CW Boys- The Complete Series Box Set

by C. Shell

  I start for the stairs, stopping once to give Dex a kiss on the cheek. I try to edge past him, but he isn’t budging. Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I give him a quizzical look. “I’ve got to go start getting ready.”

  “I get that,” he answers with a rough voice. “I know you missed out on most of my talk last night, but do us all a favor and keep your phone on today.”

  “Are you still mad at me?” The edge of irritation I’m feeling floods my voice making it sound harsher than I intend.

  His lips twitch. “No, but I can’t help but worry about you and when you do stupid things, like turning your phone off, it makes it all that much worse.”

  I nod to say that I understand…not that I really do. I want to, I really do, but their level of worry only makes me feel guilty, and that is something I’m tired of living with. Nicholas was the one who hurt me, not the other way around. If anyone should be feeling guilty, it should be him, not me.

  “I’ll be at the rink most of the day.” I nod to Jimmie, who has noticeably distanced himself from us since Dex and I began talking. “Don’t forget to bring some band-aids to the court with you. Jimmie never leaves a game without a few bumps and scrapes. He’ll need them.”

  Dex’s hand settles against my neck and with a tug he pulls me into a rough kiss. My body presses into his, and before I can get a grip on the heat building low in my stomach, he’s already pulling away from me.

  His eyes are stormy as they sweep over my face. “Call me when you get off.”

  I want to scream and tell him to back the hell off, but I don’t. My friends can’t handle the truth. They can’t stomach my nightmares or growing worry that Nicholas or Lacey will try and hurt me again. It’s a nagging feeling that won’t go away. I’ve tried talking about it with Dex before, but my insecurities only add to his internal guilt for not protecting me that night.

  There is that ugly word again…guilt. It’s a feeling that seems to be festering within us all.

  I never voice my true feelings anymore because they aren’t what people want to hear. They want to hear that I’m fine and happy. They want me to be okay with everyone’s constant hovering and concern. So, that’s what I give them.

  Plastering on a smile I don’t really feel, I skirt past Dex and hightail it up the stairs. When I reach the top, I call out my go-to comment these days, something that’s become a habit and somewhat of a necessity. An answer that always makes Dex smile and gets him through the rest of his day.

  “Of course, baby. I love you.”

  Chapter Four

  “You’re a crappy friend.”

  Cammy ignores my complaint as if it never left my lips and continues to laugh at my discomfort. I wish I could hate her for it, but if the shoe were on the other foot, I would be laughing too. I have a goose-sized bump on my noggin from landing face first on the ice after trying to stop two kids who thought it was funny to pour their soda all over the rink and watch it magically turn into a soda slushy. Then to make it worse, I still had to clean up the mess and deal with their parents who took no blame in raising little hellions and, instead, chose to blame me for not keeping a better eye on the partygoers. It’s days like this that make me never want to have kids!

  “I’m hurt, and instead of caring about my well-being, you choose to enjoy my pain.” I knock Cammy’s arm with my partially melted ice pack to drive-in my point. “You have no idea how hard it is to control a group of five and six-year old’s who have manners that rival a pack of hyenas. Not to mention, they are fast little buggers and four out of five of them have parents that don’t pay one bit of attention to the destruction and mayhem their little spawn is causing. It’s horrible.”

  With my rant now finished, I lean back into the seat of her car, close my eyes, and continue to ice my throbbing head. “Oh Princess, you'll be fine. You’ve handled the CW Boy’s and their pranks for most of your life. Even at a young age, they were more creative than grown men three times their age. I have full confidence in your ability to hold your own against a group of unimaginative kindergarteners.”

  I burst out laughing. “I’ll let you help me the next time I host a child’s party and see if you’re still singing that same tune once it’s over. I swear kids can be downright evil. Last week a boy no more than seven flooded the men’s restroom by stopping up all the toilets with paper towels after he was denied a free extra scoop of ice cream.”

  She drums her fingers over the steering wheel to the beat of the music and flashes a mischievous grin. “Sounds like my kind of trouble.”

