A bang coming from another room startled me. Maybe Olivia was home.
“Olivia?” I called.
She didn’t answer, so I got out my phone to text Seb.
I heard another sound and it made me pause, mid-text. Was that a moan? It sounded like a woman’s voice. I shook my head and grinned. Maybe Olivia was enjoying some alone time.
More noise, and another voice. Definitely not Olivia’s. It sounded like a man. Was she watching porn back there? I shrugged and finished my text. I was going to tease the crap out of her when she came out.
Then the noise kept going—a rhythmic banging. Like two objects hitting each other. Or more like… a bed knocking against a wall.
Oh, shit.
She was either watching porn and getting really into her special-me-time, or she had someone back there with her.
The moaning got louder. Two voices. This was getting a little bit mortifying. I wondered if I should leave. She obviously didn’t know I was home. If she did, she’d at least attempt to keep it down. As it was, they both kept getting louder. Who was she with?
The worst part was, it was kind of a turn-on. God, I was never going to tell her that. But listening to people having what was clearly some very amazing sex made my core tingle. Damn it, my panties were getting wet.
Well, at least Sebastian was coming over soon. Although maybe I’d suggest we hang out at his house tonight. There was slightly more privacy over there—at least the bedrooms were upstairs, instead of right next to the living room.
Sebastian hadn’t answered yet, so I curled up in the corner of the couch and waited for them to finish. And what a finish. They were either having one intense simultaneous orgasm, or Olivia was hard-core faking.
I poked around on my phone for a little while, looking at furniture ideas for the café. I was so excited to get started. I’d never had a job that I really cared about before, but I really wanted to see Booklover’s Corner succeed. It would be heartbreaking if it had to close—and not because I’d need to find a new job. It was a great store with so much potential. It just needed a little boost.
Olivia’s bedroom door opened and an imposing figure walked out. Tall. Thickly muscled. For a split second, his silhouette reminded me of Sebastian and a chill ran down my spine. But then he stepped closer to the light.
Oh my god, I should have known. Charlie. Of course it was Charlie.
He stopped in his tracks in front of the bathroom and looked at me. Dressed in nothing but boxer briefs, he had his shirt over his wrists like he was about to put it on.
“Oh, hey, Brooke,” he said. “You’re, um… you’re here.”
“Yep,” I said.
Olivia stumbled out of the bedroom, giggling. She was dressed in a fitted t-shirt that wasn’t long enough to hide her bright pink underwear. She wrapped her arms around Charlie from behind, then seemed to realize he was looking at something. Her eyes moved to me and they widened in surprise.
“Oh god,” she said. “You were supposed to be at work.”
“Sorry,” I said. “I came home early.”
“How long have you been here?” she asked.
“Long enough,” I said with a wink.
“Well, fuck,” she said.
Charlie just laughed and pulled his shirt over his head, then looked at me. “How was work?”
“Um, fine,” I said. “But maybe you should put on pants?”
He glanced down at his muscular legs and shrugged.
“Shit, I’m not wearing pants either,” Olivia said. “Charlie, get in here.”
He grinned, then followed Olivia back into the bedroom.
They came out a few minutes later, both fully dressed. I pretended to be very interested in something on my phone while they said goodbye. Or kissed goodbye, rather. It took a while.
Charlie finally left and Olivia closed the door. She came over to sit on the couch, her cheeks flushed, her eyes dreamy.
“So, Charlie?” I asked. “Did this just happen?”
She bit her lower lip. “Um, not exactly.”
“What?” I asked. “When?”
“Well…” She drew out the word, scrunching her nose. “Kind of the first night I was here.”
My mouth dropped open. “What? You slept with Charlie the first night you met?”
“Yeah, I know,” she said. “It was crazy. We went out to dinner so you and Seb could talk. But then we wound up talking for hours. We didn’t leave until the restaurant was closing. When we got back to his place, you were still in Sebastian’s room. I didn’t have a key to your house or anything, so he invited me to stay and hang out. So, we did. And then, well, we did.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
She sighed. “I almost did, but I felt weird. Like you were going to be mad, since I’d just met him and he was your friend. I don’t know, maybe that doesn’t make sense. And at first, I didn’t know if it would amount to anything. But then we started texting, and talking. And we got together again, and well…”
“Wow,” I said. “I’m not mad. Just surprised. Either you guys have been hiding it pretty well for the last few weeks, or I haven’t been paying attention.”
“Mostly the second one,” she said. “You’ve been a little wrapped up in Sebastian.”
“Yeah, I guess I have,” I said. “So, what is this between you guys? Are you just messing around?”
She shook her head. “No, that’s the really crazy part. I don’t think we are. At first, I wasn’t sure what was going on. That’s why I didn’t tell you. It was this whirlwind of insanity, like in a movie or something. He’s… god, Brooke, he’s amazing. I really, really like him. And it’s not just the sex. Although oh my god, the sex is incredible.”
“Yeah, so I gathered.”
“Consider it payback for the times I’ve had to listen to you and Seb.”
I cringed. “Touché.”
“It’s no big deal,” she said. “My roommate in college used to fuck her boyfriend under the covers with me in the same room. You get kind of desensitized after a while.”
