by S. M. West
“Your sister is a smart woman.” She jabs him in the ribs, this time lighter, more playfully, and her facial expression softens. “You love her, I get it, but don’t ever say that again.”
With the tour over, we lounge on the sofa and Pippa finally joins us, wearing her sundress from Saturday. She stands beside Cass, both of them staring at the lake.
“Isn’t it spectacular?” She nudges Cass’s shoulder.
“It’s magnificent.” Cass beams. “Drew”—she casts her glance back at Finn and me on the couch—“this view alone is worth it. Breathtaking.”
“It sure is.” My gaze is drawn to Pippa at the same time she peers over her shoulder. I only have eyes for her.
It’s risky with Finn sitting beside me, but he’s busy on his phone, and I feel bold and desperate for any bit of Pippa I can have. I already miss our time alone. Finn and Cass have only been here a couple of hours, and it feels like a couple hours too long.
Pippa looks away, but I catch the sting of pain in her gaze before it’s gone. My heart slams against my ribs at how much of a dick I was earlier, and regret sours my mouth. I didn’t get a chance to tell her I plan on telling Finn as soon as possible.
I’ll get him alone and just rip off the Band-Aid. No matter when I tell him, he’s not going to like it, but the sooner he knows, the sooner we can deal with it.
Of course, nothing goes according to plan.
“So, now that we’re all here.” Finn stands, shoving his phone in his pocket, and walks to Cass’s side. “There’s a reason why we came up early.”
He pauses, and the corners of his mouth curve upward into an epic smile. One I’ve only seen on his face a handful of times. Like the time his dad surprised him with tickets to a Miami Dolphins game—in Miami—or the time he lost his virginity to Sarah Pritchard.
This is going to be big, and it’s not hard to guess his news considering the equally goofy grin on Cass’s face.
“We’re engaged!” they shout in unison, and Pippa jumps with a squeak.
We hug and laugh, and all worries, secrets and the past are shelved for the moment. The day is one big celebration where we swim, barbecue for lunch, and for dinner, we go to one of the nicer restaurants in town.
Pippa oohs and ahhs over the ring throughout the day, bringing Cass to tears a few times with how happy she is, and Finn struts around with his chest out like a proud rooster.
As for me, I’m happy for them but now have no intentions of shitting on their happiness with news about Pippa and me.
The next day doesn’t prove to be any better, and as time passes, Pippa becomes more distant. I try talking to her once Cass and Finn go to bed, but when I slip into her room—she made a point of going to bed early—I find her sleeping.
As much as I want to climb in with her, something tells me she won’t be too happy to find me there in the morning since Finn’s still in the dark.
Thursday rolls around, and it’s much of the same. Finn is stuck to Pippa. He knows something is wrong, and he thinks she’s upset with him, so he spends every minute joking with and cajoling her, and if that doesn’t work, then downright annoying her.
“That’s gross!” Pippa runs from Finn, who has just given her a wet willy, wiping at her ear with her shirt. “You’re disgusting. Stay away from me.”
Finn doubles over in fits of laughter, enjoying every second of discomfort he’s inflicted on his sister. He may be the oldest of the Raine kids, but he’s by far the youngest at heart.
“Okay, that’s enough.” Cass grabs Finn by the ear and pulls him to the car. “We’re going to get dinner. Any requests?”
Finn slides into the car, wiping at his eyes, and Pippa gives him the stink-eye. “I’ll get you when you least expect it,” she calls, pointing two fingers at her eyes and then at him in the I’m watching you gesture.
The second we’re alone, I pounce, hands on Pippa, pulling her into the house and away from prying eyes.
“As soon as I get Finn alone, we’ll talk.”
“Really?” She purses her lips. “You had plenty of opportunity.”
“What?” I rear back and widen my gaze. “I wasn’t going to piss on their parade. Is that what you wanted me to do?”
Her expression softens, and she shakes her head. “No. Definitely not. But I don’t like this. If you don’t tell Finn, then I will. Or if this isn’t what you want”—she points back and forth between us—“then just say so.”
