“Any news?” Evie asked.
“Um…the storm's almost through, and…I think Walker just outed us.”
She pulled back. “What do you mean?”
Holding up his phone, he let her read it for herself. Groaning, she flopped back against the pillows. “This is bad, Slater. All of it. So bad.”
Yeah. He was not looking forward to facing Milo, but he also didn’t care if his friend approved. This was no one’s business but his and Evie’s.
Slowly, he moved and lay down beside her, taking one of her hands in his. “It’s not ideal, but…there’s nothing we can do about it,” he said carefully.
“I know, but the next few hours are going to be torture,” she groaned. “I’m exhausted, but I don’t think I can sleep. Between the storm, those noises, and worrying about facing my boss? Um, yeah. I won’t sleep.”
There wasn’t anything sexy about the moment, and he knew they were both too wound up to even think along those lines. Instead, he pulled her into his arms, readjusted the blankets over them, and just enjoyed the feel of her there beside him.
After a few minutes, his eyes felt heavy, and he was just about to doze when Evie whispered his name.
“Hmm?”
“Talk to me about something. Anything. I need a distraction.”
Slater let out a long breath, and before he knew it, he was talking about the one subject he hated the most.
“I can’t stop thinking about this stupid Cal Slater day,” he murmured, his hand idly caressing her bare shoulder. “I shouldn’t care about it. It’s stupid and I’m not going, but it’s been this annoying little background noise in my head for weeks.”
“Probably because your father reached out to you. I’m guessing he rarely does that.”
He shook his head. “Nope. It’s been five years since I last heard from him.”
“Wow,” she said quietly. “I can’t even imagine what that’s like. I talk to my parents all the time. They’re actually considering coming to the resort to see me.”
Pulling back slightly, he frowned. “Seriously? You’ve only been gone for two weeks.”
“I know, but we always have brunch together on Sundays, so…they miss me.”
The snort was out before he could stop it. “I have no idea what that’s like. My dad was never really around, my mom became an alcoholic, and my grandparents got old and seemed relieved when I went off on my own after high school.”
Evie shifted slightly, tangling her legs with his even as her hand rested over his heart. “I’m sorry, Slater.”
“It is what it is.” Turning his head, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “You’re lucky, Evie. You grew up in a normal family and have parents that want to see you because they genuinely want to, not because it would be a good PR move.”
“I don’t even know what to say to that. I wish I could tell you to just stop thinking about it and put it out of your mind, but I know it’s easier said than done.” Pausing, she yawned. “The good thing is…” Another yawn. “You have family here: Axel, Walker, Connor, and Milo. Plus all the girls.” And still another yawn. “Family isn’t always by blood.”
That was true. “Thanks,” he said quietly before he started yawning.
“I think maybe we’re both going to doze for a bit…”
“Mm-hmm…” It didn’t take long for her breathing to even out, and that’s when Slater stopped fighting the weight of his eyes and let them close. “Just for a bit…” he murmured.
The next time he opened them, the sun had started to stream in through the curtains, and someone was banging on his door. Evie was out cold, and he tried to disentangle from her as carefully as he could.
“What’s going on?” she mumbled.
“Shh…go back to sleep. Someone’s at the door.”
More banging.
“Slater! Slater, come on, man! Open up!” Axel shouted.
