I take it off and I’m immediately happy again. This is much prettier. I let one of the shoulders drop, my black bra strap exposed. There’s no reason to wear a bra with this dress. I make quick work of it, slipping it off and tossing it on my bed.
There. That’s even better. I curve my arm across my breasts and let both shoulders slip so they lie in the crook of my elbows. Oooh.
That’s sexy.
Eli is going to die when he sees me in this.
I take my second shower for the day but don’t wash my hair since I already did this morning. I shave everything I’ve got, plus use that expensive face scrub Mom bought me last Christmas. Once I’m out of the shower, I lotion up, slathering on my favorite body cream. I use that expensive cream on my face, also given to me by my mom at Christmas. I slip on a nude thong and then start curling my hair, doing my best to not curl it for too long. I don’t want this hairstyle to look like I created it on purpose with a bunch of fully formed curls. I want it to look effortless. Casual.
As if I woke up looking like this.
Once I’m done with my hair, I go to my desk-slash-vanity table and start doing my makeup. I’m not one to wear a lot of it normally, but tonight seems to call for it. I use a little eyeshadow and mascara. Some tinted moisturizer and highlighter. I even slick my lips with gloss, a subtle red that makes my mouth look like I just got kissed.
Leaning back, I stare at my reflection. Wow. I look…older. Definitely. I push my hair away from my face, tucking a few strands behind my ear. It’s like I’m staring at my future self, I swear.
Mom and Dad aren’t going to like this. At all.
I grab my phone and send Eli a quick text.
You still want me to get to your house at six-thirty?
He responds quickly.
Eli: Yeah.
Me: But isn’t your house about a half hour from the restaurant?
Eli: Give or take.
He’s not being very talkative. That’s not a good sign.
Me: We might end up being late for the reservation.
Eli: We don’t have to be exactly on time.
Me: It’s Saturday night though. It’ll be busy.
Eli: You know what? Why don’t I leave in a few minutes and come get you? That way we don’t have to ride with any of my family to the restaurant.
Me: I don’t mind.
Eli: Well I do. Let me come get you. The restaurant isn’t too far from where you live anyway. I don’t mind making the extra drive. Keeps me away from my brother a little while longer.
I bite on the edge of my nail, worrying over that particular remark.
Me: You’re still mad at him?
Eli: Hell yeah. He’s an asshole. I’ll tell you about it when I get there.
Me: When will you get here?
Eli: Around sixish. See you soon. Love you.
Me: Love you too. Drive safe.
I check the time. He’ll be here in about forty minutes. I got ready way too soon. I’d love to take a nap since I didn’t get much sleep last night, but no way am I going to ruin my hair for a twenty-minute snooze. Or wrinkle my dress.
Meaning I’m going to have to sit here in this chair for the next forty minutes or so and hardly move.
I scroll through my phone and check social media, almost immediately bored. On a whim, I decide to FaceTime my sister.
She answers on the second ring. I make sure and pose for her, ready for her expression when she sees me.
“What the—I almost didn’t recognize you!” Autumn gushes.
I grin at her through the screen. “What do you think?”
“You’re gorgeous. But I already knew that. Show me your entire outfit,” Autumn demands.
This is why I called her. So I could talk about my date and my outfit, and get her approval. Our relationship has definitely changed these last couple of years. When she still lived at home, she’d always tell me I looked terrible or that I was trying too hard.
I’m so grateful we get along better now. I need her support. Now more than ever.
“Mom and Dad actually let you get that?” Autumn asks after I twirl in a circle.
“Are you shocked?”
“Beyond.” Autumn laughs, making me laugh too. “It’s a very—grown up dress.”
“I know. That’s why I wanted it. Plus, it’s called the Bennett dress. Get it?” I say, raising my brows up and down like a weirdo.
“Yes, I get it,” she says dryly. “You look beautiful. What’s the special occasion?”
“I’m going to dinner with his family.”
“In that dress? It’s a tad scandalous.”
