Read Between Before and After for Free Online Page B

a pile of timber in the wood shed,” Finn said, removing the can of beer from the back of his neck and taking a sip.
    Kate chuckled softly.
    “It’s gonna happen – mark my words.” He couldn’t account for the sudden increase in his heart rate when he made her laugh. She seemed to be doing that more and more lately, and he loved to see it. She deserved to be happy. He wanted to be the one to make her happy, too – and not just with the occasional joke.
    “Bugger this – I’m going in. Who’s with me?” Gavin stood up and pulled his t-shirt off over his head.
    Lacey smiled. “I wondered how long it would take you.”
    He took off at a run down the steps and over the lawn, whooping as he flew over the sand and into the water. Finn grinned, putting his beer can down on the deck.
    “He’s a lunatic!” Kate giggled.
    “And he’s all mine,” Lacey dead-panned, glancing over at her. “How blessed am I?”
    Finn stood up and pulled his t-shirt off over his head, throwing it at Kate.
    “Come on chicks – if we can go topless, so can you!” he winked.
    Kate stared at him, speechless, a satisfying blush crawling up her neck. Max stood up, ripping his shirt off in a similar fashion and throwing it at Finn as he raced off towards the water. Finn threw the shirt at the girls and took off after him.
    He galloped into the water, diving in as soon as it was deep enough. The cool water instantly reduced his body’s core temperature and he savoured it, touching the ocean floor before swimming back up to the surface. Shaking his head to clear the water from his eyes, he saw Gavin climb the ladder on the pontoon in the middle of the bay and he followed Max as they made their way leisurely towards him.
    He cut through the water cleanly, enjoying the freedom of having the entire bay to themselves. He missed being close to the sea. Living in Hamilton had its perks, and he had made the forty-five minute trek to the surf beaches at Raglan a few times, but there was nothing like having the ocean on your doorstep. It was like having paradise in your back yard.
    Max climbed up onto the pontoon beside Gavin as it rocked from side to side, and Finn hung onto the bottom of the ladder, waiting for it to settle.
    “It’s colder than a witch’s tit in there.” Max said, settling himself on the pontoon beside Gavin.
    Finn waved to the girls. “We’re waiting!”
    Kate stood up and shielded her eyes from the sun. “Is it cold?” she called back, her voice echoing across the bay.
    “Nope!” Max yelled from behind him, chortling to himself.
    “She’s gonna kill you for that.” Gavin murmured, and Finn turned around to see them both grinning. He climbed up onto the pontoon and sat with his legs dangling over the side, running a hand through his hair to get rid of the water dripping into his eyes.
    “Look,” Max pointed. “It worked!”
    Finn followed his gaze as Lacey and Kate disappeared into the house.
    “I bet they’re getting changed,” Gavin said. “You wait.”
    “I’d hate to be a chick. So much maintenance. Way easier to just strip your shirt off and go for it,” Max sniffed.
    “Agreed.”
    “Mind you, must take you a while to mousse your mop these days,” Finn quipped.
    “Piss off.”
    “I’m sure Kate’ll cut it if you ask her – unless you like it like that? I mean, I don’t want to assume anything.” Gavin said.
    “You can piss off too,” Max shook his head like a dog then smoothed his hair down with his hand. “I’ve been busy, okay? Unlike you lot, I don’t have time to get to the barbers once a month.”
    “Ha! Told ya!” Gavin crowed suddenly, nodding at the house.
    Finn watched as both girls, giggling like twelve-year-olds, ran down over the lawn in their swimsuits, towels in hand. They seemed to move in slow motion and he took full advantage of the fantasy. Kate wore a sleek red one-piece that he had never seen before. It showed off her ample curves and contrasted beautifully with her