by Kate Benson
“So, don’t fight with him,” I angle her face to mine. “Just come eat breakfast with me.”
With a nod, she slips her fingers into mine and follows me out. When we make the corner, Mason glances up at her, making her steps slow. I nudge her forward, pulling the chair out across from him.
“Sit,” I order gently, releasing her and moving back toward the kitchen, leaving them to stare each other down silently.
By the time I come back, he’s still staring at Evie awkwardly.
“You? Eat,” I set her plate down in front of her, taking a seat on the end between them. “You? Start talking,” I tell him, not missing the way he fights the eye roll before he clears his throat and leans forward.
“Hey.”
“Hi,” she says quietly, folding her legs into the chair and swallowing hard before meeting Mason’s eyes. “So, what’s up? Dash said you wanted to talk to me.”
“Yeah,” he nods. “But it can wait until you’re done.”
“Or you could just say what you came here to say,” she says low with a shrug, glancing up as she picks at her breakfast. “Unless you’ve come here to offer me another life lesson or tell me what a disappointment I am. I’m all set.”
“Evie, I never…” he shakes his head, rubbing his palm over his jaw as he faces her again. “I never said that. I wouldn’t.”
“Maybe not in so many words, but I’m a smart girl and I know you better than you think, Mason,” she argues softly as I finish my last bite and rise, pulling their eyes to mine. “You didn’t really need to spell it out.”
“Listen, I’m gonna give you two some space,” I start, the feel of Evie’s eyes widening in my direction making me swallow a smirk.
“Thank…” Mason starts, but Evie cuts him off.
“You don’t have to leave, Dash,” she grounds out, pulling my eyes to hers. “Sit down.”
“Talk to your brother,” I say quietly, fighting the smirk her furious expression brings to my lips. “Just do it. Things aren’t going to feel right until you do.”
evie
As he bends to kiss my forehead, it’s sweet, but I’m pissed.
“You lying sack of shit,” I hiss under my breath. “You said you weren’t going to leave.”
“I don’t think I did,” he shakes his head, twisting away from me before I can pinch his side. “I said there would be eggs.”
“Dash! I don’t want-”
“Be a grown-up,” he insists.
“I hate you!” I whisper after him, shaking my head as I twist back to face my brother, my arms crossed in silent revolt as his laughter trails down the hall behind me. Idiot.
“Subtle,” Mason deadpans, making me roll my eyes. “Thank you.”
“Sorry,” I say with a shrug, both of us knowing it’s only a half-truth as I pick at my breakfast. “So, do you want to go first or should I?”
“I’ve been pretty vocal,” he admits with an apologetic smile. “Why don’t you start?”
“Okay,” I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “I’m tired of fighting with you and I think you’ve been acting really stupid,” I shrug, finally facing him fully. “I get all your reasons for being pissed about the secrets and the lies and the unfortunate way you had to find out,” I blush, clearing my throat before returning my eyes to his. “I even get that you weren’t ready to hear an apology, but this situation isn’t just going to go away, Mason.”
“They rarely do,” he agrees quietly.
“Nothing is changing with me and Dash,” I admit with a shake of my head. “Were we nervous about telling you? Sure, but not because us breaking up was ever on the table,” I shrug. “Save for all of the drama right now, we’re really happy, Mase. You might not get it and that’s okay. You don’t have to, but is this grudge of yours seriously worth losing your best friend or driving a wedge between you and me? Because that’s all that’s happening right now. You’re pushing me away and destroying your relationship with him.”
“Eve, don’t you think you’re being a little dramatic?”
“No, I don’t!” I shake my head. “And you know what? After the way you’ve acted this week, you’re never allowed to call me that again!”
“Okay, fair enough,” he allows, raising his hands in retreat as a gentle smirk touches his lips. “But Evie, why didn’t you just talk to me?” he asks. “I’m not gonna lie and tell you I’m completely on board with all of it. I meant a lot of what I said before and I can’t take it back now, but if you both really feel the way you say, if you don’t see any truth in any of my concerns, why did you hide it for so long? That’s the thing I can’t let go of now, Eve,” he shakes his head. “We’ve always been really honest with each other, right?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, well if you can’t be honest with me, are you sure you’re being honest with yourself?”
