by Linda Kage
“Uh…” I frowned, still confused.
“Booty call,” she growled. “I was sending you a booty call, okay? Geez. Excuse me for trying to be sexy and playful with fun emojis.”
With a sudden laugh, I shook my head. “You wanted to be sexy and playful, so you sent me a shoe and a phone? Ooh, baby, that’s so hot.” I hooted even louder. “You sure know how to turn a guy on.”
“Ass,” she mumbled. “I thought it was cute.”
“A heart and a smiley face would be cute,” I countered. “Or a kiss and a thumbs-up. An eggplant and raindrops would totally get the point across. But a shoe?”
I chuckled some more.
You had to love Bella’s awful sense of seduction, though. It was just so her.
“I still don’t get the eggplant-penis comparison,” she reported without humor. “Beyond both of them being phallic-shaped, I’m just telling you right now that if your dick turns purple and starts sprouting green shit from the end, I’m never going near it again.”
Throwing back my head, I howled even harder. “Oh God, that’s hilarious,” I reported. “But good news: my dick has not sprouted any green shit today.”
“Thank goodness,” she mumbled, before demanding, “So then why isn’t it here, servicing me already?”
Damn, I loved it when she talked like that. Direct Bella was the most seductive of all. And since my cock enjoyed servicing her to no end, I let out a depressed sigh because it wasn’t going to get near her anytime soon, the poor guy.
“Sorry, baby doll,” I lamented. “I can’t come over and play tonight.”
“What?” She sounded incredulously disappointed. “But I thought—”
“I know. I was literally on my way to your house when Beau called, needing a sitter. So I’m over here, just chilling, while the kid’s sound asleep in his room.”
“A sitter?” She sounded confused when she said, “Why would they need a last-minute sitter so late on a Thursday night?”
“I, uh…” I scratched the back of my neck and winced. Beau had said not to tell anyone, but this was Bella. She would refuse me all forms of bedtime fun—and my dick probably would turn purple from neglect—if they finally told everyone what was going on and Bella realized I’d already had some inkling and hadn’t shared anything with her. So I released a groan before reluctantly admitting, “I think Bentley might be having a miscarriage.”
“She’s what?” Bella screamed.
I winced and pulled the phone a few inches from my ear before immediately including, “But you absolutely cannot tell anyone. Got it?”
“Why didn’t you lead with this?” she countered. “What’s going on? Did you even know she was pregnant? Oh my God. I’m calling her.”
“No! Bells, shit. Stop.” I clutched the bill of my hat and cringed. “I don’t even know if I’m right. This is all just speculation on my part. Beau was on the phone when I showed up, and he said the words ectopic and pregnancy, and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to hear any of that.”
Bella hissed out a pained breath. “A tubal pregnancy? Oh my God, no! Poor Bentley. I have to call her.”
“No,” I instructed sternly. “They told me not to tell anyone, and they didn’t even really tell me what was going on. Beau just said to keep this whole evening quiet, as in the fact that I watched Braiden at all while they went off somewhere to get my crying sister checked out while she was hunched over, holding her stomach.”
“She was crying?” Bella sounded devastated. “That’s it. I’m going to call. Just to fish around and see if she’ll tell me anything.”
“Bella.” I groaned impatiently. “Don’t bother her right now. Okay. Please. If something’s really wrong, she won’t be able to answer, anyway.”
“If something’s really wrong, then I should be there. Don’t ask me to do nothing. Damn you, Fox. Bentley is one of my best friends on earth. If she’s going through bad shit, I have to be with her.”
“No, you don’t. Beau’s with her.”
“Beau?” She sputtered his name as if that meant nothing. “Beau is not an ideal candidate for compassion.”
“Well, he’s her husband, and she chose him as her partner in life, so he’s who she gets. I’m serious, if you call right now, she’s going to know you know something. You suck at fishing, Bells. You’re way too direct and obvious. And she’s going to figure out you got your information from me. Then she’s going to put two and two together that you’ve been sleeping with her little brother behind her back for over half a year, which…” I added forcefully because I just knew she’d have something to say to that.
“I’m perfectly fine with you making public, if that’s your wish. But Bentley’s still going to see it as a deceit on both our parts, so maybe making the big reveal while she’s having a miscarriage probably isn’t such a good idea, if indeed a miscarriage is what she’s actually having. Because I could be totally wrong about all this.”
Bella huffed out a breath. But she didn’t say anything for a good minute, which told me I’d made an excellent point she couldn’t refute.
When she mumbled, “Fine,” I let my head fall back until I was facing the ceiling and mouthing the words thank you.
“I won’t call her tonight,” Bella added. “But mark my words, I will find out what’s going on, and I won’t be obvious about it. Call me if you learn anything new, okay?”
“Of course,” I allowed.
“Good. Take care of Braiden, too.”
“I will.”
She hung up on me, and I released a breath, already sure I’d made a mistake in telling her anything.
Damn it. I sank onto Beau and Bentley’s couch to close my eyes and bury my face in my hands. This was one reason I didn’t like keeping my affair with Bella a secret. Everyone we knew and loved most was connected to each other; they were going to think we’d been lying to them if we didn’t tell them what was up. Plus, I didn’t like hiding the fact that I was totally falling for one of my best friends on earth.
