Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Cade
“You gonna tell her?”
I look over at my twin and narrow my eyes. “Tell her what?”
He flashes one of his rare smiles. “Come on, man. You’re not obtuse.”
I take a sip of my water and grin over the rim of the plastic cup. “You severely underestimate my obtuseness, my man.”
He shakes his head before catching sight of one of the regulars placing his empty beer can at the front of the bar.
Cade walks over and retrieves a fresh can from the cooler and places it on the bar.
He says something to the other two men before tapping on the computer screen for the register system.
Then, he makes his way back to me and leans against the bar casually.
“Well?”
I sigh, knowing exactly what he’s talking about, but wishing he weren’t pushing the topic. I don’t want to talk about my feelings for Oaklee, especially when they’re all a little jumbled and scattered in my own head. “You’re annoying.”
He chuckles. “That’s rich, coming from the twin who used to hang from the top bunk and pretend he was Spider-Man at all hours of the night.”
I bark out a laugh. “I couldn’t help when the Spidey senses would start tingling.”
“The only thing tingling was your body when I punched you. Now, quick deflecting.”
I sigh, knowing there’s no getting around this conversation.
If it doesn’t happen now, it’ll happen next time I see him or the time after that.
No one knows me the way Collin does, and there’s no hiding the fact something is bothering me.
Or when someone is bothering. That includes pesky feelings I’ve tried to keep out of my relationship with Oaklee but now can’t deny.
“Why are you bothering me?” I ask.
“Because you’re troubled. I can tell. I lived with your ass for eighteen years, and quiet means you’re thinking.
And the way you keep looking over at Oaklee tells me you’re thinking about her.
The dopey smile you’re trying to hide speaks volumes too.
It’s not the drop-your-panties grin you normally wear, which means this is serious. ”
“I’m staring at her because she’s beautiful.”
“And because you’ve found someone you actually want more out of life with.” His pointed look and the fact he’s one-hundred-percent right pisses me off.
Exhaling slowly, I decide to level with him. “We’re not looking for the same thing.”
He leans both elbows on the bar. “What do you mean?”
I shrug and take a sip of my water. “She’s just wanting fun after a particularly disappointing relationship. That’s it.”
“She told you that?”
“In so many words, yes,” I reply quietly.
“When?”
I give him a confused look. “When what?”
“When did she tell you that?”
“A few weeks ago. Why?”
“What if that’s changed?”
My heart starts to beat a little faster. “It hasn’t.”
“And you know this how?”
He’s really starting to piss me off now. “What could have changed in such a short amount of time?” I ask.
Collin shakes his head and sighs. “You really are dumb. Keep up with me here, will ya? If your feelings have changed, don’t you think there’s a possibility hers has too?”
I open my mouth and shake my head in resignation. “I really don’t think so.”
“I do,” he proclaims, reaching over and popping a piece of popcorn into his mouth.
“Why do you say that?” I ask, hope starting to bud in my chest, like a bloom after the first spring rain.
“Because she hasn’t stopped looking over here either,” he informs me, tapping his hand on the wood and standing up.
The front entrance door opens, and, like the rest of the bar, we both look over. Camden and his friends are here and heading this way, so the conversation I’m having with Collin abruptly ends.
Camden, Quinn, and Robby sit down at the bar and order drinks. “How you doing?” my younger brother asks from the seat beside me.
“Fine. You?”
He shrugs. “Not bad. Getting new neighbors,” he informs me.
“Yeah? That couple who argued all the time moving out?”
“Yep, thank the Lord. I’ve been more than done listening to the yelling,” he says, his attention turned to the main part of the bar where twenty women are painting fall pumpkins.
“Can you believe this shit is still going strong? Collin said she sells out every month, almost immediately, and has a waitlist.”
“Definitely crazy,” I comment, not quite understanding it myself. But the women who take the paint night classes always seem to have a good time. From themed drinks, including nonalcoholic options, and snack food, Lizzie does her part to ensure it.
“You here with Oaklee?” he asks innocently, but all I can think about is the conversation I just had with my other brother.
“Yeah.”
He nods and takes the beer Collin sets on the bar. “Is that like…a thing?”
I roll my eyes. “Does it matter?”
“No,” he replies immediately with a shrug. “I like her. I think she’s good for you.”
“Yeah, well, it isn’t like that,” I insist, the truth burning my gut.
