by Hall, S. E.
“I don’t know,” her shoulders pop up, “it was pretty fancy. Okay, okay, show me!”
I lower my hands, once again covering her eyes, and scoot back, leaning against the beam behind me. “Go crazy, woman.”
It takes her a while, her face in delighted shock, awe, eyes bulging as she slowly and meticulously takes in every single thing. Her hands fly to her mouth, tears starting to roll down her cheeks as she gasps, then shakes her head, and gasps again. “W-where? H-how?” She stutters, then takes a deep breath. “You—how’d you?”
Now I move in, pulling her into my arms, kissing the top of her head as she moves into full-blown sobbing. “You like it?”
She nods, face buried in my shirt, and my heart bursts knowing I’ve shown her just a hint of what she means to me. I will never stop listening when she talks, never stop hearing what she’s really trying to tell me, and for sure never get comfortable thinking I can’t outdo my last big surprise.
“Come on, pretty girl, let’s go have a closer look before everyone gets here.” I lift her face with both hands and wipe her drenched cheeks. “Happy tears,” I mumble, leaning over to kiss off what my fingers missed.
“Who’s everyone?”
“The Crew.” I grin. “The best part of all this? Having great friends to share it with. And don’t worry, the mud puddle will dry up and grow back over when you’re tired of it.”
I’m not gonna lie, even with me, Zach, Sawyer and Dane working like dogs, this was quite the project. In the middle of the backyard, and the main event, is a super slide, complete with huge mud hole at the end, dug and filled by Sawyer. The trampoline in the corner, assembled by Zach and Dane, is covered in pre-filled Super Soakers.
Flowers of every color outline the entire perimeter of her backyard, planted by all four of us. We’d also laid a rock pathway from the patio, now adorned with white lights and tiki posts as well as a BBQ grill and chef station, all the way to the 13 gallon pool. I can see it’s still not quite full, all the balls and blow up seahorses and whatnot bobbing at almost the halfway mark, but it will be soon enough. And at least it isn’t filled with Jell-O like Sawyer suggested.
Yes, we’d gone crazy and her backyard now looks like Funapalooza threw up in it. It’s maybe even a bit gaudy, and it’d put a huge dent in my savings, but I know it was worth it. Even now, her smile can’t be wiped off and a tear sneaks out every few seconds.
I lead her to the far corner, where the big tree stands, to my favorite part. “Sit down and I’ll push you.” I kiss her softly, holding still the swing I’d hung from the tree for her.
“Evan, I can’t believe you do all this for me.” She sits in the swing, gripping the ropes. “This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, ever. And, ohhh,” her breath catches, exaggerated—she’s spotted it. “Oh! Oh my God!” She stands, walking slowly to the tree. She traces it with one fingertip, finally looking back at me. “You carved our initials in the tree?”
“I did.” I give her a wink and flirtatious grin, making my way to her.
“You are so,” she turns in my arms, looking up at me, “kind and romantic and unbelievably sexy. Perfect.”
She’d done such a fine job summing it up I don’t think any more words are necessary. Putting my mouth to better use, I devour hers, reaching under her butt to lift her against me, then back her up against the tree.
“That too rough on your back, hummingbird?”
“No,” she moans, “but don’t you mean swan?” she pants, digging into my hair and driving me insane, “or angelfish?”
“Huh?” Actually, never mind, I can’t take it another second. I have to see her, taste test a new part of her. I brace her harder against the tree with my hips and move a hand to her top, flicking open button after button until her pale pink bra comes into view. Whitley has an ample chest, and the skin falling out of the cups is too inviting, making it impossible to stop myself as I pull the lace down, freeing her breasts to bounce out before my eyes.
Damn, definitely more than a handful, with dusky pink nipples hard and begging. “You’re gorgeous, Whit.” I dip my head to try and smother myself, thinking it’d be a helluva way to go. “Tell me this is okay,” I beg.
“It’s so okay, oh my God, yes.” Her head falls back, her chest pounding.
I know she can feel my body’s response, and, caught in the haze of lust, I grind myself between her legs, our tortured moans synchronized.
