Esme rolls her eyes as her lips tug up at the corners. “I’m the cancer chick. Is that what you were going to say? The little infirm who got her wings back.”
I bite my lip. “Not in those words, but yeah.”
Esme’s smile widens, and I like her instantly. There’s more to her than black eyeliner, obviously.
“Esme,” Kit says behind me, his eyes flicking from me to his sister and back again. “What are you doing here?”
“Nice to see you too, brother,” Esme quips. “I brought you pie. Mom made it especially for you. Pumpkin. Your favorite. She thought you’d change your mind and come spend Thanksgiving with us and refused to let any of us even touch the damn thing.” She lifts the pie as her eyes flash.
“Lydia did that?” Surprise writes itself all over Kit’s face.
Esme snorts. “She does care about you, you know. Since I left home, I think she’s looking for someone to mother. You’re acting like a sulky teenager at the moment, so you’re a prime candidate.”
“Sulky teenager?” Kit snorts.
I fight back a smile as Esme thrusts the pie in Kit’s hands. Yeah, I like her.
“Damn sulky,” Esme repeats. “You’ve got your panties in a twist about me and Finn. He was pretty hurt you missed Thanksgiving.”
“I don’t care,” Kit says, leaving the pie on the dining room table. Judging by the curve of his shoulders and the gruffness of his voice, though, Kit does, in fact, care.
“Right,” Esme says. She jerks her chin in my direction. “Nice to meet you, roomie.”
“Serena,” I supply.
“Serena,” Esme repeats. She throws me a smile. “Come see me at the Woodvale Skydive Center in town. I’ll book you in for a jump. Family discount. And I promise Finn’s not as bad as Kit likes to pretend.”
“Okay,” I answer, even though I have no desire to go skydiving in November. Or any month, for that matter. But the ease with which Esme carries herself makes me pause, and I wonder if maybe in this new life of mine, I could be the type of person who does an impulsive skydive.
Esme throws us both a wave and walks back out the door, her black combat boots smacking on the hardwood floors. I glance over my shoulder to see Kit slicing the pie. There are two plates waiting beside the pie dish.
“How do you feel about pie for breakfast?” He grins. “It’s pumpkin, which is a vegetable, so it’s basically like eating a salad.”
I laugh and accept the outstretched plate. Digging a fork into the pie, I glance at Kit.
“So what happened between you and Finn?”
“Uh, Esme happened,” he explains, as if that answers anything at all. I stare at him until he lets out a sigh, finally dragging his eyes up to meet mine. “I went down to California to see my mother and while I was gone, they started hooking up behind my back. Then, Esme got hurt, and I quit the business and cut Finn out of my life.”
“Harsh,” I answer.
“Fair,” he corrects. “Finn was supposed to be my best friend. How am I supposed to trust him when he does something like that?”
“So you’d never hook up with your friend’s sister?” I ask, arching an eyebrow.
I didn’t mean to ask that question out loud. Blame the lizard brain.
Kit’s eyes darken. He stares at me, a forkful of pie hanging halfway to his mouth. He lets out a sigh, shaking his head.
“No. I wouldn’t.”
Those three words actually physically hurt me. They make my chest squeeze so hard it feels like my heart can no longer beat properly. My throat closes up, and the pumpkin pie turns to glue in my mouth.
I nod, managing to swallow the bite. “Noted.”
Kit puts his plate down on the table, combing his fingers through his hair. He lifts his eyes up to mine, and I see layers of pain I didn’t know existed. He takes a deep breath.
“Look, Serena, I’m attracted to you. You can probably tell. It’s impossible not to be. I mean…” He gestures at my body.
My cheeks flush. I definitely felt his erection pressing up against my stomach last night. It may or may not have resulted in my sneaking back into my room and using my vibrator while he was in the shower.
I shake my head and put up a hand to stop him. I don’t want to hear whatever he’s about to say.
