Chapter 42
Josephine
Another Friday night. Another family dinner.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, considering there isn’t a game tomorrow. But when I asked Locke if we were still having dinner, he scoffed and looked at me like I was crazy.
Maybe I am. Maybe that’s why I’m casually sitting around the table with the guys long after we’ve finished eating, simply because I’m enjoying their company.
That, or this spiked lemonade has gone to my head.
Kylian glances up from his iPad and flicks his attention to each of us. “Everyone’s good with the itineraries I sent out for Shore Week? We all know where we need to be and when?”
I thought a bye week meant things would be more laid back around here. Clearly, I was wrong.
There’s no game tomorrow, but there’s still a party. An all-day event, it seems. The team doesn’t have anywhere to be, so they’ll arrive after lunch and go all day and night. Decker has extra security coming to the house since the crowd will be larger than usual.
Sunday marks the official start of Shore Week.
I’ve been hearing about this stupid rivalry for weeks, so I’m more than a little curious about how it’ll all play out.
I gawked when I saw all the events on the schedule Kylian emailed me this morning.
But when I FaceTimed with Hunter this afternoon, she promised she’d be at most of them, too.
Apparently, it’s a whole thing around here.
The Lake Chapel vs. South Chapel game is a huge deal.
People from all over the state and beyond will travel to watch it.
There’s the charter cruise on Sunday night. A bonfire on Monday. The guys have NIL appearances Tuesday through Friday. There’s even a parade on Saturday morning.
Locke mentioned a team prank during dinner, but Kylian already explained to me that the four of them don’t mess with those anymore. Decker likes to be in the know in terms of what the players are planning, but otherwise, he leaves it to the underclassmen to figure out.
Rapping his knuckles on the table, Kendrick nods at Kylian, then looks to Decker. “I’m good. We’re done here?”
Of course he wants to dip out as soon as possible. Typical.
At Decker’s nod, Kendrick pushes to his feet and strolls into the house.
“He’s agitated,” Kylian remarks. Not a question. Just an observation.
“He is,” Decker confirms, blowing out a long breath. He pinches the bridge of his nose.
Instinctively, I track the movement, looking for other signs of discomfort.
As if he can sense my concern, he taps his foot against mine twice under the table to get my attention. When our eyes meet, he shakes his head and mouths, “I’m fine.”
I offer him a tight smile. I’m glad he’s okay, but I’m annoyed with Kendrick. Is it that hard to act like an adult and sit at the table with all of us for more than five minutes after finishing a meal?
“I cooked. You two are on cleanup.” Locke yawns, stretching his arms overhead and leaning as far back as his chair will allow.
Mrs. Lansbury prepares most of their meals throughout the week, but one of the guys typically cooks for Friday night family dinner.
He stands, catching my gaze and smiling.
“You want to watch another movie tonight, Hot Girl?”
I return his smile but wrinkle my nose. “Sorry,” I apologize. “I already have plans.” I side-eye Decker, still unsure of whether things are going to come together. I’ve got to figure it out fast. It’s almost eight, and Hunter might already be on her way.
Decker sits up, regarding the guys. “I’ll wash if you want to clear, Kyl.” Then he turns to Locke. “You still up for fishing tomorrow morning?”
Locke grins, then pulls out his phone. “Hell yeah. We haven’t done that since before two-a-days started in July. Is six too early?”
“How about eight?” Decker counters. “When do we ever get to sleep in on a Saturday?”
Once he sets his alarm, Locke gives us a nod and heads into the house. Kylian stands and gathers up plates, and after a few trips to the kitchen, he leaves us alone, too.
Decker’s focus is locked on me, his eyes glinting with promise as he sips his drink.
It’s now or never.
“Um, so, I wanted to ask you something,” I hedge.
“Did you now?”
A week ago, I would have rolled my eyes. Tonight, his words tickle down my spine and inspire goose bumps on my thighs.
“Hunter and I were planning to hang out tonight. She said she could use her stepdad’s boat to get here. I was thinking she could stay the night…”
Decker’s face falls, but he schools his expression quickly and leans forward until he’s close enough to trace a line down my forearm with the back of his knuckles.
“Are you asking my permission to have a sleepover, Josephine?” His words drip with sarcasm. He’s trying to get a rise out of me, and I have no problem calling him on his bullshit.
“I’m asking you not to be a dick to my friend. And I’m ensuring we don’t have any problems, Cap.” I pull my arm away. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. So I’d like to go on and live my life, which includes having a friend over to hang out.”
