AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Two seconds.
It’s just a standard hug, nothing sexual, nothing more than she gave to anyone else at the party, but I soak up every second, loving the feel of having her in my arms. I haven’t been this close to her since that night in Miami; there’s no way I’m not savoring this moment.
When we break apart, my skin burns from where her body was just pressed up against mine. I mentally give myself shit for getting so sappy from a simple embrace. I chalk it up to being a touchy-feely guy, but this feels like more of a spark, a high, a buzz inside my chest. And even though we’d just done a round of shots before she got here, I’m positive it’s not the alcohol but Sierra that’s giving me this buzz.
But before I have a chance to say anything else, Jules grabs Sierra’s elbow and pulls her into the kitchen, leaving me wanting more as usual. It’s never enough when it comes to Sierra. There’s always an audience, always someone around to interrupt us when we’re together. It’s starting to get frustrating.
“I’m firing up the barbecue,” Jake says as he walks past me on his way to the back deck, clapping my shoulder and knocking me from my thoughts.
An hour later, after we’ve all filled ourselves on Jake’s famous burgers and a buffet of sides and salads, I’m sitting in the house nursing my drink. It’s been a nice night—good food, good people, and Jake is always a great host. But I haven’t talked to Sierra all night.
Every time I’ve looked around the party for her, she’s been in the middle of a conversation with someone. At dinner we sat on opposite ends of the yard, now we’re sitting on opposite sides of the family room.
“It’s so good to have you here, Sierra,” I hear Jules say as she clinks her glass to the beer bottle Sierra is holding. “I’m still pinching myself that you for real live here. We can do this all the time now, not just on work trips. It’s like Thelma got her Louise back.”
My eyes are all over Sierra, which is exactly where they’ve been all night. I wonder what’s going on in that pretty head of hers. Has she been thinking about me as much as I’m thinking about her? I hope so. I feel like I’m back in high school, wondering if my crush likes me back.What is happening to me?
“Did you forget you have a toddler at home, babe?” Beckett asks, sitting beside her with one hand wrapped around her back, his other on her knee. “I hate to break it to you but It’s more likeFull HousethanThelma and Louise.”
Jules tsks her husband. “Of course I didn’t forget about my baby girl. Speaking of, I should check in with my mom and make sure she went down okay. But back to your question: that’s what I keep you around for, you’re a guaranteed babysitter.”
Beckett shakes his head. “It’s not babysitting when it’s your own child.”
“You know what I meant, silly,” Jules harrumphs, patting her husband on the stomach and then leaning in for a kiss. A kiss that Beckett deepens.
It’s been a year since Maya was born, but I’m still in awe that Beck is a dad. And a damn good one too. The thought of being a parent myself doesn’t often cross my mind. Honestly, I have never really thought kids were for me. But seeing one of my best friends so in love with his daughter has opened my eyes to the possibility of one day having a family.
“When is all this PDA going to stop with you two?” Tucker grunts. “It’s been two years and we’re still being subjected to your gross make-out sessions.”
“You’re just jealous,” Jules says, leaning in close to her husband.
“Jealous? Why would I be jealous? I have chicks begging for my dick,” he says with a grin, looking down at his crotch.
“Gross. I think I’m actually going to be sick,” Jules says, hiding her face in her hands.
“Yeah, we’re all throwing up in our mouths,” Holden grumbles. He has Aubrey on his lap. He hasn’t been able to stop talking about her, thinking she could be the one. I’m glad he’s happy, but if I’m honest, I’m not sure I see it. I’ve only met her a handful of times, but something tells me she isn’t looking for anything serious. She seems to spend most of her time with her girlfriends and doesn’t seem to make Holden a priority. But what do I know? I’m hardly an expert on relationships. Maybe the two of them are the real deal.
I push the thought from my mind, sitting back with a smile. I love nights like these when we’re all together, having a good time. And after a long week in the office, nothing beats a few drinks with friends. It’s even better now that Sierra is here.
And besides having a great night, I suddenly realize I haven’t thought about Blair, or what I’m going to say to her when I see her, even once tonight.
I’ve been too busy watching Sierra. She’s currently sitting next to her brother, one long leg crossed over the other. The hem of her dress is riding up her thigh, making me swallow a groan. I can’t stop imagining her legs wrapped around my shoulders, my face between her thighs, wondering what she tastes like. And now I’m sporting wood with her brother sitting across from me.Fucking great.
But I doubt that he’d notice anyways. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him frown. I glance at Sierra and notice that she sees it too. It reminds me that I’ve been meaning to check in with him. Jake’s always a pretty serious guy, but for the past few weeks he’s seemed distracted, worried. He doesn’t typically open up and share his feelings. I imagine when you lose both of your parents at such a young age you keep yourself guarded.
“You good, man?” I ask him nonchalantly when I catch his eye.
“Perfect” is his one-word response before he takes a long pull of his beer. I’m not convinced. A few moments of awkward silence pass between us before I decide I need to loosen him up. “Let’s do some shots.”
“I’ll pass, man.”
“Why? Come on, Jake.”
Sierra’s lips tighten into a straight line. She’s wondering what’s eating at him too.
“I’m gonna finish my beer then I’m hydrating. I’ve got shit I’ve gotta do tomorrow,” he answers firmly.
“Forget that, man. Let’s do a round,” Tucker jumps in. “It’s Friday night.”