“You’re right, Kit,” I say. “I know you are. I’m fucked in the head, anyway. I’m just trying to recover from Angelo, and the last thing I need to do is mess this up, too. I want us to be able to live comfortably, and I haven’t forgotten that you’re doing me a monumental favor by letting me stay here.”
But you’re hot as fuck, and I’d love to have your hands on me. Among other things.
I swallow back the words, staring at Kit. His lips pinch, and a deep breath shudders through his body. He nods. “Yeah.”
I leave my pie on the table next to his and extend a hand. “Friends?”
“Friends,” he replies and slides his palm against mine.
My heart does a funny kind of flip as soon as our hands touch. Electricity jumps down my spine, doing a swan dive straight between my legs. I squeeze my thighs together, shaking his hand and doing my best to hold his gaze.
My voice is saying friends, but my mind is saying, are you fucking insane? Drag this man to your lair and screw him senseless! When will you ever meet a guy who will protect you and take care of you while simultaneously making your body feel like you’re plugged into a high-voltage power line?
Swallowing my thoughts back, I pull my hand away. Kit’s eyes drop to my lips, then move down to my chest, my hips, and back up again.
Do friends look at each other like that?
He lets out a long sigh, shaking his head. “You want me to show you around town today?”
I force a smile and nod. “Sure.”
11
Kit
As Serena and I walk toward Main Street, I resist the urge to catch her hand and hold it.
Weren’t we just talking about keeping our distance? If I’m mad at Finn for dating my sister, I can’t turn around and pursue Serena. That would make me a hypocrite of the worst kind. Scum.
I can see the Woodvale Skydive Center at the end of the road and purposefully ignore it. My heart tugs, though.
I miss working there. Finn and I started that business with nothing but ambition and a crazy idea. Now, it’s the premier place to skydive in all the Pacific Northwest. Last summer, when Esme first came to town, we were able to expand the business and truly become a stable cornerstone of the Woodvale business landscape. Judging by the fact that Esme invited Serena to jump, I’m guessing Finn has even started doing autumn and winter jumps, too.
That would be a lot more fun than shuttling a big flying bus over and back across the country.
I clear my throat, pointing to a little art supply store. “They sell beads,” I say.
“Okay.” Serena frowns at me.
“I thought you liked beads?”
Serena laughs, shrugging. “I like stones, yeah. They help me practice my meditation. I don’t know, it’s easier to get in the zone when you’re surrounded by pretty things. I’m not going to make you a friendship bracelet, though.”
I hide my grin just as someone calls my name out. Turning to see Benji jogging up toward me, my smile widens.
“Kit!” he exclaims, wrapping his arms around me. “I thought you were out of town. Happy Thanksgiving.”
“I was out of town, and same to you,” I answer. “Just got back last night. How’s business?”
“Good,” Benji answers. “Working at the garage today, but I’ll be flying tomorrow. Got a last-minute jump booked.”
My heart squeezes as I nod.
Benji grins. “You sure you don’t want to come back to the skydiving world?”
“I have a real job now.”
He snorts, then sticks his hand out toward Serena. “Benji,” he says. “This guy used to be my boss, before he ran away with his tail between his legs. Doesn’t believe in true love.”
; “I believe in friendship and trust,” I interject.
Serena quirks an eyebrow as she shakes Benji’s hand. “Serena. I just moved here. I’ll be starting work at the elementary school.”
Benji’s eyes light up. “My sister teaches there! I can introduce you.”
“Yeah?” Serena smiles at me, and my heart warms.
“I was just on my way to see her. You want to come? She’s got both her kids at home today and, judging by her texts, I think she’d like to have an adult conversation that doesn’t revolve around Thomas the Tank Engine.”
“Hey, don’t knock Thomas.” Serena grins. “It’s an institution.”
“It is at my sister’s house, anyway.” Benji laughs. He jerks his head and Serena looks at me, eyebrows arched. I nod, and we change our trajectory to follow Benji.