“Hey hey hey!” Sawyer’s voice reaches out through our daze and grabs my balls, twisting them mercilessly, as welcome as a prostate check from Captain Hook.
“Why does God hate me?” I whine into her soft, ivory flesh.
Her hands are working frantically to right her clothes and I painfully, begrudgingly, set her to her feet.
“Go let him in the gate; I’m gonna run in and freshen up,” she says, rising on her tiptoes to brush her lips softly against mine. “Go on, grumpy, I promise to make it up to you later.”
“Or you could wait right here and I’ll go kill him real quick.”
“Go on.” She laughs and gives me a playful shove.
“Finally,” Sawyer cocks off when I let him in, “what the fuck, you forget you invited us over?”
“Something like that,” I grumble, taking stuff out of his arms. “What’s all this?”
“Half the damn grocery store. Somehow I got nominated to go with Laney and Bennett’s lists.”
“It’s good for ya. One of these days some girl’s gonna snag ya and knock ya on your ass. This way, you’ll be ready.”
“You start drinking without me? No woman will ever tame me, or send me on fucking errands or tampon runs and bullshit. That chick doesn’t exist. It’s different doing it for Gidge, she’s my buddy.”
“Whatever, Casanova, help me get all this unpacked and put away. I don’t want Whitley doing it on her big day.”
“Doing what?” She breezes in the kitchen, stirring me up all over again, just when I finally had things under control. “Hey, Sawyer! My goodness,” she looks around, “did you buy the whole store?”
“Hmpf,” he pouts, “Laney and Bennett’s doing; slave drivers.”
“Ah…” She gives him a hug, or as close to a hug as she can, like Whitley’s little arms will circle all the way around Sawyer. “How sweet of you to help out. Thank you so much.” She pokes him in the belly. “I think you’re wonderful.”
“How wonderful?” He gives her his patented Sawyer leer and moves closer.
“Ow! What the hell?” He rubs the back of his head while Whitley bends to pick up the cantaloupe I just bounced off his noggin.
“Back away from the taken woman.”
“The hot ones are dropping like flies, I tell ya. I’m gonna have to get new friends if I wanna get laid regularly.”
“You get laid plenty, manwhore. And hello to the rest of you.” Tate walks in through the patio door, setting down…more bags?
“Actually, I got shot down just last night. I put in a good two hours of ‘conversation,’” Sawyer air quotes are quite humorous, “and kept her in drinks. When we finally got down to it, she played the ‘I have my period’ card. Can you believe that?”
“Maybe she really did, Sawyer. It does happen,” Whitley pats his shoulder, “and heaven forbid you hold a conversation just because.”
“Fuck that, I told her just because the Ferris wheel breaks they don’t shut down the whole carnival, if you know what I mean.”
Whitley looks baffled, turning to me, then Tate, meeting looks of equal confusion. “No, we don’t know what you mean.”
“Blowjob, hand job, something. Period only shuts down one ride, not the whole fair.”
“Sawyer Landon, good God! Where do you get this stuff?” Whitley blushes enough for all of us. “Anyway,” she scowls at him and turns to Tate, “where’s Bennett?”
“She rode with Dane and Laney. They wanted to show her the new pad on the way.”
“What new pad?”
“Dane bought a duplex about two miles from here. Laney’s gonna live on one side and Bennett and I are gonna live in sin on the other. Cool, huh?”
“Who’s gonna live with Laney?” Sawyer asks.
“No one, I guess,” Tate shrugs.
“Bullshit. I will. If you’re moving out and Evan’s with Zach now, I can’t be by myself.”
“I live by myself,” Whitley chimes in.
“That’s right,” Sawyer drawls, sidling up to her. “Want me to move in with you?”
Watermelon’s probably too big, it might actually hurt him. Pineapple? Perfect. Wham!
“Mother of—” he yells. “Will you stop throwing shit at me?!”
“Stop hitting on my woman and I will!” I yell back, laughing.
Whitley crooks that finger at me, giving me a come hither look that pulses through me. I do her bidding in two steps, wrapping my arms around her waist, my nose headed straight to its home in her hair. “Yes?”
“Nothing,” she coos, “you were just too far way.”
I forgot how damn good it felt to have someone to give your lovin’ to. And to have it given back, freely…even fucking better.