“My boobs won’t fall out. I promise.” I lean forward to let her see how the dress really doesn’t move. Thankfully neither of them accidentally slip out.
“You’re a goof,” Autumn says, shaking her head. “And this is a big deal, Ava. Going to dinner with the parents?”
“And his big brother, Ryan.”
“Ryan Bennett?” Autumn frowns. “I remember him.”
Her frown tells me her memories aren’t the best, but I ignore that.
“Eli’s parents are getting a divorce. It’s pretty tense between them all right now, and Ryan hasn’t been around for a while. This is the first weekend he’s visited home in like…years,” I admit.
“Well, that kind of sucks. And I’ve heard stories about their parents,” Autumn says cryptically.
My mouth drops open. “You have? Eli used to act like no one knew.”
“Everyone knew. The town is too small and his mom used to show up everywhere and drink a little too much. She’s the one with the big mouth who would tell anyone who would listen what her husband did to her. How he cheated on her.”
A sigh escapes me and I feel sad. For Eli. For his parents. Not so much for Ryan though. “That’s so awful.”
“It is,” Autumn agrees. “You sure you want to get mixed up in that mess?”
“Eli didn’t want me to come to the dinner. He didn’t want to subject me to his parents and their antics,” I say.
“What sort of antics?”
“I don’t know. They probably involve too much alcohol, a lot of arguing and plenty of insults.” That’s the logical conclusion that I’ve come to.
Autumn makes a little face. “That sounds awful.”
“I know,” I say with a sigh. I’ve been trying to pretend the dread that’s settled in my stomach didn’t exist since it first showed up this morning, but here it comes, larger than life and difficult to ignore.
I’m scared to go to this dinner. Scared of what might happen, what might be said, how Eli will react. I don’t want him upset, but I can almost guarantee he’s going to show up already upset. Completely on edge. Tense and ready for a fight.
“Can I give you some advice?” Autumn asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Please. I need it,” I say.
“Just—be quiet and listen to what everyone has to say. Don’t say anything unless they ask you a question, or include you in the conversation. It might be best if you act like you’re not even there. Be there for Eli, reassure him you’re on his side, but let it all play out without getting yourself involved.”
I nod, trying to absorb Autumn’s words, my mind and spirit completely rebelling against them. That is so not who I am. Yes, I can be quiet. For most of my life, I’ve preferred to stay in the background. Let Jake get all the glory. Let Autumn be the oldest Callahan child and therefore act like she’s the boss of me.
No way can I imagine myself sitting there and not saying a damn word the entire dinner. I agree it’s not my place to speak up, but if any of them tear Eli down, I’m going to defend him.
I have to.
Unable to agree with what Autumn says, I change the subject and we talk about college. Ash. Santa Barbara. Football. The usual. By the time we’re wrapping up our conversation, I hear the doorbell ring.
“He’s here.” The nerves jump in my stomach and I smile at Autumn. “I have t
o go. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck! You’ve got this! Tell Eli he’s got this too! Love you!”
We make kissy faces and I end the call, then grab my cardigan and tiny purse before I dash into the bathroom and check my reflection one more time.
I hope Mom doesn’t make a big deal. Honestly, I hope Eli doesn’t either.
I leave my bedroom and shut the door, then make my way downstairs. I can hear Mom complimenting Eli on how nice he looks and that gets my hopes up, excited to see him dressed up a little. I find them in the living room—Dad included—and when I make my appearance, I notice how my mom’s eyes widen a little but otherwise, she says nothing.
“Ava. Hey.” There is tension in Eli’s face. His jaw is tight, but his eyes light up when they land on me, and I can’t help but admire him in return.
He’s wearing a white dress shirt and black trousers with a Gucci belt, no freaking joke. His hair is somewhat tamed and his face is clean shaven, and I’ve never seen Eli look as handsome as he does right now, at this very moment.
“You both look so wonderful. Can I take a photo?” Mom asks.
Eli slings his arm around my waist loosely as I roll my eyes. “Mom, you act like we’re going to prom or something.”