This is Woodvale. It’s what this town does to you. It just opens its arms up and swallows you whole, showing you what a community really feels like. Sure, right now, the trees are mostly bare and the sky is gray. The wind pierces through my jacket and it doesn’t compare to the lush, green summers. The winters are cold and rainy, but that doesn’t matter.
It’s the people.
Even Benji, a guy I associate with one of the most painful places in town, is still a good friend. As we walk, he gives me an update on everything that’s been going on at the skydiving business.
Not that I ask for it.
It’s almost like he knows how much I miss it. He’s giving me a little trail of breadcrumbs to follow, so I can go back and join the family again.
“Finn misses you, I think,” he says, glancing at me.
I grunt in response.
I’m just not ready. I can’t forgive and forget that easily. Finn betrayed me. He was supposed to be my friend. He was supposed to be in my corner, and he stabbed me in the back.
I let out a long breath as we turn down a residential street. Benji’s sister, Sarah, lives next door to an old, dilapidated house that’s been up for sale for months. There’s a clear line where her tidy, well-kept lawn comes up against the overgrown, unkempt lawn next door. We walk up to the front door and Benji enters the house without knocking.
I let out a breath, unable to feel anything but comfortable here.
Even though I know Finn is only a few blocks away. Even though my heart clenches whenever I think about him and Esme. Even though I stew in my own superiority and hate the thought of reconciling with him…
…Woodvale is still home.
Benji calls out into the house as we enter, kicking his shoes off as a small child comes barreling down the hallway toward him. He picks the little girl up, throwing her in the air as she squeals.
A woman pokes her head around the corner, letting out a sigh. “Benji,” she says. “Thank goodness you’re here.”
“This is Serena,” Benji says, throwing the little girl over his shoulder. “She’s teaching at Woodvale Elementary in the new year.”
“Fantastic!” Sarah answers, her smile splitting her face open. “You’re taking over from Heather when she goes on maternity leave?”
“Word gets around.” Serena grins, throwing me a quick glance.
“This is Woodvale, hon,” Sarah says, laughing. “They changed the school district boundaries last year, and we’ve had so many more kids coming to our school we can barely keep up. They’ve been hiring like crazy, and I’m sure they’ll be glad to have you on board.” She invites us inside as Benji scoops up another small child and carries them both outside. Sarah lets out a long sigh, slumping down on a stool. “Those kids are little tornadoes.”
Serena’s face splits into a smile. “I have a niece and nephew that age,” she answers.
“They’re hard work.”
“I’m lucky I get to give them back to my sister.” Serena laughs, but there’s a sadness in her voice.
I glance at her, wondering how much she really wanted to leave Connecticut. I know Angelo was bothering her, but I never thought about her leaving her family behind. Judging by Thanksgiving at her mom’s place, they’re a tight-knit group.
Her ex-boyfriend must have been a real monster to push her to leave all that. And based on the wistful look on her face as she watches Benji play with the kids, it was a hard decision.
There’s a strange tightness in my chest. As I watch Serena, I realize just how much she’s given up to be here. I want to stay true to my word and not cross any boundaries with her, but at the same time, I want to wrap my arms around her and tell her how brave she is.
Not only that, but it almost looks like she wants what I want. A family. A future.
She makes my heart stir in a way I’ve never experienced before. It’s like a primal reaction to her presence. A need to be her protector. Her defender. The person who will help her rise up and reach her full potential.
When we leave Sarah’s house, after an hour of gossip and laughter, Serena lets out a long breath.
“I’m glad I’m here,” she says, staring straight ahead. “Thank you for introducing me to your friends and for letting me crash at your place.”
A boulder lodges itself in my throat. This time, I don’t resist the urge to catch her hand in mine. Her fingers intertwine naturally in mine and we walk without another word.
As a cold November wind whips around the two of us, I feel warm. Heat buzzes through my veins, sending embers pumping to every corner of my body.
It’s not just desire, though. It’s something more. Serena is strong. I admire everything about her, from the sacrifices she’s made to the hardships she’s been through.
But as we make it back to my house, I drop her hand and clear my throat.
