My arm slipped around his neck as I took a deep breath of cinnamon and vanilla. Though today it had a bit of paprika too. Hades sniffed Asher’s leg as he held me against him.
“I missed you.” He whispered into my ear.
I closed my eyes. “I missed you too.”
Just like that, it was as if we hadn’t lost any time. When I pulled back, he kissed my cheek making my face warm.
“Shouldn’t you be going to the pavilion?” I reminded him when all I really wanted to do was kiss him.
“Oh, yeah.” His face turned pink as he let me go. “I just have to finish cleaning up.”
I eyed him. “Are you stalling?”
He made a point not to look at me. “No. Not at all.”
“You’re a horrible liar.” I chuckled.
“Okay… I might be stalling.” He took the towel off his shoulder and set it on the table. “I’ve never done a competition before. And a lot of previous winners were in it too. I don’t think I have much of a shot.”
“Hey, Superman.” He turned to meet my eyes. “Even if you don’t win, you still went for it. You still gave samples to a bunch of people.”
A smile began to spread across his face. “Yeah, that’s true.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he held my gaze. “You’re right.”
I wrapped my arm around his. “I know.” I made sure Hades was beside me as I pulled Asher toward the pavilion.
He chuckled as his hand dropped to take mine. “How was crossing today?”
“Not bad, I managed forty each trip so… around a hundred and twenty crossed this time.”
“And you’re still not having any side effects?” he asked, looking down at me.
“Nope,” I chirped.
“No headache? No bloody nose?”
“Nope. And nope.” I smiled as I squeezed his hand. “Relax, I’m not dying anymore. I’ve got a normal, happy life ahead.”
Hades barked and pressed against my leg. That chill ran down my neck. Several ghosts moved through the crowd in front of us. We both watched as the ghost couple walked by. “Okay, as normal as I can get.”
He chuckled.
“Did you win?” Jessica, Asher’s twin sister, popped out of the crowd. Her boyfriend, Jason, staying several feet back. Tall, curvy with the same sandy blonde hair, Jessica was pretty. Too bad she was extremely aware of it.
“They’re about to announce the winner at the pavilion.” Asher’s voice grew firmer as his gaze went to Jason.
Jessica made a point to talk to her brother without looking at me. “I know you’re going to win. I’ll see you at home!” Jessica went back to Jason.
Jason’s face grew paler as Jessica took his hand and tugged him back into the crowd. I looked up at Asher and realized why. Asher’s eyes were hard and cold. Hatred and anger practically came off him in waves. I’d never seen Asher make a face like that. Zeke? At least once a day but Asher… Hades’ head snapped around to him. The large dog made a low half growl.
“Ash?”
He blinked and unclenched his jaw before looking back down at me. The look was gone, his eyes were just as warm as before. “I hate that guy.”
“Me too.” We started walking again, Hades’ tail wagging happily.
“Have you ever heard any rumors about them?” he asked.
“Only that he was cheating on her.” I tried to remember who it was supposed to be with.
“No, I mean…” He stopped himself. “Never mind.”
When we got closer to the pavilion, we both let go at the same time. I smiled to myself as we joined Isaac and Miles in the back row of the benches. I sat next to Isaac while Asher sat on my other side. Hades sat behind me, pressing his body against my back so I knew he was there.
A man with silver in his beard and hair stepped away from the circle of judges and climbed the steps to the stage. “Ladies and gentleman! We have tallied the scores for the cook off!”
“A little close aren’t you, Asher?” Isaac muttered.
“No closer than you.” Asher bit back under his breath.
“Our third place winner is Mrs. Cynthia Loffle!” The announcer started the applause.
Everyone clapped while I reminded myself to be patient.
“Seriously, Asher, scoot down,” Isaac whispered.
“Our second place winner is James Demarks!”
Everyone clapped again.
“If she doesn’t have a problem, why should you?” Asher hissed.
