“I’d love to have you stay over with us.” Another night in his arms sounded like pure heaven to me. “Are you sure it’s not too much of an inconvenience with having to work?”
“Not at all. I’ll run into my house and pack a few things. I’ll drive separate and can go straight to the office in the morning. Their house is actually closer to work than mine. I’ll get another night with you and can leave for work later. It’s a win-win for me.”
I let us inside Gray and Chase’s home fifteen minutes later. I flicked on the light and found Oliver sitting midway up the staircase. He was giving me the evil “where the fuck have you been”kitty glare and swishing his tail like he meant serious business. I half expected to find a pile of kitty poop on my bed. Oliver stood up, turned around, and haughtily walked up the steps.
“We better sleep with one eye open tonight,” Ben whispered in my ear. I couldn’t agree with him more.
XAVIER AND Iwere invited to celebrate July 4that the Wright’s house. They were hosting their first pool party and barbeque as a married couple. Gray told me that we’d have a great view of the fireworks being set off at a park a few miles from their house. I really liked the idea of holding Xavier in my arms while watching fireworks explode across the night sky. I was starting to turn into a big sap and I loved every minute of it.
The usual suspects were present with a few surprises thrown in. Liam, the cute bartender from Bottoms Up, was there, but without the big hulking Jack Murphy keeping an eye on him. Liam told me that the 4this usually a slow night so Jack closed the bar.
“Jack didn’t feel like coming?” I asked Liam.
“Fireworks and explosions probably aren’t his thing after all of his tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Liam replied solemnly.
“I’m sure you’re right,” I replied sympathetically. “I’m glad you get the holiday off to spend with some friends.”
Liam looked around the growing crowd. “I really don’t know that many people here, but Iamgrateful to be invited.”
Gray told me I could invite Bevan to the party and I did, but I didn’t expect him to show up. It was a welcome surprise when I heard his voice introducing himself to people. I gave him a big hug with a hearty slap to his back. We’d talked several more times since the night of the benefit and had gotten even closer. He was really happy for me that I’d found Xavier, but made me promise not to try and fix him up with anyone.
“Ellie, it’s good to see you again,” he said.Did his voice drop an octave or two?“Pregnancy really suits you.” I had forgotten that Ellie met Bevan when he went to her house looking for Xavier the morning after Chase and Gray’s wedding.
“Thanks,” she replied shyly. I took in Ellie’s pink cheeks and Van’s shy smile and my wheels started turning. I stopped myself before I got too carried away, after all, a promise was a promise.
JJ and Miller were both at the party, which I found kind of strange. I would have thought those two tomcats would have been somewhere else, picking up their next conquest instead of attending a family friendly barbecue. Maybe those two were outgrowing all the fucking around like I had. Then I caught JJ and Miller both sizing up Liam like he was a tasty treat. Nope, they were happy just the way they were and that was just fine too, but not with Liam. There was something about the younger guy that brought out big brother type feelings in me. Jack wasn’t here to look out for him, so I did the honors by glaring at JJ and Miller until they looked at me. I shook my head no, plus the look on my face must’ve been enough, because they both threw up their hands in surrender.
It was hard to believe that I was like them not so long ago. I looked over at where Xavier sat next to his sister at a table beneath a large rainbow-colored umbrella. He sensed he was being watched and looked up; our eyes met and held. I wouldn’t trade what I was building with him for a meaningless night of debauchery with a stranger. JJ and Miller could keep their lonely nights, because I knew how right it felt to hold the man you love in your arms.
Love?Yes, love.
“I no longer want to hear a single snarky comment out of you.” Gray had come over to stand beside me and I didn’t even know it. “No more remarks about lovesick fools or telling me I’m anus whipped. Do you hear me?” Gray’s good-natured admonishment made me smile.
“Yes sir.” I aimed for contrite. I really did tease him endlessly about his sappy love affair with Chase, but that was before I knew what it felt like to need someone else in order to breathe.
“Welcome to the club, my friend.” Gray held out his fist and I bumped it. “Say, are you any good at water volleyball or polo?”
“I’ve never tried water polo, but I’m pretty decent at volleyball. Please tell me that you’re not thinking of Wright vs. Wright matches.” I groaned at the possibility. “This is supposed to be relaxing and fun forallof us, not just feisty foreplay for you two,” I said with a laugh.
We ended up drawing colored straws out of a paper bag for teams, which would have made it less stressful on everyone if Gray and Chase had both drawn a red or blue straw, but fate was not smiling down upon us that time. Gray drew a red straw and Chase drew blue. Xavier and I both drew a blue straw so I chose to focus on that positive.
I found every opportunity to touch my boyfriend, whether it be a simple touch beneath the water or an all-out kiss and hug after we won a game. Our team ended up winning the best of three matches in volleyball, but lost our asses in water polo. We were like ravenous wolves by the time we climbed out of the pool. Luckily, Lennie and Gram had manned the grill, while Gray’s parents had laid out all the condiments and side dishes.
“Are you done with water sports for the night?” I asked Xavier when we finished eating. He nodded and leaned in for a kiss. “Let’s go put on some dry clothes.”
I snagged our bag on our way through the kitchen with the intention of using the small half bath down the hall to get dressed. The door opened just as we approached it and JJ stepped out, followed by Miller. Both men were straightening their clothes and hair, but it was the surprised looks on their faces that really gave them away.
“I’ll be damned.” I couldn’t let the moment go by without some sort of remark.
“Shut the fuck up,” JJ snarled.
Miller looked embarrassed at being caught and made a hasty retreat without saying a word. JJ watched him walk away and looked like he wanted to say something to him, but held back. I thought back to the night of the charity benefit and the comment JJ made about Miller getting whatever he wanted. I had to wonder if there were more undertones and depth to that seemingly innocent statement.
JJ walked away without another word and Xavier and I just grinned at one another. The bathroom was vacant and the chivalrous guy I had become wanted to make sure Xavier got out of his wet things and into dry clothes. It was the only considerate thing to do. Too bad my chivalry stayed on the other side of the door.
“I have an announcement to make,” Gram said once we returned to the party. Xavier and Chase groaned, but I just smiled. I loved every crazy thing that came out of the woman’s mouth. “Lennie and I are getting married.”
The announcement was met with cheers and applause. Xavier and Chase leaped from their chairs and group hugged her within an inch of her life before they hugged Lennie. Ava and Ellie followed, but at a slower pace due to the precious cargo they carried.
