Rebound (Tryst Island Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

grabbed the billiard rack, neatly confining the balls at the far end of the table, and whipped it off, sending the balls rolling in all directions.
    Before she knew what had happened, certainly before Lane reached the bottom of the stairs, she was fully dressed with a pool cue in her hand, and Cam was leaning over the table, staring at the white ball with fixed attention, preparing to shoot.
    It was a completely innocent scene, and quite convincing, she supposed, if there hadn’t been the distinct smell of sex in the air.
    Hopefully Lane wouldn’t notice.
    He rounded the banister and shot her a broad grin. His sandy blond hair flopped into his eyes and he brushed it back. “Oh, hey Kristi. I didn’t know you were coming.”
    She smiled, and then winced as Cam took his shot. The crack of the balls seemed terribly loud. For some reason, none of the balls managed to find a pocket. “It was a last-minute thing. I needed to get away.”
    Lane snorted. “I know the feeling.”
    Kristi had a hard time believing Lane ever felt the need to escape a banal existence. He was the son and heir of business magnate Reese Daniels. A trust fund baby, like so many of their neighbors on the island. He flitted through his life on a whim, never worrying about mortgages or cell phone payments or how the hell he was going to afford a car that actually worked.  
    He hadn’t wanted to join his dad’s firm when he graduated—so he just hadn’t, choosing instead to get his Master’s and then a Ph.D. in history. Now he taught at the U. Other than his divorce from Lucy, nothing bad had ever happened to him. In his whole existence.
    Lane Daniels was the reason Kristi knew, without a doubt, that life wasn’t fair.
    But he was a nice guy and a good friend. And she liked him.
    “So…” Cam took another shot, though it was hardly his turn. “How was Darby’s?”
    “Rowdy. Crowded. Some screeching band.” Lane toyed with a little cube of cue chalk.  
    “You’re back early.” Cam shot him a look that could have been construed as accusatory. If Lane had been paying attention.
    Lane shrugged. “We decided to move the party here.” He sighed. “Maybe we’re getting old?”
    “Never say it.” Cam tossed his cue onto the table. Apparently the game was over.  
    “Who’s here?” Kristi asked, replacing her cue in its holder on the wall.
    “Holt and Drew. Cassie. Your sister’s here too.” Lane nodded up the stairs.
    “Oh.” Crap . What was Bella doing here? That was all she needed. Her baby sister sniffing out what had just happened. And Bella would know. She always knew things she wasn’t supposed to know.
    When Lane and Lucy had divorced—and neither had wanted to give up the vacation house—they’d agreed to share it in a co-op with their friends, whose leases went to pay the astronomical property taxes. It was the only thing they hadn’t battled over. Bella had been included in the co-op.
    This had been uncomfortable for Kristi, given their history, but Bella was good friends with Cassie and Emily, two of the other Dawgs, so there was no escaping it. Kristi tried to make nice whenever they were forced to spend time together, but Bella clung to her resentment as though it was a life buoy in the middle of a stormy sea.
    You’d think she’d be over it by now.
    Although, Kristi had to admit, she still felt the sting of guilt. Even now.
    “I should go up,” she said. “I haven’t seen her in a month.” She tried not to glance at Cam, even though she could feel his gaze on her.
    “Yup,” he grunted, racking the balls. “We should go up.”
    “I’ll, um, meet you up there,” Kristi said. She needed to visit the facilities first. And tidy up. The guys nodded and headed off without her.
    When she emerged through the door to the great room, Andrew gave a whoop, loped over to her side and swung her up in his muscular arms. He twirled her around, lifting her off her feet. “Ka-risti!” he crooned, giving her a big