“I’m sure,” I nod. “And for the record, Mason, you say you want me to be honest with you, but I don’t think that’s always true.”
“Of course, it is, Evie,” he argues. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted from you.”
“Fine,” I shake my head, dusting the crumbs the toast left behind on my fingers as I face him. “Do you remember when you came to the bar the other day and Dash said he wanted to talk to you?”
“Yeah.”
“We were going to tell you then, come clean about the whole thing and I begged Dash not to. I told him I was scared, which was true. I knew you were going to freak out and show your ass, but there was more to it than that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I just didn’t want to tell anyone.”
“Why? If you love him so much, have so much faith in him, why wouldn’t you want to tell anyone?”
“I just didn’t want to,” I shrug. “I mean, yeah, it started as a drunken mistake and that’s why we kept it secret in the beginning. We were both convinced given our history the whole thing was a one-time fluke, but it didn’t take long for things to change. By some weird twist of fate, we fell in love and it was new and exciting and fun. I guess we could have told you then, but we chose that instead. And maybe you want me to feel bad for it, Mason,” I sigh, glancing down at my hands. “Hell, maybe I should feel bad about it on some level, but I just don’t,” I return my eyes to his. “In the beginning, we were just as clueless about what was happening as you were. Neither of us saw this coming and if we’d come clean four months ago and you’d reacted this way, we wouldn’t have fought so hard for each other. We probably would have gone our separate ways and that would have been it, but it would have been awful, Mason, because look at what we would have missed out on,” I continue, shaking my head. “I mean, I get it. Dash is an asshole who works behind a bar whose history with women is horrible at best, but can I tell you something? I’m not a bowl of fucking sunshine, either, Mason. I’m flighty and selfish and can be about as bitchy as they come, but even before this all started, any time I’ve ever really needed him, Dash has been there. It didn’t matter if I needed a ride home from the airport or I was stranded in an airport or I had a meltdown over a cat. Even when I showed up crying on his doorstep at three o’clock in the morning because I had a fight with his best friend, he shows the fuck up for me,” I swallow hard over the lump in my throat. “You say falling for Dash was a mistake. For all I know you’ll turn out to be right, Mason,” I shrug. “But if a broken heart is part of my destiny, there’s no one else I’d rather have destroy me.”
chapter twenty-four
evie
“Baby,” he whispers, his long, dark strands sweeping my cheek as he sinks his lips into my neck, tickling me with his stubble as he nips at my skin.
“Hmm?” I murmur, my eyebrows crinkling together.
“Wake up, little monster,” he croons, the feel of his palm on my bare stomach pulling me further from my sleep.
“Why?” I groan, turning over onto my back to face him, the smirk on his face as he takes me in assuring me I look ridiculous. “What time
is it?”
“Early.”
“How early?” I ask, sitting up on my elbows long enough to see the light just barely peeking through his blinds.
“Not quite seven,” he admits, blowing a raspberry against my cheek as his hand cradles my ass, giving it a gentle smack. “Come on. Get up and get dressed.”
I study him for a second, my face still holding the same offended expression despite the happiness in his green gaze. I fall back against the mattress and tuck myself into his chest, savoring in the feel of him as he pulls me close.
Since we talked things out with Mason the other day, I’m happy to say the rest of my vacation has been about as close to perfect as I could have hoped for. Dash has worked almost every day I’ve been here, which sucks, but now that the two men in my life aren’t at each other’s throats, things are easier.
If I’m being honest, though, there’s a little piece leftover that misses keeping mine and Dash’s secret.
For so long, the love I’d found with my enemy-turned-lover had been ours and ours alone and I missed the thrill that came with closed doors and hushed whispers. However, if I’ve learned anything about falling for an adrenaline junkie, it’s that I’ll never be bored with Dash Hunter.