“Oh, I’ll be worse when that happens. I’ll want an hour-long photo session at least,” she teases, glancing over at Dad. “What do you think, honey? Don’t they look amazing?”
Dad crosses his arms, studying both of us. Making me the slightest bit uncomfortable. Thank God for the cardigan. It hides the worst and best parts of this dress. “The skirt is kind of short.”
“Dad.” I roll my eyes again.
“You look pretty,” he says, his tone softening. He turns to Mom. “Take a couple of quick photos and let these kids go, Fable. They don’t want to hang out with us.”
“Fine, fine.” She makes Eli and I pose and she snaps a few photos. Then I give her my phone and she takes even more photos. Eli smiles at all the right times, but I can tell it’s slightly strained. And I can feel the tension in his body. He’s very stiff.
I wish I could comfort him, but I’m not sure how.
“You two have fun tonight, okay?” Mom says as we make our way to the front door.
“Thanks, Mrs. C.,” Eli says genuinely, giving her a quick hug before he grabs my hand.
Swear to God, my mother just blushed a little.
Once we’re out of the house and approaching his car, I tell him, “Sorry about my parents.”
“What about them? They’re great. I love them,” he says absently as he opens the passenger side door for me.
I slip inside the seat and close the door, shedding the cardigan immediately. Eli walks around the front of the car and opens the driver’s door, climbing inside. “My mom can sometimes go overboard with all the photo taking,” I say.
“It’s cute. At least she wants to take photos. At least they both care about you.”
His words hurt my heart.
He starts the car and glances in my direction, his gaze heated as it rakes over me. “Goddamn, princess. You look fuckin’ hot in that dress.”
Okay, there’s my boyfriend. I was afraid I wouldn’t even catch a glimpse of him tonight, considering how wound up he is over this dinner. “You really like it? You don’t think it’s too much?”
“Hell no. I think it’s just right.” He reaches out, brushing his fingers against the exposed, sensitive skin between my breasts. “I like this especially.”
My entire body blooms with heat. “I knew you would. You know what’s crazy? The salesperson told me it’s called the Bennett Dress.”
“No shit?” He slips his fingers beneath the dipping neckline, grazing the underside of my breast. “You don’t have a bra on.”
“I can’t wear one with this dress. That would look terrible.” My breath hitches when his thumb brushes my nipple. “Eli. We’re in my driveway.”
He removes his hand from my dress, growling with frustration and pounding his knee with his curled fist. “I’m so fuckin’ tense, I feel like I’m going to explode.”
I rest my hand across that fist, keeping it in place. “Bad day?”
Eli nods. “My brother’s a smug dick. Mom is fawning all over him and that’s irritating the shit out of me. I don’t know, maybe I’m just jealous, but she acts like Ryan’s the king while I’m the joker who’s constantly trying to entertain her and she’s oblivious to everything I do for her.”
Removing my hand from his, I reach for his face, skim my fingers along his tense jaw. “I have an idea.”
His pretty hazel eyes meet mine. “What is it?” he asks skeptically.
“Let’s go somewhere real quick. We have time.” I glance at the clock. It’s barely six-fifteen. We definitely have enough time. “It’s a secret spot not many people know of.”
“I know all your secret spots,” Eli cracks with a grin.
“Not this one.” I shake my head and wave at the steering wheel. “Come on. Let’s go.”
He shifts the car into drive and presses his foot against the gas. “If you say so.”
Thirty
Eli
I don’t know what my girlfriend has up her sleeve, but from the sly smile that’s curled her lips since we’ve left her house, I have a feeling it should be something good. Hopefully even mind-blowing.
Like a quickie blow job before we go to dinner?
Yeah, I couldn’t be so lucky.
She directs me to a spot by the lake I’ve never been before. A tiny cove that isn’t too far from where she lives. I pull into the dirt lot, grateful it’s not raining because hey, I don’t want to get mud all over my car, okay? I like to keep this baby as clean as possible.
