“Well now, the party can start.” I plopped bar napkins in front of them. “I was starting to think you guys had changed your minds.”
“Blame this one.” Sandra thumbed to Jace. “God forbid a highlighted hair is out of place.” She rolled her eyes.
“Shrew,” he called back.
“Diva,” she countered.
“Thank you.” Jace pushed a palm into his chest, batting his long eyelashes like he had just won an award. Sandra blew him a kiss. “I prefer Beyonce, though.” Jace curled his hand in and threw his head to the side, swiping invisible hair from his shoulder.
“You are a queen.” I smirked.
“She gets me.” Jace pointed to me, flicking his head.
“What’re you drinking, Ms. Carter?”
“Kettle, splash of seven, and a lime. Make sure it’s a splash. I don’t want a lot of that soda crap. It’s just to take away some of the bite. I got my own.” He puckered his full lips.
Blake turned to Jace, offering his straw. “You sure you don’t want a tight snatch?” His expression was so straight-faced, it served as its own humor.
Jace’s face twisted in disgust. “Not unless it’s Madonna’s, honey, and that one better come with a side of her tight-assed male dancers to keep my interest.”
“More for me.” Blake made sure his tongue was visible as he returned his eyes to mine and pushed the straw between his lips.
Jace’s eyes were glued to the gesture. “On second thought, I’d take it with a side of you, too.” He moved in closer to Blake, practically breathing onto his neck as Blake’s back stiffened.
“Hands to yourself, vulture,” I warned. “Go play with someone else’s meat.”
“Greedy.” Jace scowled. “You got the Grade-A shit. All the rest of these clowns are like that eighty percent crap they try and sell you in the supermarket. Barf.” He stuck a finger in his mouth as Blake puffed up his chest once again, his smile practically touching his ears.
“What do you look so happy about? Want me to agree to it?” I winged an eyebrow at him.
Blake shrunk down, his hand disappearing behind himself to cover his ass no doubt. “No thanks. He scares me.”
I snorted as Rick came behind me, covering my shoulders for leverage as he leaned across the bar to give Jessie a peck on one of her red cheeks. “I’d love to stay and chat with you guys, but we’re slammed, and I need this chick, sorry.” He tugged my shoulders.
“Coming,” I called back as he made his way to the opposite end of the bar again to join Jasmine. “That’s my cue, guys.” I filled their orders quick before spending the next few hours fulfilling my duties.
At some point, Jeremy, Sandra’s boyfriend, had wandered in and slipped his arms around her waist, rocking to the side as he reached over to give Blake a pound. He wasn’t around much, but her whole face lit up every time he was. I could tell he sincerely made her happy. I guessed a near-death experience aided in assuring you made the most of your life. She had changed so much after that incident, making sure each of her days counted.
When the band was on break, the jukebox took over in their absence. I’d noticed Rick over there a few minutes ago, so I knew some much-loved throwbacks were about to come on. As soon as the newest Miley Cyrus ended, a familiar voice singing about stepping back from a ledge came through the speakers, my keen music-ear instantly recognizing it as Jumper by Third Eye Blind.
Jace bopped to the beat, finger in the air, reciting each word. “Dance with me!”
I turned to Rick with a questioning glance.
“Go ahead. I was about to teach Jessie how to mix drinks anyway.”
I turned my gaze to her and raised a brow as a bashful smile emerged into a full-bloomed gleam. She hopped off her stool, and we met at the opening, trading hopeful glances. Jace didn’t give me much time with her, though, as he yanked my arm, my legs hitching out from behind me in the process. He spun me to sing directly in my face as we stated to each other the truth in the lyrics. He had to talk me down from many ledges. Always with each other’s backs and with understanding.
Blake joined us in our happy-bop, completing my heart and bringing everything full circle. I was ready to put my past away and face my demons head-on. The engagement party was fast approaching, and I resolved then and there that it would never have its day.