“Ew,” I said. “Is this why you’ve been procrastinating on going back to Phoenix?”
“Pretty much,” she said. “Can I tell you something that’s probably going to make you think I’m insane?”
“Yeah…”
She bit her lower lip. “Charlie doesn’t want me to go back, and… I think I might stay.”
“Why are you worried I’d think you’re insane?”
“Well, because I just met him and I’m considering packing up my life and moving halfway across the country,” she said.
“Um, you do realize who you’re looking at, right?” I asked. “I was on the road with Sebastian after knowing him for less than twenty-four hours.”
“Good point,” she said. “I knew I liked you for a reason. I’m way less crazy compared to you. I’ll definitely use that argument on my mom when I tell her.”
I laughed. “I don’t think but Brooke did it is a very good argument.”
“You just said yourself, you did worse.” She smiled and tucked her legs up on the couch. “What is it about these big Iowa boys that makes us want to pack up and change our lives?”
“I don’t know, but they’re very persuasive.”
“Are you sure you’re not mad?” she asked. “Not even that I didn’t tell you at first? We were going to. We talked about it today, actually. He hasn’t said anything to Sebastian either.”
“No, I’m not mad,” I said. “You guys are two of my favorite people. This is fantastic.”
“Thanks,” she said. “I keep using you as an excuse to my parents for why I haven’t come home, but I’m going to need to tell them the truth soon. I was hoping to find a job first, though. You know, so I could soften the blow and make it sound less like I’m stupidly moving for a guy I’ve known for like a month.”
I gasped, feeling as if a light bulb had just lit up above my head. “Oh my god, O. You have a degree in business, rig
ht?”
“Yeah, business management with a minor in new media. Why?”
“And you worked at a coffee shop?”
She nodded. “All through college.”
“Hear me out on this,” I said. “The bookstore has space for a café, but it’s been closed for a while. It’s not much, I think they used to serve coffee and tea, plus maybe a little case with muffins or something. But I’m trying to talk Joe into reopening it, and getting some more seating in there. Doing little events and stuff, like readings and open mic nights. He’s interested, but he needs someone to handle the café. What if…”
Her eyes widened as I spoke. “Brooke, I could do that.”
I sat up taller. “And you were doing all that social media management stuff at your last job, weren’t you? Joe is hopeless at that. He tries to pretend the Internet doesn’t exist. You could work with him on that side of things. I know it would help us get the word out about the store and the events and stuff.”
“I’m kind of freaking out right now,” she said. “Is this a real possibility?”
“I’d have to talk to Joe,” I said. “But yeah, I think so.”
“Oh, Brooke, this would be amazing,” she said. “That bookstore is so cute, but you’re right. It needs seating. And maybe some cool art. Oh, and better lighting. You know what would be adorable? I saw these hanging lamps shaped like stars in a store downtown. They had different patterns and colors, and they weren’t expensive.”
“That’s perfect,” I said. My phone dinged, so I picked it up. “I’ll see Joe tomorrow at work and I’ll ask him. I bet he’ll be relieved he doesn’t have to look for someone.”
Sebastian: On my way.
I smiled down at my phone.
“You know, you have the prettiest smile,” Olivia said.
“Thanks,” I said. “But where did that come from?”
“You just seem really happy lately,” she said. “I kind of forgot what happy Brooke looked like.”
I lowered my phone. Obviously, Olivia knew what had happened between me and Sebastian. We hadn’t been hiding our new relationship from her, or Charlie. But it was difficult to talk about with her, beyond a little comment here and there. Liam had been her brother. I wasn’t sure if she’d think I was disloyal for being with someone else.
Although the truth was, I was afraid I was being disloyal.
“Does me being with Sebastian bother you?” I asked.
“No. Like I said, it’s great to see you happy.”
“Yeah, but…” I glanced down again, not sure how to put this into words. “You know, if things had been different—”
“I know,” she said. “But things aren’t different. We lost him. That doesn’t mean you have to be alone forever. It’s okay to move on. You should. That’s healthy.”
I tucked my hair behind my ear and nodded. “I don’t know what I believe about what happens to us after we die. But I wonder if he can see me, you know? Sometimes I almost feel him. Like he’s here, in a way. Maybe it’s just my imagination.”
“No, I do too,” she said. “Not all the time. But once in a while, he pops into my head out of nowhere. I always wonder if that’s his way of saying he’s still with us.”
A sudden rush of emotion hit me and I blinked back tears. “But, if he can see me, what must he think? It’s one thing for me to move on. But O, Sebastian isn’t just some guy I met. He has…”
“Liam’s heart,” she said, her voice soft. “I know. I’m not gonna lie, it’s a little weird. And maybe kind of morbid if you think about it too hard. But it’s obvious you really care about him.”
I nodded. “I did love Liam, you know that. But this is different. I don’t know if I can explain it. Liam was comfortable. Like a cozy blanket. But Sebastian is…”
“Like a triple shot, don’t hold the whipped cream, melt your panties off orgasm?”
“Yes, exactly,” I said. “Everything with him is like life on steroids. I didn’t know it could be like this.”