“Roomie!” Sawyer yells, making all of us turn to see the three stragglers walk in.
“Why is he calling you roomie?” Dane follows Sawyer’s eyes to Laney and growls.
“Like I have a clue.” She laughs. “Who knows why he does half the things he does? Sawyer,” she says patronizingly, “can you please explain to my caveman here what you’re talking about before you get me in trouble for something I, too, am clueless about?”
“Sure,” he grins, “Dane, I’m moving in the duplex with Laney on her side.”
“Wait,” Laney holds up a hand, “before everyone goes crazy, where’s Zach?”
Subtle subject change there, Walker.
I snort, unable to hold it in, because Zach’s been standing behind them, outside the glass door, for a good five minutes. Smart man. I wouldn’t walk in to that conversation either.
“What?” Laney looks at Whitley and me suspiciously, and Whit caves first, pointing. Laney turns and pops her hands on her hips. “What are you doing? Get in here.”
“Do I have to?” he calls through the glass.
“No, we’ll go out to him,” Bennett says, “Tate can start the grill. I’m starving.”
“Oh, okay,” Whitley leaves my arms, “let me get stuff ready. Evan, can you get drinks on ice and maybe start some music, babe? I’ll make burger patties and prep sides. Sawyer, if you’d cut up the big fruit, it won’t fly at your head anymore.”
“Stop right where you are, woman. You are not working. Go change into your backyard water and mud party apparel,” I command, to which she quirks her brows and gives me a shocked but teasing smirk. “I mean it, Whit. We all got it, this is your day to have some fun.”
She looks around the room, everyone taking the turn to nod or smile in affirmation.
“Really, Whit,” Laney speaks up, “go get changed. We can handle it.”
“All right then,” she backs her way to the hall, “if you’re sure.”
***
“Whitley, Tiny’s hogging the mud hole again!” Zach’s whiny yell comes from across the yard. “I’m just gonna slide into him if he doesn’t move.”
Slide away, man, ‘cause that pig’s not moving from the mud hole. That’s Old McDonald 101.
“He’ll move when he sees you coming!” Whitley hollers back from where she sits in my lap, slumped back and tuckered out from her day of water gun fights, mud sliding, jumping on the trampoline and playing half-full pool volleyball. ”So Laney, tell me about your new place.”
“Our new place,” Sawyer corrects.
“Like hell.” Dane glares at him.
I have to admit, today has been great. And The Crew? The Crew is one big family—functional, funny endearing, and truly accepting of one another. Everyone cares about the others and has each other’s backs, and I’m really glad to be a part of it. I get to see Laney and spend time with my friends while holding the girl I’m so enamored with I can see nothing else. I can’t believe it happened; it’s so unbelievable. But it did. I’m honestly not a bit uncomfortable being around Dane and Laney now, and I’m pretty sure Laney feels the same way about Whit and I.
And Whitley is tickled pink, her words, to have Laney and Bennett as girlfriends. She’s always talking about them, and even Hayden, and it makes me happy for her. Whitley’s an incredible person and it’s about time everyone else saw it too.
“Seriously?” Sawyer flips a beer tab at Dane. “You really don’t trust me with her?”
“Don’t answer that,” Tate mumbles.
“No, fuck that. Answer me, Dane, do you not trust me with Laney?” Sawyer asks again, pointedly.
Wasn’t I just reflecting on how amicable our group was? Musta jinxed it, ‘cause this is hella awkward.
“Of course he does, Saw,” Laney placates, “he’s just kidding around.”
“I want to hear him say that.” Sawyer’s teeth are clenched and a huge veins throbs in his neck.
“Yes, Sawyer, I trust you. And I definitely trust Laney,” he ducks his head and kisses the side of her neck, “but it might be a little strange, having a man live with my girlfriend, that’s all. Why don’t I just buy the unit across the street for you?”
“Oh, Sawyer! You, Evan and Zach could share it!” Laney claps.
Claps. Laney Jo Walker does not clap unless she’s celebrating athletic achievement.
Yep, she definitely feels as uncomfortable as I do.
“What am I doing?” Zach joins the group, wiping off the muddy hoof prints covering him.
