Chapter 14
EVERLEE – WET. NOT JUST FOR YOUR LADY BITS
Mrs. Mary Mae grabbed Emmett’s attention during the competitive Easter egg hunt and is now asking all sorts of questions about Bo’s, so he told us he’d sit out of the boat race. Beckett called dibs on Will, his new friend, and Knox to be in his boat, so I get Jax and Callum.
As we’re walking to the water’s edge, Callum asks, “Not as many people in this one?”
“They’re scared of getting wet.”
A low chuckle sounds in his chest. “But you aren’t?”
“I enjoy getting wet.”
“I enjoy making you wet.”
“That makes two of us.”
“I can’t wait until we’re back home.”
“What happens then?”
“We’re never letting you leave again,” he whispers coolly, but his words send a heat pulsing through my body. He brushes his hand across my back, then distances himself from me, listening to the instructions.
Home. Tonight. Ideas race through my mind about the plane ride, and then the car ride to their house. I’ve never done it on an airplane before, but somehow I don’t think the mile-high club would have the same ring if it’s in a private jet versus the cramped bathroom of a passenger plane.
A whistle blows, and I shake my head, clearing it. I didn’t hear the instructions, but assume it’s the same as every other year.
“Ev, over here!” Jax calls out.
“Yeah, Ev,” Beckett chimes from the boat beside ours.
“Careful, or I’ll dump your ass in the water,” I threaten playfully.
“Not with me in the boat!” Knox defends.
“Definitely with you in the boat, princess,” Jax retorts.
“Well, I did leave my crown at home, just in case,” Knox shoots back, climbing into the boat.
“Why do I feel like we’re going to get wet?” Will asks the group, resting his chin on the paddle.
“They have to catch us first.” Beckett rubs his back affectionately.
When I catch Beckett’s eye, I pump my brows.
He tilts his head to the side and gives me a look that’s a cross between fuck off and so what, causing me to chuckle as I climb in.
There are some questions being asked, but we aren’t listening.
We’re in our own world of sexual tension and forbidden romances to pay attention.
All we care about is the next verbal jab and how not to get flipped over, because the looks being thrown around right now yell that’s exactly what’s going to happen.
“I want to caution everyone that the water will be cold…” I say.
“Evy baby. Is that fear I hear?” Knox twirls the paddle on his lap.
“Evy baby?” Beckett looks over his shoulder. “Am I not here with you? Are Will and I chopped liver?”
I glare at Beckett, then shift my gaze to Knox. “Of course not, Knoxxy baby. It was simply a warning for when we dump your ass.”
Everyone chuckles.
“I think it best if we start down there.” Callum points to the opposite end of the shore.
I agree, so Jax and Callum lift the boat with ease and carry it over their heads while I simply walk beside them.
My mother sees us and chuckles. “Everlee and Beckett are so competitive. Always looking for an advantage on how to beat each other.”
I chuckle, but she has no idea what’s about to go down. We aren’t racing around any buoys. We’re racing to take each other down.
Callum climbs in first, followed by me, then Jax in the back.
I look down at the few other boats and see Beckett with a huge smile on his face.
He’s as excited as I am. Will turns around to say something to him, and I see Beckett place his hand on his shoulder, and Will put his hand on Beckett’s.
Ooh, they like each other. I wish I were closer so I could taunt him, like he’s been taunting me, but the eyebrow pumping and winks will have to do for now.
Jax leans forward on my right side, sliding his left hand around my hip. “You ready to take them down?”
“Ready and excited would be an understatement.” I laugh.
The horn blows, and Jax pushes us off the edge of the lake. We paddle clunkily at first until I pause a beat to get in sync with Callum. I glance to my left and see Beckett’s boat, just a tip behind us.
“Let’s go!” I pull the paddle through the water.
We get in sync, leaning forward, pulling back. One… two… one… two.
We’re ahead, and I hear Beckett yelling commands and Knox laughing like a wild hyena. His joy is infectious.
After a few more minutes, Callum dictates. “Left side.”
I continue to paddle while Callum and Jax switch sides.
Our canoe starts slowly turning left around the large red and white buoy.
By the time we turn, we’re coming up on Beckett and Knox’s boat in the opposite direction.
I stick my tongue out, and Beckett takes his paddle and reaches out, knocking mine down and tries to pull it.
I, of course, don’t let go and reflexively try to pull back.
Before I know what’s happening, I’m in the water, swimming back up to the top to get air, along with Callum, Jax, Knox, Beckett, and Will.
