by K. F. Breene
“Or badminton.” Rachel shrugged, unconcerned.
“You guys don’t play?” Cassie tried.
Rachel shook her head adamantly. “I’ve never been good at that sort of thing. No way. It’s better for everyone if I sit out.”
“I play badminton, generally, but don’t much care for whiffle ball or volleyball.” Jenn studied Cassie for a moment. “Jace said you might want to play.”
Cassie nodded. “I really like all those sports. Besides, I need a break from drinking.”
“Not in this house.” Nick smiled down at Emma as he tried to get her to eat some carrot puree. “My parents maintain that this is vacation, and drinking is a hobby.”
“We’re not forcing it on anyone.” Roger gave Cassie a small smile.
Cassie couldn’t help the answering smile. Lies. She refilled her coffee and started toward the side of the house. “I’m going to try and walk off the haze.”
“Good luck!” Rachel shouted. “We’ll join you out back in a little bit.”
Cassie couldn’t help the continuing smile. Everyone was exactly as nice as Jace had said, open and eager to share space and chatter. So accommodating. It seemed like Peter’s fears were mostly unfounded. Even Roger, as controlling and used to getting his way as he was, was totally cool and down to earth most of the time. He held and played with the kids, he laughed and joked, and he wanted everyone to have a good time. She couldn’t believe he would cast his son out for being different.
Cassie found the side door and pushed through, the crisp morning air greeting her, awakening her senses. She heard playful arguing off to the right, which must’ve been the back of the house, so she kept walking straight, following a small path through a pretty, natural garden. Wildflowers bloomed, their last hurrah before the chill would overcome them for the winter. Large oaks shadowed the path, leaves and acorns adorning the dirt and carelessly placed garden stones. At the other end she found herself at a downward slope, a bench positioned to look out over the valley below. She sipped her coffee as she sat, closing her eyes and bending her head back so the sun could warm her face.
“Enjoying yourself?”
Cassie flinched, startled, and quickly held her coffee away from her body. Thankfully she’d already drunk half of it—no spills. She squinted up at Jace, who stood to the side facing her and staring, as usual.
“Why the staring, Jace? Seriously, it’s getting old.”
His gaze swiveled out over the valley.
“Sorry.” Cassie hung her head with a steadying breath. “Sorry to be such an ass. And sorry about last night. I wasn’t really thinking clearly. Want to sit?”
Jace glanced at the proffered seat. “Is it safe?”
She huffed a smile. “Probably not, but you’re a big guy-- you can probably handle it.”
Jace stood for a moment, his eyes squinting into the morning sun. The light illuminated his face and lightened his eyes, displaying that perfection just right. “I love sitting here. It’s peaceful,” he said in a tranquil voice.
Still looking at him, half wanting to get up and touch him to make sure he was real, Cassie said, “Then sit, by all means. You’re too heavy for me to throw you down the hill.”
His eyes sparkled as he looked down at her, his lips tweaked into a half-smile. “For just a minute. I have to help the guys set up.”
He took three graceful steps to the open seat and settled in. The two-seater chair groaned under the weight.
“Ooooh, fatty, maybe that was a bad idea.” Cassie got ready to hop up if the seat broke.
“Such sweet words.” Jace’s hand flicked up, holding a bar of chocolate! “Figured you needed it. Now it looks like I was right.”
“Oh my god, you just made yourself my favorite person!” She snatched at the chocolate in glee. “Thank you! This’ll make the ogre into a normal person. Almost.”
“Strange thing for the morning.” He crossed an ankle over his knee and clasped his hands behind his head. A large bicep loomed just behind her head as his elbows went out like wings. A muscly torso, displayed in a white cotton shirt, became easy access. All she had to do was reach over and run her hand down his fabulous chest.
Her groin tightened, wanting to touch it—wanting to feel if it was as hard as it looked. She bit into the chocolate, trying to ignore the gorgeous man beside her. “Some people need coffee, I need chocolate. Well, I don’t need it, but it sure helps my mood.”