“If you two don’t stop bickering and talking about me as if I’m not here, I’m smacking you both upside the head.” I bit out between my teeth. “I’m not something to be fought over like a prize.”
“Sorry, Red.”
“Sorry, Ally.”
“Our first place winner is… Asher Westfell!”
I turned to him with a smile. Asher’s mouth was hanging open as he froze.
“Get up there.” I gave him a small shove on the shoulder.
Stunned, Asher got to his feet and made his way to the stage. The applause was loud as he accepted his certificate and shook the judges’ hands.
The crowd began to break up as everyone headed back to the fair while I turned to Isaac and Miles. “This isn’t going to work if you guys are going to bicker like this.”
Isaac ran his hand through his hair, his fingers digging into his scalp. “Okay, it upsets you. I get it.”
Upsets me? My temper sparked. “Not because it upsets me. That is one of your best friends since you were... like four! You’re only going to end up hurting your relationship with him. Do you really want that?”
Isaac’s eyes unfocused as he thought about it. “No.” He turned back to me. “No, I don’t want that.”
“Then remember that you value him just as much as you value me.” I took a deep breath trying to calm down.
“You’re right, Ally.” Asher’s voice had me turning around. He rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s really easy to forget that right now.” He turned to Isaac. “Sorry.”
“Me too. Sorry,” Isaac answered.
“Why don’t you two head to the concert. You can talk on the way.” Miles’ voice made it clear it wasn’t a suggestion.
Isaac got to his feet and walked with Asher out of the pavilion.
Heart aching, I put my elbows on my knees and buried my face in my hands. Hades jumped over the bench to stick his head in my lap.
Miles’ hand went to my back, moving up and down my spine. “We just need to get it all out in the open.”
I sat up and scratched Hades’ ears. “I don’t know if I can survive it.”
He chuckled. “There’s going to be issues, Angel. We knew that. But it worked out alright so far with Isaac and Asher. It’ll work out with the others too.”
I nodded. “I know you’re right, I just wish I could fast forward to the end where everyone is happy.”
“I know, but we can’t.” He smiled. “Come on, let’s head to the concert.”
We got to our feet and walked toward the concert area with Hades beside me. The concert area was a nice flat area of green grass and trees with large bulb lights strung overhead. Vendor booths lined both sides along with drinks. We spotted Asher and Isaac laughing under a tree. We had just joined them when my phone rang. It was Brooklyn, the band’s vocalist.
“Yeah?”
“Lexie, Ethan’s having his panic attack and he’s being an ass about it. Do you think you can come backstage and save us?” Brooklyn’s voice was strained and hushed.
“I’m on my way.” I hung up and tucked my phone into my pocket. “I’ve got to go backstage.”
Both Isaac and Asher grew still. The air grew thick with tension.
“Go calm down Ethan.” Miles said with a smile breaking the silence.
I gave them a small wave and took Hades with me toward the stage. Backstage here wasn’t hard to find. It was easy to walk between two food carts and toward Ethan’s band.
Ethan was about ten feet away
from them, pacing and spinning his rings. Ethan’s jaw length straight black hair was back in a ponytail again. Showing off the five silver hoops that ran up his earlobe. Since he was Isaac’s identical brother they looked, well, identical. In everything but style. Although his eyes were always more chocolatey then Isaac’s.
On his next pass I stepped in front of him, forcing him to stop.
His head snapped up, his eyes wide.
“Hi,” I said, feeling lame.
He smiled a little. “Beautiful.” His smoky smooth voice rolled through my ear, making my toes want to curl. I moved closer and slipped my arms around his neck. His arms wrapped around me, one at my lower back the other running up my spine. It was an Ethan hug, and I was desperate for it. Though, he also felt a little taller...
I held him tight as fear battered at me. “Why didn’t you call?”
He exhaled as he buried his nose in my hair. “I didn’t think you’d come.”
I squeezed him tighter. “Always.”
