My head popped up so fast I nearly cracked my skull on the underside of his chin. “What?”
“Yep, you’ll be finding a new lead guitar player. And good luck finding one with my talent and good looks. You’ll have to hire me as your bodyguard or something instead. I’ll be the hanger-on boyfriend you can’t get rid of.”
He smirked at me, and I shook my head. “And here I thought I was the smartass one.”
“I have my moments.”
Our eyes met and the light humorous mood faded. “So you really don’t want me to call you Jubb anymore?”
“Not unless you want to walk around with a sore ass.”
I nipped his bottom lip with my teeth and then placed a chaste kiss on his mouth. “Hmm. So what are my options?”
He paused, feigning an exaggeratedly thoughtful expression. “Master? Love slave? I’m not picky.”
“Those are good.” I sat up and leaned over him, letting my mess of pink-streaked hair cascade around us. “But I think I know exactly what I’m going to call you from now on.”
“Oh yeah? And what’s that?”
“I shall call you…” I bit my lip, letting the anticipation build as I gathered my courage. I finally understood what people meant when they said being in love was like falling. I was tumbling a million miles an hour head first and never wanted to stop.
“Mine,” I finally finished.
His mouth melded to my lips so fast my head spun. After we’d tangled our bodies together so intricately in his covers that it seemed we’d never get out, I remembered something.
“Um, babe?” I panted, pulling back for just a second. “We’re supposed meet everyone at the bonfire and then head over to the thing at the bridge tonight.”
How different this year would be than last. Dax was probably going to turn a cartwheel when he saw the progress we’d made.
“How much time do we have?” he asked, looking annoyed at the intrusion.
“A few hours.”
He kissed me once more. “That should be enough. For now.”
I smiled so big he probably thought all the sex was causing me to lose my grip on my sanity. “I want to see everyone, I do. But leaving this bed is going to be difficult.” I nuzzled down into his neck. “We could totally skip the festivities if you want.”
“I don’t mind going. It being a tradition and all. I thought this was the most important part?”
The most important part had a whole new meaning.
“You know, it’s funny. For the first time ever, I don’t care either way. I came back home and performed here to get closure, to get what I thought I wanted.”
His muscles tightened beneath me. “And did you?”
“Nope.” I placed an open-mouthed kiss on his chest. “I got what I needed.”
There aren’t words to describe the way he looked at me. But the way his eyes drank me in, shining as they danced over my skin…it changed me, changed the way I saw myself.
“I love you, Everly Abbott. I always have and always will.”
My own eyes began to water for the second time that morning. “I love you too, Jubb. So much,” I choked out.
He grinned, shaking his head and rubbing a warm palm roughly over my bare backside. “Oh, we’re going to the bonfire and the bridge tonight. If only so I can tell everyone why you can’t sit down.”
“You’ll have to catch me first.” I squealed, jumping out of bed and taking the sheet with me.
He stood with lightning fast speed and grabbed me with both hands. “Chasing you is kind of my thing.”
I laughed as he tossed me back onto the mattress.
“Justin Cohen, if you spank me right now, we really might never leave this bed,” I warned him.
“Fine by me. I’ve got all I need right here.”
This was going to be crazy. Insane. Jubb and me. Me and Jubb. A thing. A couple. A band. Lovers. In love.
He waggled his eyebrows and wiggled his fingers at me and I smiled.
I could hardly wait.
by Rhonda Helms
To my fellow anthology partners Lexi, Marilyn and Caisey--this project wouldn't be here without you. Thank you for being awesome. <3
Maya
Hey, hon! The fridge is stocked up, and in the freezer there’s a lasagna that can be heated up quickly. I left you a little bit of cash on the counter—use FOR EMERGENCY ONLY. Have fun at your Winterfest, and I’ll see you Monday. Text me if you need anything.
Love,
Mom
I gave a heavy sigh and plopped Mom’s note down on the kitchen’s dark gray granite countertop beside the fifty-dollar bill. She hadn’t even waited until I’d gotten home before hopping on the road and heading out. Though why I’d expected anything different, I wasn’t sure.
