Zach and I are walking from the parking lot to the restaurant where we are meeting our parents for my dad’s birthday dinner. Today is his birthday, so Zach and I came down to Annapolis to meet them at his favorite waterfront restaurant.
Zach pauses and turns to me, his hand still linked with mine. “Why wouldn’t we want to do this now?”
I bite my lip nervously. “I don’t know. I just don’t want to upset them.”
Zach tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, and I lean into his touch. “Baby, what’s going on? You’re not making any sense.”
It’s been two weeks since Zach and I officially got together. We haven’t told our parents yet, but Zach thought this was the perfect opportunity to.
“I just don’t want to bring up any bad memories since Emmett and Dani were together and all. I know it’s stupid. I don’t want to upset my dad on his birthday. This—us—is all so new.”
He tips my chin up between his forefinger and thumb and places a sweet kiss on my lips. “This is one of the many reasons why I love you, but it’s going to be fine. I promise. We’re not them. We’re Zaylee.”
I pull back, flattening my lips and trying to hold my laughter in, but that is the funniest thing I have ever heard.
“I’m sorry—Zaylee?”
He has a massive smile on his face, and I can’t help but let the laughter escape.
“Yeah, you know, Zaylee… Zach and Haylee, me and you…” He motions his hands between us.
My boyfriend is adorable—oh my God, that is so weird. Saying “my boyfriend” in reference to Zach.
“Like Brangelina or Amandom.”
I tilt my head to the side. “Amandom?”
“Yeah, Amanda the bartender has herself a new man. He’s always sitting at the corner of the bar while she works, and I guess all the regulars gave them that nickname. You’ve never noticed him?” Zach asks, as if I see him every day. I’m not even sure I’ve met him before.
“Oh, no, I guess I’ve never really noticed him, but I think if you have, then maybe you’re spending a little too much time in the bar and not enough time—”
But he cuts me off before I can finish. “In your pussy.”
I smack his chest and throw my head back in laughter. “You are crazy; you know that, right?”
I start walking ahead. Zach reaches out for my hand and pulls me back to him with enough force that I knock into his chest. He leans in closer, our lips just a breath apart.
“I am crazy…crazy in love with you.”
His lips then meet mine, and we spend a few moments lost in each other, possibly a little too friendly for the streets of downtown Annapolis.
We are brought back to reality when people start whistling around us, and one guy yells, “Get a room.” I tuck my head into his chest in embarrassment, and he kisses the top of my head.
“Come on, let’s go get this over with and give your dad cardiac arrest for his birthday.”
I throw my hands up in the air and shake my head at him. “There’s the asshole I know and love. I knew you couldn’t always be such a sweetheart.”
“Hey, for the record, you always knew I was an asshole.” He winks, and his voice grows serious as he leans down to whisper in my ear. “And you know very well that I’m not always a sweetheart.”
The tone of his voice alone causes my heart to beat faster and my core to tighten.
He extends his arm in the direction we were walking. “Shall we?”
I nod, knowing damn well if we continue this conversation, we may end up being late to dinner.
We walk hand in hand till we reach the restaurant. Zach opens the door for me, and as I walk through the door first, he places his hand on my lower back. The hostess lets us know that the rest of the party has already arrived, and she leaves to walk us to the table.
Zach places his forehead against mine. “You’re my girl. I love you.”
I place a quick kiss to his lips. “I love you too.”
My grip on his hand tightens as we approach the table where our parents are seated. My mom is the first to notice us.
“Oh, look who’s finally…” She pauses as she sees us standing hand-in-hand. “…here.”
Oh shit, this isn’t good. All four adults make faces back and forth. I can’t tell if it’s that they’re mad or confused. Why isn’t anyone saying anything?
Zach clears his throat, and I look up at him and mirror his smile back at him.
“Well, shit,” I hear Mr. Adam say as he reaches into his pocket and retrieves his wallet.
What the hell is happening?
I watch both my mom and Ms. Kelly break out into a fit of laughter while Zach and I exchange confused looks.
We watch his dad hand over a fifty-dollar bill to my dad.
My dad kisses the money. “Happy birthday to me!”
Zach chimes in. “Umm, does someone want to fill us in with what’s going on here?”
My mom stands and walks over to us, hugging us both. “Well, you see, we had a feeling something was going on with you guys—call it parents’ intuition. And your fathers decided to bet on how long it took for you two to admit your feelings.”
“What!” Zach and I both exclaim at the same time.
My mother goes back to her seat, and Zach holds out my chair for me before he sits next to me.
“I thought it wouldn’t happen until after the school year was over, but your dad thought otherwise.”
“Maybe next time you’ll listen to me, Jacobs. Have I ever been wrong with my intuition? No, that’s right.” My dad sits back in his chair, arms crossed, looking like he is feeling pretty proud of himself.
I’m so glad our parents find this amusing and our dads bet on us. How could they see this coming before us? Was it that obvious? Well, this dinner sure is turning out to be interesting.
Kelly props her elbows on the table after the waitress came around for our drink orders. “So tell us how this all went down?”
