Chapter 11 Evie
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Evie
“You will spare no details,” June demanded. “Not a single one.”
“If you do, we’ll know,” Madi promised.
“And if you do, we’ll make you drink another margarita to loosen you up,” Avery teased as she put down the massive glass bottle of a premade mix.
Madi made a face. “It’s going to make us all sick.”
“Everything has made me nauseous lately. This is the best I got at the moment,” Avery sighed.
The four of us sat around the kitchen dining table of Avery’s new house.
Her two dogs sat under our feet, heads craned back and eyes on us begging for scraps.
Bonnie was a little older, and Bandit was her puppy that Avery and Levi had adopted with her as a surprise to Mateo.
Bonnie and Bandit had become part of our ever-growing friend family.
I was the weak link when it came to offering them treats. I dipped a tortilla chip in queso and sighed. “They’re looking at me, Avery,” I said, looking down at Bandit. He let out the softest whine, his tail giving a gentle thump.
“Don’t look him in the eye,” Avery said. “He doesn’t need chips and queso.”
“I don’t know,” I drawled. “I feel like he might.”
Madi leaned over and grabbed his face, giving him kisses on his head. “He’s a good boy. So is Bonnie.”
“Okay, I love the dogs, but I need details,” June demanded.
Where the hell did I even start? And was I going to come clean about what I’d said to Austin right now?
“Let’s start with Dr. Sexy,” Madi said. “He’s so dreamy.”
“He is,” Avery sighed.
“Yeah, tell us about him,” June said. “Your date night.”
I grinned. The best part about this portion of the conversation was that I didn’t need to spare a single detail. Bad margaritas, chips and queso, and telling them all about my night with Matthew was the perfect way to spend my evening.
Madi’s brows shot up when I mentioned the third round of sex we’d had in the middle of the night. “Did you get any sleep?”
“No.” My cheeks were bright pink. Friday night had been a whirlwind, then I’d spent yesterday morning in his bed, enjoying breakfast with him. “No. And I’ve never ever been outdressed before.”
“I bet y’all looked hot,” Avery said. “You should have sent us photos.”
“I know,” I said. “I just wanted it for myself for a little bit. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m doing.
A week ago, I thought I was never going to meet someone like Nick again, but then not only do I have an amazing first date with Matthew, Nick is also back in town.
Then Austin, of all people, showed up at my door last week and I vaguely told him he was the other guy. ”
“Oh my god,” Avery whispered, reeling back. “Jesus. And you didn’t tell us that until now?”
“I know, I’m terrible,” I said. “It’s just been a lot in one week. A complete whirlwind.”
The three of them nodded. Each of them had their own whirlwind romances too, but now that I was caught up in the gale, I realized just how scary it could be. It’d been a hell of a lot easier to give everyone else advice. Now I wasn’t really sure what I was doing.
“Okay, I’m obviously still getting to know Austin,” Madi said. “I mean I know I’ve been here for like a year now, but still. But Evie . . . Maybe it’s time to just think about Matthew and Nick?”
“I agree,” June said. “Unless he professed his undying love for you then and there.”
“I don’t think he even got it,” I said. “Like he didn’t even know it was him I was talking about.”
Avery massaged her temples. “Kill me now. I love him so much but he’s so painfully oblivious to stuff.”
“Also, I haven’t talked to Nick again yet. Except for a couple texts.”
June frowned. “He didn’t tell you he fixed your oven?”
“He what?” I stared at the three of them. “How . . . How? And how in the hell did he even get in to do that?”
“I let him in,” Avery said casually.
I sat back in my chair, digesting that info. I knew he said he’d ordered parts for it, but I never thought he’d go out of his way to fix it himself. I assumed that was going to be a Monday Me problem. Never mind having the bakery closed for a few days meant I was hemorrhaging money.
I looked down at my burn. It still hurt and it was taking its time to heal. It looked awful. But I was at least able to move like normal, and I’d be able to bake again this week.
It looked like I needed to text Nick.
“Are you hiding from him?” June asked. “So unlike you.”
“Not hiding,” I argued. “Just . . . I don’t know. I can’t even believe he’s here.”
