Gwen opened the door and stepped back into the house. The women in the living room were looking at her with huge smiles pasted on their faces.
“I’m going to bed now, everyone. I persuaded Steve to come to the Labor Day Party, Mom, so you can stop worrying about that,” offered Gwen as she made her way to the stairs.
“You have some very remarkable powers of persuasion!” called Lisa, eliciting laughter from the other women present.
Steve had to park his car down the street because the Anderson driveway was filled to capacity. Kate greeted him with a hug as he walked up the driveway.
“I’m so glad you came, Steve. I’ve got a few girlfriends here, and I kind of told them we’re real close since you’re dating my sister. I’m not going to embarrass you or Sis, but it would be greatly appreciated if you’d act like you really liked me,” begged Kate.
“Kate, I really do like you, but let’s make this clear. I like you like the sister that I never had. I may start loving you like the sister I never had, but it’s always going to be like a sister, okay?”
“Oh, Steve! You’ll be my big brother? I never had one before, but I think I’m going to enjoy it a lot! That sounds perfect. I’ll be sure to tell Sis that I’m not trying to steal you away. Thanks so much!” squealed Kate in delight as she led Steve around to the pool area behind the house.
“I think this guy is stalking me!” called Charlotte as she walked up to Steve and gave him a hug. “There’s a lot of eye candy here today. Mark and Barry have been drooling since they arrived. Your girlfriend and her sisters could make a good man go bad, but I don’t have to tell you that. You’ve already gone bad! The grape vine indicates that there are some disappointed cheerleaders trying to figure out where Gwen got that body, and how she found you first. Everyone always thought she was just a regular nerd that dressed conservatively to hide a plump figure. Boy! Were they wrong!”
Steve had been looking around, trying to find Gwen when she stepped out of the house with a six pack of soda and placed the cans in the cooler. Then she walked over by the corner of the pool area and looked out over the fence.
“She’s looking for you, Steve. She didn’t see you walk in with Kate. You should stroll over and tell her she can stop scanning the street.” Charlotte laughed before she added quietly, “She’s my best friend and a really great person, so don’t take advantage or hurt her, okay? She’s got it bad for you, and you’re her first boyfriend.”
Steve slipped up behind Gwen as she surveyed the driveway, and as much of the street as she could see.
“What are you looking for, Gwen? Maybe I can help you find it,” offered Steve innocently.
Gwen whirled around and blushed fiercely as she recognized Steve. Then she slapped him lightly on the shoulder and smiled as she answered, “I was looking for Sam Briggs, if you must know, wise guy. I just can’t get him out of my mind. Come on. Let me introduce you to all the girls. They’ve been asking every five minutes if you were really coming”
Steve and Gwen spent the next few minutes going around making introductions. Just as they completed that task, Kate ran up to Steve and insisted that he race her in the pool. She was wearing a fairly modest bikini, but it was evident that Kate was destined to be another statuesque Anderson sister.
“Okay, Kate. How many laps and how much of a head start do you want?” asked Steve. “Are there any rules and what does the winner get?”
“You sound pretty cocky!” observed Kate. “I’ve been swimming since I could walk. Gwen is the only one here that can beat me, and I’m getting closer to her every time we race. How about five laps? If I win, you have to be my partner in some chicken fights later on.”
“Sounds good! Let’s make it that the loser carries the winner in those chicken fights. We’ll win as long as your legs hold out,” teased Steve.
“Okay, we have a deal because I know that I won’t lose. Everybody move back from the middle of the pool. Steve and I are racing five laps,” declared Kate as she dove into the pool and began swimming furiously.
Calmly, Steve pulled his shirt off and watched Kate until she reached the far end and started back. Then he dove into the water while barely disturbing the surface. Gwen had been standing next to Steve as he pulled his shirt off. She only managed a brief glance before he joined the race with Kate, but what she had seen astounded her.
“Good God!” explained Diane to Lisa and Paula. “Did you see that boy’s body? He could model for Michelangelo! The way your tongues are hanging out, I’d say that you saw what I saw. You’d better get Gwen on the pill, if she isn’t already, Paula. Just looking at the boy gets me hot. Look at Kate’s friends. They’re speechless.”
Steve never broke the surface until he hit the far end and kicked to start his return. He seemed to expend very little effort but he was moving extremely fast. He was halfway back as Kate made her turn. By the time Kate reached the far side again, Steve was a mere five yards behind her. They were neck and neck the rest of the race. On the final lap, Kate pulled ahead to touch the pool deck just before Steve.
Kate climbed up the ladder and exited the pool laughing as she called back to Steve, “I won! I wooo….”
Kate stood watching Steve climb up the ladder and step out of the pool. Water streamed down his torso and his muscles glistened in the bright sunlight. The act of climbing the ladder had flexed Steve’s upper body and arms. Chiseled didn’t begin to describe his chest and abs. The silence became obvious and Steve began to feel self conscious.
That was when Charlotte launched herself at Steve. She jumped into his arms as he stood near the top of the ladder. As they tumbled backward into the pool, Charlotte yelled, “He’s mine. All mine!” before they dropped below the surface of the pool.