“Fuck, no.” I grab at her waist, gripping her tight and drawing her closer. “I want this. Us.”
We kiss feverishly like two teenagers, grabbing what we can, tempting fate, and hoping we don’t get caught.
The crunch and pop of tires on the gravelled driveway followed by the slamming of car doors finally force us to end our make-out session. We barely separate, Pippa dashes across the room as Finn bursts through the front door with fish and chips.
I’m hard as a rock, and my desire for her only grows during dinner. No matter the conversation, or what we’re doing, my gaze drifts to her throughout the evening.
That night, she sneaks into my room well past midnight, and we have sex. I feast on her like I haven’t tasted or had her in years.
14
Pippa
Drew is silent at my suggestion that the guys go fishing or into town or golfing or who cares, anything to get them alone. But it doesn’t work. Finn whines about just wanting to relax—like fishing is a hardship. He’s supposed to be up here helping Drew work on the cottage.
At least Cass is doing her part. She’s stripped the God-awful paisley wallpaper from the hallway, which must be at least a century old, and she’s now filling the holes in the plaster.
And Drew? He says nothing. Irritation bubbles from my chest, settling in my throat, doubling in size.
“Seriously? You’re both boring.” Sarcasm laces my voice, and I’m beyond fed up with Drew for being a coward and Finn for being a prick.
I love my brother, but he’s a control freak and stuck on something that almost happened years ago. Yes, it could have been horrendous, and I shudder every time I think about what if, but that’s not Drew and me. And obviously, his inevitable stance on this has Drew paralyzed.
Or more to the point, it hurts that Drew thinks I’m not worth fighting for. It’s the only reason why he hasn’t said anything. I’m pissed because I am worth it, and if Drew Hayes can’t see that, then screw him.
I will tell Finn before this weekend is out—whether Drew and I stay together, Finn will know. And for now, I’m going to make Drew lose his carefully-crafted control.
“Well, I’m not sitting around here and doing nothing.” I wipe my hands on the rag and place it in the bucket. “I’ve cleaned all the windows. I’m going out.”
“Where are you going?” Drew and Finn ask simultaneously.
Wordlessly, I climb the stairs in search of Cass to ask her if I can borrow the car. As predicted, Cass wants to come when she hears my plans, and that’ll mean the boys are coming too.
My shower is quick, and I’m dressed in Drew’s denim shirt again, ready in less than thirty minutes. I didn’t ask to borrow his shirt, which I washed with my things the other day.
His jaw ticks, the only indication he’s noticed my makeshift shirt-dress, but he doesn’t say a word, because if he did, Finn would have questions. And how on earth would Drew explain I’m wearing his shirt for something more than sleeping.
In the car, Drew’s in front with Finn, and Cass and I sit in the back chatting about her wedding. I’m ecstatic for my brother. Cass is already like a sister to me, and a wedding only makes her officially part of the family.
The Boathouse is overflowing with people. Many have started their weekend early, stopping in on their way up from the city. Some still have on their suits and are looking to unwind.
It’s standing room only, and we’re milling about the edges of the dance floor. I feel the heat of Drew’s pale green eyes lowering to my chest before flic
king back to mine. The shirt is loose, but he’s noticed I’ve got an extra button undone. I’m deliberately taunting him, and if this doesn’t spur him into acting, I don’t know what will.
“Dance with me,” he says, ignoring Finn’s glare and Cass’s bug eyes. Score.
I bite back the hysterical laughter bubbling inside of me, and place my hand in his, letting him lead the way. Finn calls out, but neither of us stops.
Drew pulls me close despite the fast tempo of the music, maneuvering us away from Finn’s predatory gaze.
“My shirt looks better on you.” He winks, and my insides tingle.
I need to keep my wits about me despite how close he is and how much I’m right where I want to be, in his arms.
“Thank you.”
“Are you trying to drive me crazy?” he hisses under his breath.
“Is that what it takes? A few buttons undone to get you to man up?” I taunt, sashaying my hips to the music.
