"I got a cabin at Joe Pool Lake! We need to go shopping A.S.A.P!" Rocky exclaimed, bursting into my room. It was Saturday morning and I just took a shower after working out. I was super sore and now that I got my 5th workout of the week completed, all I wanted to do was relax and pig out the rest of the weekend. FML.
"Ugh, why can't Brandon go with you? They're his friends." I questioned, flopping on my bed. She ignored me as she went thru my closet. She pulled out jeans and a top and threw them on the bed.
"Rocky!"
"C'mon Lily. It's the first time all me and Brandon's friends are getting together. I need this to be perfect. I need your help." She said while still rummaging through my clothes.
"It's not a big deal. Besides, you've met them before." I smiled to myself, recalling her venting to me how childish they were.
"Yeah, but it's different now. We're living together. I don't want them thinking of me as the controlling stuck up girlfriend."
"You say as you're forcing me to go shopping with you." I grumbled, admitting defeat.
She turned to smile at me, victoriously. "That's why I need you. I'm never going to change. If they see how funny, laidback and adorable my best friend is, it will show me in a new light: Birds of a feather and all that jazz."
"Or I could just tell them you pay me to be your friend..." I suggested, watching Rocky move to my dresser drawers.
"Do that and your uninvited." She said, pulling out my bathing suit and putting it back.
"Does that mean I can go to sleep?" I smiled, rolling over to face away from her.
"Sure... but it also means I will not be treating you to a new bathing suit, or a trip to the nail bar; Which I'm sure Ethan would have enjoy seeing both on you." Rocky finished, leaving the room.
The bathing suit got my attention. The nail bar got me up out of bed. Ethan got me rushing to follow her.
"What wrong with my bathing suit?" I declared, meeting her in the kitchen, slipping on some flip flops.
"Um, it's a skirted floral one piece. It screams mom."
"We all know yo mama would wear a thong bikini." I spat back. I was not lying. Her mom posted the picture on Instagram on her 55th birthday. Mama Smith was the definition of living her best life.
"We ain't talking 'bout my mama. We're talking 'bout your ugly swimsuit." She snapped right back at me. I glared at her for a moment, before we both start laughing.
"But for real, separate pieces look so much better if you don't wanna wear a bikini."
"Ethan is really going to be there?" I asked, hopefully.
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, he's bring EJ and they are gonna camp out too. I'm going to pretend I'm not offended that he is more important than helping out your best friend out Liliana Carol Harris."
"As long as we understand each other" I shrugged, before we headed out.
After planning the menu for the barbecue, we went grocery shopping. We fought the crowds while going over the itinerary. Brandon's friends had already reserved a campsite so everyone was meeting up there to eat, swim and hang out. Rocky got the cabin for 2 nights, so when Brandon's friends camped out, we were going to stay at the cabin. Once the groceries were bought and put away at home, we went to lunch, bikini shopping, and a nail bar.
"You realize not camping too is probably not the best idea for not looking stuck up." I commented as we got settled at the nail bar.
She sighed. "I know, but that's better than being a murderer. If I have to deal with his friend Jake, I will kill him."
"Is he really that bad?" I asked as we got our wine and let the technicians get started on our nails. I always loved getting my nails done. It was the only thing that made me feel feminine and cute growing up. It was therapeutic for me. My Dad let me do whatever I wanted to them. Make-up and revealing clothing were out of the question, but my nails were the only thing I could control. Through different colors, patterns and styles, I could always display my moods and personality freely. Even when I had to support myself, I could always afford do it yourself nail kits.
"YES" Rocky answered. "The only times me and Brandon really had problems dating involved Jake or alcohol. Even with alcohol, 9 times out of 10, Jake was pouring it down his throat."
I shook my head while picking out a nail design. "He sounds like a douche."
"Exactly. I'm just glad most of his friends warmed up to me. Jake is the only one that gives me problems. Unfortunately, he grew up in McKinney with Brandon's family so he's like a family friend. He's not going anywhere. I'm just going be civil and ignore him if he chooses not to be."
"That's right. Be the bigger person." I agreed.
Rocky shook her head at my "ghetto" choice of nail art on my ring fingers. They were blue bejeweled anchors to match my new bathing suit.
"You should get something on your middle finger. Ya know, if anyone gets stupid, you can show off your art." I suggested.
Rocky laughed. She doesn't get nail art, but she does get her French manicure on her middle fingers pink.
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Rocky and I were functioning with little sleep Saturday morning, the day of the barbeque. We stayed up late Friday night after shopping and cooking and waking up early to finish. Sammy met us at the house with the drinks (the only thing Rocky entrusted her with). We loaded up Rocky's and my car with the food and supplies and headed to the lake. When we got checked in, we put the food inside the cabin and got the drink station with the coolers set up outside between the large table under the pavilion and the grill.