He doesn’t say anything else, essentially ending the conversation, which makes me grateful. I’m done explaining to everyone that Oaklee and I are just a “thing.” A fling. Friends with bennies. Whatever you want to call it.
What you wouldn’t call us is boyfriend and girlfriend. Even if we spend a lot of time together in the evening, that’s all it is.
Sex.
And friendship.
Period.
“No?” he asks, watching me closely.
I turn my attention to the ladies—or more accurately, one specific lady—and find those beautiful dark eyes watching me. She offers a smile, and even though it’s small, it lights up her entire face. She’s a fucking angel on earth, and all I want to do is bathe in her goodness and light.
She whispers something to Lizzie, who’s sitting beside her, and gets up. My eyes remain locked on her as she heads toward the hallway where the restrooms are located. Without thought, I slide off my stool and start to move her way.
“The apartment’s locked,” Collin hollers, earning a middle finger as I pass by.
I know what he’s insinuating, and even though I’d love to take her up there and have my wicked way with her, now isn’t the time.
I’d never want to interrupt her paint night like that, not when she seems to be having a good time.
But that doesn’t mean I can’t steal a kiss or two…
I reach the door to the women’s restroom and stand outside. I’m about to push inside when the door opens and a woman a few years younger than me steps out. “Uhh, hi.”
“Hey. Is anyone else in there?” I ask casually.
She gives me a weird look and replies, “One woman in a stall.”
“Okay, perfect. Thanks,” I reply, leaning against the door as she slowly walks away, giving a quick glance back in concern as she goes.
When she exits the hall, I push the door open and step inside the restroom.
I glance under the stalls and only see one pair of legs, recognizing the pants and boots.
Then, I reach behind me and lock the door.
The toilet flushes and the stall opens; revealing a surprised Oaklee when she spots me standing here.
“This is the ladies’ bathroom, isn’t it?” she asks, a smile on her lips as she walks to the sink and washes her hands.
"It is,” I confirm, stepping closer.
When she dries her hands on a paper towel, she gives me her attention, shaking her head. “You’re not supposed to be in here.”
I shrug, wrapping my arms around her waist and drawing her into my chest. “Needed a quick kiss.”
“And you had to go into the ladies’ room to do that?”
I casually lift a shoulder before pressing my lips to hers. “I have to take what I can get,” I insist.
“Because I hold out on you?”
“No, because I never want to miss an opportunity to steal a kiss or two.”
I claim her lips, my tongue delving inside her mouth. I can taste the fruity concoction she’s been drinking all night, and even though I’m not a huge fan of coconut, it’s driving me wild. Of course, that could just be her too. When we break apart, I grin and whisper, “Just a simple hello.”
“I rather love your hellos.”
And there it is. The one word that sends my mind spinning and my heart racing.
No, she didn’t declare her undying love the way I’d prefer, but just the use of the L-word has me picturing a future that doesn’t match hers.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, concern flooding her face.
“Nothing. Why?”
“You just suddenly looked…sad.”
“Me?” I reply with a little chuckle and a grin, doing everything I can to mask the hurt I suddenly feel. Realizing we’re on two entirely different pages is a hard pill to swallow.
She watches me, trying to get a read on me, but I make sure to shut down any emotion or feeling other than the normal carefree, laid-back vibe I usually carry. “You’d tell me if something was bothering you, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course,” I insist quickly. “Now, come on, let’s get back out there. I don’t want them sending a search party for you and finding me in the women’s restroom.”
I take her hand, release the lock, and pull open the door.
Only to come face-to-face with Lizzie. She has her arms crossed over her chest and gives me a look that lets me know she’s not impressed.
“A customer just came to tell me a man may have cornered a woman in the restroom. How did I know this is exactly what I’d find. ”
I lift my shoulders and bring Oaklee’s hand to my lips, placing a gentle kiss on the soft skin. “I can’t help she finds me irresistible.”
Oaklee whacks me on the arm. “All is well, Lizzie. This one followed me into the restroom for a quick kiss.”
Lizzie shakes her head and points at me. “Steal your kisses in a public place, not designated for restroom use, buster.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I give her a wide, charming grin.
She sighs and steps back, allowing us to exit the restroom.
We walk back into the main bar, and I can feel everyone’s eyes on us. I don’t care though. I just press a kiss to her cheek and watch as she returns to her table with Lizzie to finish painting her masterpiece.
And me?
I return to my stool to watch.
Like the lovesick sap I am.
* * *