Guilt flickers in his eyes, and my stomach tightens. He hasn’t said a word, but I already know what he’ll say. I see it in his stare.
“Let’s wait until we’re back in Toronto.”
I stiffen in his hold, no longer dancing. “No. I’m not waiting. If you don’t tell him, I will.”
His mouth relaxes, tugging upward at my ultimatum. “I’m going to tell him. Just give me time. It feels wrong right now.”
“Wrong? What are you talking about?”
“They just got engaged. Finn isn’t going to take it well.” He grips my waist firmly.
I’m tired of his excuses, and I push from his embrace.
“Even Cass agrees that he’ll be upset,” he says.
“Cass knows?” A glimmer of hope warms my insides. If she knows, it means he’s talked to her and does intend to talk to Finn, and his excuses aren’t just stall tactics.
“Yeah. We talked the day they got here.”
“And?”
“And just that, Finn won’t be happy with the news, but she isn’t going to say anything to him. It’s our business. We tell him on our own time.”
“I hate this,” I blurt out the truth. “It feels like I’m begging for your approval of us.”
Hearing my anguish makes me cringe inwardly. Everything about this situation sucks. I’m a grown woman. My brother isn’t my keeper, and his baggage has nothing to do with me, so why won’t Drew do something about it?
“What?” He tightens his hold, drawing me in. “You’ve got me. I want this.” Fingers dig into my backside. “It’s about finding the right way to minimize your brother’s outburst at our news.”
I raise my head, gazing up at him, when out of the corner of my eye, I spot Finn nearing.
“That’s the thing, now, isn’t it?” I’m speaking to Drew, but staring at my brother, only feet away. “He’s going to throw a hissy fit no matter what, so what are you waiting for?”
“What’s going on?” Finn plants a hand on each of our shoulders, prying us apart.
Neither of us resists, and a wry laugh slips from my lips at how easy it is to tear us apart. Drew’s hands fall to his sides, and I face my brother.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” I pierce Drew with a disturbed stare and leave.
He calls after me, urgently, but I act like I haven’t heard, which is possible with the blaring tunes, talking, and laughter.
I’m not up for a lecture or interrogation from Finn—he’s got the look on his face that says he knows best—nor do I care to listen to Drew dodge Finn’s questions.
“You okay?” Cass asks, meeting me by the entrance.
“Sure.” I shrug. “Let’s get out of here.”
She nods, following me outside.
“I saw Finn make a beeline for you. Everything okay?” She pushes the large wooden door open and the muggy night air blankets us.
“Everything is fine,” I say flatly, contradicting my words.
Drew may have talked to her, but she hasn’t said anything to me. The only person I’ve talked to about Finn’s arrival and Drew’s inability to talk to his best friend is Paige. Surprisingly, she’s been Switzerland, which is unusual because Paige is typically the first to tell me how much of a dick Drew can be. This time, she wants me to be patient with her brother. Like all of us, she knows Finn will be the holdout and he’s important to Drew. He’s important to me.
“Did he say anything about you two?” Cass looks at me as if she already knows the answer.
I shake my head and twist my hair into a low-slung knot at the nape of my neck. The sun has long since set, but it’s a hot night and the air is sticky and oppressive.
“Finn’s not stupid, you know. I figured it out and he will, too, if he hasn’t already. He just can’t fathom it even with the truth right in front of him. I sometimes wonder if you’re even trying to hide it with the way you two keep swapping heated glances.” She leans against her car, tucking a few strands behind her ear.
“I know. Drew was supposed to have said something by now, but he’s worried about ruining your engagement.”
Cass laughs. “Honey, nothing is going to ruin our engagement. Trust me. Why don’t you tell him?” She’s so matter-of-fact that I pause to think why that is. Why haven’t I said anything to my brother?
Deep down, the truth is cold and heavy within me. This is Finn’s hang-up and as much as I want him to move past it, and let me be in control of my life, it’s not that simple.