“You need it.”
She laughed. “Maybe. Want some?”
He glanced at the package, then shook his head.
“Have some.” She couldn’t help herself—she nudged his side with her elbow.
As if he’d been shot, he jerked, ripping his arms down to his sides. The bench groaned miserably with the movement.
“No, I’m okay, thanks,” he said with a slight wheeze, covering his sides.
A chuckle bubbled up as Cassie sat forward slowly and turned her body to face him.
His eyebrows furrowed as he noticed her scrutiny. He dropped his hands into his lap, trying to cover the moment before. “What?”
She wasn’t buying it.
With an evil grin, she jabbed his side with two fingers. As expected, he jolted, the bench whining beneath them. His lips quirked into a suppressed smile as he said, “What are you—stop!”
She jabbed him again, just to make sure.
“Stop!” he said with a laugh, coming as close to a giggle as a masculine man could. “Don’t.” He sobered. “Don’t, seriously.”
“Wow,” she said, laughing. “Never grew out of that ticklishness, huh?”
Arms firmly covering his side, he faced the valley. He couldn’t get rid of the grin. “Shut up.”
She watched him for a moment longer, wanting to jab him again. Wanting him to jerk and laugh. The man was much too serious all the time. He just didn’t have fun most of the time, it seemed like. His woman must’ve done—or was doing—a number on him. He’d probably forced down all his joy in life so she couldn’t get to it, and in the meantime, he braved his days instead of living them.
Cassie knew this because that’s what Sean had always done when their parents were picking on him. He’d bury all the things that made him happy way down deep so they couldn’t get at them, and consequently, he’d lose sight of them. He’d struggle through life with a frown and a grimace.
That was, until Cassie came along, noticed his sour face, and started pestering him. She’d act the fool until he loosened up and started laughing. With him to keep her grounded, and her to lift him up, they’d survived childhood.
And in light of that, she figured she might as well just share a little crazy with Jace. He’d thank her eventually.
She jabbed him again, and then two more times in quick succession, dodging his large arm as he tried to cover his vulnerable spot. Coffee spilled over the side of her cup, sprinkling her pants and the bench as she jabbed him one more time.
“I came for a pleasant morning!” Jace laughed as he jumped up, rubbing at his side. “Jesus, woman, you have pointy fingers!”
She laughed at him. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop.”
He leveled a sparkling glare at her, trying to suppress a smile and failing miserably. “I’m serious—stop.”
“I said I would.”
He held out a finger, his other hand still covering his vulnerable area as he settled back down. The bench groaned.
“Jesus, fatty. Want some chocolate?” She held up the package.
“What?” he huffed out, his whole body starting to shake with chuckles. “You are cracked, you know that?”
“Shut up, you like it.”
“How does Peter deal with you?”
“Ten foot pole. We have a few. Keep them around the place.”
Still laughing, he settled back down, glancing at her to make sure she wouldn’t jab him again. She almost did, just to show him who was boss, but they were skirting a line that neither wanted to cross. Tickling a kid was fun—as f
un as tickling a grown man, it turned out—but the implications were a little different.
“So, anyway,” Cassie waved the package under his nose.
“I feel like I’m fifteen.” Jace snatched the chocolate out of her hand and took a square.
“I have that effect on people. I never grew up.”
“Yes. Apparently.” He put the chocolate to his lips.
“There. See? Delicious.” She sat back and stared out at the valley. “Thanks for getting it. You didn’t have to.”
“I got more beer and some stuff for the kids. As the only really mobile person here, it’s easy enough to run to the store.”
“I’m mobile.”
“Not without chocolate.”
Cassie had to concede that point. Sad, but true.
They sat for a while, letting the soft breeze tickle their faces, the silence comfortable and easy. After she’d shared another few squares, and sighed into the morning, Jace got up slowly. Almost stiffly. “Well, I’m going to go help my brothers. We’ll probably start playing in a little while. The winner gets the ugliest trophy money can buy.”