I grabbed my phone and sent a quick text to her and my dad—he was somewhere in Tokyo on business. Or was it Hong Kong this time? I never could keep up with his aggressive travel schedule. My mom was doing an executive training weekend at some fancy hotel in Georgia with most of the upper-level staff in her company.
Leaving me all alone.
Yet again.
Not going there right now. I pushed aside a low-simmering bubble of frustration. This was not going to ruin my evening. Bright side: I could hang out more with my friends at the festival, which started at noon tomorrow and kicked off a full weekend of winter fun and activities. It was the event I looked forward to every year. Spring semester’s classes didn’t begin for another week, so no worries there. That just meant more time I could spend with the Abbotts.
Okay, with one Abbott in particular.
Oliver’s dark blue eyes came right to the front of my mind, and my body gave that all-too-familiar flush of desire. I blinked the image away and made myself focus on popping the frozen lasagna in the oven. Then I headed to the living room and plopped down on the sleek tan couch. I flipped through TV stations, not paying much attention. Nothing I really wanted to see on a Thursday night, anyway.
What was Sami up to? I dug my phone out of my jeans and stretched out on the couch, firing her off a text. Hey, how are ya?
A minute later, a reply buzzed back. Good. Sooo busy. It’s chaos here, lol. You?
I could only imagine. The Abbotts went all out for the town’s Winterfest. Since their family had founded our town, Abbott Springs, way back in the day, they took their tasks in the fest seriously. I bet their dad was running around right now, barking orders at Sami to help him make enough dough and sweets for the entire weekend. He was a drill sergeant in the bakery, but we all knew he adored Sami and Oliver.
My chest tightened. I envied their tight-knit relationship so much. But I was an honorary Abbott, and they treated me like family too. I’d been a part of the clan for years since Sami and I became close friends back in middle school. I even worked at the bakery when I wasn’t in class.
Need help? I’m free 2nite, I wrote back. After all, I was just sitting here at home alone. Maybe I could help them prepare at the bakery and get to hang out a bit more with Sami, who’d been away at college in Cincinnati and was leaving again soon for the spring semester. God, I missed having her around regularly.
And while I was over there, I could possibly steal a glimpse or two at her brother. Watch him kneading dough, those lean, strong fingers squeezing the bread with an expert touch…
The breath caught in my throat. God, I was depraved. Fantasizing about Oliver in the bakery, of all places. I couldn’t help it, though. I craved so badly to find out what those hands would feel like on me. Just once, I wanted to see Oliver look at me like I wasn’t his sister’s friend, a family hanger-on whose workaholic parents were never around. To have his eyes turn to me and darken with arousal, his breath grow ragged. And then he’d drag me into his arms, tilt my head up, and cover my mouth with his.
My heart rate picked up at the thought, and I drew in a ragged breath, pressed shaky fingers to the throbbing pulse at the base of my throat. He set my body on fire like nothi
ng else.
The phone buzzed. SAVE YOURSELF, lol—dad will keep you busy enough this wknd. Can’t wait to hang out with you—come by Juke’s tonight! And wear something hot just in case. ;-)
I sent a smiley icon back, along with a Will try. Miss You! and then tucked my phone in my pocket. Thankfully, Sami hadn’t freaked when I’d finally admitted my feelings for her brother last year. It wasn’t just lust. I was head over heels for the guy. Had been for so long now. Every time I drowned in bitter disappointment about being permanently friend-zoned, she’d moan along with me on the phone.
I sat up on the couch and blinked as a sudden thought hit me. Maybe this weekend would be my chance to get Oliver to see me in a new light. After all, I wasn’t in high school anymore. I was in college. Nineteen, old enough to date a twenty-one-year-old. Oliver hadn’t had an opportunity to think of me in any other way since I’d been busy with school for the last year and a half. But we’d be thrown in each other’s paths quite a bit from Friday through Sunday.
It might be my best chance.
