by Carrie Elks
She could imagine Zoe’s excitement at visiting Gray Hartson’s house. Okay, so he probably came below Adam Levine, but he was still a huge rockstar.
“I didn’t know Cam was in a documentary.”
“It’s one of those Netflix ones. They followed his team around for all of last year. I was hoping he could come and join us, but he’s having to do publicity for it. So the next best thing is that we all watch and give him hell over the phone.”
Van laughed. She could just imagine the ribbing Cam’s brothers would give him. “That sounds like fun. Zoe and I will be there. I’m not sure it’s my mom’s kind of thing though.”
“No worries. And if she changes her mind, feel free to bring her. We’ll be cooking up a feast, since Logan will be there.” Maddie smiled warmly at her.
“I guess I’d better go,” Van said, finishing her coffee. “Thanks for this,” she said, lifting the mug. “How much do I owe you?”
“It’s on me.” Maddie told her. “Or on Murphy, technically. I’ll see you Sunday.”
Yeah, she would. And Van wasn’t sure why that made her body feel all warm and gooey inside, like chocolate left on the window sill on a warm Virginia day.
She stepped outside the diner, glancing at Fairfax Realty across the bright green of the town square, and took a deep breath.
Maybe it was the fact that some people in town accepted her and wanted to spend time with her.
This place was starting to feel like home again.
“Stop staring at her,” Logan murmured. “Unless you want everybody to guess what’s going on.” He’d flown down from Boston the previous night, and the three of them – Tanner, Gray, and Logan – had spend yesterday evening at the Moonlight Bar, catching up and shooting pool.
While Gray had been buying his round, Logan had taken the opportunity to ask Tanner how it was going with him and Van. He’d caught him up quickly. They were together, but trying to keep it on the downlow.
That was easier said than done now that he was sitting on the sofa in Gray’s beautiful den, following Van’s every move. She was looking hot today, in a little pink-and-grey checked sleeveless dress, tight on all her curves and stopping at mid thigh, her golden waves tumbling over her bare shoulders.
“I’m not staring,” Tanner told him. “I’m just looking around, taking everything in.”
“You’re right. You’re not staring. You’re ogling. And possibly panting.” Logan grinned. “Damn, have you even had sex with her yet?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no,” he said, his voice short.
Logan raised an eyebrow. “No?”
Truth was, they’d done everything but sex, and right now that felt pretty good. Especially since neither of them had their own place – something he was working pretty hard on resolving. And the sleeping was awesome. He’d curl up behind her and she’d curl her back against his chest, his arms wrapped around her like he was her human shield. He slept so deep his alarm barely woke them in the morning. It was as though his body was finally able to relax after all this time.
But today he didn’t feel relaxed. He felt excited and needy and full of desire. Every time she walked past him while they were sitting watching the movie, he’d wanted to reach out and slide his hand up her leg.
She knew exactly the effect she was having on him. Now and then their eyes would meet, and her lips would curl up, her face flushing. And he’d swallow down the urge to stand up and tell everybody that this gorgeous, funny, beautiful woman was his.
She was talking to Maddie right now, the two of them laughing at something Van just said. Her eyes caught his for the hundredth time. Then she touched Maddie’s arm briefly, and walked through the open glass doors to the expansive deck Gray had built, leading to the wide grass lawn, and the wooden bar stocked with every flavor of liquor and beer.
“I’m going to grab another drink,” Tanner said, standing.
“Sure you are.” Logan smirked, and turned back to the TV, where the first game of last season was flickering on the screen.
Tanner shook his head and followed Van’s path through the doors and down the lawn to the wooden tiki bar. She poured a glass of soda, throwing some ice into the mix, completely oblivious to the fact he was a few feet away from her.
“I need to talk to you.” He kept his face impassive.
Her head shot up. “Jeez, you scared me.” Her lips curled into a smile. “Hey you. What do you want to talk about?”