“And he put roots down,” Madi said. “You don’t have to torture yourself for the next few weeks wondering if he’ll leave.”
“Hey,” June snorted. She leaned over and Madi kissed her, the two of them glowing. Ugh, they were so cute.
“And you don’t have to worry about him going back to play a sport you still don’t understand,” Avery chimed.
I laughed. “Hasn’t Levi taken you and Mateo to like three games now in Minnesota?”
“Yes, and? All I see are men hitting each other.”
Fair. That’s all I saw too when I watched hockey. “Or the stretches,” I reminded her. “I’m sure Levi has demonstrated those for you.”
Her cheeks turned pink and she smirked. “Yeah. Mateo made him show us.”
“I bet he did,” June snickered. “Okay. So back to the problem. Actually, is there even a problem? You date Nick and Matthew and ride off into the sunset. Either Austin joins y’all or he doesn’t.”
“It sounds that simple, but my heart doesn’t feel like it’s that simple,” I said. “I want Austin too. I just . . . I can’t wait. I really like Matthew. I really like Nick.”
“So keep seeing them,” Avery said. “And maybe Austin will figure it out.”
“Fingers crossed he talks to the guys, and one of them figures it out,” Madi said. “Between the four of them, they should be able to. They have at least one brain cell.”
“I don’t know. You have a lot of faith in them,” June said. “But maybe.”
I thought about Austin and his shocked expression. I had no idea what he was going to do now.
I ate a few more chips with queso as our conversation drifted into other topics. Wedding dresses, small business issues, the tourist system, the need for a girls’ trip sometime before the holidays. By the time I got home, I was full and happy and felt a lot better about what I was doing.
I just needed to text Nick.
With a cup of hot tea in hand, I settled onto my couch and pulled up my texts.
Me
I can’t believe you fixed my oven AND recommended wine and fruit to Matthew
A few bubbles appeared and disappeared. I squeaked when his name flashed across the screen with an incoming call. Oh god, oh god, oh god. I let my phone ring for a few seconds, then made myself answer.
“Hi,” I exhaled.
“I didn’t think you were gonna answer me,” Nick chuckled.
“I considered letting it go to voicemail, but you know. You did fix my oven.”
“And you love listening to my very sexy voice.”
I laughed. “Yeah. Sure. Maybe.”
“Mm-hmm.”
I would have been twirling my hair if I wasn’t holding a cup of tea. “I can’t believe you fixed it. You didn’t need to go out of your way to do that.”
“It wasn’t a big deal and I didn’t mind,” he said.
“But aren’t you busy?”
“I mean construction is starting, sure, but I don’t have to be out there the entire time. And again, it didn’t take me long. I’m happy to help.”
“And . . . you’re also happy to help my date pick out wine for me?”
“I am.” Nick’s voice softened. “Did you like it?”
I set my mug down and laid out completely on the couch. “I did. I only got one sip in though.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah.”
“He fed you a berry, didn’t he?”
“He did.” I closed my eyes. I was pretty sure I was blushing from head to toe. “I really like him.”
“I can see why. He’s sweet and funny.”
“And nerdy. And sexy.”
“Lucky liked him,” Nick said.
“Who’s Lucky?”
“My son.”
“What?” I gasped. “You’re a dad? And you named your kid Lucky?”
Nick started laughing. “My child has pointy ears and a tail and has been known to hiss at someone if he doesn’t like them.
He’s a scruffy little black cat I found in the back alley of a casino a few years ago.
It was pouring rain and I heard him meowing, so I tucked him in my pocket.
I ended up having him inside my coat during my next poker game.
I won that game, invested that money, got lucky, and that’s how I’m able to build a resort. ”
“Oh. Okay, that makes more sense. So Lucky is your lucky charm?”
“He is. And you’re my wild card.”
I was blushing everywhere now. “I am?”
“Yep.”
Was my heart going a thousand miles an hour? “And Lucky . . . he loved Matthew?”
“Very much.”
“Hmmm. I’m jealous because everyone has gotten to meet Lucky but me.” I stared at the ceiling and smiled. “Sounds like fate or something . . . Maybe you’re my wild card.”
