42. Evvy
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
evvy
“Quiet Bax, you’re gonna wake her up.” Zack’s voice carries down the hall.
“Don’t you think she’d want to be out here with us? It is a brunch.”
“I found you sleeping on my couch last night, and you invited yourself to stay for breakfast. Calling this a brunch is a stretch.”
“Bailey’s here too.”
“Yeah, I’m here too,” she says with a laugh.
I hear a pan rattle on the stovetop. None of them are doing a very good job at being quiet.
“She was invited to stay here, you weren’t.”
“You expected me to walk all the way back to Brent’s garage last night? What if one of those zombies came back for me?”
“I’d mourn for a little while, but one of the new rookies would step up.”
“Never! You love me too much.” There’s more commotion as a thud sounds in the distance and voices fill the air. “Now it’s a brunch!” West exclaims excitedly.
“You invited everyone for breakfast? At my house?” Zack’s trying to sound annoyed, but I can tell he’s secretly loving this.
“Because you love us, and we love your famous omelets.” I can hear West’s smile.
“Everyone, please be quiet. Evvy’s still sleeping,” Zack begs.
“No, I’m not,” I call out to them. “Be right out!”
I fell asleep outside on Zack’s lap last night.
The last thing I remember is him placing me on the bed and helping me clean up before tucking us in for the night.
I quickly pull on a pair of leggings and one of Zack’s hoodies that I’ve stolen as my own at this point.
I twist my hair up into a messy bun and run to the bathroom to brush my teeth before joining the group.
“I heard we’re having your famous omelets.” I slide up behind Zack, wrapping my arms around him as he stands at the kitchen stove. Zack’s always good-looking but seeing the big guy wearing an apron does something to me.
“Hear that Bax? She heard you?”
“I heard all of you,” I say with a laugh. “I was about to get up anyway, and I can’t miss brunch.”
Zack abandons his post at the stove to give me a kiss. His fingers trail down my back as his tongue tangles with mine, giving me a faint taste of coffee and making my stomach do flip-flops. I don’t think kissing Zack will ever get old.
We’re disturbed by the sound of fake coughing. “Are we here for breakfast or a show?” Nate teases. He’s sporting a sly grin as he winks at Zack from his spot perched at the kitchen island.
“I was told brunch. I don’t think a show was included in the price of my admission ticket.” Brent slides onto the barstool next to Nate.
“That’s because it’s free.” Zack throws up his hands with laughter.
“I brought extra eggs.” Josie gently places a carton down. “Also, Evvy and I prefer extra cheese, Chef.”
“This isn’t Charlie’s. I don’t do custom orders.” Zack grins, opening the extra carton of eggs.
“Even for me?” I clap my hand to my chest, letting my mouth fall open.
Zack pulls me into his side, making a show of kissing my cheek. “For you? Anything.”
“And me?” Josie teases.
“You have a husband who can kiss your cheek. My lips belong to Evvy.”
“Zack!” Laughter bubbles out of Josie as she takes a seat next to Brent.
“And what about me?” Bailey jokes. “I feel left out.”
“Take your pick,” Zack teases, gesturing at his three remaining friends. “I’m sure one of them would cook for you.”
Bailey’s chin drops as a flush creeps across her cheeks. When she looks up, her eyes lock on mine and I raise a brow. She shakes her head and waves her hand, brushing off my silent question. Interesting…
Everyone else seems oblivious to this exchange. “Nope, I want one of your famous omelets.” Bailey gives Zack a pat on the back and retreats to stand next to Josie at the kitchen island.
Twenty minutes later, we’re all sitting around the dining table. Despite what he said, Zack did customize the omelets and made some delicious home fries and sausages. West even helped by throwing together a fruit salad.
“I vote we make this a new tradition. Brunch once a week.” A smile spreads across West’s face as he finishes the last bite of omelet and leans back with a sigh. He places his hands on his belly and says, “My stomach agrees.”
“Does it?” Zack lifts a questioning brow, but he can’t hide the smile on his face. It’s clear how much he loves his friends. They’re more like family, and I know he’d do anything for them.