It’s still a little weird for Mason to be around us, but he’s trying to be supportive despite his worries. That’s all I ever really wanted.
Until this moment.
In this moment, all I really want is to go back to sleep.
Dash’s hot breath of annoyance at my rebellion washes over my skin and in my revolt, I nuzzle closer to his chest.
“Stop pretending to be asleep,” he says.
“If you’d leave me alone, I wouldn’t have to pretend.”
I pull away to roll over, but he keeps his grip locked on me, yanking me closer.
“Well, I’m nothing if not an overachiever,” he smirks against my lips, sliding his hand beneath my tank top and giving it a gentle tug, exposing me. “I know one way to wake your grumpy little ass up.”
As my eyes flutter open, I find his eyes already on me as he slips the tip of his finger beneath my panties, teasing me as he bends to slide his tongue over my nipple. As he clamps down onto my barbell and sucks, I release a low moan, pulling a growl of victory from his chest as I grow wet around his fingers.
“Dammit,” I mutter as my back arches slightly, my grip on his hair tightening as he continues working me over.
“Hmm…” he hums around my breast, slowly pulling his fingers out before slipping them lower between my cheeks.
“Dash!” I shout as my eyes pop open, the burst of energy I’d just been staving off filling me instantly as I swat him away. “Get out of there!”
“There she is,” he beams, raising his eyes to mine. “You gettin’ up?”
“Oh, my God,” I groan as he releases me, my head falling against the pillows behind me. “I hate you.”
“Liar,” he chuckles, gripping my neck and pressing his lips to my cheek before slipping out of the bed. “Come on. We’re gonna be late.”
“I’m up,” I yawn, rubbing my eyes awake as I stumble toward the bathroom. “Late for what?” I call out a moment later as I’m sliding toothpaste over my brush. “Where are we going?”
“Don’t worry about it. Just get dressed.”
“Babe,” I say around my toothbrush as I stick my head out to face him. “How can I get dressed for something if I don’t know where I’m going?”
“Just put on shorts and a shirt.”
“What kind of shoes?”
“What?” he asks, looking at me like I’ve just grown another head. “I don’t care, just pick some fuckin’ shoes, baby.”
“Helpful,” I roll my eyes, rinsing before I bend to wash my face, raising to find him staring back at me in the mirror.
“Okay, I’m ready and we need to leave in ten minutes. What do you have left to do?”
“Um, everything,” I smirk, dropping the hand towel onto the sink as I reach for my brush, taking in his groan as his head tips back in frustration. “If you wanted me to be ready ten minutes from now, you should have woken me up an hour ago.”
“You need an hour?” his eyes widen. “For what?”
“I have to brush my hair, put on makeup, get dressed… coffee would be nice,” I insist, watching him shake his head as I wave my hand in front of me dramatically. “What? You think this all gets smokin’ in ten minutes?”
“Gimme the brush,” he insists. “No way in hell you’re getting an hour.”
Before I can argue, he pulls it from my hand, blocking me in as his palm presses roughly against the back of my head, the bristles running quickly through my long strands.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I rail, fighting against him, smacking the hell out of him. “Get off me, you idiot!”
“There. You’re beautiful,” he insists, releasing me for a moment before he grips my hand and leads me out in a rush. “Come here,” he orders me, yanking the drawer I’ve been using open while I stare at him in shock. “Here. There’s a shirt and some shorts right here,” he says, raising and shoving them into my hands. “Put ‘em on.”
“Dash, these don’t match,” I argue, rolling my eyes as I face him. “And this is a hoodie.”
“It doesn’t matter, baby!” he shouts. “Just put some fuckin’ clothes on so we can-!”
“Oh, my God! What is your freakin’ deal today? Jesus…” I cut him off, my words making his features relax. “Get the hell out of my face. I love you to death, but you’re being so annoying right now.”
