Chapter 29 Eve
TWENTY-NINE
EVE
August
“And here’s how the interior is looking,” I narrate as I film a clip for my social media showcasing the progress on the camper renovation.
“Not super exciting yet since we just finished installing the new floor. Soon we’ll get to the fun part—hopefully in time for my first in person event later this year.
There’s my brother and his best friend, Cole. Give a wave for your fans, guys.”
Benson goofs off with a flex, brandishing a primer-coated paint brush at me. Cole snorts and paints a smiling face on the back of Benson’s t-shirt.
He grunts, twisting in an attempt to see it. “I’ll get you back for that.”
“Try it. I dare you,” Cole taunts.
“Nice,” I say.
My following has doubled since I started documenting the project.
The more open I am about honestly sharing my struggles along with the good, the more response I get.
They’re interested in a lot of the behind the scenes of my business growth.
Well, and whenever I show Cole. My comment section is always flooded with questions about him.
I step outside and pan the camera to show the display shelves I’m creating with my friends. “And over here, we’re crafting away. These pegboards were a great choice, thanks for your input. Oh! The sign’s almost done, let me show you.”
I finish off filming my logo made with a bright pink acrylic. It’s going to look great hanging inside the camper.
Once I post the video, I sit on the driveway with the girls. We’re painting the pegboards in varying shades of pink and peach to match my business cards.
When they’re complete, they’ll be able to display everything from my handmade earrings to my stationary sets. Cole was the one to suggest modifying the shelf template I found online to make them portable so I can use them at the market in December.
“Thanks again for helping out,” I say.
“Of course, girl. You know we’ve got you,” Caroline replies.
“This is fun,” Lauren chimes in.
“I can’t wait to see it all finished.” Julia leans back on her hands, studying the camper.
“Me too. I probably shouldn’t have slacked off on it for so long. We’d be done by now.”
“It already looks so much better than when you first texted us photos,” she assures me.
“It’s getting there. Still a long way to go,” I say.
“Progress is progress,” Jess says from the cushioned chair Benson brought out for her in the shade of the garage. “It’s all part of running your own business. We can’t do it all at once, no matter how much we wish we could.”
“True.”
I paint for a while, getting through two more pegboards. Brushing my hands off, I check on the ones we’ve set aside to dry.
Mom brings Jess a fresh cold water. “Looking good, sweetie. I’m going to call your dad and see how long he’ll be with lunch.”
Cole pokes his head through the window. “Come help with this, Evie?”
I pop inside the camper. All morning I’ve bounced between working outside with the girls and helping him.
“Where do you want me?”
He shoots me a playful look while Benson’s back is turned at the opposite end of the interior. I purse my lips, but a smile breaks free anyway at the silent innuendo passing between us.
“Hold this while I drill.” A hint of flirtation tinges his direction.
“That’s what she said,” Benson replies automatically. “Or would that be what he said?”
Cole waggles his brows at me, mouthing later. I cough to cover a laugh and steady the butcher’s block counter while he installs it over the new cabinets he built for me.
My teeth scrape my lip as I admire the definition of his bicep and the way his forearm flexes when he drills.
He notices when he repositions to get the next screw lined up, smirking.
Heat blooms in my cheeks when he adjusts his grip to make his veins stand out prominently in the back of his hand and his corded arm.
He checks that Benson is absorbed in painting before moving behind me, bracing his hands on the counter.
“Is it aligned right?” His hips press against my ass.
I tip my head back, holding my breath. The risk of being caught by my brother makes my pulse race.
“Yes.”
“Good girl.” The mutter against my ear is barely a breath before his voice returns to normal. “Keep it like that.”
I mourn the loss of him when he moves to install the other end of the counter. His smoldering gaze collides with mine before he ducks inside the cabinet.
Once the countertop is secured, I stretch my neck, rubbing stiffness from my muscles. He bats my hand aside and clasps my shoulders, massaging them. I close my eyes, enjoying the treatment. We’ll both use any excuse to touch each other if we can get away with it.
“Good work,” he says.
The corner of my mouth lifts and I twist to sass him. “Yes, I’m excellent at standing around looking pretty, aren’t I?”
“Don’t answer that,” Benson cuts in without looking over his shoulder.
I flip off the back of his head. “Who asked you?”
He spins, pausing when he realizes how close we’re standing. His attention zeroes in on Cole’s hands on my shoulders. My stomach clenches when he flicks a suspicious look at his best friend.
Shit. Is this it?
“What? You want a massage next, buddy?” Cole offers nonchalantly.
Benson’s suspicion clears and he snorts. “Yeah, and I’ll take a beer after you work me over. It’s my turn to stand around looking pretty. Here, Eve, you can take over painting.”
Cole chuckles. “The counter’s in, the floor’s done, painting in progress. What’s next?”
“I made some resin knobs to upgrade the cabinet hardware with. They’re in my apartment.”
I walk out to get them. Cole joins me. He snags my wrist once we’re behind the camper, tugging me out of sight.
