I turn around to look at him, startled at how close he is to me. I know I should move away, put some distance between the two of us, yet my feet don’t budge.
“The four of you tie-dye shirts?” I was expecting something more athletic. Tie-dying shirts is something I could probably accomplish easily enough.
“Absolutely. I made a superhero design one year that turned out amazing.” He leans closer with his last word. For a moment, it feels like it’s just the two of us in the kitchen until Alex speaks up again.
“Your spider symbol looked like a blob, Theo. The shirt was a blur of red and blue.” Theo gives him a small shove, laughing off his comment.
I can’t help but bask in the joy of their playfulness. From what I’ve seen, Theo and Alex are fairly close. I’d assume because the two of them are the youngest. There’s something about it that reminds me of the closeness I have with Beth. The thought pulls me away from Theo, and I finally move my feet to stand next to Beth on the other side of the kitchen island. Simultaneously enjoying and hating the reprieve I get from being in proximity to Theo.
Theo moves toward the fridge, “We also have a water balloon fight, a best burger competition, we play flag football, and then one final game of Uno.”
I can’t hold back the wince that overcomes my face at the mention of Uno. The success of these games is shocking, given they play the game that could split up any loving family in just one night.
“I know, I know, but trust me, it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. And we usually keep Uno pretty civil.” Theo starts pulling the ice cream sandwiches out of the freezer. They look better than I could even imagine.
Taking turns grabbing a sandwich from the container Theo set on the counter, I take a bite and am immediately transported to dessert heaven. Beth lets out a tiny moan when she bites into hers, and Alex chokes on his at the sound.
“Holy shit, these are delicious. Your brother is basically a food god, Theo,” Beth says to him.
“Trust me, we know,” he says, before taking a bite of his sandwich as well.
After taking a few bites of the ice cream sandwich Leo clearly laced with something addictive, I say to Theo, “Did you want Beth and me to participate? I’d hate to spoil any tradition.” I’d also hate to make an ass of myself in any of the athletically charged games.
Having recovered from choking on his ice cream, Alex chimes in with, “Of course you’ll be joining in. After all, you and Theo must be pretty serious for him to bring you along on this trip. There’s never been a better time to start adding people to the games.”
He takes another bite of his sandwich and turns his attention to Theo. “Unless there’s a reason you wouldn’t want her to join in?” He cocks an eyebrow at Theo.
“Nope,” Theo says to Alex through gritted teeth. He turns his attention back toward me. “It’ll be fun, trust me. I’d love to have you join in. Both of you.”
My gut reaction is to say no, we didn’t sign up for this on the trip. But the sincerity in Theo’s eyes when he says he wants to include us is too sweet to deny.
“Of course, we’d love to.” I give Theo and Alex a soft smile.
On the bright side, maybe these games will help me distance myself further from Theo. After all, how much touching could a water balloon fight or tie-dying shirts require?
When we head out to join Roman and Leo for a quiet night on the patio, I’m feeling good about the prospect of using these games as a distraction from my attraction toward Theo.
That is, until I remember we have to share a bed tonight.
14
SIENNA
The walk upstairs is excruciatingly silent. We use the second staircase located at the back of the house, near the dining room. After dinner, we all enjoyed ice cream sandwiches on the back porch while we watched the sunset. Theo and I are the last ones to go to bed. With everyone retired to their rooms, the only sounds that can be heard in the house are the creaking steps beneath our feet and my ragged breathing. Yes, just my ragged breathing. Of course Theo wouldn’t get winded from the stairs. God forbid he has any flaws.
The moon is our only source of light as it shines through the many windows of the lake house. As we approach the top of the stairs, the moonlight is snuffed out, leaving only the faint glow of the small night-light in the middle of the hallway. Not bright enough to illuminate the top step, I confirm, as my foot catches on the edge and I stumble face-first toward the hardwood floor.
Before I can break my nose and knock out a few teeth, Theo’s very large, very strong hands circle my waist. Theystop me before I have the chance to catch myself with my own hands.
“Careful,”Theo whispers in my ear with a chuckle. “We don’t need you hurting yourself before the fun begins.” The sound of his deep voice whispering in my ear sends a rush of heat low in my stomach.
Dazed and confused by his hypnotic voice, I respond, “Fun? What fun?” I internally kick myself for how breathy it sounds.
Theo smiles at me, adjusting his hands, keeping one on my lower back. A few of his fingers find purchase on the skin between my T-shirt and my shorts. He gently guides me to his room.
Once we are inside, he shuts the door, still whispering. “The family games, of course. What did you think I meant?” He squints his eyes slightly when he questions me, and my cheeks heat at the very dirty assumptions I was making in my mind.
“Right, of course. That’s what I thought. Just wanted to double-check.”Smooth save, Sienna.
