“That’s all you can do,” Sophia says softly. I nod and look away before I get too deep with my thoughts.
Ever since Wednesday night, my dreams have returned with a vengeance. I wake with thoughts of Eve, and I’m either wiping away the tears that have fallen while I sleep or fisting myself until I cum because my body betrays me with images of hers. Deep down, I still feel a bit guilty over this date, and I think it’s coming out in my subconscious while I dream. It’s the only reason I can think of as to why the dreams have suddenly appeared again. If I can just get the first date over, it will get easier. It has, too.
“Where did my nephew go?” I look around, needing to find something else to occupy my thoughts. I spot him and Nemo over by the big leather sectional in the living room. “Do you and Nemo want to go down by the beach?”
“Sure! Let me get his ball.” He runs to his room before coming back out.
“I’m going to change out of my work clothes real quick,” I say as we walk toward the cottage doors. “We’ll be back in a few,” I call out over my shoulder.
“Trav and I are putting steaks on soon, so be back in thirty,” Jake calls out as I leave.
“Will do.” The ocean air hits my face as I walk on the back deck to my place. It’s almost six, so the sun is lower now, casting that pre-glow over the water, getting ready to set in a couple of hours. Max plays with Nemo on the deck while I run inside to change into shorts. The two of us always end up in the water, so it’s better to be prepared.
“You ready little man?” I ask Max when I step back outside.
“Yep. I brought my tennis ball. Nemo loves to play catch now, and he can jump up and catch it in the air!”
I laugh at his excitement. “I can’t wait to see that.”
I follow him down the stairs to the beach and smile when my feet hit the sand. I’ve always loved the beach. A lot of good memories have been made right here in the sand. I think of my first kiss with Eve that night at the bonfire as I watch Max toss the ball to Nemo. We made a lot of promises on these beaches. It’s hard to keep the memories away in moments like these when I watch my nephew play in the sand.
“I’m going to marry you someday,” I whisper into the night. Eve is snuggled up against my chest as we lay there on the beach, watching the stars. “One day, we will be sitting on this very beach while our kids play in the sand and jump in the waves.”
“I don’t think anything would make me happier than being your wife. We should probably graduate high school first, though,” she giggles.
“Yeah, we probably should,” I laugh. “How many kids do you want?” I run my hands through her hair and play with the silky strands.
“I’m an only child, and I’ve always wanted siblings, so I definitely want more than one. What do you think about four?”
“Technically, I’m an only child too. I can’t imagine not growing up without my brothers and Savi. I think four is a perfect number,” I say, grinning and moving my body so I’m on top of her. “It’s going to take a lot of practice to make four perfect babies.” I lean down and kiss her neck.
“I think I’m up for the challenge,” she grins before I capture her lips with mine and silence us both.
“Uncle Ryder, I found a crab!” Max pulls me out of my thoughts as I’m slammed back into the present. My hand is rubbing my tattoo over my heart without having any knowledge of doing so. I quickly remove it and put on a smile for Max as I walk over to see his ocean treasure.
“He’s out like a light,”Sophia says, walking out of Max’s room and sitting down next to Travis on the sectional couch. He pulls her in close as she lays against his chest. I take a sip of my bourbon to dull my envy as I look at the two of them. Don’t get me wrong, I’m truly happy for them, and they deserve this kind of love, but it’s hard to watch them and not want what they have.
I see Jake studying me, and I give him a small smile to reassure him that I’m good. All my brothers have been there for me since Eve left but it’s Jake who’s seen me at my worst. Travis had his own struggles to deal with at the time, being a single dad and raising Max, and even though Miles canceled a lot of showsto be home during that time, I forced him to get back on tour. It’s Jake, though, who would help me up off the floor after I would down a bottle of whiskey or bring me lunches at work because he knew I wasn’t eating enough and working too many hours to escape the pain.
“Do you have a lot on your schedule this summer?” Travis looks over at Miles, lounging on the chaise.
“We’re booked every weekend, but they’re all in Florida, so I’ll be able to hang out with everyone through the week. I took the Fourth off, though. I wasn’t missing our epic bash we are throwing.” He grins over at Jake.
I’m proud of Miles. He’s been chasing his dream of being in a successful band since the day he got his first drum set at four. They’ve been touring up and down the coast, making a name for themselves for the past few years. By looking at him with his tattoos and a couple of piercings, he gives off the rocker vibe, but they have a nice blend of country mixed in with rock and reggae. They are quickly being recognized around here as the band to come and watch.
“Everyone is looking forward to coming here on the Fourth. Cole and Skye confirmed the other day that they can make it. They’re flying in the day before and driving down with the rest of the group.” Sophia grins over at Miles. “I’m glad you took that weekend off. Just try not to blow your dick off this time.” Her eyes shine with laughter as she tries to hold it in.
“I’m guessing Travis told you about my incident,” he raises his eyebrows at Travis.
“What? She’s my wife. I tell her everything.” Travis laughs.
“I’m glad my dick is the topic of conversation at your house. I mean, I know how impressed you were that one time you saw me naked in the gym shower, but to talk to your wife about it?” He shakes his head and tries to look serious. “That takes a lot oftrust in the relationship that she won’t jump ship to the bigger brother.
Jake and I laugh as Travis hits him in the head with a throw pillow. “We all know who’s the biggest in the room here.”
“Yeah, me,” Jake and I say at the same time and grin.
“It never ceases to amaze me how many times guys will compare dick sizes to each other,” Sophia laughs and shakes her head.