For Bella, I’d wait. But for some reason, I had a bad feeling this might not end the way I hoped it would.
Chapter Seven
Gracen
EIGHT DAYS AFTER THAT
I didn’t even call Bella and beg her to tag along this time because I knew she was having a girls’ night. I just drove to a different theater across town and got myself a ticket when a new movie came out that I wanted to see.
And, yes okay, I went to a new place specifically to avoid crossing paths with her—not Bella her, the other her. The Yellow her. Even though the chances that I’d get struck by lightning were probably greater than running into Yellow again at the old place, the odds seemed too close for my comfort.
I’d been thinking of her—again, not the Bella her—way too much lately, and that already made me feel like the worst brother ever. So when I went to go see a new movie and a small, hopeful part of me wondered, Do you think I’ll get to see her again? I squashed that stupid part of me flat by heading to a new theater altogether.
It took me about an hour longer to get there than the other place, but to remain a loyal, faithful, good twin sibling, it was worth it.
About the time I pulled into the parking lot, my cell phone rang. But seeing the word Dad flash across the screen had me grinning affectionately.
“Hey, old man,” I answered. “Figure out what to get Mom for her birthday yet?”
Dad’s familiar laugh filled my ear. I killed the engine and remained seated to talk to him just as he said, “I knew you were my favorite.”
“Whoa.” I immediately held up a hand, though those words were always nice to hear. “Whoa, whoa, whoa right there.” Realizing his ploy, I shook my head. “If you’re going to try to sucker me into telling you what to get her, that’s going to be a hard no.”
“Oh, come on, kid,” he whined. “I’ve been married to this woman for almost thirty years.”
“Then you should be able to figure this shit out for yours
elf.”
“Jesus, you sound like your sister.”
I paused, instantly suspicious. Then I gasped. “You called Bella first, didn’t you?”
When I heard him mumble damn under his breath—because he was caught—I accused, “You did!” Self-righteous indignation immediately set in. “But I’m older!”
By rights, he should always call me before Bella when he was going to cover the same topic with each of us. It was only fair. I hadn’t breathed in this world eleven minutes longer than her for nothing. I should receive some perks from it.
“Well, she’s female,” Dad started logically. “I thought she might have some insight that you—”
Not a fan of Mason Lowe’s logic, I said, “Don’t even finish that sentence. I might not share the same plumbing as Mom, but I have just as much insight into her tastes as Bella does, damn it. Some might say I have more insight because I’m a hell of a lot more like her than Bella is. I should’ve been called first.”
“Well, if you have more insight into her than your sister does, then you should be able to tell me—”
“Oh, hell no. I’m not telling you anything now. If you were so bent on calling Bella first, then you can just use what she said for gift ideas.”
I could practically hear him rolling his eyes through the receiver. “You and your sister are way too competitive about some very superficial, trivial matters, you know that?”
I blinked. “So?”
What was his point?
“So…” he growled. “Let it go already and focus on my problems here. And as I was saying—before you interrupted—that I’ve been married to Reese for almost thirty years now, and I’ve already gotten her everything she’s ever asked for. I’ve thrown parties for her, taken her on trips, built her a new house, heaped jewelry, clothes, gift cards, and everything else under the sun on her. Hell, we’re even up-to-date on all our household appliances, for God’s sake. And the woman hasn’t given me one single clue about anything she wants. What’s worse, she says no to everything I suggest. She’s good, she tells me. No, thanks. I mean, what the hell, Gray? What am I supposed to do with No, thanks, I’m good?”
Having mercy because the poor guy really did sound desperate, I said, “Have you considered the possibility that she just might not want anything new this year? Maybe she doesn’t want to do anything extravagant or go anywhere big, or even want to be reminded of how old she’s getting. She might just prefer a simple, cozy night in. Like you said, she already has it all. So you did your job; Mom is satisfied. Pat yourself on the back.”
“Bite your tongue,” Dad snarled. “I have to do something. This is an important day for me. It’s the anniversary of when my favorite person on earth entered this world. I’m not going to just blow that off like it’s nothing. Reese deserves—”
“Dad,” I said quietly. “Do you realize you just said it was an important day for you?”
“I…” He paused a moment. “I did,” he finally admitted. “Holy hell, I did, didn’t I?”
I nodded. “Yeah, you did. So maybe you should stop making it about you, and think about her for a minute.”
When he didn’t reply, I winced, beginning to worry I’d offended him. But then a deflated sigh hissed through the phone. “I thought I was thinking about her,” he murmured, “but you’re probably right.”
“You spoil her like crazy, Dad. And that’s a good thing. I think it’s just left her not needing anything else for a while. And honestly, I know nothing would make her happier than just spending a quiet evening with her favorite person on earth. And I’m talking about you—not me—if you were curious.”
“You honestly think that’s all she wants?” His voice was full of doubt but also hope that he was finally getting somewhere.
I chuckled and opened the door to my car. “I don’t know, Dad. You know her better than I do. What do you think?”
“I think I raised a pretty bright kid.”
