“Jake, buddy, no offense, but I happen to know that you’re not exactly a virgin. Those eyes of yours have seen much worse than two people kissing.” Owen threaded his fingers through mine and squeezed.
“Maybe so, but I didn’t expect to find one of my friends hooking up with our other friend’s baby sister.” Jake pointed at Owen. “When did this happen, and why didn’t you tell me?” He shifted his accusing finger my way. “And you. You just got to town, what? A week ago? And already you’re bumping uglies with this guy?”
“Jake, calm down, please.” Owen sighed. “Seriously. You’re making a much bigger deal of this than it is. I met Jacey last night at the wedding. We talked a little bit, and we liked each other. Neither of us knew the other was going to be here today, but we took advantage of the chance to talk a little more.”
“I’m not an idiot, Hughes. What was happening here when I walked out wasn’t exactly talking. You might have been using your mouths, but not for idle chit-chat.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m assuming Kade and Leah don’t know what’s going on.”
“Wedon’t know what’s going on. Not yet.” Owen braced his feet against the floor of the deck. “We’re exploring possibilities, Jake. We’re getting to know each other. There’s nothing to tell Kade yet. So we’d both appreciate it if you’d keep this to yourself for now.”
“Dude, listen to me. I know what it’s like to keep a big secret from your friends. I’ve been there, remember? When Harper and I hooked up, and then we realized that we had Max and Sam as friends in common, hiding what we were doing together was tough. And we weren’t even really dating then, we were just messing around together.”
“I remember.” Owen slung an arm around my shoulder. “I was there when you first met her, and I was there when Max figured it out. But there was a reason you two didn’t announce your ... whatever you called what you were doing. You didn’t tell us, and Harper didn’t tell Sam. Tell me again why you didn’t do that?”
Jake shrugged. “Because we knew everyone would make a big deal out of something that wasn’t. It was important that it was just between us.”
Owen cocked his head and raised his eyebrows.
“Okay, okay. I get it.” Jake put his hands on his hips. “I understand what you’re saying. But this is different. Harper is Samantha’s friend, not Max’s sister. You know the code, bro. Sisters are off-limits.”
“That’s fucked up.” Owen stood up and faced his friend. “I mean, when you stop and think about ... if you had a sister, wouldn’t you prefer it if she were dating one of your friends, one of the guys you trusted to actually treat her right and be a stand-up man instead of some stranger who might break her heart ... or worse?”
Jake’s brows knit together. “Hard for me to say, because I only have brothers. But I think I see your point. Only you have to consider it from Kade’s point of view, too. He’s seen you pick up girls and have fun with them. We were all each other’s wingmen there for a long time. It would be kind of weird to think that what he knows you did with other chicks, you’re now doing to his sister.” He wrinkled his nose. “If I had a sister, I wouldn’t want to think about anyone doing the nasty with her, let alone one of my best buds.”
Owen started to respond, but I cut in. “Hey—sorry, but remember me? The sister here? The potential ...” I’d been about to saygirlfriend, but maybe that was jumping the gun. “Uh, the other involved party? Might I have a say in this?”
Jake scowled at me. “No, actually, you don’t. Little sisters don’t get a choice. They do what their brothers—and their brothers’ wise friends—tell them to do.”
“Ha! If I hadn’t known you were sister-less, I’d know it now. Little sisters rarely do what their bossy big brothers say. And just for your information, I’m a grown woman who makes her own decisions. I don’t need the approval of my brother or anyone else—including his nosey friends—to tell me what to do. If I want to go on a wild sex spree with Owen, that’s what I’m going to do. And not one person is going to tell me different.”
Both of the men grimaced. “Listen, Jacey, whatever you do, please don’t use the words ‘wild sex spree’ when you’re talking to Kade about me, okay?” Owen sank down next to me again, hunching forward, his hands hanging between his knees. “You’re right. What you do is your own decision and your own business—and if it involves me, it’s between us, not anyone else. But Jake’s got a point, too. Out of respect for Kade and my friendship with him, I need to be honest and come clean. Even if we just end up going to dinner one night and finding out that we only want to be friends, we can’t keep that from your brother. It’s not cool.”