Drunk, Jace even sang the guitar notes as he air-strummed and I laughed, rocking side-to-side in Blake’s arms and loving having the smell of him surround me. Trying to gauge how much time I had, I turned and sought out Rick’s approval, but he was noticeably distracted, pouring the bottle with his arms poking out beneath Jessie’s. They were both wearing a similar flustered expression and looked like they weren’t focused on the bottle they were pouring, though neither could see the other’s face. It wasn’t lost on me, though.
The lead singer of the Blind Rascals called my name through the mic. “Yo, Eva!” I turned as he motioned me to him. He covered the mouthpiece as the rest of the guys were setting up. “You ready?”
“Sure.” I smiled. I’d already chosen a song hours ago, excited to finally sing to my man again. I winked at Blake and lifted onto my tippy toes to give him a peck on the cheek. “Stay close. This one’s for you.” Blake swatted me on the ass, sending me behind the mic.
I chose more of an upbeat feel to get my point across to him tonight, and I grinned when Rachel Platten’s Stand By You began. I reached my empty hands out to Blake with a smile as I sang, then turned and wiggled the top half of my back while I stared over my shoulder, telling him to take my wings. At the gesture, Blake tipped his head back with a deep laugh.
I knew I’d walk through any hell with him. He had already helped me deal with so much of what I’d been through, and I needed him to know I would do the same for him. My growth would never have been complete without him. What held him back in life was much different from my pain, but I would be here for whatever he needed to help him soar.
When the song was over, he laced his fingers with mine, a new glitter in his eyes. “We don’t have to find heaven. You are heaven. You’re heaven on earth.” He bent to kiss me, the slightest sigh leaving his lips as he spoke. “My angel.”
“I will be,” I promised. “One day I’m gonna save you the way you saved me.”
“You already have.” He smiled, light shimmering in his eyes as he stared back at me from the cocoon he held me in, safe and tight in his arms. “I died and came back to life.”
“Well then, now it’s time to live.” I looked deeper into his eyes, hoping he would pick up on all that I meant, when a slap on his shoulder rocked us to the side.
“Sup, bro.” Eric held a hand out to Blake, the other still resting on Blake’s bicep.
Blake released me to slap Eric’s hand, and I stepped back with a small smile, disappointed that our moment was lost. Eric gave me a peck on the cheek, his mint-green eyes alight with life.
“You guys are back together, I see. I’m happy for ya.” He dropped his arm around my shoulder and tugged me to him. “Even though I still think I’m the better choice.”
When I had first met Eric at the frat party at the start of school, a similar situation had made me close to sick, the need to run from it nearly crippling me. Now, I laughed without an ounce of worry. It was just another awesome reminder of how far I’d come.
“There is no other choice.” I smiled at Blake.
“Don’t be jealous,” Blake said to Eric. Taking my hand once again, he deposited me into the bend of his arm where I belonged.
“I’m not jealous. I’m gonna get the other sister anyway.” Eric winked, his eyes glistening with promise.
Oh, if only that were true.
“What about your redheaded friend?” I scowled. “I thought you downgraded.”
“Who, Amanda?” Eric looked surprised that I remembered. But how could I forget the floozy he looked so keen to wrap himself around? Amanda. Suddenly it all made sense. I blanched at my misunderstanding even through
the relief of finding out that last little crumb.
“She’s nothing.” He shrugged. “Did you expect me to be alone? A guy’s got to keep up appearances.”
I shrugged, not giving away my misinterpretation. “Guess not.”
“So when’re you gonna get in her ear and hook a guy up anyway?”
“Trust me, nothing would make me happier.” I couldn’t keep the distaste from my voice.
Blake stepped to the side so he could see me better. “Why do you hate him so much? Haven’t you all been best friends since you were little or something?”
I hated how my heart hiccuped in my chest. It both shocked and satisfied me that he hadn’t figured it out yet, but I supposed it was for the best. With everything else, I didn’t need Blake’s prison sentence on my conscience as well. My only answer was to kiss Blake’s lips, quieting his questioning mind.
