AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Let’s turn up the music and get this party started,” he hollered, raising his beer to Tristan and Chad over at the outdoor kitchen. There was another guy with them. He met him last night at the wedding. He raked his brain to remember his name. Finally, it came to him. His name is Don. He was married to Charity, Desiree’s best friend.
They raised theirs with smiles and hollers of, “Hell, yeah!”
He chugged the rest of his beer and glanced around the pool area and froze as a little kid jumped into Jacob’s arms in the pool. On closer inspection, it was Grant. Why was he there? His heart sank. A baby was at their pool, at a party. Why?
Adler trudged heavily over to Tristan, who was flipping the burgers in the outdoor kitchen, plopped onto one of the stools at the bar, and chucked his empty beer bottle into the trash.
Tristan slid him another. “Hey, bro.”
“Hey.” Adler’s voice was flat, and he tipped his head toward the pool. “Who brought Grant? It’s not every day there’s a kid at our parties.”
“Jessica and Chad are watching him, so they brought him along.” Tristan raised a brow. “Is that a problem?”
Adler shook his head slowly and laid his arms on the bar, clutching his beer in his fist. Not much of a party could be had with a baby around. Talk about a buzz kill.
Like Tristan could read his mind, he consoled him. “Don’t worry. They won’t be here long. They’ll be eating and leaving. They’re babysitting. Giving Elizabeth’s mom a break.”
“Yeah man,” Chad cut in. “We won’t be staying long. Promise.”
“Guess it’s a good thing I left my boy at home,” said Don.
“You have a kid too?” Adler asked.
Don chuckled heartily. “Yeah, and I promise they’re not as bad as you think.” Chad and Tristan joined Don in hearty laughter.
Adler raised a brow. Did these guys lose their minds? “Did I miss something?” He gestured with his hands.
Tristan breathed deep to get his laughter under control. “If you could see your face. It’s like we were talking about eating babies or something.”
“Adler,” said Chad, leaning on the bar. “You’ll need to get a better handle on children if you ever want a relationship. Good thing that doesn’t interest you.”
Adler shook his head and noticed that feeling in his stomach again. He laughed off the rest of their jokes, turned his back to them, and leaned against the bar. His attention snapped immediately to the group of girls across the pool. Jessica, Stacey, Kristen, Charity—and Leila.
His throat went dry as his gaze swept over Leila, and he took a deep sip of his beer. Her wavy brown hair was pulled up on top of her head in a messy bun. Some pieces blew around her face in the gentle breeze, causing her to have a laid-back look which was beautiful on her. She held a drink in her hand, though not a beer, and her smile lit up her face.
Suddenly, she tipped her head back as her laugh rang out. His lungs constricted. Yeah, she was breathtaking, and he was hooked.
She looked up, and their eyes met. Adler’s heart stopped for a quick beat, like he was caught peeking at something he shouldn’tbe looking at. He smiled a small smile. She just stared at him, no emotion. No smile back.
She pivoted her attention back to the girls in their circle as they were joined by another. Auburn hair and a skimpy white swimsuit filled his view. Desiree caught his gaze and followed it, stopping at Leila. Her brows shot up.
Fuck. Adler did the only thing he could do. He winked, lifted his beer, and turned back to the guys.
Chapter 6
Really, I know this is his house and all, but I was hoping he’d be gone for the afternoon.Leila had heard Adler’s bike way before he walked out of the house.
She was only there because Jessica had talked her into asking her father to watch Skylar. She always hated to impose on them, but her dad and Diane were quick to jump in and help. Diane said she wished Leila would ask them more often. They really wanted to spend more time getting to know their granddaughter. So here she was.
“Leila?” Snapping fingers caught her attention. “Want a drink? I’m going to the bar.” Desiree asked.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you. What was that?” asked Leila.
The woman smirked. “Your mind seemed to be somewhere else.”
Kristen laughed. “Or on someone else.”
Leila shook her head. “What are y’all talking about? The only one my mind’s on is Skylar. I’m glad my dad and stepmom asked to watch her.”
