trying to relax. I would say it's your turn to do the same, but we're bored out of our minds, so..."
"So, we're supposed to have brought the party with us?" Emily rolled her eyes as she walked toward the back of the house. "We sharing rooms?"
"No, Miss Good Times," I called after her. "We each have a room to ourselves. You know, in case you want to bring a boy home and give him your V-card."
"Very funny." Emily didn't turn to face me, but the tone of her voice told me that she knew I was just teasing her. She'd slept with as many guys as I had, which wasn't many.
"What did you get at the grocery store?" I left my bag by the front door, not at all concerned with where I would be sleeping at night. For the chance of a long summer with my friends by the lake, I'd gladly sleep in the bathtub if needed.
"I didn't get up there. They're having a sale today for some festival in town, and I must have stopped at three little dress stands. I got a few new things. You want to see?" Cindy stopped at the opening to the kitchen as I walked in and grabbed a few warm cookies.
"Absolutely." I groaned in delight over the cookie. "Are these from scratch?"
"Did you really just ask her that?" Dedra moved closer and snagged the other half of the cookie from my hand. "You know you're talking to a fully degreed chef."
I smirked. "How could I forget? I'm quite jealous."
"Me, too." Dedra leaned against the counter and let out a long sigh. "I finally found a basketball court to play hoops at. You wanna go check it out with me later today when you get settled?"
Though I was tired as hell, there was no way I was denying her. "Of course, though getting my ass handed to me by the captain of our basketball team does not sound like fun."
"Was the captain." She pursed her lips and shrugged. "I don't know what I am now. It's weird not belonging anymore."
"What? You'll always belong. That's silly." I popped the rest of my cookie in my mouth and ran my hands over her upper arms. "And besides, now it's your turn to teach young girls how to be great team players and leaders like you were, D. Like you are."
"I guess you're right. It's just such a hard transition." She took a shaky breath. "I thought I was going to spend my life playing ball, but I guess not. Having to grow up and tuck that dream away has been the hardest thing I've ever done. Even beyond losing my dad when I was little."
"I get that." I squeezed her shoulders one more time and picked up two cookies, giving her one. "My dreams aren't worthy of focusing on, either, at least not from my father's perspective."
"Don't get me started on your dad." She narrowed her warm brown eyes at me.
Cindy's voice startled me. "Okay. Check it out."
She twirled around in place, showing off the pretty, blue summer dress that fit her thin, model-like body beautifully. She was almost completely flat-chested, and yet with all of the other great attributes she had to show off, she was nothing less than stunning.
"Wow. I'm not standing next to you wearing that thing. Not ever." I smirked as she turned around once more.
"I love it. I bet you could wear it, Cora. We're about the same size. Well, except for your boobs." She ran her hands over hers and let out a growl. "Damn genetics."
"Is she complaining again about eating everything in sight and still being thin?" Emily walked into the kitchen and smirked. "Seems like such a problem to have."
I clapped my hands. "Alright. Are we going to get groceries before we settle in? I'd rather get that out of the way."