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“Juilliard, seriously? But why didn’t you go?”
“Because during the senior production of Swan Lake, I did a leap and landed wrong on my leg. My knee buckled, and I ripped tendons and cartilage and fractured my kneecap when I fell on stage. It was ugly and painful. And when Juilliard caught wind of my injuries that needed multiple surgeries, they retracted my acceptance. Doctors told me I would never dance ballet professionally with my knee,” I told him, carrying the salad bowl to the table. “I find it odd that the entire time Evan and I dated, we never met. Have you ever wondered why that is?”
“I have. I think it was keeping the two different parts of his life separate.”
That’s not what I thought at all. For all that he cared about me, I turned into his dirty little secret. “Perhaps. If you guys want to park your bikes in the garage and keep them out of the storm, you may. But I would suggest getting them inside sooner rather than later.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“It’s just for the night.” Any longer, and I didn’t know that I could be held responsible for my actions. Ben was too damn sexy. And I sucked at impulse control. I jerked my chin toward the door leading to the garage. “If you go out through that door, you shouldn’t have any issues.”
“Thank you. I know I’ve been an ass. It doesn’t mean I like what you did, but I don’t want a war between us.”
“As long as you don’t bring one, there won’t be one.”
He stared, assessing me solemnly before he nodded. “Understood. I’ll get those bikes moved.”
I didn’t breathe easy until he left the kitchen. It was one night with them in my house. I’d survive it. They would leave tomorrow. And then I would return to the regularly scheduled programming of my life.
6
Dinner was a lively affair with my house guests. I listened to them banter back and forth. Tater danced around, hoping for table scraps. It kept him occupied and oblivious to the storm, so I hadn’t drugged him yet. The guys had made more burgers and brats than I would have cooked. And it wasn’t until we were seated that I discovered why they had made so much. They ate like freaking horses.
Each guy had at least two burgers and two brats on their plates. And the rest of the plate was piled with corn on the cob, salad, and chips. I’d never seen anyone eat the way they did. But then, I was used to a bunch of women who’d rather stay thin than eat too much.
I had to admit, the burger was tasty and hit the spot. “Thanks for cooking dinner tonight.”
“It’s the least we could since you’re putting us up for the night,” Wyatt said, piling more food on his plate.
“You weren’t kidding about the storm.” Aiden nodded at the flash of lightning followed by a windowpane-rattling boom of thunder.
“I’ve lived here long enough to recognize when we’re in for a good thunderstorm. Can I get you guys anything while I’m up?”
“I think we’re good. But thanks,” Lucas said, reaching for another burger.
I rose with my empty plate and carried it into the kitchen. While they finished up, I began cleaning up. The guys brought me their empty plates when they were done. Aiden must have picked up beer because they sat at the table with longneck bottles talking about football and which team they thought would take it all the way to win the Lombardi trophy next season.
I couldn’t care less about football. I didn’t have anything against it and enjoyed a game here or there purely for the energy. But my sport was baseball. I loved everything about the intricacies and the possibilities. But then, my favorite time of year was spring.
After the table was cleared and the dishwasher running, I went to my liquor cabinet and removed a bottle of Patron Silver. Grabbing six shot glasses, I headed back over to the table.
“Oh, now we’re talking!” Lucas said, eyeing the bottle in my hands.
“That was one of Evan’s favorites,” Ben said with grief flashing in his eyes.
Staring at Ben, the guys faded until it was just the two of us. “I know. I’m the one who introduced it to him.”
“Get out, really?” Aiden said with surprise lacing his voice.
“Yep. The night he and I first met, he ordered Cuervo. I was the one who suggested he needed to try Patron Silver and ordered us each a shot.” I could still remember his surprised groan at the smooth flavor.
“I did always wonder where he developed an affinity for it. Because I remember he was all about the Cuervo, but then it changed. And I guess it changed because of you,” Wyatt murmured thoughtfully.
“Yes, it was me.” I poured a round of shots for the table and passed them out.
Once each guy had a shot, I lifted my glass. “To Evan.”
“To Evan,” they said in unison.