We’re all doggy paddling, wiping the hair out of our faces when Beckett chuckles and says, “Well, that didn’t go exactly as planned.”
“What did you think was going to happen?” I splash water on his face, irritated.
“You could have let go!” he retorts, splashing back.
I look at the guys. “I’m sorry about my idiot brother.”
Callum, Knox, and Jax only look mildly irritated, thankfully.
“Let’s get back in the boat,” Jax says.
“Do you all need help?” a man from another boat asks, rowing up to us.
“No. We’re all good.” Jax swims around me. “Knox, help me. Beckett, you and Will are going to bring your boat over once we’re in.”
I rub my hand over Jax’s ass, causing his head to snap in my direction. He returns the gesture, running his hand over my panties with a wild gleam in his eye.
“You ready?” Knox asks.
“Yeah.” He gives an affectionate pinch on my backside before he moves to the boat.
They count to three and at the same time kick with ease out of the water, on opposite sides of the boat. Their pants are glued to their legs, and I let out a moan as I trace the fabric up to find no seam line. They aren’t wearing underwear. Fuck me! They look divine.
“Everlee, are you okay in the water for a little longer?” Jax asks.
“Yeah.” I move over to Callum.
“You aren’t going to ask about me?” Callum jokes.
I splash Callum with a little water. “Obviously, I’m more important.”
“Obviously,” Callum says, dunking me under the water, laughing.
I pop up a moment later, looking like some sort of wild sea creature with my hair covering my face. “Ass.” I splash him again, this time with more oomph.
“I know.” He sweeps his arm through the water and hooks it around me.
I pat him on the chest and his hand moves to cover mine. Beckett smiles with a big 'I told you so' look on his face. I roll my eyes and shake my head.
Ten minutes later, we’re all in the boats heading back to shore. I hadn’t noticed how cold it was when we were in the water, but moving on top of it now, I’m shivering and my teeth are chattering. Fortunately, the guys don’t need my help rowing, so I can scoot up close to Callum.
“What happened?” my mother asks with that look of equal parts shock and embarrassment.
“Your s-s-son thought it would be f-f-funny to take my paddle and tipped b-b-both boats over,” I mumble through chattering teeth.
“What?” Beckett throws his hands in the air, trying to act innocent.
“That may have worked when you were a kid, but you’re an adult now, Beckett!” our mother scolds. She turns towards the rest of our little group and apologizes profusely.
The guys are nice and tell her everything is fine, passing on all the things she offers as a way to make up for it.
I glance at my watch. “Mom. I’m going to head back to the house and get this lake water off me and get into some warm clothes before I head to the airport.”
“Leaving so soon?” She frowns.
“It was close to time before Beckett dumped us.”
She looks at my brother. “Can you manage taking her to the airport without causing trouble?”
He shrugs.
“Beckett!” She swats at his arm, then stops. “Wait. How are you getting back to the house?”
“Callum said he could drop us off,” I offer quickly.
“He doesn’t have to do that. I can get your father—”
“It’s really no problem, ma’am.” Callum steps forward.
“You can fit all these people in your car?”
“It has a third row.”
“Fancy.” She smiles, with a flush hitting her cheeks.
I lean across the space and give my mother a hug. “Thanks f-f-for this weekend.”
“Call me when you get home.”
“I w-w-will,” I whisper.
Her hand cups my cheek. “It was great seeing you. I wish we could have spent more time together, but it was so crazy with Mrs. Mary’s event and what not.”
“It’s okay. I’ll come visit soon, or y’all can come up and visit.”
“On a plane?”
My brows raise. “Or you can drive.” I chuckle.
“We’ll see.” She half smiles.
She never really travels outside of her little town and hates planes with a passion. My father and I have tried to explain they are safe, but you can’t convince that woman of anything. She’s stubborn and set in her ways.
“Go find your father before you leave. I think he’s over by the food table. Can’t get him away from there,” she grumbles. “And get warm. Your lips are turning blue.”
“I’ll go say b-b-bye to him really quick, then meet you at the c-c-car,” I say to Callum.
“We’re going to grab Emmett and say goodbye to Mrs. Mary, and then I’ll drive around to the front to pick you up.” Callum winks before walking off.
I find my father over by the food tent and give him a quick hug goodbye.
I have to explain why I’m standing in front of him with chattering teeth and blue lips.
He chuckles and mentions he’d heard the commotion in the water and knew it had to be us two.
He wishes me a safe flight home and gives me one more hug.
I scurry across the lawn, arms wrapped tightly around me, feeling like a freaking ice cube.
I have to figure out how to pay Beckett back.