Page 13 (1/2)

"No It's hot and I want to swi the color of dark toffee I looked like a whole different person in the suht have been the best part of it

Taylor on the other hand was pasty and bright like biscuit dough I had a feeling she'd catch up with lasses and set them on top of ht in The water felt like a shock to the system, in the best way possible When I came up for air, I treaded water over to the boys "Let's play Marco Polo," I said

Steven, as busy trying to dunk Conrad, stopped and said, "Marco Polo's boring"

"Let's play chicken," Jereested

"What's that?" I said

"It's when two teams of people climb up on each other's shoulders and you try to push the other person down," my brother explained

"It's fun, I swear," Jeremiah assured me Then he called over to Taylor, "Tyler, you wanna play chicken with us? Or are you too chicken?"

Taylor looked up frolasses, but I knew she was annoyed "It's Tay-lor, not Tyler, Jereed a look I knehat they were thinking "Co hing, and then she put herdown her bikini in the back "Do I have to take rinned at her "Not if you're onoff"

Taylor took them off anyway, and I realized then that the teams were uneven, and someone would have to sit out "I'll watch," I offered, even though I wanted to play

"That's okay I won't play," Conrad said

"We'll play two rounds," said Steven

Conrad shrugged "That's all right" He swam over to the side of the pool

"I call Tay-lor," Jereued Then he looked over and saw the expression on my face "It's just that you're taller than her is all"

I didn't want to play anymore "Why don't I just sit out, then? I'd hate to break your back, Steven"

Jereuys down I think you're probably a lot tougher than little Tay-lor"

Taylor walked down the steps and into the pool slowly, cringing at the teh, Jeremy," she said

Then Jereet onto his shoulders He was slippery, so it was hard to stay on at first Then he stood up and righted himself

I shifted and balanced my hands on his head "Am I too heavy?" I asked him quietly He was so wiry and thin, I was afraid I'd break hiripping on to ht then

Across fro and pulling his hair to hold herself steady Steven looked like he was ready to pitch her off of him and across the pool

"Ready? "Jeremiah asked In a low voice he said to me, "The trick is to just keep steady"

Steven nodded, and addled over to theover by the side, said, "Ready, set, go"