“Dane doesn’t trust me to share the duplex with Laney, so he’s offered to buy another one for me, you and Evan to share.” Sawyer is speaking to Zach, but never looks away from Dane.
“I just said I trust you, Sawyer. Why are you so hell bent on this?” Dane wipes a hand over his face in exasperation.
“Um, thanks,” Zach rubs the back of his neck, “but I don’t need Dane to buy me a place to live. I’m fine where I am.”
“Same here,” I cut in.
I’m come a long way with things, but I’m not living off Dane.
“Everybody shut the hell up!” Tate sets Bennett off his lap and stands. “Enough. My brother goes out of his way to buy us a place, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable for him to not want a guy to live with his girlfriend.” He narrows his eyes at Sawyer. “And he’s not trying to show off and buy Evan and Zach anything; that was Laney’s idea. So everyone chill the fuck out.”
I’ve never heard Tate say that much all at once and definitely not in that tone. Good for him.
“I’m out,” Sawyer says abruptly and stands to go. “Thanks, Whit.” He hugs her and slaps my shoulder, then walks to the gate.
“Sawyer, wait!” Laney yells and runs after him, and seconds later, Dane sighs loudly and follows her.
“What the hell is all that about?” Zach asks the remaining group, all dumbfounded.
Sawyer is never the one in a bad mood, as far from the source of drama as possible
“I’m thinking Sawyer’s having some issues with change,” Tate puts in. “Everyone’s coupling off and moving out. Sawyer doesn’t deal well with being left.”
“How about if Evan moves in with me and Sawyer moves in with Zach?” Whitley says.
Zach’s smirking, Bennett’s grinning ear to ear and I’m, oh shit, I’m choking.
Tate starts beating me on the back, laughing. “I know, right? Kinda the same reaction I had about moving in with Ben.”
“Oh, you did not!” She slaps at him. “You started packing that night, you liar.”
I can’t move in with Whitley. We’ve been dating what, a minute? I don’t know anything about her— okay, so that’s not exactly true, I know a ton about her, but I’ve never met her parents or shook her father’s hand and promised to take care of his little girl. Which probabl
y doesn’t matter since her parents, by all lack of appearances or phone calls or acknowledgement in general, suck. But we might not be compatible around each other 24/7. Just because I miss her the millisecond we part doesn’t mean moving in together is a smart move. What happens if things don’t work out between us—then what? Oh yeah, I’ll be in jail for murdering the other guy, so I’ll be all set with a place to stay.
“Are you serious?” I ask her.
“Oh, hey, you’re back. Get it all worked out in that head of yours?” she teases.
Busted.
“Yeah, I think so. We don’t have to do anything ‘til we get back after the summer, though. Only makes sense.”
“Care to share with the class where we’re going this summer?” she bats her eyelashes.
“You’re coming home with me. I’m gonna work for Parker this summer, and you,” I grip her hips tighter and pull her back against me, “are gonna keep me company, country girl.”
“Yes, I am,” she says proudly.
Huh, she must have heard a question in there somewhere.
“Hey, Sawyer!” I turn my head and yell, interrupting the ongoing debate the three of them are having. “Come ‘ere!”
“What?” he grumbles when he gets to me.
“Why don’t you come home with me and Whit for the summer? Parker’s house is huge and he can use all the hired help on the farm he can get. You’ll love it there, you’ll make some money, and Parker’s great.”
“Um, hello?” Zach points to his chest. “Recently cheated on, nothing to do with himself guy standing right here.”
“More the merrier, man,” I chuckle. “And when summer’s over, we’ll regroup on where everybody’s gonna live. Sound good?”
“Dane!” Sawyer busts out.
Lots of yelling going on today, and this backyard isn’t that big. I think maybe everyone’s a little on edge with the end of the school year and lots of big changes.
“I quit! Be back at the start of school!”
“Sounds good,” Dane answers in a normal voice since he’s now standing right beside us. “You go do your thing; duplex is waiting for ya when you get back. It’ll be nice to know Laney’s got you there when I can’t be.” He gives him a slap on the back. “And I’m sorry. I’d trust you with my life, which coincidentally, she is.”