“She hates him because she loves me. And because he’s an ass-face,” Eric yelled over the beginning of the band’s next song, disrupting mine and Blake’s bliss.
Our lips parted, and we each backed up a step as something caught my attention. A good-looking guy with light brown hair and playful eyes danced toward Blake, placing a finger over his lips while making eye contact with me. With a small leap, he covered Blake’s eyes and tugged back. Blake’s hands immediately came up to paw at the intruder’s fingers, and my eyebrows knitted together. I was worried this might not be a wanted encounter until I heard Eric’s hearty, bellowing laugh from behind me.
Blake was able to pry the guy’s fingers loose, then he tossed his head behind him, looking as though he was about to rip off the head of whoever it was. But then a smile began to creep across his face, breaking into a full-blown gleam. He immediately grabbed the guy by both shoulders and pulled him in for a hug. “Bray! Is it really you? It’s been forever, man.” He clapped him on the back before releasing him. “What’re you doing here?”
“Eric called me. At least someone keeps in touch, douche!” He shoved Blake’s shoulder, and I wondered for the millionth time who he was.
“And I assume this is the girl I told you would be coming to turn your life upside down?” He focused friendly eyes on me.
Blake rubbed the back of his neck, tilting his head as though something had just hit him. “Yeah, I guess you were right about that one.” Blake turned a shy smile to me, sweeping his arms out in introduction. “Brayden, this is Angel—I mean, Eva. Eva, remember a while back I told you about a friend that I had for-like-ever that was practically married since he was five?”
“Hey, I was eight.” Brayden rolled his embarrassment off his shoulders.
Blake laughed. “Well, this is him.”
Thinking back, I did faintly remember a long-lost friend Blake spoke fondly of. “Nice to finally meet you.” I stuck out my hand, and he quickly accepted it.
“My pleasure. Thanks for making an honest man out of this guy.”
My cheeks warmed. He obviously hadn’t been filled in on the train wreck that was our past relationship. Thankfully we would be moving forward from this point on, so hopefully, his view of me wouldn’t be tainted.
He turned his focus back to Brayden. “So what’s up? Where’s Casey?”
I was pretty sure I remembered that being the name of his so-called wife. As far as I knew, they weren’t actually married yet, and Blake was just being a typical ball-busting guy. My heart was happy to see him so lighthearted, though. I vowed to keep Brayden around.
Brayden’s eyes lost a drop of their smile. “She’s been busy. Finally finishing up with school and shit.”
“Cool.” Blake hadn’t noticed the tiny missing spark. “Maybe this means you’ll be around more?”
“Maybe . . .” Brayden’s thoughts were cut short as Jace pushed himself into the center of their man-circle.
“Well, well, well. What’s all this?” Jace motioned to Blake, Eric, and Brayden. “This is way too much hot in one spot. We may have to call in the fire department.” He fanned himself, then placed a thoughtful finger to his lips. “Scratch that. That’d just mean more hot men.”
Brayden’s posture became erect, his smile losing its muster as it began to sag in the corners. I was so used to people accepting Jace that seeing it caught me off guard. I hoped Jace didn’t notice. He talked a good game, but those types of things always did their job of chipping away a small piece of his ego.
“What’s up, sweets? You a phobe or somethin’? I’ve got special tools for people like you if you are.” Jace placed his hands on his hips, narrowing his gaze.
He noticed.
I held my breath and swung my eyes to Brayden’s reaction. Thankfully, he caught himself. “No, no. Sorry, no disrespect. You just reminded me of someone, that’s all.”
Jace’s eyes licked with fire as his finger wagged. “Trust me, sugar. There ain’t no carbon copy of all this.” Jace motioned to his body from head to toe. “But, dirty looks like those are the reasons why I’m here solo tonight. You should watch them. The mouth ain’t the only thing that talks, honey.” He quirked a brow.
I placed my hand on Jace’s forearm, leveling him. “He didn’t mean it, Jace. Down, boy.”
A small piece of tension left him, but most of it remained.
“Whatever’s going on with you has nothing to do with him. Come on, love. Make nice,” I pressed further.