“Not here,” he said, curling his fingers around her wrist. “Somewhere private.”
Her eyes widened. “Is something wrong?”
“Yeah.” He pulled her around the back of the bar, toward the copse of trees that had been there long before Gray had built his house. When they were in the center, he checked to see that nobody else was there, then pushed Van’s back against a thick trunk.
“What is it?”
“This dress,” he murmured, tracing the line of the bodice across her chest. “It’s very, very wrong.”
Her breath caught in her throat as he lowered his head to kiss the swell of her breasts, where they met the top of her dress.
“As your employer, I’m going to have to issue you a formal warning. Don’t wear this dress and expect me not to kiss you.”
She laughed as he slid his lips toward the dip in her throat. “I’d like to appeal that warning.”
He curled his hand around her bare thigh, the way he’d been dreaming about all afternoon. “No appeals,” he murmured. “Though you can beg if you really want.”
Her eyes sparkled as he kissed his way up her neck, along her jaw, pressing his mouth to the corner of her lips. She tipped her head back against the tree, letting out a soft moan as his lips met hers, his fingers brushing the tender skin of her inner-thigh.
“Do you know what you do to me?” he asked, tracing the edge of her panties. “All afternoon I’ve been looking at you. Thinking about how you taste.”
“I know.” She grinned. “I’ve been kind of enjoying it.”
He slid his hands over her hips, pulling her against his thighs until she was under no illusion how hot she made him. “Did you wear this dress to tease me?”
She shrugged. “I might have.”
“Wear it tonight. In bed. I want to peel it off you.”
“Who says you’re coming to my bed tonight?”
He blinked, his eyes meeting hers. “That wasn’t a request. Don’t forget you’re under disciplinary review.”
She tipped her head to the side, her eyes still on his. “Discipline, hmm?”
He grinned, sliding his hand behind her butt. She arched her back, pressing herself to him, and the sensation sent a shot of desire through him.
“Careful,” he warned her. He wasn’t sure how far his restraint could stretch.
“Maybe I don’t want to be careful.”
He gave her a crooked smile. “You do, I know you do. Even if I want to drag you out and shout to the world that you’re mine.”
“Is that what I am? Yours?”
“Yeah.” His voice was rough. “You are.”
She traced a line from his open collar, up his neck, to his hard jaw. “That makes you mine, too.”
Damn, he loved that. He swallowed hard, as she traced his bottom lip. “It does.” He kissed the pad of her finger.
Her smile widened. “And that means I can do what I want with you, right?”
“Right.”
“Great.” She leaned closer, until he could feel the warmth of her breath against his skin. He waited for her to close the gap, to press her lips to his.
But instead she pushed him away, laughing as she dodged around the trees into the open lawn. Then she turned and stuck her tongue out at him, the way she did when they were kids.
He chuckled, not just because she was funny as hell. But because it was so damn good to see her carefree, running with her golden hair flowing out, her eyes crinkled with humor.
She was his. Maybe
she always had been. All he knew was he couldn’t let her go again.
“Okay, so there’s another reason why I asked you all to come here today,” Gray said when the documentary was over, and they’d finished raising their glasses to Cam. They were all sitting in the soft leather chairs Gray and Maddie had custom-made for their over-size den. They were big enough to fit three families on, which was a good thing, because there were a lot of them. Van looked around with a smile, taking in Tanner’s dad and Aunt Gina, plus his brothers, along with Maddie, her mom, and her sister and her family. Then there was Becca, who was sitting with Zoe, trying to teach her how to do a cat’s cradle.
Van couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this content. And her happiness had an enticing edge to it, thanks to the way Tanner kept shooting dark looks over at her.
It was strange how easily she’d slipped back into this life, this family.
“Don’t tell me. You’re getting your star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” Logan said, grinning at his older brother.
Gray sighed. “No. And shut up.”
“Play nice,” Maddie said, smiling at them both. “Just tell them, Gray.”
