AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ASPEN
The way Phoenix had looked at me after the football game had singed my insides. Even Regan had fanned herself. We’d gone out for pizza with Riley, Cole, Damon, and Skylar. Dane was in heaven with two of Thane’s rising stars to talk with.
It was a good thing Dane had come with us, as he kept Cole and Damon occupied while Riley, Skylar, and my traitor of a sister tried to fix my lack of a love life. I couldn’t figure out when being single became a bad thing.
“We’re not trying to say you aren’t strong enough, sis. God knows we’ve had to live amidst emotional warfare for most of our lives. It’s just that we all saw the chemistry between you and Phoenix.”
I threw my hands up. “Yeah, chemistry. I’m not even trying to deny that. But that’s all there is.”
Damon snorted, breaking from the conversation where Dane and Cole talked about architecture and what Dane would be doing when he graduated. “There’s a lot more to Phoenix, Aspen. Keep pushing him.”
They’d all been saying something similar. And maybe there was a depth to him that I hadn’t even brushed the surface of, but I couldn’t see it. “He pushes me away every chance he gets. Besides, I don’t want to date him. I just want him to be there for the baby and not fight with me whenever we’re in the same room.” I wasn’t sure that was possible, and based on my upbringing, I wasn’t going to put my kid through that. I exchanged glances with Regan, and the argument I knew she wanted to launch into evaporated. Instead, she squeezed my hand.
“No matter what happens with him, I’m always here for you, sis.”
I squeezed her hand back before releasing it. “I know. I’m going to be fine, though.” But I wouldn’t be if I didn’t get the business off the ground soon. She and I would need to talk about it when we were alone, which wouldn’t be this trip. They were leaving after we ate.
“You’re one of us now, Aspen. We’re here for you too.” Riley leaned into Cole’s side, and his arm went around her, pulling her close.
There was an ease to how they all acted around one another that I longed for. And at that moment, I knew I needed to make more time for myself rather than sink into self-pity about my situation. Tomorrow, I would go surfing. At least once a week, I was going to do it. “Hey, Regan, can you alter one of my wetsuits so I can wear it in a few months?”
“You’re still surfing?” Dane’s brows rose as he stopped mid-conversation with Cole.
“Yeah, it’s fine. I’m being smart about it.”
“Are you going alone?” Riley asked.
“What beach are you going to?” Skylar, who’d been mostly listening, asked with a flick of her dark hair over her shoulder.
“I usually go alone and to the beach ten minutes from here.”
Concern darkened several sets of eyes.
“I’ll be fine. I always am.”
“It’s not just you anymore, sis.”
“Yeah, thanks.” I hated the reminder, but Regan was right. I did have to be smart about what I did. “The doc cleared me to surf so long as I don’t try to tackle big waves, stay hydrated, and listen to my body.”
Skylar typed furiously into her phone, then a chorus of pings sounded around the table. “There. We’re in a group chat now. Just message when you’re going, and one of us should be able to go with you.”
“Add me in there,” Regan demanded, rattling off her digits.
I didn’t want to be, but I was touched that they cared enough to make sure I was okay. Then I looked closer at the string and noticed both Phoenix and Shane in the thread.
“Shane’s been shit about his phone lately, and Phoenix has a lot on his mind. Don’t worry about them being in the chat.” Cole read me like a book.
“Fine.” I didn’t like it, but itwasn’tonly about me, and I needed to be smart. Besides, I would have been foolish to pass up the chance to have more than just myself to rely on if I did get into trouble—or in general. “Can we drop this topic, or any that includes Phoenix, and move on to something else?”
With a wink, Riley turned everyone’s attention to Regan, asking questions about the award she had won for fashion and what her designs were like. My sister could talk about that until she was blue in the face.
The rest of dinner was fun. I didn’t remember laughing so much in the last few years. Even if Phoenix and I couldn’t find common ground, I hoped I could stay in touch with them because it was clear they would be the kind of friends that would last a lifetime.
On that note, I admitted to myself I needed to make more of an effort with Phoenix. He was the father of my unborn child, after all, and I couldn’t deny that I was attracted to him.
When I returned to the dorm, I tossed my bag and keys on the desk and grabbed my phone. I stretched out on the bed and called Phoenix. As the phone rang, my thoughts went on a roller-coaster ride about how insufferable he was… arrogant, aggressive, uber masculine. But even with a bruised face, he looked better than any guy I’d seen. Aside from our bickering, he was everything I wanted in a man—driven, strong, charming, protective, and tough. And I had a feeling he might be smart, too, which sweetened the deal even more.
When he answered, it took me a second to remember I’d called him. After an awkward pause, I said hello.