The fact that she’s given up so much to be here only tells me that I need to keep a respectful distance. As much as my feelings for her are growing, I need to stay true to my word. I need to resist the urges that grip my spirit and remember that Serena is Robbie’s twin sister.
She’s not mine to take, or have, or want. Not now, not ever.
12
Serena
When Kit asks me if I want to go grab a drink with a few of his friends, my eyes bulge. Angelo never asked me to join him when he went out.
I don’t mean to compare them all the time. It just pops into my head every time Kit does something that surprises me. Every time he treats me like a real person, asks me what I think, or does anything remotely thoughtful, I can’t help but compare him to Angelo.
A small part of my brain thinks it’s pathetic and I should get a grip, but a bigger part of me feels like I’m discovering what life could be if I were with a guy who truly respected me. I’m seeing everything I missed.
It also reminds me how much of a hold Angelo still has on me. His venom still curls within me, breaking me down as I try to build myself back up. It’s just another sign that not only do I need to stay away from Kit for the obvious logical reasons, but I need to stay away from him for my own sanity, too. There are too many dark parts in my psyche that need to be healed before I can even consider being with a man. Any man. Kit included.
We head to a bar in town and Kit raises his arm toward a group of people in a booth. He gives me a rapid-fire introduction and slides onto a chair.
One of the girls in the booth scoots over and nods to the seat next to her. “Take a seat, Serena.” She smiles, tucking a strand of curly red hair behind her ear.
“You’re Willow, right?” I say as I sit down.
“Nadia,” she corrects with a kind smile. “That’s Willow.” The beautiful blonde girl in the corner of the booth gives me a little wave.
I nod, accepting a beer as it’s placed in front of me. Nervous butterflies flutter in my belly as I take a sip. I don’t remember the last time I was out with friends. It’s been years. How am I supposed to act, again? My heart thumps as my palms grow sweaty, worried that I’ll say the wrong thing.
Nadia pushes a basket of fries toward me and tells me to eat. “We ordered too much,” she says, smiling.
Before I can answer, a big, booming voice calls out over my shoulder. “Well, well, well. What do we have here? Fresh meat.”
A tall, broad man wearing a bright yellow hoodie and a red beanie arches an eyebrow at me, not hiding his interest. Almost-curly brown hair pokes out from beneath his hat, and days-old stubble covers the bottom half of his face. His eyes slither down my body and back up again, then he grabs a chair from the next table, flips it around, and straddles it backward, leaning his arms on its back.
“Careful, Racer,” Willow says. “Keep your hands to yourself.”
“My hands are safe and sound all the way over here.” He grins, lifting his palms. “What’s your name, baby?”
“Well, it’s not ‘baby’,” I spit before I can stop myself.
Kit snorts in his beer, laughing. His eyes flick to mine, a spark firing in their depths. My stomach clenches. I like it when he looks at me that way. Like we share a secret.
Racer grins, pushing his beanie back as he scratches his head. “Feisty. I like it.” His head turns as another girl enters the bar and he excuses himself, sauntering over toward her with a loud greeting.
“Don’t mind him,” Willow says, leaning toward me. “He’s harmless.”
“Mostly,” Nadia adds.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Kit answers, his eyes narrowing at Racer. When he looks at me again, I expect to see anger.
Instead, his lips tug, and he shakes his head as if to say, whatever. Under the table, I feel a foot nudge against mine. Kit’s eyes linger, and his knee touches mine.
My heart does a cartwheel.
I hide my emotion behind another sip of beer.
Here I go comparing Kit to Angelo again, but it just never ceases to amaze me. Angelo would have been on his feet, getting up in Racer’s face and possibly even punching the daylights out of him. He definitely would have made some snide comment about Racer’s choice of attire and probably would have started a fight.
Angelo used to wear his jealousy like a badge of honor. He’d use it to keep me in line and blame me when men would stare.
Don't Need You: A Brother's Best Friend Romance (We Shouldn't Book 3) Page 8