The rest of his aggression left, and he stuck out his hand toward Brayden who had lost all playfulness. He accepted Jace’s offer. “Sorry, man. I got a lot going on.”
“Me, too, I guess.” Jace smiled from the corner of his mouth, apologetic for probably the first time in his life.
“Come on. Shots on me!” Brayden called out.
“Don’t tempt me, sugar,” Jace replied, licking his lips.
The smile on Brayden’s face told me he had meant what he said and didn’t have a problem with Jace at all. But the encounter also told me that my best friend was hurting more than he had let on.
HE POPPED THE question.
She said yes.
Please join us in celebrating . . .
A week.
There was one week left before the engagement party. I’d been so focused on Blake and me that I hadn’t begun to figure out how I would stop this party from happening. After this trip to the Hamptons, I would have to figure it out, but I was going to enjoy a few more blissfully unaware days before I allowed the shit to hit the fan. One more weekend and then I’d make Blake read the journal. Then . . .
Then I’d turn my sister’s world on end and possibly lose her for good.
The engagement of Abby and Damon.
I clenched my teeth and aimed my blow dryer at the card, reveling in the enjoyment of watching it skid from my counter and spiral to the floor. After I finished my hair, I walked into my bedroom in a red satin bra and matching underwear. Blake was asleep on my bed, his bare back rising and falling lazily, the mound of his ass tucked tightly beneath the towel that was still cinched around his waist. The curves of his spine sparkled with water droplets—the slow, even breaths entering and exiting his mouth on each puff of air, making them look as though they were dancing. I watched one drop topple from the hard peak of his muscle, down the side of his rib, and disappear into the mattress.
I couldn’t help myself. I crawled onto the bed on all fours, stopping to hover directly above him, taking in his beauty. The smooth color of his tanned skin, the deep dip down the entire middle of his muscled back. I was even in love with the way he bent his leg to the side any time he slept on his stomach. We had a long drive ahead of us, so I should have let him sleep . . . but I had droplets to taste.
My tongue scooped up the one directly above the towel on the left side. Drop by drop, I tasted Blake’s skin, swooping my tongue up along each muscle lining his back, over his shoulder blade, before sucking behind his neck. Little pebbles broke out, mingling with the drops, and I smiled as I made my way down the right side of his back, around his ribs, and right back to whe
re I started, at the base of the towel. I dropped open-mouthed kisses along the perimeter—into the dip of his spine, around the side of his hip—when he finally trundled to his back, sending me between the V of his legs.
He smiled down at me. “Now there’s a wake-up.”
I smiled back, feeling drunk from his taste, my mind on one thing as he hardened under the soft bends of the towel. I dragged my nails up his thighs, earning a moan from him, the back of his head becoming lost in the pillows. Inch by inch, my hand disappeared under the cotton, Blake’s breaths seeming to deepen with each slide that brought me closer.
The hair turned fine, smooth to the touch on his upper thighs, letting me know I was getting warmer. Blake’s heavy breaths told me he was heating up as well. I licked my way along his lower abs, right above the tuck of the towel. My fingers roamed the tops of his legs, the curve of his hip, loving the quivers rippling over his stomach with each pass of a sensitive spot.
A hard twitch beneath the towel brought my attention to it. My fingers sought out the source, moving closer to the center. Blake’s moaning swallow let me know that’s where he needed me. I had the same reaction when I brushed the edges of the cotton aside, allowing it to drape along the outside of his legs, showcasing the hard throbbing flesh between it. I wrapped my greedy fist around it as a strangled groan found its way to Blake’s throat. The air hissed through his teeth as I stroked him, soft, gentle strides up and down, palming his head, back down to the base. The moisture that I’d collected on my palm quickly replaced itself at the head of his cock as his arousal heightened. My tongue darted to it, drawing more of his taste inside, his hips bucking at the contact. His fingers found their way to my hair, coming into the soft strands framing my face as his eyes sought out mine in a silent plea for what he wanted.
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