The Queen Positions Her Pieces

An empty lower sunroom met Newt and Jared. Having been in the tub a couple of days earlier, Jared leaned down to check the water temperature. Turning back, he declared that the water felt warm enough to get in. Nervousness now replaced Newt's earlier burst of excitement as he stood uncomfortably in the room. The root of his uneasiness came from knowing that he'd soon be around several nearly naked girls. His hands felt clammy while butterflies woke up in his stomach.

"You okay, Newt?" Jared asked.

"I'm fine. Why?"

"You look a little green in the face, that's all. If you're not feeling well, no one will mind if you want to skip out," suggested the stocky teen.

"Whitney will," Newt mumbled, so softy that Jared started to ask him what he said before the door opened, blasting cold air at the two teens.

"Wow, it's freezing out there!" Peyton exclaimed. A ginger followed her inside, but it was a shivering Ramsey, not the expected Lana.

"I think I saw some flurries," Ramsey noted.

"Nah, it looked more like snow blowing off the roof. The snow's supposed to start later," Jared responded.

"Whoa, this is one cool room. I bet it's something in the summer," Peyton remarked, holding her arms around herself as she tried to warm up.

"The only issue seems to be that everyone forgot about heating the room." Jared nodded over to the temporary space heater hanging in the corner. "Whitney said her father plans to have the issue taken care of once the spring comes."

"I hope that thing works. With those windows, this room won't hold heat for long," Peyton noted.

"It worked reasonably well last time," Ramsey pointed out, blushing slightly at the memory of the cold air hardening her nipples to everyone's eyes. "Should we wait for Whitney?"

The door opened wide, and another round of cold air shot into the room. This time the person who arrived took their time entering.

"Shut that damn door!" yelled Peyton.

"Gawd, you're way too stressed out. You really need to get laid, bestie," Lana remarked with a laugh as she closed the door behind her. The redhead carried a small tote bag into the room with her. She gave the room a quick study. "Nice. But then what would we expect from Mr. Diamond."

Peyton ignored her best friend's earlier comment about her sex life, asking a question that Newt also quietly wondered. "What's in the bag?"

"Not yet, Pey. Let's wait for that until later. Hey, what's everyone standing around for when there's a freaking hot tub right there?"

With that, Lana climbed the few steps up to the deck, walking towards the far end of the hot tub. She placed the bag under the short bench, untied her cherry red satin robe, allowing it to slide off. Jared's jaw dropped while Newt staggered back a step as they took in the buxom ginger's bikini.

Lana wore a strapless bandeau style bikini with a knotted front. The tiny top barely covered her large D-cups, leaving a significant upper portion exposed. Both teenage guys wondered if her big tits would bounce free if the knot loosened. The redhead's bikini bottoms didn't have much material either. Flashing a knowing smirk, Lana slowly stepped into the water with a coo at its warmth. She sat down at the end of the tub as a queen would on her throne, who then beckoned to her subjects to join her.

Peyton rolled her eyes are her friend's theatrics as she climbed up next onto the deck. Her short, navy blue robe stayed on until her knees were in the warmth of the water. Quickly disrobing, she sat down on the long side of the tub nearest the cabin wall to the right of her best friend. The model-like blonde's sports top bikini showed far less skin than her redheaded best friend. It teased her sexy figure rather than flaunted it. Black in color, it went well with her blonde hair and tanned skin.

Jared and Newt both sighed in relief that Sean wasn't here to see them scrutinize his sister's athletic figure. Newt certainly spent enough time around the Tarver home to catch plenty of glimpses of Peyton's gorgeousness but felt a little ashamed to check out someone he saw as a surrogate big sister. Seeing her only a couple of times a year, Jared had far fewer reservations in checking out the older beauty. Both of their eyes moved over expectantly to Ramsey, who stood beside them in her winter-practical baby blue robe.

Nervously, Ramsey prepared herself mentally to join the other two older girls. She could feel their eyes on her, especially Jared's, and worried they would expect her to be sexy too. From anyone else, Lana's flaunting of her skimpy outfit would shock and upset Ramsey, but she had long grown accustomed to her best friend's older sister's ways. Still, it was difficult for the demure strawberry blonde not to compare herself to the two college coeds. Underneath her robe, she wore a swimsuit that wasn't even hers, after her old, white one-piece proved the other night to be worn out and thin enough to expose her nipples.

Deciding it was best to get it over with, Ramsey climbed the stairs and walked to the deck's side nearest the windows. In a flash, the strawberry blonde tore off her robe and nearly jumped into the hot tub, all to cover her body as fast as possible with the water. It wasn't the first bikini she had ever worn, but it definitely was the first she had worn in front of boys. The conservative crop top bikini offered a considerable amount of coverage. While her one-piece had teased at least some cleavage, the skin that showed below the bikini left her feeling exposed. The bikini's green and yellow floral design could be the only aspect of it that she liked.

"That's a cute bikini, Ramsey. It works great for you. Maybe Whitney or Lacey picked it up with you in mind," Peyton reassured the teen. She knew from watching her decide in the master suite which suit to pick out, that Ramsey still had reservations about wearing it.

