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“That’s Chase. Ev says he’s leader of the pat.”
“Do you mean the leader of the pack?”
“Yeah, leader of the pat.” He nodded eagerly.
I smiled. He was so innocent. So unaware of everything going on around him. In a strange way, I envied him. Life was still all roses and sunshine through his eyes.
“Well, I think Chase is pretty cool.” I handed Eli back his toy.
“So what does Becca think about Chase?”
Eli jumped up and tackled Evan, who swept up his brother in his arms and dropped down onto the couch.
“She thinks he’s awesomes.”
“Shall we let her in our club then?”
Scrunching his little face, Eli looked at me and back at Evan, a mischievous grin on his face. “Yeah, she can be in the club.”
I had no idea what club they were talking about… but I wanted in.
CHAPTER30
After checkingin with Mom and Dad, we took Eli to the park to play ball. I lied and said I was hanging out with Lilly for the day. Mom didn’t believe me—I heard the doubt in her voice—but Dad had shouted for me to have fun with the girls and that was that.
“Can Becca come play ball with us every Saturday?” Eli tugged on his brother’s arm. “It’s more fun when she comes.”
“What are you saying, little guy?” Evan swept Eli up in his arms, tickling him. “Am I not good enough anymore?”
Eli’s deep belly laughter filled the parking lot. “Time, time,” he snorted. Evan dropped him between us, and Eli grabbed my hand. “You have to come, Becca. You’re in the club now.”
I leaned down and smiled. “Well, if I’m in the club”—my eyes flickered over to Evan—“I guess I’ll have to.”
“Yay! Becca’s in the club, Becca’s in the club.” He leaped around us, cheering.
“You just made his day,” Evan whispered, pulling me to his side. His warm breath danced over my skin, causing me to shiver.
“He’s impossible to refuse.”
“Thank you.” His lips connected with my head, and I smiled at how easy it was between us. “Do you want to come home with us? Mom has a shift at the store, and Eli will probably want a nap after we feed him.”
“Sure.”
I heard his unspoken meaning. Once Eli was asleep, the house would be ours.
* * *
“Dinner first, then marshmallows.”
Eli grumbled, “’Kay,” as he pulled me toward the door.
Evan pushed open the door, and his whole body went rigid.
“Baby, that you?” a female voice slurred.
“Yay, Mom’s home.” Eli was too quick. He slipped out of my grasp and ran straight past Evan and into the house.
“Shit,” he murmured, dropping the bag of groceries and disappearing inside.