“I’m sorry, babe. I know this isn’t how you wanted to wake up,” he sighs, giving me a kiss despite my deadpan expression. “I know we’ve gotta leave early tomorrow and it’s gonna be a little crazy, so I wanted to make up for that today.”
“So, why didn’t you just tell me? I would have set an alarm.”
“Well, I was trying to do something nice and fuckin’ surprise you!” he exclaims, his eyes widening in frustration. “Instead, we’re doing this shit at seven o’clock in the morning and we’re still going to be la-”
“Late. I got it, babe,” I cut him off, giving him a small smile as I kiss his jaw. “Thank you. Please calm the hell down. I’m getting dressed.”
I pull out of his hold, moving as quickly as my tired brain will allow. I feel his eyes on me, watching me as I begin sifting through my bag.
“Sorry,” he offers, pulling my eyes back to his.
“Shut up, baby,” I tease, pulling real clothes out of my bag while he begins to pace nervously. I pull a top out, my face contorting when I realize it’s not what I want before folding it neatly and setting it to the side. I don’t miss the heavy sigh of impatience leaving his chest. I glance over, eyebrow raised to face him. “What?”
“Nothing,” he lies, biting his lip, pulling a nod from me. “You’re just…”
“Just what?”
“Nothing” he clears his throat, fighting the smirk of annoyance. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I smile sweetly, rolling my eyes as I pull another shirt out, still unable to find what I want.
“That’s perfect, baby,” he manages, staring at me. “What’s wrong with that shirt?”
“The fabric’s thick,” I explain. “I’ll get hot really fast.”
“Right,” he nods, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I mean, you don’t want to get hot,” he swallows hard, watching me once more, the third shirt nearly sending him into atomic meltdown mode. “Evie!” he snaps, catching himself when I glare at him in challenge. “Baby, I… hmm…” he swallows the growl, his palm raking over his face covering his annoyed smirk. “Sweetheart, we need to…”
“Dash? Can you do something for me?” I ask him sweetly as I cut him off. “I think it’ll help move things along.”
“Yes.”
“Can you get the hell out of here before I hit you?”
dash
“You brought me to the beach? I love th
e beach!” she smiles, leaning up in the seat. “Oh, man! I didn’t bring my suit!”
“It’s in the trunk,” I wink, carefully reading the street signs for the turn I’d been driving toward for the past hour and a half.
“Shut up!” she shoves me playfully, making me smirk. “How’d you do that without me seeing?”
“I packed last night after you fell asleep,” I admit. “I was worried I was gonna wake you up, but you’re such a lightweight, you passed out after three or four drinks,” I laugh at her blush. “Anyway, hopefully, we’ll have time to go for a swim before we have to head back.”
“Well, if we aren’t here to hang out, why’d you bring me to the beach?” she asks, her shoulders slumping slightly before she pulls her sunglasses off and looks at me. “Did you bring me here for a wet t-shirt contest?”
“No,” I shake my head with a chuckle, laughing harder when she narrows her eyes at me. “I didn’t! I swear!”
“Alright,” she smirks, relaxing into the seat. “Well, why are we here? What’s the big surprise?”
“You’re about to find out,” I promise, squeezing her hand in mine. “You excited?”
“Yeah,” she admits, making me smile. “I was kind of nervous at first, but I feel better now.”
“Nervous about what?”
“Well, you’re all into extreme sports and crap like that,” she shrugs as her lips move from an apologetic smile into an amused grin. “This morning when I was getting dressed, I had this paranoid moment where I thought you were going to try to throw me out of something,” she laughs lightly, her gaze out the window helping her miss the blank look covering my face. “I shouldn’t have worried, though. You know I would never go for anything like that.”
“Yeah,” I smile nervously as I whip into the lot, doing my best to park far enough away that she won’t see the massive sign over the building she’s about to kill me in. “Yeah, even I’m not that dumb.”
“Hey, we stopped! Are we at there?” she asks, struggling to see around me as I move my head to block her view of the entrance, earning a weird look. “What are you doing?”