Jake nodded vigorously. “Exactly. And when you tell him, I want to be there. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when you tell him that you’re banging his little sis.”
“I’m not banging Jacey. We haven’t done anything but talk and ... make out a little.”
“Whoa.” I made a T with my hands. “Time out. Again, I have to remind the two of you that this is between Kade and Owen and me. Kade’s my brother, so I’m going to be the one to tell him that Owen and I are going out.” I turned on the seat of the glider, facing Owen. “If you want to talk to him after that, fine. But this isn’t the Dark Ages, I’m not anyone’s chattel, and I can speak for myself just fine, thanks.”
Jake had the grace to look faintly abashed, but Owen only smiled at me, admiration and maybe something else in his gaze. “Damn. Okay, woman, your roar is clearly heard and acknowledged. Do you want us to talk to him together?”
My stomach clenched a little. It was easy to spout off about facing Kade in theory, but the reality did make me the tiniest bit nervous. “No. It’ll be better if I’m on my own.” I paused, considering. “Or maybe I’ll get Leah on my side first. She’ll understand, and I think she’ll see things my way.”
“Okay, then.” Jake glanced from Owen to me. “As long as you both are going to handle this the right way, I guess my work here is done.”
“Just what kind of work have you been up to?” A feminine voice, filled with amusement, floated out to us as Harper stepped onto the deck, shutting the door behind her. “I thought we were meeting out here for old time’s sake, babe. I didn’t realize it was a group thing. Kinky.” She waggled her eyebrows in my direction before she took in Owen next to me. Realization dawned on her face.
“I was just advising our friends here that keeping secrets from the rest of us isn’t cool. Right?” Jake looked at his girlfriend expectantly, clearly thinking that she would back him up.
“Oooooh, that’s a tough one.” Harper’s mouth curled a little, and I caught a wicked gleam in her eye. “I mean, remember when we were sneaking around, hiding all the sexy times from the others? That was hot. I think it amped up the passion every time we went to bed together. Or when we were in my kitchen, or when—”
“You’re not helping,” Jake interrupted. “Not at all. And that was different, because at first, we were a no-strings attached couple. Once we had the strings, we let everyone in on the secret.” He slid his arm around Harper’s waist and snugged her up against him. “And it’s much better this way. Much less stressful.”
“I guess, if you say so.” Harper winked at me around Jake’s back, but I didn’t miss the way her hand gripped the shirt at his waist. “Although, Jacey, if you decide to keep things under wraps, I can promise that both Jake and I will keep our mouths shut. Right, sweetie?”
“No way. I can’t—” Jake began before he caught sight of his girlfriend’s pointed glare. “Oh. Yeah, I guess it’s up to you two.”
“Also, if you need a place that’s private but also a little risky, a little out in the open, there’s this nook—”
“I think we’ve given them enough advice.” Jake’s face went slightly red as he gripped Harper’s arm and turned his back. “Let’s go inside.” He shot me a pointed stare over his shoulder. “Leah’s looking for you, Jacey.”
“Okay, I’m right behind you.” I pushed against the seat to stand up, hesitating before I followed Jake and Harper inside. “Listen, Owen, if you’re thinking I’m not worth the trouble that I might cause between you and my brother, tell me now. I won’t lie and say I wouldn’t be disappointed, but I’d understand. You probably would’ve given me the brush-off last night if you’d have known that I’m Kade’s sister.”
He rose to stand next to me, tipping my chin up so that he could touch his lips to mine. “I wish I could say that I’d have been that strong, but I don’t think I could have done it. That spark?” He cupped my cheek with his huge hand, rubbing his thumb over my skin. “It’s pretty irresistible, Jacey. And so are you. Yeah, we might have to survive a few bumps in the road, but I’m thinking you’re worth it. More than worth it, in fact.” He lowered his mouth to kiss me again. “Call me after you talk to Kade, and we’ll make plans for a date this week.”
“And if Kade freaks out?” I tried to keep the trepidation out of my voice.
Owen smirked. “Then call to warn me that he’s heading my way so I have time to get ready for that fight.”
I gulped over the lump in my throat and attempted a laugh. “Will do. I just hope you can run faster than my brother can.”