  I shake my head in disbelief. “Only you would find mopping up gallons of toilet water over a scoop of ice cream a fair exchange.” Rolling down the window I enjoy the salty sea air while it’s still semi-warm. Florida doesn’t get extremely cold winters like other states up North do, but when the wind blows in off the Gulf, it makes the air feel cooler and wet all at the same time. It’s not exactly unpleasant, but it can get uncomfortable if you’re out in the elements for too long.

  Cam takes the next exit off the highway and heads to my house. When we pull into the driveway, I’m surprised to see my mom’s car there along with Dex’s and Nate’s. “Didn’t you say your mom was working a double shift today?”

  I nod as I climb out of her car. “That’s what was written on the calendar in the kitchen. I wasn’t expecting her home until early tomorrow morning.” I nibble my bottom lip with worry. “I hope everything’s okay.”

  We’re halfway across the lawn when the front door swings open. Nate strides out wearing a pair of black basketball shorts and a tight, fitted, dark gray training top that accentuates his toned, muscular physique. His dark eyes light up as he puts an arm around my waist and pulls me into a hug.

  “Looks like we have a full house today.” I step back and nod toward the house. “Everything okay in there?”

  Nate smiles and then reaches to my cheek, wiping away a strand of hair that is blowing in my face. “Yeah. Your mom got off early due to someone double scheduling her wing. The guys and I came home after Jimmie pulled a hamstring trying to act like Jordan and dunk a basket well out of his reach.”

  My eyes widen, but I’m not shocked by Jimmie getting hurt. It’s what I was warning him and Dex about over breakfast. As always, my wisdom falls on deaf ears, and the result is exactly as I predicted it to be.

  Addison: one, CW Boys: zero.

  Cammy edges around me and heads inside, no doubt on a mission to check on my brother. I bite back a grumble and move to follow her, but only make it a few steps before Nate has a hand around my waist and is pulling me back. I lean against his broad chest and glance at him over my shoulder. Our gazes lock and I’m perplexed by the swirl of emotions staring back at me.

  I breathe in slowly. “What’s wrong?”

  His lip tips up in the faintest of grins, and then he twists me around so that we're facing one another again. “Nothing really. It’s a madhouse in there and I just wanted a few minutes alone with you before joining the others.”

  I nod as if I understand what he’s saying, when in reality, I’m baffled. It’s true, I haven’t seen Nate as often as I have Dex, but I’ve made an effort to talk to him on a regular basis. I live with Jimmie, so my interaction with him doesn’t count. Sometimes, I’m busy and texting is all we can manage. I thought it was enough. Judging by the intense way he’s staring at me, I’ve misjudged the situation.

  I smother a shiver and tuck my hands into my pockets. “Guess it has been a while since we’ve gotten to hang out.” I nudge his arm with my shoulder. “Forgive me?”

  He shrugs, but the sadness in his gaze lessens dramatically. “Yes, but it will cost you.”

  I’m intrigued. “Name your price.”

  He tilts his head to the side, his eyebrows drawn in thought. His thick lips purse, then lift to a wicked grin. “You’re going to wash my laundry.” When I open my mouth to protest, he silences me with a finger to the lips. “And you’ll do them at my house so that I ge
t to spend that time with you.”

  “Your laundry?” I question. I shake my head in amusement and a little in disgust. I’ve done Jimmie’s laundry before, so I know first-hand how nasty boys can be. “As in your dirty boxers and stinky socks?”

  Laughing, he pulls my hand from my jacket and entwines it with his. With a tug, we start for the house. “Of course,” he says. “You wouldn’t want me going around town commando, would you?” Nate stops abruptly, causing me to smack into his side. I glare up at him, but my ire is cut short by the heat in his eyes. “Or maybe you would.”

  His words sound like a challenge, one I don’t plan on partaking in. I dip my head to hide my blush heating my cheeks. “No worries.” My voice sounds high pitched. My smile falters, but I quickly recover it. I’d agree to just about anything right now to end this awkward conversation. “Consider your laundry done. Undies and all.”

