Chapter 28 Eve
TWENTY-EIGHT
EVE
July
We settle into a routine for a couple of weeks after we return from our weekend away. I spend more nights in Cole’s bed than not, only going home when I need to change out craft supplies or when we have dinner with my family.
No one suspects a thing between us.
This morning, neither of us plan on leaving bed. It’s nearly eleven. We’ve been up for close to an hour, dozing tangled in each other and fooling around.
We’re not in a hurry. I’m trailing languid kisses across his firm chest, enjoying when I move lower and earn one of his sexy, sleep-tinged rumbles.
“You going somewhere?”
His fingers sink in my hair, giving a slight tug that lights up my nerve endings and ignites heat in my core. I shiver, lashes fluttering.
“I could be.”
“Fuck, when you lick your lips like that it makes me want to use your mouth, baby.” He takes my chin, thumb pulling my lower lip.
I smirk. “Ask me to suck your cock nicely and I will.”
A rough noise tears from him and he captures my nape with his big hand. “Bring that pussy up here while you put that pretty mouth to work.”
We’re so wrapped up in each other, it catches us off guard when there’s a distant slam in the apartment.
“Hey, man, I called and texted, but you’re not answering! We’re going to be late.”
We both go rigid at Benson’s voice.
“Shit,” Cole mutters. “He must’ve used the spare key I made for him when he helped me move in the new TV console.”
He reaches for his phone. I lean in, seeing a string of missed texts from my brother.
“Cole, dude! Are you even awake? I know you don’t sleep til noon these days.”
I’m frozen with indecision. There’s no time to race from the bed to hide. My only option is to dive beneath the sheets as my brother’s voice grows closer.
“Oh—shit, sorry,” Benson stammers when he reaches the bedroom. “I didn’t think you’d have anyone over since you keep dodging my attempts to be your wingman.”
“What are you doing here?” Cole’s tone is flat.
“Did you forget? I’ve got the beer for the barbecue. You said you’d help me bring it to the lake before everything gets started.”
“Damn it.” Cole’s voice muffles like he’s scrubbing his face. “I did. Alright, could you give me a minute here?”
“Oh, right. Yeah, of course.” He’s silent for a beat too long and Cole stiffens, setting me on edge. “Isn’t that Eve’s laptop?”
Fuck! We left it on the nightstand after watching our show last night.
Cole covers quickly. “Uh, yeah. She lent it to me. Mine’s a piece of shit. Keeps freezing on me.”
Benson buys it. “I’ll meet you at the brewery and we’ll load up.”
“Fine.”
I listen to the entire exchange, cringing at the fact that there’s only a sheet covering me while my brother is right there talking to his best friend.
There’s another pause, then Benson jokes, “What’s up, mystery girl?”
I press my face against the mattress, wishing I could disappear.
“Benny,” Cole snaps.
“Just saying hi. You’re going to land yourself back on top of the town’s hot gossip list if you’ve got a secret girlfriend.”
Cole groans. “Benny, fuck off.”
“Going, going. Don’t take too long. I promised to get everything over before one.”
I remain hidden until Cole lifts the covers to peek at me.
“Sorry, I forgot all about him asking me last week.”
“It’s okay. I forgot today was Fourth of July.” I emerge with a sigh, leaning against his shoulder. “I guess we have to get out of bed after all.”
He blows out a breath, dropping his head back. It thunks on the headboard.
“I think my life flashed before my eyes.”
“Yours? What about mine? He thinks you’re hooking up with some random chick, but I have to live with the fact he caught us in bed together.”
He swings a smirk at me. “I’ll see you later?”
An exasperated sigh leaves me. “Yes. I’ll be the cute one, so don’t go mistaking anyone else for me.”
He pretends to be offended, pinning me to the bed with a grin. “I’d never. You think anyone else has tits as nice as yours?”
I savor his kiss as the last one I’ll get until late tonight, after the town-wide party’s over.
Heston Lake’s annual Fourth of July barbecue is open to all residents.
The beach is dotted with picnic blankets and camping chairs.
Younger kids race around, splashing at the edge of the water while older ones dive from the dock anchored deeper from shore.
Music plays on the speaker system. The savory aroma of grilling meat wafts through the humid air. It’s a fantastic atmosphere.
I’m chilling with Jess, Lauren, Julia, and Caroline on beach chairs my family brought. I tip my face into the sun and clink my fruity hard seltzer against Caroline’s.
“So,” Julia drawls. “How are things?”
I smirk at her emphasis, matching it. “Things are fantastic.”
I wave to Mr. Boucher and his twins when they arrive with Alex Keller. He has his arm around Lainey, accepting congratulations from people about his NHL draft pick. If anyone hasn’t already heard, Theo boasts about his teammate’s achievement.