“You get something if you win?” Cassie asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.
He honed in on her face again, his gaze touching each feature before nodding. “You’re competitive, I take it.”
“What gave it away? Was it the offer to spank you? To destroy your ego?”
His smile bubbled back up, that dimple transforming his face from pretty god damned attractive, to a handsome bastard with too much of a good thing. She might have to slap the handsome off that face just for kicks.
“We’ll have to see about who does the spanking,” he said darkly.
Before she could see his expression, he was striding away.
Oh, they’d see. She’d knock that stupid confidence down a peg—that’s what she’d do.
Unperturbed, Cassie had another bite of chocolate.
Chapter 6
Jace stalked onto the grass, seeing the whiffle ball field, which was supposed to look like a small baseball diamond, laid out to his right, as crooked as every other year. Peter and Demetri struggled with the net for badminton, not able to get it far enough in the ground to keep it erect.
“Need some help?” He took hold of the top of the pole Demetri was working on and helped push it into the grass.
“I don’t remember working so hard to get this going.” Demetri huffed, straightening up. He wiped his slick forehead.
“It’s just as hard this year as every year. Why don’t we have permanent holes?” Peter straightened up, too, wiping his face. He wore a crisp white shirt with an orange splash at the collar, and khakis perfectly contoured to his thin frame. Amazingly, and somehow, his tan shoes had a line of orange to match his collar.
“How do you find your clothes?”
Peter glanced down at his immaculate appearance. A tinge of worry came into his face as he glanced back up. He widened his stance. “I’m in the fashion industry—my job counts on looking good.”
“But now you’re in the country,” Demetri said, staring at his brother with his hands on his hips, panting tiredly. “Don’t you have jeans?”
Peter shuffled uncomfortably back to his pole, leaning heavily to the right. “Yes. I brought some, but it’s a nice day. I thought khakis might be better.”
“You’re worse than a girl, son.” Roger walked out at a leisurely pace with a Bloody Mary in hand. Nick followed shortly after. “I’m amazed that young lady puts up with it.”
“Maybe she expects it,” Peter shot back, his back bowing despite his efforts to stand tall.
“Well, I don’t know much about that. I just met her. And she does dress exceptionally, but she seems down to earth. Maybe she wouldn’t mind you manning up. L.A.’s twisted you a bit. Made you soft.”
Clenching his jaw, Jace walked over to his brother. It was always the same fight—Jace was with the wrong woman, and Peter wouldn’t get a woman at all if he didn’t “man up”. Now, even when Jace had ditched the girl, and Peter had a great woman, they still weren’t enough. It got old.
Jace said, “Happy wife is a happy life.”
“Exactly.” Peter smiled gratefully at Jace as he prepared to work on getting the pole deeper into the ground.
Roger grunted, because really, what could you say to that. He meant well, he always did, but his interpretation of what the boys needed only worked for two of the four brothers. The other two were having a harder time of it.
Jace couldn’t help thinking back to Cassie’s appearance last night. She’d worn an old tank and a pair of boxers for bed. And while it was insanely hot, and shouldn’t be allowed out of her room so he could keep his head, it didn’t match with Peter’s stylish set of pajamas. Or at the grocery store, she’d seemed so comfortable and dressed down. So real. Oh, he had no doubt she could dress up and dazzle a room—she wore the finery like she was born to it. But on a regular basis…Jace wasn’t so sure. It just didn’t seem to fit.
“Right, okay. The tournament begins in T minus…” Demetri checked his phone. “Thirty minutes.”
“Cassie has expressed interest in playing,” Roger said as he scanned the whiffle ball field.
“Yeah. She’s…sporty.” Peter scratched his chest.
“Are any of the other women interested?” Roger asked. “Your mom will play if she’s needed, but she’d rather not.”
“Rachel won’t be.” Demetri blocked out the sun with his hand. “She wants to sit and watch.”