“C’mere,” Gray said, holding his hand out to her. “I don’t want to do this alone.”
“What’s this about?” Aunt Gina said, frowning. “You’re not going to tell us she’s pregnant, are you?”
For a moment there was complete silence, as everybody took in Gray and Maddie’s expressions.
Gray cleared his throat, his eyes meeting Maddie’s. “Uh, yeah. We were.”
Tanner coughed down a laugh, as Aunt Gina’s face turned white, and she covered her gaping mouth with her hand. “Oh my,” she said, her voice muffled. “I’m so sorry. I never dreamed…”
“You’re pregnant?” Becca asked, her eyes wide. “As in having Gray’s baby?” She stood up and ran to hug them both. “I’m going to be an auntie.”
“Congratulations, man,” Logan said, then he walked over to give Aung Gina a hug. She was all jittery, a combination of embarssment and excitement.
“Way to go,” Tanner said, walking over to shake Gray’s hand and hug Maddie. “I’m so pleased for you both.”
“That’ll explain the decaf coffee,” Van said, joining them. She grinned at Maddie.
“Yeah. I didn’t make it because it tastes good, that’s for sure.” Maddie wrinkled her nose. “I miss caffeine.”
Van felt a finger trace her spine. She turned to Tanner, who gave her an innocent stare.
“Stop,” she mouthed.
He winked back at her.
“Let’s hope your pregnancy doesn’t last as long as Regan’s,” Becca said, looking at Maddie’s stomach as though she was trying to discern a bump. “I swear she’s got the gestation period of an elephant. Is she ever going to have that baby?”
“It probably likes it where it is,” Maddie murmured. “It’s quiet and safe, compared to her house. I visited the other day. Her kids are louder than one of Gray’s concerts.”
“How far along are you?” Maddie’s sister, Ashleigh asked. Van had been introduced to her when she arrived at Gray’s house, though she remembered her from the old days. She didn’t look much different, apart from the wrinkles and the fact she wasn’t constantly wearing a cheerleader outfit.
Okay, so that was a bitchy thought. But then again, Ashleigh had never been nice to Van, either.
“Sixteen weeks,” Maddie said, her face glowing.
“So there’ll be a baby in five months?” Becca was almost shaking with excitement. “We have so much to plan. Where do you want your baby shower? What nursery theme are you going to have?” Her eyes lit up. “Have you started a registry yet? It’s never too early.”
“Becca,” Tanner said, his voice deadpan. He put his hand on her shoulder.
“Yeah?” Becca sighed and looked up at him.
“This isn’t your baby. It’s Maddie and Gray’s.”
Becca shook her head. “You’re such a spoilsport. Have you thought about going back to New York?”
“Not really.” He smirked, and his eyes slid to Van’s again. “I like it here too much.”
“Is that why you sneak out of the house every night once we’re all in bed?” Becca asked him.
Tanner shot her a dirty look. So much for sibling support.
“You sneak out of the house?” Gray asked. “Where are you going?”
“Or who is he going to?” Becca said, lifting a brow.
Maddie looked at Van, and she felt her face flush. She knew. Or at least, she’d guessed. Van could tell by the expression on Maddie’s face.
“Why are you so interested in Tanner’s love life?” Logan asked, shaking his head at Becca. “Is it because you don’t have one?”
“I don’t have a love life because I have four brothers,” Becca told them. “Everybody in town is scared of you. It’s so damn annoying.”
“Maybe that’s why they call them the Heartbreak Brothers,” Van said, smiling at her.
“Did they do that to you, too?”
“All the time. Tanner pretty much scared off every guy who asked me out.”
“Isn’t it annoying?” Becca said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Hey, I didn’t scare off Simon,” Tanner protested, lifting a brow at Becca. “You did that all by yourself.”
“I didn’t scare him off. I broke it off. That’s different.”
“Yeah, well he wasn’t good enough for you anyway.” Tanner blew Becca a kiss.