My only chance, actually. I’d never told him my feelings outright, had always been too afraid to take that leap of faith and let him know. If Oliver turned me down after I put everything out there to him, bared myself in the ultimate way, and threw it all on the line, the mortification would crush my soul.
But I couldn’t focus on that right now. Think positive, I ordered myself. I needed to come up with my game plan. If it didn’t work…well, I already knew what I would have to do, no matter how much it hurt.
Filled with resolution, I stood and marched right into my bedroom. I tore open my top drawer, took out a sexy hot pink panty and bra set, then laid them out on my bed. Tiny scraps of soft, bright fabric I hadn’t worn yet but had bought on impulse back in the summer. Just in case.
Well, my “just in case” was about to be cashed in.
I was so going to blow Oliver’s mind this weekend. A shiver of anticipation slid across my skin.
I ripped open my closet doors and stared at my wardrobe. If I was going to make Oliver see me in a new light, I’d have to be daring. I’d have to appeal to him in the ways I was sure would hit him with the most impact. Oliver was a tactile person, that much I knew. At the bakery, I could see the smile of contentment on his face as he carefully worked dough into shapes. How he enjoyed the sensation of touch.
Forcing my wayward thoughts off those sexy hands once again, I grabbed my pale rose cashmere sweater, the one that clung to my torso and accented my curves the best. If any fabric was going to make his hands itch to touch me, it would be this one. This, plus a pair of skinny jeans, would be tomorrow’s outfit. I’d keep my dark brown hair down with big, loose curls. A long black scarf and pair of black boots to finish the outfit off, and I was good to go.
I headed back to the kitchen. The lasagna had another ten minutes to go, so I poured a soda and set the table. A stiff wind kicked up outside, and the house groaned just a bit; the muffled sound echoed down the empty hallway. God, it was so friggin’ quiet in here. That was probably the worst part about staying by myself.
The feeling of being utterly alone.
But I wasn’t alone. I knew that. I was on the edge of town, but not so far away that I was isolated. Part of me was tempted to walk to the bakery anyway, despite Sami telling me it wasn’t necessary, but I didn’t want to intrude. Sami needed some time with her family right now. I knew they missed her as much as I did.
I stared at the long wooden table, set for one, and felt tears of disappointment burning in the backs of my eyes. I should be well used to being alone by now. God knew I’d eaten enough solo dinners over the last several years, had spent more than one weekend housesitting. And yet somehow, it still hurt.
The timer dinged. I blinked away the stinging emotions and pasted on a smile. No one was around to see the action, but it never hurt to wear one. A smile was a habit, Sami and Oliver’s grandma always said. And good habits were important to keep.
After shoveling in dinner, I washed up dishes. Paced around the house and straightened up here and there. Clicked the TV through a hundred boring channels. Outside, the wind picked up and howled. A peek through the window confirmed it wasn’t snowing. Just a typical brisk Ohio evening in January.
I couldn’t stop feeling antsy, stuck in the house. I needed to get out. Sami had reminded me about our gang getting together tonight at Juke’s Box, a local bar. Maybe I should meet up with them—we could play cards, have beer, relax. Besides, as Sami had suggested in her text, Oliver might get bored and drop by to say hi, too. Which meant I needed to look foxy.
I put on my favorite red long-sleeved shirt, paired with skinny jeans and low-heeled boots, gathered my things, bundled up, and headed out the door toward the center of town. Wind whipped at my face, chilled my exposed skin, but it was better than sitting inside, doing nothing. Dirt-brown tree branches bounced and danced in the stiff breeze, sending chunky clumps of snow plopping to the ground.
The walk invigorated me, got my blood pumping. When I hit the square, I stopped and stared in wonder at the decorations.
Since it was evening, bright white lights twinkled across the tops of every building, draped every snow-clad tree. The whole town was illuminated, glowing like a painting. Only a couple of people walked outside right now, heads tucked down as they moved toward their destination with purpose.