"Looks good on you, Rammy," Lana said politely. She thought her sister's close friend should've gone with her suggestion and shown off a little more cleavage. "Hey, where's Finn?"

"He said he'd be right behind us," Jared replied. The stocky teen climbed up onto the deck and removed his robe. The reaction he garnered from the two college girls wasn't that much different than what Lana received. Peyton's jaw dropped while Lana leaned back in her seat in surprise.

"Looks like someone has been working out lately. Nice, very nice," Lana remarked with a purr at the end. Peyton only nodded in agreement, left speechless at how the once chubby boy had transformed into a chiseled young man. Both pairs of eyes roamed his body, taking in where muscles bulged, along with the impressive bulge in his shorts.

Ramsey watched as Lacey's older sister licked her lips while Peyton bit her lip. Strangely, the teen felt a jolt of jealousy. Jared's supposed to be mine! Wait, where did that come from? That initial feeling switched to confusion as the football player chose to sit next to Peyton, not her.

Watching the hungry looks that Jared received only added to Newt's nervousness. He worried that his scrawny body would at best be met with shrugs if not laughter. Whitney's wrath looked less worrisome without her in the room compared to the mockery his body might cause. Taking a step backward toward the door, Newt evaluated his situation. Maybe if I flee before she gets here, I can buy some time before she thinks of a punishment. He slowly took another step back, then another. Jared noticed and started to ask where he was going when the door whipped open. It slammed into Newt, knocking him into the wall.

"Newt! Are you alright?" JoJo asked in concern when she entered the room behind the door slammer. "Whitney, did you need to do that?"

"Ugh, it's fucking freezing out there. Why the hell were you standing right in front of the door anyway? There's plenty of room!" Whitney pointed to the hot tub.

"I believe he was about to leave," Lana noted.

"What? Denton!" Whitney screeched. "You get your butt up and over in that corner right there. I'm putting you right next to me."

"But I--"

"Move!"

With a sympathetic pat on his shoulder from JoJo, Newt moved to sit down in the nearest corner on the same side as Jared.

"No, not that side. The other side next to Rammy." Whitney held in her smile as she positioned the two potential lovebirds next to each other. Dropping her robe to reveal a skimpy, navy blue bikini, her moment to flaunt her curves came up short as Finn opened the door allowing a direct blast of cold air to hit her nearly naked body.

"Eek!" Whitney hurried to get into the warm water causing her tits to jiggle in a way that entranced the nearby Newt. Luckily for the leering teen, all eyes were on Finn as he hastily apologized.

"Sorry, I dozed off for a minute and then had to fetch Polly." He gestured to his cousin that followed him inside.

"Seriously?" Lana asked with a sigh.

"Hey, I'm the one that had to keep you two in line last night at the party, drive you home, and then wake up early to pack, and also drive you here. So sue me if I'm a little tired. Miss Stratton," Finn remarked, but in his usual jovial manner. The older guy wasted little time jumping right into the hot tub to Lana's left, placing him across from Peyton and next to Ramsey.

Polly appeared almost as nervous as Newt had been. Clutching her robe together tight, the painfully shy teen eyed up the available seats. After thinking better of the position he chose, Finn motioned for his little cousin to sit next to him on the side near Lana.

"Why don't you slid in between Finn and Ramsey," Lana suggested, not liking her ex-boyfriend's idea. Feeling sympathetic toward the socially awkward teen, Lana sprung out of the water, distracting everyone as Polly undid her robe to reveal her pale yellow one-piece. The brunette followed Lana's suggestion to the dismay of her older cousin.

Only Whitney paid attention to Polly's attire. I should've had her join Mrs. Tarver and me in dressing JoJo. Polly probably needs more help as she doesn't have JoJo's bust. Too late to fix the swimsuit choice, she issued another seating instruction. "See, if you can squeeze in next to Jared, Skye."

Not realizing that wannabe model had followed JoJo into the room, Newt swung his head around in shock. Skye stripped off her robe, revealing her cute, off-the-shoulder, blue and white checkered bikini. The same that she had worn to the hot springs. Having missed out on the trip the day before, Jared tried to slyly check out the woman as she slid in next to him, but it proved difficult. Finn watched in discomfort. He'd long found the hostess to be attractive and date-worthy. Attempting to banish his feelings for the beauty who now dated his father proved difficult. Across from them, Ramsey fumed that the possible stripper got to sit next to the boy who had started to grab her attention.

"And we saved the best for last. Okay, JoJo, you sit right here next to me." Whitney motioned to the small spot in the corner beside Skye. The more busty of the two shy brunettes cringed in embarrassment at Whitney's next words. "JoJo's decided to be a little bolder by trying out one of the extra suits we have at the cabin. Come on, let everyone see."

"Good for you, Jo," Peyton cheered her next-door neighbor. She knew how shy the teen could be about her body, recalling the ugly, brown one-piece she'd worn last summer.

"Let's see it!" Lana prodded the teen, who looked ready to bolt out of the room.

"It's okay, take off the robe, and jump right in," Whitney reassured the nervous girl.

Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, JoJo took off Mrs. Tarver's little black robe, revealing the new bikini. She braced for laughter and giggles but instead heard a terrifying moment of silence before several cheers broke out.

"I'm so proud of you," Peyton called out.

"Damn, girl, you look hot," Lana said with a few quick claps.

A whispered "I knew it" sounded like it came from Jared's direction.

JoJo opened her eyes to see a beaming Whitney motioning for her to get into the water. As she did, the soccer star noticed one of her closest friends staring at her in amazement. Apparently, Newt had just realized she was a girl, which caused JoJo to giggle at his ignorance. Thinking the giggle was from nerves, Skye patted the teen's knee under the water.

"See, it wasn't too bad," the oldest person in the room whispered to JoJo.

"I tried to get her to wear that cute, light blue bikini you liked, Lana. But I guess baby steps," Whitney revealed.

"Ooh, I liked that one. Little too small for me," the well-endowed redhead remarked, causing Jared and Newt to wonder how Lana could possibly wear a top smaller than the one she had on now. "I tried to get Ramsey to wear that similar black bikini, but she obviously shot that down."

"Dammit, it looks like Lacey was right," Whitney said with an eye-roll, once she realized what her other close friend wore. "She bet me that would be the one you picked."

"Where is my little sister?"

"She and Austin decided to skip out this time. Guess she doesn't want to get hot and heavy in here again with all of us around," joked Whitney.

"Again? Hmm, maybe she's finally turning into a little butterfly just like me," Lana said in a thoughtful tone.

"You a butterfly?" Peyton laughed at her BFF's description of herself. Seconds later, Finn's laughter joined his close friend's.

"That's not very nice, you two," Lana pouted.

"So, how was the engagement party last night?" Ramsey, always the romantic, asked the three attendees.

"I guess you didn't check Nosy Nectar today," Peyton remarked, gesturing toward Lana. The ginger put on her best innocent face in response. Ramsey frowned at the name of the gossip site.

"Definitely odd seeing people we've known for years taking that next step," Finn answered, ignoring his two friends. "But if anyone would get married as soon as they graduate from college, it would be Brian and Becky. They've dated since the eighth grade."

"You should see the dress she wore, Ramsey. An absolutely adorable pale blue one that--you know, I have some pictures of it on my phone. I'll show you once we get back to our room," Peyton gushed, knowing what the teenager wanted to hear, unlike Finn. "Her parents spared no expense for the party too. The backroom of The Copper Lantern looked incredible. It had a winter wonderland theme. I hope I can someday-"

"And Brian went all out too. You should see the size of the rock on her ring. I mean, I didn't think he had that in him. They both are so humble," Lana interrupted her best friend's tale of romance with what she thought mattered more. That was until she noticed the gleam of something else in the room. "Holy shit! Speaking of bling, what the hell is that, Whitney?"

Whitney's hand moved up to finger her necklace with pride. "It was my Christmas gift from my dad." The blonde slowly slid forward in the water as Lana beckoned her over. The eyes she passed checked out both the pendant and the cleavage it rested in. "It's a diamond sapphire pendant. Dad said it reminded him of my eyes."

"Fuuuuuck, I wish my dad would buy me something like that. You're one spoiled daddy's girl," Lana remarked with envy.

"Lana! Don't be rude," scolded Peyton. "It's amazing, Whitney."

"What? I wasn't being rude, and she knows it." Whitney grinned and nodded at the comment. "I think I need to have a talk with my dad about wasting his time at the DA's office."

"Now, Lana, your father is not wasting his time there. He does a lot of good, and you know it." Finn defended Clive's choice to work as a public servant.

"I know, but he's got plenty of siblings and cousins who could be the district attorney. That could free my dad up to bank a lot of loot at the family law firm. Then I could get gifts like that," the redhead complained. "Unless you want to buy me a gift like that, Finny?"

Finn chuckled at the exaggerated pout on his ex-girlfriend's face. "Too late for that, sweetheart. Maybe you should switch gears and go to work someday at Mulberry, March & Stratton. Then you could buy yourself gifts like that."

"Go to law school, put up with my stuffy uncle and cousins, and listen every day to Great Uncle Langston talk about the glory days when he and my grandpa were young Perry Masons? No, thank you!" Lana said, folding her arms.

"You could always ignore the boring business stuff and defend criminals," JoJo suggested excitedly. Although not a big fan of crime and mysteries, she heard plenty about the subject from her best friend. "I mean alleged criminals."

"Hmm, that would be a lot more fun," Lana said, rubbing her chin. "Whatever, enough of this grown-up talk. Let's have some fun!"

The ginger turned around to grab the tote bag she brought with her. She pulled out a small stack of plastic cups, and then not one, but two bottles of wine.

"Did I grab the good stuff?" Lana asked Whitney.

"Definitely. I get the first cupful."

"Whitney! Is drinking really a good idea?" Ramsey questioned, unhappy that this soak in the tub was going this route.

"Oh, lighten up, Rammy. No one is driving. We're in a hot tub, not a pool or lake. What's the worst that can happen?"