“You see what I have to deal with?” Becca sighed. “Maybe you can invite a movie star or two to the opening of the drive-in. Preferably one with ripped abs who isn’t scared of a few brothers.”
“When are you planning on opening?” Gray asked Tanner. “Do you have a date?”
“Yeah.” Tanner nodded. “We’re having the opening in three weeks. Saturday July fifth. We figured we may as well cash in on a holiday weekend. You’ll all be getting an invitation from Van very soon.”
“I can’t wait.” Becca smiled at them both. “This is such a good year. With the baby and the drive-in. Plus Cam’s team is looking hot. It’s so good to have you all home.” She tipped her head and lifted a brow at Tanner. “Except for you.”
“I know you love me.”
Van felt a tug at her hand, and she turned to see Zoe standing next to her.
“You okay, kiddo?” she asked.
Zoe nodded, then she leaned closer. “Van?”
“Yeah?”
“Will I be able to come to the opening night at the drive-in?” Her eyes were wide. Hopeful.
Van glanced at Tanner and he nodded imperceptibly. “Of course you can.”
“And can I bring my friends? They’ll be so jealous that you work there. And they’ll love me for inviting them.”
“You can bring whoever you want,” Tanner told her. Then he tipped his head to the side. “Or even better, why don’t you invite them all to the rehearsal? That way we can have a test audience to make sure everything goes as planned.” He glanced at Van. She nodded at him, her eyes bright.
“Would you like that, Zoe?” she asked.
“My own private screening at the drive-in? Before it’s even open?” Zoe broke into a grin. “I love it!” She threw her arms around Tanner’s waist, hugging him tight.
Van watched them with a half-smile. Her chest felt funny to see how happy Zoe was. How easily Tanner had charmed her. It was like they were two pieces of the puzzle that was her life, slotting together easily. Maybe it was time to finally relax.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Van, aged 18
“Mom? You home?” Van glanced over her shoulder at Tanner standing on the porch. “I guess she isn’t,” she said. “Big shocker.”
“You want me to come in with you?” Tanner asked, leaning on the door frame, his head tipped to the side. “Check for boogeymen?”
“I’m pretty sure you’d be more scared of them than I am.” She rolled her eyes.
“Thanks for the ride home.”
He brushed his lips against hers, curling his fingers around her neck. “I’ll call you later. And don’t forget that math assignment. It’s due on Monday.”
“I won’t.” She watched as he clambered down the steps to his new car. He’d saved for months for that old Camaro, but even then it wasn’t quite enough. Luckily, Gray had sent him some money for his birthday, enough to make up the shortfall. He started up the engine and it roared into life, spluttering as he pulled away. He honked the horn, and it made her jump. Van shook her head and walked inside to her bedroom.
Opening her closet, she knelt down, reaching out to pull out the old shoebox she’d stashed at the back. Pulling the lid off, she looked at the rolls of bills she’d put inside. Her wages from the drive-in. She didn’t have to count them to know exactly how much there was. Two thousand, three hundred and sixty five dollars. Taking her latest envelope from the back of her jeans, she sorted through the bills, then added them to the appropriate rolls, fastening them with a rubber band.
Two thousand, four hundred and fifteen dollars now. By the end of the summer it should be more than three thousand. Enough for her to pay her rent and to afford food for her first term. Maybe more if she could find a way to make it last.
That money was her ticket out of town. Her chance to be like every other kid around here. Sure, Tanner and their friends would all get help from their parents, but it didn’t matter. She didn’t need her mom’s help, she could do this by herself.
“Van?” The front door clicked open, and Van hurriedly replaced the lid on the box and pushed it back to its hiding place in the closet.
“In here, Mom.” She stood and brushed the dust from her jeans, walking over to her bedroom door. “Everything okay?”
“Not really.” Her mom sighed. “I’m heading to bed. Did you get paid?”