Grinning, I answered, “Hell yes, you did.” Making my way toward the entrance of the theater, I glanced toward a group of people ahead of me, already at the doors and entering. A lone woman was approaching from the right, and at first, I thought she was with their party, just lagging behind, but when I focused on her, I could tell she was slowing her step to keep herself apart from them.
And son of a bitch!
I’d know that perky blond ponytail and familiar walk anywhere.
Stopping in my tracks, I blurted, “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me right now.”
Of course, she’d show up here. That was just my luck.
“What?” Dad asked in my ear.
I jumped because I’d forgotten I’d been talking to him.
“What?” I repeated stupidly, turning and stepping behind a huge van so Yellow wouldn’t spot me if she for some reason glanced my way.
But seriously, what the hell was she doing here? She wasn’t supposed to be here. This was my theater now.
“Gracen? You okay, bud?”
“Huh?”
Shit. Dad. Right.
I shook my head, getting back on track. “Sorry. I, uh, yeah. I’m fine. I just saw someone I wanted to avoid. No biggie.”
“Hmm,” he murmured, sounding curious but didn’t ask. “Alright then. I’ll let you get back to your evasion. Good luck, kiddo.”
“You too, Dad,” I said, totally distracted. “Love you.”
He sounded amused as if he realized my mind was already far and away from discussing Mom’s birthday. “Love you, too.”
Once he hung up, I cursed and grabbed my hair.
I’d really wanted to see this movie too.
That was the problem with being a film buff. You had to see what you were craving to watch on release night; otherwise, it was pretty much worthless. I mean, what if you spotted a spoiler somewhere by accident, and it ruined everything?
Who could risk that?
But Bella was more important than a new release. Hands down. And I’d kind of accidentally, totally-not-on-purpose enjoyed watching that movie with Yellow last time. She seemed to get my cinema craze. Which was dangerous. The lady was an absolute no-go zone. So I just needed to nip this little fascination in the bud right now and stay as far away from her as possible.
Turning around, I retreated to my car and unlocked the door. But as I opened it, I glanced over and saw the billboard at the entrance of the parking lot, featuring the motion picture I wanted to see.
Fuck.
I slammed the door shut again, without getting in the car.
I mean, what was I doing? This was stupid. Missing out on something I loved just to avoid one person that I probably wouldn’t run into inside, anyway. That was lame.
Besides, seven other movies were playing in that building tonight. What were the chances she’d be watching the same exact one as me?
And even if she was, so what? It was a public place. We could watch the same movie in the same enormous room and not even acknowledge the other person. Hell, from where she sat, way up in the front, she probably wouldn’t even know I was there.
Fine. It was settled.
I was going in. I was a big boy. I could handle this.
She totally picked the same movie as me. After the last one, I guess I should’ve known better. We had similar tastes.
Great, I thought with all the joy and sarcasm of a man getting his favorite meal before he visited the electric chair.
I was doomed.
I huffed out a disgusted breath and adjusted myself to the layout of this new place. The aisles didn’t run up the center like my theater did but had two walkways that led up and down either side, which made me not exactly sure where my favorite seat would be. Except that really didn’t matter because—great big offended gasp—a ton of people had already converged around the entire section where I would sit. They obviously didn’t know that was where I was supposed to sit, probably because this was my first trip to this theater. But still…
Everyone should kn
ow. Gracen Lowe had his favorite seat, and thou shalt never take it.
This night just kept getting better and better, I swear.
Grinding my teeth, I glanced toward where Yellow was—alone—and I watched her a moment. No one else was sitting up there because I mean, why would they, but it made me kind of start to feel bad for her. The girl needed a movie-watching companion. Just like I did.
Fuck it. There was no crime in sitting by another person in a public theater. Clutching my drink, popcorn, and other assorted snacks, I moseyed her way.
I should face my fears, anyway. Just because I’d grown a little crush didn’t mean I was going to fall in love with her after watching a single—er, a second—movie with her. It was time to prove that fact true.
“So be honest,” I said as I plopped down beside her. “Have you ever even tried a seat that’s further back than this?”
Jumping hard at the question, she whirled and watched me with wide eyes as I made a production of settling in and placing my snacks where I wanted them.
“I mean, doesn’t it hurt your neck, having to constantly crane it around so you can see one side of the screen to the other?”
When I met her gaze, she merely blinked, glanced down at my snacks, then lifted her gaze again. “Where do you usually sit?” she finally asked.
I hooked my thumb over my shoulder. “In the back. Like a normal human.”
With a wrinkle of her nose, she made a distasteful face. “Don’t you need binoculars to see from that far away?”
“Hey.” I scooped up a handful of popcorn. “Don’t knock it ’til you try it.”
“What’re you doing sitting up here, then?” she countered, arching an eyebrow in censure.
“Because all the damn normal people back there took my usual spot.” With an annoyed roll of my eyes, I turned my attention to the front, where I read the movie quiz question flashing across the screen.
Pointing, I answered it, saying, “Harrison Ford,” and returned my attention to her. “So is this a coincidence, running into you here?” I asked, motioning around us with another handful of popcorn. “Or are you stalking me, now?”