“What about Jenn? She said she likes badminton.” Roger glanced at Nick.
“She’ll probably want to sit and relax if Mom takes the baby,” Nick offered without looking at Peter. “She probably would play if she had to, but she hasn’t wanted to any other year. Hanging around is kind of a vacation for her.”
“Will you be playing with her?” Roger’s gaze swung Peter’s way.
“Oh. Well, I can just sit out. I can let her take my spot.” Peter stared at the ground.
“That’s fine.” Jace agreed. Everyone knew Peter hated playing each year, and they equally knew Roger was dying to play, but since his dad had badly injured his knee skiing one year, his days of running around were long over. “Let him be the hero so she can play. It’ll keep the teams even.”
“Or you could always sit out.” Demetri flashed Jace a smile.
Jace met the smile and winked. “Can’t let you win three years in a row, now can I?”
“You’re trading Peter for a girl, bro. You have no chance.”
“Not just any girl…a city girl.” Peter smiled as he stared at the ground, trying to ignore his father’s displeasure.
Demetri laughed merrily. “Nice.”
“Go get the women. Let’s bring out the trophy.” Roger checked his watch and scanned the seats on the side.
“What am I up against?” Jace asked Peter as the others took off toward the porch. He tried to force down his excitement about seeing Cassie in action—seeing how good she really was. She certainly talked a good game.
Peter gave Jace a confused expression. “What do you mean?”
“Is she any good? Any handicaps? She talks a bunch of smack.”
Peter laughed, straightening up. He stared Jace straight in the face, more effeminate and more confident for it. His smile lit up his eyes. “She will rock their world. Just wait. She can throw a remote across a room and knock her brother in the head. I’ve seen it. Don’t piss her off when she has something handy to throw. Or kick—I hear she was an excellent soccer player. Got a scholarship for it.”
“That right?” Jace thumbed his phone in his pocket. He badly wanted to get some pictures of his brothers losing. He’d post the hell out of them. Maybe frame one. Especially if they got beat by a girl.
“You traded a lame horse for a ringer.” Peter smiled.
Jace nodded thoughtfully. “Keep that to yourself, if you would. We can get a few easy points while they play easy on her.”
; “Think they will?”
“She’s a girl. Dad and them are just humoring her because she’s new and they want her to stick around.”
Peter nodded slowly, the light dulling in his eyes. “Yeah. She’s pretty great. I hear you ended it with Marlene.”
Jace blew out his breath and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Yup. Thought she’d quit the cheating. Found her in bed with Jimmy. Our bed.”
Jimmy was Jace’s best friend—had been for years. They’d gone to school together, graduated college together—they were as close as two guys could be. That day had been truly black. The woman he had planned to marry, in bed with his best mate. He’d lost his faith in loyalty that day. Lost it in a big way.
“You sold your house, huh?” Peter asked, facing away so he could give Jace some privacy to get his emotions in check.
“Yeah. Didn’t want to live in that town anymore.”
“How long ago was this?”
Jace walked away from the house and toward the bench that overlooked the valley, until he remembered Cassie was there. Then he almost kept going, Peter on his heels. She had a way about her—she’d handled his hang-up yesterday really well. Jace stopped, though. He didn’t know how Peter would handle the news that Jace needed his woman to make this temporary lapse in strength go away.
What a mess.
“Six months ago. I didn’t tell anyone, though, until I had to explain why she didn’t come along on this trip. Didn’t much feel like talking about it.”
They walked a ways into the trees. Jace leaned against an old oak, kicking the dirt with his shoe. Peter stood in repose, his hands in his pockets. He looked like a fashion model, just then. No wonder he’d snagged Cassie.
“Does Dad know you don’t have a house anymore?” Peter asked quietly.
Jace shook his head. “Didn’t feel like hearing about that, either.”
“We never did follow the right path.”
Jace glanced at him sideways. “You are. You’re finally on track. Are you going to go all the way with her? Ask her to marry you?”