But if Drew explains it to him, it might be different. He’ll understand. My desire for Drew to be the one to talk to Finn is twofold.
Drew’s denied us, our attraction, for so long that I want to hear him declare his feelings for me. To tell anybody and everybody who will listen that we’re together.
I think that’s why I’m holding out, and in the end, I’m making it harder on myself. Am I wishing for something that won’t happen? Is this all we’ll ever have? A few days’ fling that I’ll look back on, years from now, with wistful reverence.
My heart hurts just thinking about us as temporary. It’s not what I want. It’s not how it’s supposed to be.
“I want Drew to do it.” My voice is small and shaky because it sounds silly out loud.
How did I get here? Me, Pippa Raine, still wound up over a boy. And not just any boy, the boy who stole my heart at fourteen, well before he wanted my heart. Well before he wanted me.
“You want Drew to face Finn and claim you?” Cass’s tone is light, but her expression is solemn. She gets it.
I nod and giggle at how much of a girl I’m being. And I don’t mean it in a bad way. Girls rule.
“Well, not claim me. We’ll claim each other.” I sigh. “Just admit what we are to each other. To say it out loud for the world to hear.”
My heart squeezes, and my stomach churns; that’s it. It’s obvious Drew wants me by the way he looks at me, but he’s been more than vocal about why we can’t be together. I’d like to hear him say the opposite, not because we owe Finn an explanation, but for me.
15
Drew
I shift onto my side in bed, burying my nose in her silky hair. Her soft, warm body presses against mine. My front to her back, I squeeze my arm lightly around her slumbering frame, and she burrows deeper into me.
Past my skin and bones, she has wrapped herself around my heart. My dick twitches, and I desperately want to sink deep inside her. My most favorite place in the world, all other favorites obliterated by her.
I reach to caress her, but there’s nothing there but cool sheets. She’s gone? My eyes open, and the sunlight blinds me. In the harsh light of day, I remember what happened last night. Pip didn’t sleep with me. She isn’t in my bed. I was dreaming.
Cass drove her home from the bar and came back for us. Finn and I were waiting in the parking lot. I tense thinking about that conversation with him.
“What is Pippa’s problem?” He crosses his arms and rests against the wall. “Did she say anything to you?”
“Nope.�
�� I shrug, kicking my shoe in the dirt for something to do other than look at him.
“What the hell was going on with you two on the dance floor?” He straightens, stepping closer to me.
My head snaps up, and our gazes clash. It’s hard to read his face with only the dim florescent light from the Boathouse sign.
“We were dancing.” I stand to my full height, not to be confrontational but not wanting to be at a disadvantage.
“Looked like you were groping her.” He pauses, raking a hand through his blond hair. “And it looked like you were enjoying it.”
I open my mouth, not sure if I’m going to come clean and have it out right now or offer an excuse. My indecision doesn’t matter; he keeps talking.
“I don’t know if Pip still has a stupid crush on you—I hope not—but stay away. My sister is off limits to any friend, even you. No fucking exceptions.”
Just then, Cass pulls up to the front of the bar, and I say, “Your sister’s a grown woman and can see who she wants to see.”
His harsh gaze nails me to the proverbial cross. “Is that it? She’s seeing someone?”
A lump the size of a boulder sinks to my toes. He’s my best friend and he so easily jumps to Pippa seeing a random guy because he can’t believe I’d ever do anything with his sister. Fuck, when I tell him, I’ll destroy that trust.
Indecision slices me in two. Do I fight for Pippa and risk losing Finn? Or do I respect my friendship with Finn at the cost of Pippa?
“Hey, you boys getting in or walking home?” Cass hollers from the car. “I’m tired and want to go to bed.”
“Not until I’ve had my way with you,” Finn responds, grinning from ear to ear, our conversation momentarily forgotten. My dance floor moves forgotten. The dilemma of his sister forgotten.
He hops in but gets right back to our conversation.
“I knew something was off. It’s some guy, isn’t it?” He shifts in his seat to look at Cass, driving, and back to me.