Tomorrow, this place would be a madhouse, packed with everyone in town, plus those from surrounding areas. Kids everywhere. Families bundled together, braving the elements to celebrate how awesome Abbott Springs was. And even more importantly, to fundraise the repair for Hale Bridge, an icon in our town.
Was it any wonder I loved this place so much?
My breath huffed out in small puffs of white clouds as I stopped and leaned against a building. Just soaked it all in. This town ran in my blood. It baffled me that my parents didn’t give two shits about what happened here, too busy worrying about their own lives, their own careers. But not me. I needed, craved the acceptance I got here.
Abbott Springs filled that hole in my heart, made me feel loved. It represented everything good in this world. Not everything in this town was perfect, but then, neither was I.
I peered at Abbott’s Sweet Confections, the bakery where I worked part time with Mr. and Mrs. Abbott, Oliver, and sometimes Sami. The lights were on, and I saw the Abbott parents running around inside. Mrs. Abbott was tacking elaborate white snowflakes to the window. Golden light from the recessed lights in the ceiling glinted off her dark hair, cast a glow on the crown.
The sight made me smile, warmed me from the inside out. I loved these people. Not once had I ever felt like an outsider with them. As a young girl, they’d welcomed me into their home, their business, their lives with open arms.
Then Oliver appeared in the window, clad in a lean black sweater that accentuated his broad shoulders, looking up at his mom as he talked. His thick brown hair had a mild wave that made me itch to run my fingers through it. From here, I swore I could see his brilliant eyes twinkling from the overhead lights. His face spread into an easy smile, and he nodded at his mom.
My body stiffened in response, and I sucked in a shaky breath. It was almost painful, the way this longing for him in my heart had swelled year by year. My secret crush was getting harder and harder to keep secret. Hell, some crazy part of me wanted to run over there, bang on the window, and scream, “I love you, you idiot!”
He vanished from the window, and I blinked, stepped back, and turned from the bakery. I banged my head against the frozen brick, but the pain was mostly muffled by my thick hat. I was such a chicken shit.
But all that was about to end. Starting tomorrow, Oliver was finally going to notice me as a woman. I was going to do everything in my power to make him realize we were perfect together. That I knew everything about him, loved him with all the strength in my body, down to the tips of my toes.
By Sunday, I was either going to win Oliver’s heart…or
finalize my plans to leave this town—and my heart—behind.
With a spring in my step, I headed to Juke’s Box. Time to unofficially kick off Winterfest.
Oliver
Felicia Morgan Hale, the mayor’s mother and all-around self-important busybody, stepped closer to the mic, a confident smile on her face as she rambled on and on about the importance of restoring Hale Bridge, the town’s claim to fame. Weak sunlight filtered through a peek of clouds and lit up the mayor’s stage. The snowflakes on the Winterfest banner glittered in the soft glow. “The Hale Family Trust will match the collective contribution of this year’s Winterfest proceeds, but we’re going to need a significant amount of help funding this latest renovation.” She paused to draw in a quick breath. “Especially so if the bridge is going to last to the end of our century and remain a standing monument in our town for our great-grandchildren and beyond.”
Polite applause.
Her speech went on for another several minutes but she finally wrapped it up with a rousing, “Now, go forth and enjoy the festivities!”
Hoo boy. Another winter festival where I’d be running my ass ragged as my dad and I sold four billion cups of hot cocoas and hot cider, plus a ton of brownies and croissants over the course of three days. As Mom and Sami handed out samples of free hot cider to enthused attendees, I sighed and elbowed my way out of the large crowd gathered on Main Street. The whole downtown area was blocked off for the festival, which meant people roamed everywhere freely.
I trudged across the salt-stained sidewalk, brain whirring in a thousand different directions. Right now, I needed to grab the trays of baked goods from the bakery and set up our family’s table for the Bake Sale-slash-contest. Then run home and take care of a few things before heading back to Village Hall and selling the hell out of my dad’s famous brownies. Once the Bake Sale was over, I’d have just enough time to hustle back to the bakery, shape the dough for my chocolate-stuffed croissants, and pop those in the oven.
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