  My throat suddenly feels as dry as the Sahara Desert. Taking the steps two at a time, I sprint for the front door. I don’t dare turn around to check to see if he’s watching me because I know he is. I can feel Nate’s gaze burning a hole through my back. I like to think of Nate as a girl version of Cammy, except that we’re closer and have more history between us. I’m not comfortable with the way he looked at me or how it made my blood warm.

  I burst through the front door as if my pants are on fire. I follow the voices coming from the kitchen and find everyone seated around the table munching on chocolate chip cookies that smell as if my mom just pulled them from the oven.

  Dex glances up, giving me a curious face. “Hey, babe. It’s about time you joined us.” He brushes a lock of his too-long hair from his forehead and offers me a cookie from the plate in front of him, which I happily take. The sweet treat is still warm with gooey chocolate spilling out from the sides. I hold it in the palm of my hand, allowing it some time to cool off before devouring it.

  Happy to see him, I smile back. “Sorry, I was catching up with Nate.”

  I feel guilty. It’s a stupid emotion to possess because nothing happened between us. Nate and I have always bantered back and forth. Sometimes our jokes come off as a little flirty, but it’s never bothered me before now. I push the dark thoughts away, not wanting to overthink everything and make it into something it’s not.

  Dex clasps my hand in his, drawing my attention. “Anything special happen today?”

  My body sighs in relief at the chance for normal conversation. I open my mouth prepared to recount my accident on the ice when Nate strolls through the kitchen and steals the cookie out of my hand. He just plucks it from my fingers as if it’s his for the taking. Not happening!

  “What the hell?” I look pointedly at Nate.

  He ignores me and starts talking to the guys. “So, did you hear that Addy Bear is getting friendly with my underwear? The room goes quiet. Nate acts as if he didn’t just drop a bomb into the room and begins eating my cookie.

  I’m at a loss for words. If I could shrivel into myself and disappear, I would do it in a heartbeat. He’s twisted our conversation into something it’s not and the damn bastard looks far too smug about it. He’s playing with fire.

  The question is, who will be the one getting burned?

  Chapter Five

  “What does my sister have to do with your underwear?” Jimmie is the first to ask the question, but Dex is right behind him, demanding answers.

  Nate waves them off as if their anger is all a joke. “It surprised me too,” he laughs. “Addy was eager to help. She’s doing her part to keep me from going commando.”

  Dex’s composure falls away and the kitchen becomes a whirl of action. Dex launches out of his chair and is across the table in seconds. I’ve never seen him move that fast, not even on the field. His hands are wrapped tightly around Nate’s shoulders and their faces are inches apart. If it wasn’t for the sneer on Dex’s face you would think they were engrossed in a good conversation.

  Dex’s heavy breathing reminds me of one of those fighting bulls I’ve seen on television. It’s not a pretty sight. And to top it all off, my brain has stopped working. I think I’m in shock! My tongue is glued to the roof of my mouth and no matter how many times I try and speak, nothing comes out. I’m basically a mute freaking out in the middle of my kitchen with my hands waving in the air and my eyes pleading with Jimmie and Cam to do something to stop the madness.

  “Friend or no friend, you have three seconds to explain yourself before I take you outside and kick your sorry ass.”

  It’s unusual for the CW Boy’s to fight each other. Their anger is better spent on others outside their tight circle. In the many years I’ve known them, I can only recall once or twice that it's morphed into something of this magnitude. And it’s all because of me. Well, that and Nate is acting like a dumb ass.

  Panic rises in my throat and this time when my mouth flaps open, actual words shoot out. “Enough you two.” I stomp forward and position myself between the two of them placing a hand on each of their chests, willing them both to stop the madness. I’m not delusional enough to think I can hold either of them back, but since my brother and Cam don’t seem inclined to step in and help, I’m out of options.

  Nate presses forward, pushing more of his weight against my hand. “Addy Bear, you don’t need to speak for me. I’m a big boy and can take care of myself. Now move out of the way before you get hurt.”