He relaxed against me, his body wrapping around mine as his spicy cologne filled my nose. “I was stupid.”
“You weren’t the only one.” I rasped as my eyes burned.
He lifted his head and pressed his lips against my temple. “We were both stupid.”
“Yep.” I looked up at him and had to ask. “Did you get taller?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, we both grew an inch or so in the last month. Ma was pissed because we needed all new clothes immediately.”
I shook my head. “Did she make you empty your closet?”
He sighed. “She may as well have.”
I laughed as I pulled back, letting my hands slid down his hard chest before I moved back a step.
His eyes were warm when they met mine. “This is the biggest crowd…”
“I know. And you guys will do amazing.” I said in a soothing voice. “How many hours have you practiced the new set?”
“Around thirty-five,” he admitted, his cheeks tinting a rose color.
“How did you feel last night after rehearsal?” I asked as usual.
“Great. I felt like we had it.” His lips lifted into a half grin as he met my eyes.
“Then you’ve got it down,” I told him. “You never would have gone home if you didn’t.”
He nodded, his face relaxing. “You’re right.”
“Hey! We’re on!” Ryan shouted from his spot between Jake and Riley. His gaze found me. “Is he done wiggin’ out?”
I nodded before looking back up at him. “You’re ready.”
His eyes ran down my face to my lips. He kissed me hard and fast sending my heart into overdrive. Then he was walking off toward the stage and past a gaping Ryan. My face burned as I tried to calm my body down.
Smirking, Ryan followed him to the stage.
“Lexie…” Jake said, smiling. The jock’s green eyes sparkled. His short styled blonde hair streaked with lighter blonde highlights. His cute face was lit up as if it were Christmas.
“What was that?” Riley asked. The lilac haired cutie gaped at me. Jake and Riley walked toward me. I only had a few heartbeats to figure out what I was going to say.
Jake smirked as he wrapped his arm through mine. “You and I need to talk, missy.”
“You and her? More like all of us,” Riley stated, her brown eyes still wide. “I thought you liked Zeke.”
Oh, fuck it. “I like all of them.”
Riley brow drew down. “What?”
Jake looked down at me. “Isn’t she up to speed yet?”
I smiled. “Nope.”
Jake’s mouth dropped.
“What do you mean, all of them?” Riley raised an eyebrow as she tucked a stray lilac hair behind her ear.
“Look, I’ll explain on our way to the fine arts building. Tonight is the last night to pick up my painting.” I pulled out my phone and sent a text to tell the guys where I was going.
“And see who won.” Jake pointed out. I rolled my eyes as my phone chimed.
Tough Guy: Not alone!
Oh, so now he appears.
Alexis: I’m with Jake and Riley.
Superman: I’ll meet you there.
Alexis: Ok.
Zeke didn’t text again. I tucked my phone away then headed away from the concert. As we walked, I filled her in quickly. That I was in love with all the guys, and that I had kissed all of them.
Riley couldn’t quite believe it. “All of them?”
I nodded. “And Miles has this idea…”
I filled her in on that too. It was like once the lock was broken, all my secrets came pouring out of my mouth.
By the time we reached the building, Riley was all caught up. She shook her head. “No, that’s…” Riley turned to me. “If you’re crushing on all of them the same… that’s not love. You can only love one person at a time.”
“Says who?” Jake countered.
“Well, that’s what’s happened.” I could hardly believe it myself and I was living it. “I know it sounds crazy-”
“No, it doesn’t sound crazy.” Riley turned to me, her eyes flashing. “It sounds impossible. I broke up with Zeke because he was in love with you. And I thought you felt the same way about him.”
A spark lit in my stomach as I stopped walking. “I do.”
She scoffed. “That’s not how it works.”
I dropped Jake’s arm and crossed my arms over my chest while I tried to hold onto my temper. “Maybe not for you, but it’s my reality.” I eyed her. “And you might understand if you’d been around the last few months.”
