27. Daisy
***Daisy***
That weekend I made a decision that was probably a little poorly thought out.
I was stressed from how many missed calls I’d received from my parents, Brooke, and even Tyler.
I was overwhelmed with taking back the bakery’s social media and I was tripping over myself trying to avoid being alone with any of the brothers because I didn’t trust myself.
Instead of hanging around the house and risking having to answer to my behavior, I proposed a family day spent in the village.
The kids were immediately excited, so excited that their dads couldn’t tell them no.
Within the hour we were all headed to the village for a few hours at the public beach so the kids could play with their friends and then a trip through the village to see all the new stuff the shop owners were putting out.
We were taking two carts and I was in the back cart next to Wes with Hazel in the seat behind us with Hank.
There’d been several arguments about who was going to sit by my pup but Hazel won in the end.
“What store do you want to visit the most, Hazel?” I turned in my seat to face her. “The candy store?”
She hesitated and then shook her head. “I want to go to the dog store.”
Wes stiffened. “We’re not getting a dog, Hazel.”
“We already have a dog, Dad.” She barely managed to keep the ‘duh’ from slipping out. “We’re going to get toys and treats for Hank. Jenna from camp told me that she bought her dog a hat and sunglasses from the new dog store.”
I gasped. “Jenna’s dog has a hat and sunglasses? Nope. We’re going to get Hank a hat, sunglasses, and a Miami Vice style shirt. No dog is going to look better than Hank, not on our watch.”
Hazel giggled, a sound that soothed something deep in my soul. “What’s a Miami Vice style shirt?”
I pulled up a quick picture of one of the shirts and showed her. She looked at the picture and then at Hank and then her head dropped back and she laughed at the top of her lungs.
I smiled as I watched her and let out a happy little sigh. She was usually such an intense little girl. Seeing her get to be silly called to the broken little girl inside me.
Wes suddenly slammed on the brakes and we all would’ve gone flying if we hadn’t worn out seatbelts.
Even Hank was strapped into one, at Hazel’s insistence.
Wes’ arm shot out across my chest and it took us both a moment to realize that his hand was cupping my boob.
He let go instantly and looked away. “Sorry.”
I rolled my eyes and turned to see why he’d slammed on the brakes.
In front of us, Max had stopped their cart for a bear cub to pass by.
My heart instantly seized and I grabbed Wes’ arm with both of mine.
“Wes. Where’s the mom? We need to leave.
Put this thing in high gear and get us the fuck away from a potential mauling.
I would have to throw myself in front of the kids to save them and I really would but if it’s avoidable, I’d love to keep my face on my face. ”
He let out a snort and then laughter bubbled over from him. He was crying and I was glaring by the time he got a hold of himself. “That’s not a damn bear, Daisy.”
We were moving again and when I got closer to what I thought was a bear I realized it was a black Pomeranian. I slowly uncurled myself from around Wes’ arm and sat back. I peeked back at Hazel and saw that she was laughing at me, too.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I huffed. “That dog should be on a leash.”
“That’s Professor James. He doesn’t like leashes.” Hazel waved to the dog as we passed him and then turned to Hank. “Don’t worry. He’s nowhere near as smart or as handsome as you. I don’t even think he went to college.”
Hank let out a happy bark and settled his head in her lap for loving. In the front seat Wes had gotten his own ideas about laps. He rested his palm over my thigh and lightly squeezed.
I stared at him, torn between breaking his pinky finger and holding his hand.
We hadn’t sorted anything out after I’d suggested he, Max, and Tyler form a club.
I wanted to suggest he take his hand away before he regretted touching me again.
The sharp words wouldn’t come out, though.
I didn’t want to hurt his feelings but I also didn’t want him to hurt mine.
Then there was the fact that I’d slept with Flynn.
I let him keep his hand on me all the way to the beach.
I couldn’t relax, though. It was inappropriate just how turned on his touch made me and I felt like I was losing the plot.
I’d never been a fast woman. Ever. Around the Calloway brothers, it seemed I wasn’t just fast. I was the fucking speed of light fast.
As soon as we parked at the beach I basically sprinted away from the cart. Flynn caught my arm and pulled me into his side before I could make it very far. Wes walked by and slapped the back of his head before he could say anything.
“Ass.” Flynn rolled his eyes at his brother and let me go to grab one of the coolers I’d packed for the day.
The beach was crowded but people made room for the Calloways.
It was weird how much people responded to their presence, almost like they were royalty.
People stared at them and they hadn’t even taken their shirts off, yet.
Thank God. I wasn’t sure how I was going to function once they all undressed.
The kids wanted to run into the water as soon as they touched the sand so I volunteered to go in with them, just to get away from naked muscles.
I pulled my dress over my head, revealing another vintage bathing suit in red polkadot that did all kinds of favors for my body.
I was serious about not messing up my hair so I pulled a scarf from my bag and tied it around my head so my hair was protected.
“I think I’m dreaming.” Flynn knelt in the sand in front of me and grabbed his hair dramatically. “My prayers have all been answered, brothers. God sent me an angel!”
I smacked his shoulder. “Stop it! People are staring!”
He grabbed Hazel and Poppy next. “He sent two little demons, too! In the water with you heathens!”
I watched the girls scream and Charlie and Hank take off after them. I’d stop pretending I could keep Hank on a leash so he was just living his best life, stopping in his chase to steal a man’s ice cream cone. I shot the man an apologetic wave and promised him a new ice cream.
“You’re going to have to talk to me eventually.” Wes stood too close to my back and I could tell he’d taken his shirt off by the heat scorching along my spine. “You live in my house, Daisy.”
Even with all the eyes on us, Max’s gaze still stood out. I could feel it on me and when I glanced over at him, he was scowling at me. He quickly dragged his shirt over his head and walked over to me. “Put this on. People are staring.”
I batted his hands away. “There’s nothing wrong with my body. If I want to-”
“Of course, there’s nothing fucking wrong with your body. I just don’t like all these people seeing it. You’re a private person.” Max held his shirt in front of me and nodded at it like I was a dog. “Take it.”
I slapped the shirt out of his hands and spun on my heel. I knew anyone who hadn’t been talking about me staying with the guys were definitely going to start after our tense little display.
Strolling to the water, I spotted Flynn and the kids and waded over to them.
Hank popped out from under the water when I got closer and he had a pair of swim trunks in his mouth.
We all looked at each other and then Flynn and I tried to casually move our little group away from the evidence that was just floating near us.
Hazel whispered so just our little group could hear. “Where’s the man who was in those shorts?”
Charlie’s eyes were as big as saucers. “What if Hank is eating bigger and bigger things now?”
Poppy grinned. “Isn’t he just the best?”