I put the car in park and glance over at Ava to find she’s already watching me.
That dress she’s wearing is almost criminal, she looks so damn good in it. Her long legs are exposed, as well as her arms. Her chest—she makes one wrong move and a tit might fall out. Her hair is curled a little at the ends, and she’s got all this makeup on her face. I could give a shit about her wearing makeup since she’s beautiful no matter what, but she looks gorgeous tonight. Older. Like I can imagine this Ava two or three years from now.
“Is this it?” I ask her after a few seconds of silence. “Your secret spot?”
Hey, I never claimed to be patient.
“You’re very tense,” she says, her voice soft and almost seductive in the darkness of the car’s interior. It’s windy outside, and every few seconds it seems to rattle my car. Winter is coming, and it promises to be a real bitch when she arrives.
“When you have to deal with a bullshit family like mine, you’d be tense too,” I tell her, hating how negative I sound. I clear my throat. Try my damnedest to clear my mind.
But it’s no use. I’ve got a beautiful girl sitting next to me, and all I can focus on is the upcoming shitshow that’ll be dinner with my parents and brother.
“I think I have a solution to your problem,” she says.
“Oh yeah?” I glance over at her to find she’s undoing her seatbelt. Anticipation rises within me, and I lick my lips, ready for what she’s got in store next.
And fuck, she doesn’t disappoint.
“Push back your chair,” she says as she comes for me. I do as she asks, hitting the button that sends the driver’s seat backwards, a grunt leaving me when she crawls over the center console and straddles me, her legs spread and knees bent as they press on either side of my hips. She rises above me, lifting her arm and running her fingers through her hair so it flips all to one side and I just stare at her like a stupid, wordless fuck, completely mesmerized. The satellite radio is still playing, and it’s on some stupid classic rock station Ryan forced me to listen to when we went to lunch earlier, just the two of us.
We talked shit out and I guess I felt better after we ate, but he still annoyed me. I’m still not over what he did to me after he left for college. He can’t fix his abandoning us for
years with a weekend visit and a few conversations.
“Try to forget,” Ava murmurs, her fingers slipping beneath my chin and tilting my face up. She leans in, pressing her lips to mine and a soft moan leaves her when I part her lips with my tongue. I do my best to concentrate on how good she feels, how delicious she tastes, but I’m still sitting here thinking about my brother, my mind sort of distracted by this stupid ass song that’s almost over.
Thank Christ.
Ava takes my hand and slips it inside the front of her dress, and I touch her warm skin, my fingers brushing against her hard nipple. I circle my finger around it, making her gasp, and she plunges her hands in my hair, messing it up as she starts to slowly grind on my dick. All thoughts of my stupid family problems disappear, just like that.
I can get into this.
“We have to hurry,” she whispers, her hands dropping to the front of my pants, shaky fingers undoing the snap and sliding down the zipper. “We don’t want to be late to dinner.”
I let her take charge, leaning back in the seat as she reaches inside my spread open pants and strokes her fingers along the front of my boxer briefs, my erection twitching every time she touches me. The dress slips off her shoulders, falling to the crooks of her elbows, her entire chest exposed and all I can do is stare at her.
She’s so beautiful. And eager. And all mine.
A new song comes on. I don’t recognize it, considering it is old as shit and is probably one of my grandma’s favorites, but the music is soft. Pleasant. Just a piano at first. Ava’s mouth returns to mine and I close my eyes, my heart starting to race when her tongue strokes and teases, her hands wandering, the lyrics filling my head.
I’m in you.
You’re in me.
Accurate. Fucking accurate for what I feel about this girl. She’s kissing my neck. Licking my throat. Nibbling my chin. Making me shiver. Making me impatient with wanting her. I slip my hands beneath her dress, touching her hips, playing with the thin waistband of her panties. She rubs her pelvis against my cock, an impatient sound escaping her and when I touch her between her legs, I discover her panties are wet.
My girl is gonna want to fuck. Right here.
Meant To Be (The Callahans Book 4) Page 26