Chapter 11
Cory
I laugh at the text from Livvy, informing me that she’s going to tell her family about me at Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. It’s become a constant threat since I told her that I didn’t feel right about taking her virginity when we’re still hiding our relationship.
I wanted to. I tried to. I just…couldn’t do it. Stealing her virginity like a thief in the night would make me the bad guy everyone else thinks I am. So, until we find a way to come clean, we can do anything and everything else, but no sex. I don’t know who my declaration pissed off more…her or my dick.
I look up from my phone to see Joey Campbell step through the door of Slade’s Automotive. Slade had one of his ominous side jobs come up unexpectedly and called to see if I’d watch his shop since he didn’t have any major jobs scheduled for today. Since my girl is in Cherokee Forest for Fall Break, I agreed.
“Hey, Cory. I’ve got an appointment to get my oil changed,” Joey says with a grin.
I nod as I hit the intercom to let Billy know to come get the keys to Joey’s truck. “So, what’s up with you?” I ask once Billy leaves.
Call it an occupational hazard—whether it’s bartending or chatting with a customer while they wait for their vehicle at the shop—I learn way more about people than they would tell most people. Like the fact that Joey is head over heels in love with his childhood best friend turned girlfriend, Tracey…and they’re both infatuated with his coworker, Devon.
Joey shrugs. “Nothin’ much.”
“Liar.” I laugh, but decide to let him off the hook. “What wild party have you college kids got planned next?”
Livvy has mentioned more than once that she can’t wait to attend one of the infamous parties that Tracey throws at her cabin up the mountain.
“Why?” Joey smirks. “You lookin’ for an invite?”
I scoff. “That’s just what I want to do…party with a bunch of kids a decade younger than me.”
“You party with them at Ball Busters anyway.” He shrugs. “Tracey’s throwing a New Year’s Eve party. You should go. Hell, I think Alexis will even be there if her little sister has to drag her kicking and screaming.” Joey laughs as my blood boils at the idea of Livvy at one of those wild parties.
“Alexis is engaged to your cousin,” I remind him.
“Oh yeah,” Joey chuckles. “I just meant that some of your crowd will be there, too.”
I can tell he’s trying to lead up to something with the sudden invite. “Spit it out, Joey. Why are you pushing me to go since you’ll probably still be in Denver with your folks anyway? You want someone to look after your girl?”
“Not exactly. I was actually hoping you’d hit it off with Devon’s roommate, Skyler. She’s thick…just your type.” He shakes his head before I can tell him my type has changed. “She probably won’t give you the time of day anyway. Forget I mentioned it.”
I laugh, remembering how he’s told me that everyone thinks that Devon and his roommate are dating. If I wasn’t already taken, I’d be all over the opportunity. But at least this gives me a way into the party without crashing like I’d planned to if Livvy was going to be there.
“I might make an appearance. I don’t have anything else going on that night.” I shrug nonchalantly.
Livvy
When Cory and I decided to keep our relationship a secret, I was excited about sneaking around with him. It’s been fun and added a certain level of taboo to my life that I’ve never had. But the longer we sneak around, the harder it will be when everyone I’m close to finds out. I didn’t anticipate how hard it would be to keep a secret from everyone. Especially Alexis.
We’ve always told each other everything and it feels wrong to keep lying to her. I was the first person she called when Maddox proposed and as excited as I was for her, I felt equally guilty because I was sitting next to Cory at the lookout.
Then, I was insecure because I didn’t know how he would take the news that they were engaged. I know he never loved Alexis, but they do have history. They had a connection that he and I don’t even have yet. A connection that he refuses to have with me until we find a way out of the dark corner that our secret has painted us into.
I was serious when I told Cory that I was going to tell my family about him at Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. But when the time came, I couldn’t do it. It felt wrong to announce it to everyone without talking to Alexis in private, first.
“You missed a spot, Livvy,” Alexis says, pointing to one of the few spots on the Christmas tree without an ornament.
I giggle before lifting the pink ornament in my hand and hanging it. “You could get up and help, you know?” I turn and give her a mock glare.
“Naw. You’ve got it handled.” She smiles as she leans back into Maddox’s chest from her perch on his lap.
I’ve never seen her smile as much as she has since they met, and that’s nothing compared to how happy she’s been since he proposed. Surely, she would be just as happy for me if she knew that I’d found the same kind of love.
I hang another ornament before spinning back to face them. “Have you guys set a date yet? You know I can’t wait to plan your big day.”
Alexis rolls her eyes even though she’s still smiling. “If it were up to me, we’d just elope to the courthouse and be done.”
“NO!” Maddox and I shout at the same time before laughing.
“I knew you’d both gang up on me. My Ken doll fiancé and my Barbie doll sister…” Her voice trails off. “I’m sure there’s a romance book trope in there somewhere.” She laughs sarcastically before shaking her head. “Anyway…we’ll get hitched next June. That way, we can have a honeymoon before Maddox goes off to training camp. So, you’ve got roughly six months to plan a wedding befitting NFL royalty. Think you can do it?” She looks at me with both a challenge and a plea in her eyes.
“Yes!” I shout before the time constraint hits me. “Maybe,” I admit as I feel my cheeks heat with uncertainty.
“You’ve got this, Livvy,” Maddox says. “We’re getting married in Thorngrove. Just let me know if you run into any issues and I’ll take care of it. It pays to be a local celebrity.”
“Right. I’ve got this,” I say with conviction. Now if I could just have the same confidence when it comes to my own love life.