“I think that sounds nice.” I rest my head on Zack’s shoulder as he slides his arm around me.
“Well you’re in luck, Bax. What Evvy wants, Evvy gets.”
“Sweet!” He’s practically jumping for joy as he eyes Marsh’s plate. “Are you going to finish that?”
“Yes! Back away, rookie.” Marsh uses his hands to make a protective shield around his food.
“You’re being absurd,” Nate says to Marsh, shaking his head.
“So you’re going to give him the rest of your food?” Marsh asks.
“No.” Nate assumes the same position as West looks at him hopefully. Marsh promptly gives Nate a playful shove.
“I wish I could be here for weekly brunch.” Bailey frowns at me from her spot at the end of the table.
Having Bailey here fixed a piece of me I didn’t know was broken, just like when Zack came back into my life. Sure, we talk and text all the time, but it’s not the same as being physically present with each other.
“Easy solution. Move here,” Josie states matter-of-factly.
“Oh yeah, really easy.” Bailey laughs but stops when she sees Josie staring at her. “Wait, you’re serious?”
“Of course I am. Your best friends are here.” Josie points between the two of us. “The trio should be together.”
“That’s really sweet, Josie, but kind of impossible at the moment. I have a job in LA, and I don’t think there are many opportunities here in Fiddlehead Ridge.” Bailey sighs and her shoulders slump.
“A girl can dream,” Josie says, sinking into Brent’s side.
“Do you want us to drive you to the airport later?” Brent asks.
“I can drive you,” Marsh says quickly, before Bailey can answer.
“Really?” Brent asks. “You want to drive her?” He lifts a brow.
“Did you…?” Zack looks at Marsh, but it’s Bailey that answers.
“What? No! No offense Marsh, but I’m not hopping on that merry-go-round.”
Josie claps a hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle. Marsh coughs and looks down. The guy’s been rejected twice in the last twenty-four hours, probably a first for him.
“Actually, West is driving me,” Bailey says, her gaze landing on my favorite rookie.
“How kind of you.” Marsh eyes him and they exchange some weird glances, like they’re communicating in some secret, unspoken code.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I need to go to Portland and offered to drive her,” West says, leaning back in his chair as Marsh scowls.
“I’m going to miss this.” Bailey laughs at their antics.
“Change of topic,” Nate announces. “Are you worried about playing Boston on Tuesday night?”
“Yeah, you’ll have to face off against that fucker. I can’t wait to smash him into the boards.” Marsh grins like a kid on Christmas morning.
“That’s not happening,” Brent scolds. “You don’t need to get thrown from another game.”
“It’s worth it. He fucked with Zack.” He may have an odd way of showing it, but Marsh does care about his friends.
“Wait, you’re saying Jeff’s going to be in Portland?” Zack’s grip tightens on my hip.
“Unfortunately, yeah.” He presses a kiss to my temple. “But you won’t have to see him.”
“I’m not missing your first home game. He ruined our lives once, I’m not letting him take this away from us too.”
“That’s not what I meant. Just that you won’t have to run into him at the arena.”
“We’ll be sitting in the WAG box—a luxury suite this time. Isn’t that exciting?” Josie smiles at me. “I’ve never had a friend with me before. Most of the other guys are single. I can’t wait!”
“Me too!” As much as I’m not looking forward to laying eyes on Jeff, I’m excited to watch Zack play in his first ever home game with the Maine Meteors. It’s something he’s looked forward to for his entire life.
“Sorry your first game in Portland has to be against him.” Nate looks at Zack, eyes full of sympathy.
“I don’t even care. I’m done with him at this point. Jeff Vanderthorne no longer exists as far as I’m concerned. He never answered my calls or texts, and it’s not like anything he could say would change the damage he’s done. He’s dead to me.”
“I love you,” I whisper in Zack’s ear. Pressing a kiss to his cheek, I feel his tension melt away.
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
“Hear that folks? They love each other!” Josie bounces in her seat, and West makes a whooping noise. Bailey's clapping her hands, Nate’s grinning, and Brent gives Zack an air high five. Even Marsh cracks a smile.
I think our friends love us too.