Sammy made a pitcher of sangria that was chilling in a beverage dispenser. Beers and sodas were on ice in 2 coolers and that was the extent of her duties.
Rocky had her brisket finishing in the oven. Her potato and pasta salads were in the refrigerator. She had already set out the hummus, pita chips, and vegetable tray; deli wraps; and watermelon fruit bowl we made the night before. They were the appetizers to snack on while Brandon grilled burgers, hotdogs, and whatever else everyone was bringing to throw on the grill.
I prepared corn on the cob that was going on the grill, my dad's baked bean recipe, fruit tarts, brownies and yogurt parfaits. Everyone else was bringing food as well, but Rocky wanted a wide variety even if the others didn't bring food. Plus she didn't trust people's food unless she's seen them cook before.
When our work was done, we went to the bedrooms to get showered and changed. By the time Brandon showed up, we were dressed and sipping sangrias outside. Rocky looked sexy and cute in a floral pleated skirt and a black crop top that showed off her flat stomach. Sammy was wearing a fitted blue sundress that was low cut with lots of cleavage. Sammy was disappointed in my pick of khaki short shorts and a coral razorback tank, but I didn't care. It was cute and comfortable. I would seduce Ethan another time, indoor.
"Hey ladies." Brandon smiled at us, before dropping the bags on the table. He immediately turned to Rocky, trying to pull her into his arms, but she warded him off. "No. I'm already dressed. Hands off."
"Hey man, where do you want this?" A deep voice called from behind them.
"By the grill." Brandon answered the guy carrying a huge bag of charcoal. His biceps looked perfect in a black muscle tank. Sammy and I were both checking him out as he walked to the grill. He was definitely Hispanic and his face was just as sexy as his muscular body. After dropping off the charcoal, he joined us at the table.
"Lily, Sammy, this is Jacob." Brandon introduced us.
"Jake is fine." He corrected him, nodding at all 3 of us.
"He sure is..." Sammy whispered to me, but it was loud enough so everyone could hear. "Hablas espanol?" Sammy asked, turning towards him.
He smiled at her, revealing a dimple. OMG. "Si"
Sammy and I shared a look. She's thinking why Rocky failed to mention how hot Jake is. I know, because I'm thinking the same thing.
"So y'all are getting started early." Jake mentioned, motioning towards our drinks.
Sammy scoffed. "We've been up working for hours. It's not early for us."
"I'm not surprised. Knowing Rocky she probably had all her minions working all night." Jake said. I could tell Rocky was biting her tongue to not say anything. I gave her a reassuring smile.
Sammy smiled too. "This one was..." she nudged me. "I just volunteered to handle the drinks."
"Well, looks like you're slacking. My boy and I are empty handed." Jake said. He threw a look Rocky's and Brandon's way. "If that's okay..."
Rocky gave him a fake smile. "If you wanna drink and handle an open flame, be my guest."
Sammy giggled and grabbed his arm. "C'mon let's get you taken care of." She said flirtatiously.
Brandon shook his head and gave Rocky a sheepish smile before following them towards the make shift bar.
"See what I mean? Fucking evil." Rocky said under her breath.
"Oh yeah. Just like the devil. Evil, tempting, hot..." I joked.
"Oh God. Not you too. Sammy's acting desperate enough."
I laughed. "He's hot, but not who I'm desperate for."
The barbeque was in full swing before the guy I was desperate for showed up. I was having such a good time, I barely noticed his absence. Brandon's friends are cool. They're mostly laidback and fun. When the drinks start flowing, thanks to Sammy, I can see the immaturity Rocky was complaining about, but it's mostly playful not annoying. Sammy's constant flirting with Jake kept him too occupied to make snide comments. I finished eating and was in the kitchen having a conversation about working out to make your butt bigger with Rocky's friend Jackie and Sara, Brandon's friend's girlfriend, when I heard my name called. I looked up to see EJ coming through the door.
"Hey EJ!" I greeted him, smiling as he made his way to the kitchen. He looked adorable in blue plaid shorts and a white t-shirt with a blue star. He gave me a hug as I picked him up. "You ready to eat little man?"
He nodded and I sat him down. I got him a plate of food.
"Do you want ketchup on your hotdog?" I asked him, as he set his plate on the picnic table outside. He chose to sit next to Brandon and Rocky.
He nodded. "On-"
"The hotdog, not the bun." I finished for him.
"You gotta tell me your secret kid. Your dad and I barely make it to the table and you already got a plate. How did you pull that off?" I looked up to see a guy I didn't recognize talking to EJ.