She smiled. “Then let go of the guilt. Sebastian is good for you. Let yourself be happy.”
As if on cue, he knocked on the door. I got up to answer, my tummy filled with the sudden rush I always got when he was near. Sparks and tingles of excitement mingling with arousal. My body awakening to his presence. I opened the door and his smile warmed me like the sun.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hi, beautiful.”
He brushed the hair back from my face and kissed me. And there was nothing wrong with any of it.
28
Sebastian
I parked outside my parents’ house and glanced at Brooke. She had a coat on over her dark blue off-the-shoulder dress. It had wide sleeves and a brown leather belt, and she’d put on the knee-high boots I loved so much. Her long hair draped around her shoulders and she wore the necklace I’d bought her recently—a silver chain with a little corn cob charm. For Iowa.
She smoothed down her dress. “Are you sure this is okay?”
I smiled, my eyes moving up and down, unabashedly enjoying the sight of her. “You look beautiful.”
“Maybe I should have worn the long one,” she said. “Are you sure this isn’t too short?”
“I like this one,” I said, glancing down at her legs. I wanted to fuck her later in those boots. “It’s not too short.”
“Okay.”
I leaned over and kissed her. “You’ll be fine. My parents won’t bite.”
“Get a room,” Charlie said from the backseat.
I glanced at him in the rear-view mirror and scowled. That was rich, coming from the guy who’d spent most of the almost-two-hour drive making out with his girlfriend in the back seat. Those two were like a couple of teenagers.
My parents had asked me to come home for dinner tonight. It had been a while since I’d seen them. Charlie had invited himself along—which was normal. He usually came with me when I visited my parents. My mom was a great cook, and she always made enough food to feed an army. Charlie coming along meant Olivia too—those two were only apart when forced by things like work.
And it was the first time I was bringing Brooke home to meet my parents.
Before we’d started dating, I’d invited her to come to Waverly with me and Charlie a couple of times, but it hadn’t worked out. I knew my mom had been leery of Brooke—and, to be fair, her circumstances had been a little questionable—but now I couldn’t wait to show her off to my family. My parents knew we were together, but I hadn’t officially introduced them. This felt like a big step, but a good one.
I kissed the back of Brooke’s hand. “Ready?”
“I think so.”
We all got out of the car and I took Brooke’s hand in mine.
“Wow, you grew up here?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “Why, does it look different than you imagined?”
“Very. You said small town Iowa. I was picturing an old-fashioned farmhouse, not a freaking mansion.”
I glanced up at my parents’ house. It was nice, but it wasn’t a mansion. It did have a four-car garage—my dad was really into cars—and a covered porch supported by white columns. The exterior was a combination of wood and brick, and lights glowed in most of the windows.
“It’s not that big,” I said.
Brooke just squeezed my hand.
I opened the front door—didn’t bother to knock—and ushered everyone inside. Brooke paused in the entryway and glanced around.
“Hey, Mom,” I called out. I could hear noise coming from the kitchen and the scent of food filled the air, making my stomach rumble. “Something smells great.”
I helped Brooke out of her coat as my mom came down the hallway. Except when I glanced up, it wasn’t my mom.
It was Cami.
Charlie started coughing behind me. I stared at Cami, like a deer in headlights. She looked the same as I remembered—wavy blond hair, light pink cardigan, floral skirt, heels. But what was she doing here?
“H
i, Sebastian,” she said, her voice hesitant as her eyes swept over the four of us.
Brooke looked up at me, then at Cami. Instinctively, I wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close.
“Hi.” My brow furrowed and I was relieved to see my mom come down the hall. She better have a good explanation for this.
“Good, you’re here,” Mom said, but her smile faded when her eyes landed on Brooke. “Oh. I didn’t realize you were bringing… guests.”
“I texted you, Mom,” I said. “Did you forget to check your texts again?”
“I guess so,” she said.
The awkwardness level was off the charts. Cami’s cheeks flushed and she seemed to be trying very hard not to look at Brooke. Charlie finally stopped coughing and Olivia patted him on the back, quietly asking him if he was all right. I kept my arm around Brooke, my hand on her bare shoulder.
I’d never felt this way in my parents’ house before. Defensive and territorial, my instincts on alert. This place had always been home, but tonight it felt like walking into a trap.
I decided to ignore the fact that my ex-girlfriend was inexplicably here, at least for the moment. “Mom, this is Brooke. You met her once before, but that was quite a while ago. And this is Olivia Harper.”
My mom blinked when I said Harper, but quickly recovered her manners. “It’s lovely to meet both of you. Hi, Charlie.”
“Hi, Mrs. McKinney,” Charlie said. “Uh, hi, Cami.”
Cami gave him a weak smile.
“Well, isn’t this lovely?” Mom said. “I’ll set some extra places at the table. There’s more than enough for everyone.”
My mom went back to the kitchen, Cami close on her heels. Charlie met my eyes, giving me a what the fuck look. I just shrugged. I didn’t know what was going on. I held Brooke back while he and Olivia went into the kitchen.
“I’m so sorry about this,” I said, keeping my voice low. “Cami is… well, she’s my ex-girlfriend.”
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