Decker’s eyes widen, and I congratulate myself for catching him off guard. I raise my eyebrows as he cocks his head and considers me.
“Hunter is good people,” he relents. “I’ve known her since middle school. I don’t have any problem with her coming over any time.”
Good. I hide any indication of relief, but internally, I’m elated that he’s not making a big deal out of this.
“And it’s cool if she stays the night?” I confirm, pulling out my phone and tapping out a quick text to Hunter. I’m almost positive she’s already on her way, since I couldn’t exactly explain to her that I needed permission before making plans.
“You’ll both be sleeping in your room, I presume?”
I hadn’t exactly figured that out myself yet.
I shrug but meet his gaze. “She knows I…” I trail off.
How much am I willing to admit to Decker about where things stand between me and his best friends? Deciding I won’t be shamed for my sex life—never again—I sit up straighter and hold my head high.
“Hunter knows Kylian and I are involved. And that I hooked up with Locke.”
He scrutinizes me with narrowed eyes, but he remains silent. Almost as if he’s waiting for me to continue.
After several seconds, I sigh and heave myself out of my seat. Smoothing my hands down the front of my sundress, I straighten my spine and pull my shoulders back.
“Look, I’ve accepted that this is where I’ll be for the next several weeks. I trust Hunter, and I—”
“It’s fine. Have fun.”
He doesn’t even try to hide the bitterness in his tone.
“Decker…”
“I said it’s fine,” he grits out.
“Okay. Thanks,” I mumble. This is so painfully awkward. “So… we’re good here?” I ask, making my way around the table and heading for the door.
He scoffs and mutters, “We are so far from good, Josephine.”
I falter and spin back toward him. I don’t want to fight with him, but I won’t take his shit, either.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I demand.
He rises from his seat and plants his hands wide on the table. He hangs his head for a moment, then snaps up and gives me a haughty look.
“It’s a bye week. There’s a party tomorrow night. We’ve got all the bullshit Shore Week traditions starting on Sunday.” He pins me with a glare so intense, I hold my breath. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe I wanted you to myself tonight?”
Shit on a crumbly cracker.
I thought he was being intentionally obstinate. His typical alphahole self. Itching to prod at me and pick a fight.
It never even crossed my mind that he wanted to spend time together.
“Decker, I—”
Locke pokes his head out onto the deck, interrupting me.
I cringe at the very idea that he may have of overheard our exchange.
I have absolutely no interest in sorting through my feelings for not one, not two, but three guys who happen to be best friends and reside in the house that I’m still being sort of forced to live in. At least not yet.
“A boat just pulled up. Are we expecting company?”
“Is that her?” Decker asks, one brow cocked in question. I peek down at my phone just as the text comes in.
Hunter: The fun has arrived! Do I need to say a secret password to the grumpy dude standing on the dock?
I smile at her ridiculousness. “It’s Hunter,” I confirm.
Decker nods toward Locke. “Can you call down to the dock and tell them to let her up?”
He takes just about everything seriously. But Decker really doesn’t fuck around when it comes to privacy and security.
When Locke ducks back into the house, I watch Decker. Hunter’s given me the perfect out, and I’m going to take it for now.
I approach slowly, alarm bells blaring in my head as he tracks my movements with a predatory gaze.
With a weak smile, I wrap my hand around his bicep. “We’ll talk later,” I murmur, locking eyes with him so he knows my intentions are true. I’m beyond eager to explore things between us. But not with an audience. And not until I get my own wits about me.
He nods once, pressing his lips together, reluctantly accepting that he’s not going to get his way right now.
I give his arm a squeeze, then scurry down the deck steps and head in the direction of the beach.
I pass Hunter the drink, which she eyes skeptically.
“What is this?”
I shrug, more than a little eager to tie one on after my conversation with Decker. “It’s supposed to be a Tom Collins, but the fridge doesn’t get restocked until tomorrow, and we’re out of soda water, so technically it’s just gin and lemonade.”
She cocks one brow at me. “I thought you didn’t drink.”
“I drink. I just don’t drink at parties.”
Closing my eyes, I take a big sip, delighting in the way the sweet and sour flavors balance out the sharp woodsy taste of the gin.
“This is weird. You’re kind of freaking me out. But when in Rome…” Hunter shrugs and follows suit, taking a big swig. She gulps and practically chokes. Her eyes bug out and she tumbles into a coughing fit.
“Oh my gosh! You could have warned me! That’s so strong! Why does it taste like Pine-Sol?”
I balk. “Have you never had gin before?”