  My head shakes in dismay at being put in such a spot that I’m now pleading for the two of them not to pummel each other. This might have started out as a fun game to Nate, a way to mess with Dex, but we’re all on dangerous ground right now.

  “I’m not doing this for you, Nate,” I answer back, my voice packing a load of venom. “I’ve had a crappy day and you two buffoons are making it worse. I don’t need a testosterone showdown in my house, and I sure as hell don’t ever want my best friends fighting. Especially over something as silly as me washing someone’s dirty laundry.”

  It takes a full five seconds for my words to sink into Dex’s thick skull, and when they do his shoulders droop like a limp noodle. Taking a step back, he looks to me with furrowed brows. “His laundry?” he asks. By the incredulous way, he says the word laundry, I don’t think Dex believes me.

  I nod my head.

  “Why in the world would you be washing Nate’s clothes?”

  My mouth bobs. “To say I’m sorry?” I didn’t mean for it to come out as a question. Dex’s scowl is messing with my mind and making me second guess my innocent agreement with Nate.

  His eyes narrow in on me. “What in the hell do you have to be sorry for?”

  I nibble on my bottom lip. “Since the…” I stop myself before saying the word incident. We’ve got enough landmines in the room without bringing Nicholas into the equation. I swallow hard and try again to explain myself. “I’ve neglected spending time with Nate lately. Not on purpose, of course, but with my new work schedule, and shopping for Christmas and such, he and I haven’t hung out like we used to.”

  Soft blue eyes glance at Nate, then refocus back on me. “That’s it?” he questions. His tone is still hard, but his stance has relaxed. “So, you’re saying, I have nothing to be worried about?”

  “Not at all,” I reply.

  With unblinking eyes, I watch as he stares through me. Not at me, but straight down, past all the many layers of my soul. I hold very still and let him see the truth for what it is; just two friends hanging out while washing and folding a little laundry. Nothing more, nothing less.

  Dex rests a hip against the counter, rubs the back of his neck, and blows out a heavy breath. “Okay,” he says. That one simple word eases the heaviness in my chest. I can breathe easily again.

  Dex grabs my arm and pulls me to him. Connecting to his chest, my arms wrap around his neck as he leans down and nips at my lips. My hold on him tightens until there isn’t an inch of space between us and I kiss him with all I've got. When we finally part, I rest my forehead to his and look at him.

/>   “You doubted me.” It’s not an accusation, but a fact. I don’t want to admit it, but his lack of faith in me hurts like a knife to the chest. If we’re going to point fingers at those capable of being disloyal than he’s in for a rough ride.

  Dex nods. “It was a knee-jerk reaction. I’m sorry.” His hands fall to my hips where he holds me tight as if afraid I might try and leave him. I won’t. I have no intention of running from our problems. And Lord help us, we have a long list of those to deal with.

  I let out a soft sigh. “We’ll work on it.”

  Jimmie reaches around us and grabs a cookie off the table, effectively ruining our moment and slicing the tension in the room. My cheeks heat, remembering that we’re not alone. Everyone in the room, including my brother, just saw me kiss Dex like my life depended on it. Dex has a way of putting a spell on me. One touch from him and everything around me disappears. He’s like a magician and I’m his best act.

  Jimmie throws a punch to Nate’s shoulder, nothing too hard, but with enough power behind it to catch his attention. “You shouldn’t have poked at Dex like that,” he tells Nate. “Not cool, dude. You’re lucky my sister is sweet enough to step in and save you from an ass-kicking.”

  Jimmie’s comment pulls a grunt from Nate. “It was a stupid joke. Didn’t know it would put a twist in his panties.”

  Dex’s eyes flash in warning. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not standing here. I hate that shit.”

  “Soooo…” Cam says, drawing out the word as she glances around the room. “Anyone up for hearing about how Addy got her ass kicked at the ice rink today? You’ve got to get a look at that lump hiding behind her bangs.” She lets out a low whistle. “It’s a real doozy.”

  And just like that, the room comes alive again!

  Chapter Six

  Dex