“What are you doing?” I whisper.
He answers by checking our surroundings before taking me by the waist to press me against the siding with a heart-stopping grin. Then he steals a kiss. It’s slow, torturous, and over way too soon.
I chase him when he pulls back. His handsome green eyes crinkle.
“Had to kiss you or I’d go crazy,” he murmurs. “Needed a dose of you to recharge me.”
I bite my lip around a smile. “We already cut it close with Benson right there. You’re going to get us caught.”
“Nah.”
When he looks at me like I’m the most important person in the world, it’s difficult to catch my breath. We gaze at each other, the world falling away outside of our stolen moment.
“Anyone see where Cole went?” Benson calls from the other side of the camper.
Reality sets back in. My eyes widen. I push at Cole’s chest. He doesn’t budge.
“I think he went inside,” Jess says.
Cole grins and claims another short kiss, kneading my waist. Then he’s gone, circling the camper.
I slump against it, laying a hand over my racing heart until I calm down. This man. I swear he’ll be the end of me.
Even though it’s disappointing that we’re still keeping our relationship hidden after what happened last month at the lake, we’re happy. The looming possibility of my brother and dad finding out about us and the potential fallout from that isn’t enough to make me walk away from this.
My heart is firmly tied to his.
I wait a few more moments before coming out of hiding to retrieve the knobs. When I return, Dad and Mr. Boucher have pulled up with provisions from the bar.
A few other cars arrive with Heston U’s hockey players. Their summer training camp started this week. They lope up the driveway messing around with each other. Theo, Easton, and Cameron I recognize. The beach blond guy is a new face on the team this season.
“Hey guys,” I say.
“Hey yourself,” the freshman player replies with a wink.
“Easy, rookie. Coach’s daughter is off-limits and about a million miles out of your league,” Theo warns. “This is Noah.”
I wave. “Hi. What are you doing here?”
“Coach Kincaid roped us into helping yesterday,” Easton says.
“How?”
Theo smirks, ruffling Cameron’s hair when he pulls his hat off to flip it around. “Lost a shootout against him. He bet us all he could get more in than us.”
“And I did. Still got it,” Cole says when he comes over to stand beside me. “Consider it specialized training as part of camp.”
“Bet you wouldn’t have lost against Keller if he was around,” Theo says.
Cole shrugs. “That’s why he’s going pro.”
Easton’s eyes glitter. “Hell yeah. Miss having him around, though.”
“Heard his game is killer,” Noah says.
“It is,” Theo agrees proudly. “I’m ready to get tickets when he plays on NHL ice for the first time.”
Easton and Cameron whoop. Noah goes with the flow, doling out high fives to each of us. When he gets to me, he claps his palms against mine and holds on with a wink. Laughter bubbles out of me.
“Sorry, I’m immune to flirting from Heston’s hockey boys,” I say.
“But you haven’t met me yet,” Noah answers.
“Alright, get a move on,” Cole says mildly.
They fall in line, their respect for him clear. It stirs a spark of delight.
Before we put them to work, they eye the food Dad and Mr. Boucher spread out on folding tables. When Dad invites everyone to help themselves, they descend on it.
“Hope you brought enough,” I joke with Mr. Boucher. “Hungry hockey players are dangerous creatures.”
“Don’t I know it,” he replies. “What’ll I do when I lose you soon at the bar?”
“Eventually,” I concede. “I’m not ready to go full-time yet, so don’t go giving my job away.”
“There will always be a spot open for you as long as you need it.”
“Thanks.”
I grab a plate to load up with wings, but my brother stops me.
“Hang on. We got you a surprise,” Benson says.
“What? Who?”
“Me, Jess. Mom and Dad chipped in, too.”
“Hey,” Cole says.
Benson waves a hand. “Credit where credit’s due, this was Cole’s idea. It’s an early birthday present.”
He goes into the garage and moves some old hockey gear out of the way. Mom’s giddy with her phone held up to record my reaction. I throw confused glances at my friends, the hockey guys, finally landing on Cole. Everyone seems to have an idea of what’s going on.
Benson drags a long box out to the camper. It’s not clear what it is until he lifts it against the new siding.
Oh, wow. It’s a bigger sign than the one I ordered for inside. This one’s neon. I spent a month in late winter looking at them before deciding I couldn’t do it without getting a really expensive one.
“Cole looked up how to wire it with the camper’s electric,” Benson explains.
“We’re so proud of you,” Dad says. “Always will be. We want you to know that.”
My eyes mist and my voice trembles with emotion. “You guys.”
Cole’s fingertips glide up my spine before he wraps me in a half-hug. “What do you think?”
I lean into him as much as I can get away with as his friend in front of everyone. He slants a handsome smile my way.
“I love it.”
The camper still has a ways to go before it’s done, but my heart is full. I’m so thankful I have an amazing support system in my family and friends. Most of all in Cole. His belief in me bolsters my confidence in myself.