They make their way over to us.
“Hey, Eve.” Theo bumps my fist when I hold it out for him.
“Where’s your dad?” Mr. Boucher asks.
I push my sunglasses onto my head and scan the party. “Over there with Mr. Cannon and Steve, manning the grill.”
Mr. Boucher heads over. Theo sprawls on the blanket while Alex and Lainey stroll down the beach. I nudge him with my foot.
“Enjoying your summer?”
“I’m eager to get back on the ice instead of waiting tables for dad,” he says.
“What, am I not fun to work with?” I pretend to pout. “I thought we had the bond of friendship and teamwork.”
Theo snorts. “Yeah, yeah.”
Cole and Benson come back from the water’s edge, playfully wrestling each other. Cole wins, trapping Benson in a headlock and ruffling his hair. Benson breaks free with a grunt, going to kiss his wife while Cole takes the empty seat next to me.
His foot inches closer until we’re touching. While my brother’s distracted, his eyes rake over me before meeting mine, darkening with desire. I stretch my arms overhead for his benefit, the lightweight plaid shirt knotted at my stomach opening more to show off my bikini top.
“Evie,” he mutters low enough for my ears only.
“I’m starving,” Benson says. “Did we run out of chips and dip already?”
“Five girls left alone with snacks? That would be yes,” Lauren says.
I swirl my can, judging I have less than half left. “Anyone need another drink?”
“Yes, thanks,” Caroline says.
“You’re a peach,” Julia chimes in.
“I’ll come with you.” Cole helps me to my feet.
I adjust my snug shorts so my thighs don’t chafe and follow him. We don’t make it far before some of the girls we went to high school with recognize us. One of them is a year younger than me and one was in the same class as him with Benson.
“Cole, I heard you were back in town,” Marie says.
He offers them a polite smile, sticking close to my side without being obvious. “Yeah, for a while now. How are you?”
“Good. I can’t complain. Teaching first graders keeps me busy. I’m always living my days by my to-do list.”
“Same,” I say.
“That’s cool. Have you seen the ones Eve sells?” Cole turns to me. “You have to-do list notepads, right?”
“Right.” I blush at him peddling my products for me.
“I’ll check them out,” Marie says. “I saw your earrings at Derby Bookshop. My students like the bookmarks.”
“I’m glad.”
Vanessa is the younger and bolder of the pair. She points out their spot while twirling her hair. “You should come hang out with us. We’re over there. If you’re feeling like getting up to some trouble.”
Cole shuts her down. “I’m here with the Lombards, and trouble’s not really my deal anymore.”
“We’ve heard,” Marie muses. “I suppose your wild days of infamy are over. No more getting busted snowboarding through the square hanging off the back of cars or hopping the wall at the ice rink to skate on the open lake.”
“Nope.” He grins reminiscently.
“Are you seeing anyone?” Vanessa asks.
I choke on my drink. It saves him from answering her, at least. As I splutter, he pats my back.
“Are you okay?” His hand lingers, thumb grazing my nape.
“Uh, sorry,” I say hoarsely. “Went down my windpipe. Breathing and drinking at the same time, still haven’t mastered it.”
Jess comes to our rescue when she passes, drawing their attention away from Cole to her baby bump. As we slip away from the conversation, she winks at me. I give her a grateful smile.
My shoulder brushes his arm and he touches the backs of his fingers to mine. I steal a glance at him, rolling my lips between my teeth when I find his attention on me.
“You look pretty,” he murmurs. “I haven’t had a minute alone to tell you yet.”
I tilt my head, peering over the frames of my sunglasses. “You like it because my cleavage is out.”
His dimples appear. “Okay, yes. You got me. I wish I could kiss you right now.”
“Later,” I whisper slyly.
His smoky chuckle makes my stomach dip.
We spend the rest of the afternoon into early evening stealing glances where we can.
During dinner, we sit at the picnic tables near the grills with our knees touching out of sight.
It’s a miracle we keep it together without anyone looking too closely, though we’ve had months of practice at this point.
When the sun sets, I help Mom gather our trash. Dad lights up a cigar and the guys go with him.
“I’m going to go wipe my hands,” I say when we’re done clearing the picnic table.
“They’re in my bag,” Mom says.
I head back toward our spot on the beach, waving to my friends as they take selfies by the shore before the light fades. I kneel beside Mom’s bag to look for her hand wipes.
Benson’s voice drifts over from the card table we set up before we ate. “I’m glad we’ve got you around to help make sure all these idiots eyeing Eve up stay away.”
Cole’s silent for a beat, then he clears his throat. “What do you mean? She can handle herself.”