“Maybe I am.” His voice softened. “I want to see you again, Evie. Really bad. I’ve been trying to give you space. I don’t want you to think I’m here to ruin your plans with Matthew or anything, but I want you. I want you just as much as I wanted you our first night together, if not more.”
“I want you too,” I whispered. “Does it bother you that I went out with Matthew?”
“No. Have you noticed I have a mullet and earrings? Is my bisexualness not loud enough?”
I giggled. “Well, I didn’t want to assume.”
“Okay, well, maybe I need a tramp stamp that says bisexual just to make it okay for folks to assume.”
“And who are you showing that stamp to?” I snorted. “The nursing home?”
“I could. I’d probably be run out of town, but I could.”
“I think you’d be welcomed.” I shook my head. “The Whynot Golden Girls would eat you up. I still don’t know what I’m gonna do with you, though.”
“Anything you want, of course. And with Matthew too. Maybe the three of us could go on a date.”
Nerves shot off like fireworks. Oh god. Could I survive a date with the two of them? What would that even be like? They were both charming enough on their own, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make it through a night with them without completely melting.
“Evie? Did you stop breathing?”
“Yep,” I squeaked. “We could ask Matthew.”
“Let’s do it,” Nick said. “If you’re okay with it.”
“I am,” I said. “Are you?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect. I’ll start unpacking all my kink equipment.”
My mouth dropped. “What . . . what kind of kink equipment?”
“Oh you know. The spanking bench. All the restraints. The paddles.”
My skin buzzed with need and I squeezed my thighs together.
“The candle wax for wax play. All those things.”
My heart felt like it was going to slam out of my chest. I’d always wanted to explore BDSM, but had never gotten the chance to. Nick was the first person to dominate me, and even so, we’d taken that slowly.
I wanted him to do it again.
“I want to try it all,” I said.
“Then we should try it all. I can be your sexy teacher.”
“Mmm. Am I your student then? What if I’m bad?”
Nick let out the softest groan. “I think I can handle you, baby. I’ll put you over my knee.”
I shivered. I wanted that. I wanted him to spank me again.
“Nick,” I whispered. “What if you came over? I had a margarita earlier but the alcohol has completely worn off, so I’m not under the influence. But . . .”
“Now?”
“Only if you want.”
“I want.” I heard noise in the background and realized it was the jingle of his keys. This man was wasting absolutely no time.
Oh god.
I’d just invited him over.
“I’ll be over soon. But you should text the doctor. See what he’s up to.”
My eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’ll be over there in a few.”
“Okay.”
We hung up and I sat there for a few moments. Was this real life? Was this really happening to me? I was already turned on just from the thought of sharing a night with two people.
Nick had been so okay with me liking Matthew too.
I looked back down at my phone, then pulled up Matthew’s number. My heart beat faster as I pressed call.
It took a few rings, but then he answered. “Hey. You okay?”
“Yeah. I . . .” I trailed off. “Nick is coming over.”
Matthew was quiet for a second. “He is?”
“Would you like to come over too?”
He was quiet again. Fuck. I was asking too much—
“There’s no pressure,” I added quickly.
“I’ll be there in a few,” he said. “I just got off work.”
“You just got off work? Didn’t you get there at six this morning?” I asked.
“Yeah, and yet, I think I still have plenty of energy to see you. And Nick. I’ll be over soon.”
Our call ended.
Fuck.
This was really happening.
I was still spinning from the sex Matthew and I had Friday night. The way he’d kissed me and touched me. Everything had been so perfect and romantic and wonderful.
But one of my deepest, brightest fantasies was to be with two people at the same time.
I didn’t even know what to do with myself. Tomorrow, I had to return to my bakery and get back into the swing of things, but for tonight . . .
I liked the idea of only focusing on them.
Matthew and Nick.
Of giving in to all the desires I’d kept to myself over the last few years.
Finally getting to explore all my fantasies.
Future me was going to hate getting up early tomorrow morning, but why not? Why not sleep with the two hottest men I’d ever met at the same damn time?