She shrugged. “I’ve been busy-”
“With Ryan. Too busy to call me back. Too busy to answer texts.” I shook my head. “You weren’t here, Riley. You don’t get to pop back in and start judging me when you’ve been too wrapped up in your own love life to even answer the fucking phone.”
“That’s not fair.”
“No, that’s me calling you on your shit,” I snapped, my arms dropping. “What’s not fair is you dropping your friends because you got a boyfriend. And then come back in telling me how I feel is impossible.”
She looked at me as if she didn’t know me. “Are you actually thinking of trying to date all of them?” Hades moved between me and Riley, pressing his body against my leg.
I clenched my jaw and didn’t answer. I didn’t owe her an answer, she hadn’t been here and this was my shit to deal with.
“’Cause that’s fucked up.” Riley’s gaze ran over me. “I didn’t think you were that kind of girl.”
That spark turned into a blaze. “What kind of girl is that, Riley?”
“A girl who messes around with a bunch of guys.” She wrinkled her nose as if something foul was standing in front of her.
“It’s not that simple-”
“It is that simple,” she snapped. “You mess around with that group of guys and you’re… everything Jessica and her bitch friends say you are.”
I scoffed. “If that’s all it takes for your opinion of me to change that drastically…” I shook my head. “You’re not the kind of friend I need.”
Her lips pinched together. “You’re right. It’s none of my business. It’s your life.” She stepped back from me, her arms open at her sides. “I’ll see you around.” Riley walked off leaving us in silence.
“Wow.” Jake turned to me with his mouth hanging open. “I figured she’d need some time to adjust to the idea but damn…”
My heart sank. “A part of me thinks she’s right.”
Jake scowled at me. “Oh, honey, no. She’s not.”
I shook my head. “If this wasn’t me, what would you think of that person?”
He moved closer. “Just because it’s different, doesn’t mean it’s wrong. As long as everyone knows and agrees, what’s wrong with that?”
I held his gaze “You have a point.”
“I’m going to go talk to her.” Jake decided. “I’ll fill her in on how hard its been for you. Maybe she’ll get it the
n.” He squeezed my arm and went after Riley.
Shoulders tense, I turned and went into the metal hangar like building. If that was how Riley reacted, how would people who didn’t know me react? They’d think the same thing. But did I care? No, but… I’d think the same thing if someone else was dating several guys.
I made my way through the temporary walls that held the artwork. I might have thought the same thing, but I wouldn’t have shouted at them about it. Not wanting to dive too deep into why Riley’s words hurt so much, I focused on finding my painting. It took a bit of time but I found the large canvas.
It was a painting of a wolf pack prowling toward the front of the canvas. All five wolves were highly detailed. Each different from the next. At the center a large wide black wolf with blue eyes showed its fangs. To his right, a tall lean gray and brown wolf that was built for speed. Next to him, a tan and white wolf that had a more playful look on its face. To the left of the black wolf was a gray one, tall, majestic, certain. Next to him was another dark gray wolf with haunted eyes. It was the best painting I’d ever done.
It was the guys. I hadn’t meant to paint them this way but once I realized it, I couldn’t stop. They were family, a team. And now they weren’t together and it was my fault. Guilt ate at my heart as I found a blue and white ribbon hanging from the frame. First place. I won my category. Then why the hell wasn’t I happy? Sighing, I took the ribbon off the corner of the canvas and looked down at it. It was real and solid in my hand. And it didn’t look like it was a fake… I won. My heart grew a little lighter as I took my painting down off the temporary wall and started back toward the door.
I was almost there when someone stepped out from behind another fake wall. Hades moved and growled. My heart jumped as I fell back into a defensive stance. Only to realize it was Dylan.
Chapter 2
Dylan stayed perfectly still until I relaxed my stance. My ex was cute. Sapphire eyes and brown hair made his already boyishly cute face handsome. His eyes ran over me. “You good?”
When the Dead Have It Easy Page 2