AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, well, we’re testing the waters and taking things very slow. Don’t start planning a wedding,” I tease.
She gives me a fake shocked look. “Would I do that?”
I snort in reply. We both know she would. “All I’m saying is please don’t get ahead of anything that may or may not happen.”
Loree does this weird little happy dance right in front of me.
“I said don’t get ahead of anything!” I insist, trying to keep my voice down so Ellie doesn’t overhear. I glance over my shoulder and find her at the water’s edge with Brody and Morgan, who was invited to come along for today’s cookout.
“What aren’t we getting ahead of?” Logan asks, appearing out of nowhere.
Asshole.
“TD and Ellie,” my traitorous sister proudly announces to my best friend.
“I’ve never seen a man so whipped so quickly before,” Logan chimes in, about to earn himself a fat fucking lip.
“Really? Why do you say that?” Loree asks with a twinkle in her eyes.
“You mean he didn’t tell you what he did for date night?” Logan bumps me out of the way and takes the spatula, flipping the burgers.
“No! Tell me!”
My friend goes into great detail, spilling all my secrets about the nice meal I had catered, enclosing my back porch, and setting up the area for a movie. He even tells her about all the extra decorations Hallie talked me into buying because it would really “bring the space together.”
“I hate you both,” I mutter, pushing him aside and reclaiming my position as grill master. “You’re no longer my friend.”
“You’ll never get rid of me. I know all your secrets, including where you used to stash the Playboys you were hiding from your dad,” Logan announces smugly, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I got them from you, asshole,” I mutter, flipping the hot dogs for even grilling.
“Oh yeah,” he replies with a laugh. “Best money I ever spent.”
“That’s just sad,” Loree replies, reaching over and patting his arm. “No wonder you’re single.”
A bark of laughter flies from my mouth. “Burn.”
“What’s so funny?” Ellie asks, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up with her nearness.
“Logan was just threatening to out TD on where he hides his Playboys,” Loree states, grinning from ear to ear.
“Used to hide. Jesus, you’re not helping,” I mutter to my sister, turning my attention to Ellie. “I was just getting ready to disown my sister and drop Logan’s burger in the dirt. Do you want cheese?” I ask, redirecting.
“Yes, please, but where did you hide them? Was it under your mattress like all fifteen-year-old boys?” she asks, and there’s no missing the sparkle in her eyes. In fact, that joy reflecting back at me has my heart doubling its beats and causing my cock to threaten to stand at attention.
“Stop encouraging them,” I tell her, turning to face the grill once more and placing slices of cheese on most of the burger patties. “And for the record, no, they weren’t under my mattress. My mom found those when she was changing my sheets once. I kept the good ones in my closet behind my shoe rack.”
When Ellie giggles, I wink and reach for the serving pan. “Food’s done!” I holler, hopefully catching the attention of our small group.
Loree takes the tray from me and heads for the cabin, where she has the other food ready to go. The rest follow behind, their stomachs drawing them toward the delicious smelling food. My nephews run up beside Brody, who despite having the girl he likes by his side, still gives them his attention as they discuss fishing. My brother-in-law, Kenton, strikes up a conversation with Logan, and together, they move toward the cabin as well. That leaves Ellie and me outside for just a few short moments.
Making sure the grill is turned off, I give Ellie my full attention. “Having fun?”
“I am. Your sister and her family are good people.”
“They are. Just don’t tell her I said that. I’ll never hear the end of it,” I tease, causing her to chuckle the way I had hoped.
“Everything all right over here? It seemed a little intense earlier,” she asks, clearly referring to my conversation with Loree.