Zach and I both share a loving look, and he continues to caress my hand under the table while we explain the details of it all, of course leaving out the sexual parts and the spanking. I squirm in the seat a few times at the mere thought of that and feel my panties dampen. This is nice, though; our smiles never leave our faces as we steal glances at each other throughout dinner, and I watch similar smiles on our families’ faces too. This is something good that both our families needed.
We say goodbye to our parents outside of the restaurant. With his arm around my shoulder and me tightly tucked into him, Zach and I head toward the parking garage where his Jeep is parked.
“See, that wasn’t so bad.” I feel the vibration of his laughter against my body.
“I can’t believe they bet on us.” I feel mortified that they did that, but knowing our dads, I shouldn’t have expected anything less.
He lets out a loud laugh. “I know. That was fucking epic.”
I punch him lightly in the gut. “It’s not funny.”
He looks down at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Okay, okay. It’s hilarious and mortifying all at the same time.”
“I told you it would all be okay, Hails. Maybe you should start listening to me from now on. Huh?”
“Yeah, okay, probably not gonna happen.” I look up at him and see his eyes darken. “But how about I suck your cock on the ride back to school instead?”
Zach takes off running toward the garage, nearly pulling my arm out in the process. I think I’ll take that as a yes.
Seven months later…
One year ago today something changed between Haylee and me, only she didn’t know it at the time. For the past eight months, we have been inseparable. If you had asked me one year ago where I pictured my life, I would never believe myself saying “standing at my best friend’s grave placing flowers with my girlfriend whom I love very much in my arms.” I’m still trying to figure out how it is that we’ve managed two years in this world without him though.
; “You doing okay, Hails?”
Her arms tighten around my waist, but she lets out a relaxing breath, letting me know she’s doing okay. I know this is hard, and at times, she puts on a brave face, but I know her well enough to know when she is just pretending to be strong.
She nuzzles her face in a little more to my chest. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Don’t bullshit me, Hanks.”
Her beautiful blue eyes meet mine. “I’m fine, seriously, Jacobs.”
It always makes me laugh a little when she tries to act like one of the guys and call me by my last name. She pushes up on her toes and presses her lips quickly against mine.
She breaks the kiss and giggles and turns so her back is to my front.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was thinking of something ridiculous my brother would probably say just then to break up our kissing. Like ‘get a room—no, wait, that’s gross, don’t do that.’ Or ‘get your filthy paws off my sister.’”
“Ha! Remember that time I caught him and Dani making out on the back deck?” I ask, resting my cheek against the top of her head.
“Which time?” Haylee breaks out into more laughter, knowing that there was more than one occasion that any of us had caught them making out on the back deck, let alone anywhere else.
Those two could never keep their hands to themselves, but for the first time in my life, I get it. Every minute I’m with Haylee, I just need to touch her to remind myself that she’s mine.
I tickle her side, which causes her to flinch. “Gross! These are our siblings we’re talking about, Hails. I meant the time where I threatened to spray them with the hose if he didn’t remove his hands from her.”
“How do I not remember this story?” She settles back against my chest.
“I grabbed the hose. I don’t think he realized I was serious, or maybe he didn’t want to take his hands off her. I don’t know. Sometimes I don’t even know what was going through his head at times. What a goof. Anyways, he picks up Dani, and she’s kicking and screaming and just runs straight for the pool, jumping in. She still had all of her clothes on and everything.”
Haylee bends over in laughter. “Oh my God, that was such an Emmett thing to do. Did he say why?”
“Oh yeah. He was so proud of himself. Dani was splashing him, asking him why he did that. He pulled her into his arms, then looked over at me and said, ‘What you gonna do now, Zach? We’re already all wet, so I guess I get to keep my hands on her now.’”
Haylee’s laughter stops abruptly, and I wrap my arms tighter around her and kiss the top of her hair before leaning my cheek against her head.
“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“No, you didn’t. I love hearing stories like that, especially ones that I hadn’t heard of before. It’s just…I can’t believe it’s been two whole years. I wish Dani were here. I miss her so much too.”
I know exactly what she means. I can’t believe this is another anniversary that my sister has been gone. No one has heard from her. I’m really worried about her, but there is only so much I can do if she refuses to answer my calls or texts. She clearly needs time. I miss her so much. I hate that Haylee can never see her brother because he died, but I can’t see my sister because she chooses to stay away. It just makes no sense. I wish she were here so that she could see how happy I…we are. I know it hurts Haylee for that too.
I’m not sure how long we stay there for. I always lose track of time when we visit; time stops here. It’s as close to Em that we can actually get. Haylee’s breathing evens out against my chest, and she steps forward toward the grave. She bends down and presses her hand over Emmett Adam Hanks.
“Fuck! I miss you so much. I’m sorry she’s not here. I’ll see you later, big bro. I love you.”
Haylee presses her hand to her lips before placing it back on the stone. She pauses for a moment and then rises to her feet. Her hand finds mine and laces our fingers. I brush my thumb over her knuckles as I always do.
“You were right, man. She knocked me on my ass, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I just wish you were here to see it. Love you, man.” I place my hand to the corner of the stone, wishing it were Em’s shoulder I was squeezing.
Haylee turns to me. “What was that about? Who knocked you on your ass?”
A smile tugs at the corner of my lips. I brush a stray hair out of her face, cup her cheek, and claim her lips in a less-than-appropriate kiss in a cemetery.
“That, Hails, is a story for another time.”
Still in a daze from that kiss, all she can do is nod.
I nod toward her car. “Come on. I told my mom we would meet them at your parents’ house to help them decorate their tree.”
We walk back to the car. “I can’t believe they got a real Christmas tree this year. We always had a fake one.”
I open the passenger door for her. “Things change. I love it.”
“You know what I love?” She has a twinkle in her eye that I know what she is thinking.
“Me naked?”
A blush creeps up her cheeks, and she bites her lip. Emmett is for sure rolling over in his grave at the moment. Sorry, buddy.
“Well, yes—which will be happening later. But I was going to say, I love you.”
“You better.” I close the door once she is seated and walk around to the driver’s side.
I lean over before putting my seat belt on and pinch her chin with my thumb and forefinger. “I love you, Haylee Hanks. More than you know.”
And I truly mean that with all my heart. I release her chin and wink. My girl knows what that means. I start the car and head to her parents’ house so we can get the family shenanigans over with before I can get my girl in bed and show her just how much I love her over and over again.
I meant what I said: this girl seriously has knocked me on my ass. I figured I would fall in love one day, but I never expected it to be with my best friend’s sister. Haylee makes me want to be a better man. She believes in me, and I want to give her the world.
Me: Remember to NOT come home tonight.
Kyler: What? I’m just outside the front door. You’re kicking me out of my own place?
Me: Damn it, Ky! We talked about this! You said you wouldn’t be home tonight.
Kyler: LMFAO. I wish I could’ve seen your face just then.
Kyler: I’m just kidding Hails. I just pulled up at my sister’s house. Plan on sleeping on the luxurious sleeper couch, so you owe me one. The whole place is yours.
Me: Not cool. That was a major dick move, but you’re the best.
Kyler: You two kids have fun.
Kyler out of the apartment for the evening. Check.
Romantic mood set with candles, music, and sexy lingerie. Check.
A home-cooked meal. Ch—wait, what’s that smell?
“Oh no, dinner!” I race over to the oven and pull the door open, revealing a cloud of smoke.
Well, so much for a home-cooked meal. The kitchen is now filled with smoke. Reaching for the oven mitts, I take the pan of charred pot roast and place it on the stovetop. Now, when I say charred, I mean it went through hell and back. It was definitely dead.
“Well, it can’t get any worse.” As soon as I exhale, the smoke detector begins to beep.
Fuck! I throw my head back in frustration.
I look around and find the detector, but I can’t reach it. Tonight is turning out to be awful. I just wanted to do something special for Zach. I sit on the floor against the island with my knees to my chest and listen to the chirping of the smoke detector.
“Haylee! Babe? Where are you?” I hear the front door slam shut and Zach’s voice fill the apartment.
Zach crouches in front of me, cupping my face so that I look at him. My eyes fill with tears. “Baby, are you okay?”
I nod. Physically I am; mentally, I’m not so sure. I just wanted it to be perfect.
“First things first, let me turn the beeping off and
open a window to air out the smoke. I’ll be right back.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I exhale and rest my head back on my knees and hug them tighter.
“What happened?” Zach sits down next to me, pulling me into his lap.
“I wanted to make tonight special. I worked it out with Ky so that we had the whole place to ourselves and had dinner all planned out, and it’s all ruined.”
He brushes a stray hair out of my face. “You tried to cook for me?”
I wipe the tears away and nod. His palm caresses the back of my head, bringing me closer to his chest. “I called your mom and she gave me her pot roast recipe that I know you love. I figured it would be easy since it all goes in one pan. Nope—I figured out how to fuck it up, and well, I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised.”
“It’s the thought that counts?” he more so asks than says.
That forces me to laugh. He rises to his feet and helps me up.
He claps his hands together. “Now let’s see if we can salvage any of your… Woah!”
Zach spots the burnt-to-a-crisp pan. If his eyes were any wider, they would be in the apartment above us. It would probably be better to just replace the pan instead of trying to clean it.
He bends over in laughter.
“Why are you laughing?” I shove his arm, but he continues to laugh.
He wipes the tears from his eyes. “I’m sorry, baby, but you’re a terrible cook. I was also remembering when you tried to bake my sister’s cupcake recipe for your mom’s birthday, and you used salt instead of sugar in both the batter and frosting.”
I cover my face with my hands in embarrassment. Again, I had just wanted to do something nice, that time for my mom. Dani had always made her birthday cake, and with Dani still missing, I wanted to try to give my mom something special.
“Aww, babe, come on, it’s not that bad.” Zach yanks my hands down and backs me up against the island before wrapping my arms around the back of his neck. His hands settle on my hips.
He closes the distance between us, and I allow myself to forget about the disaster that is this evening as his lips crash onto mine. When he sucks my lower lip into his mouth, I let out a soft whimper.
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