“That would be really nice, thank you,” I say.
* * *
Jenson
After Mom picks up Kyle and Connor, the get-together becomes a little more adult-friendly. Cam and Ayden get involved in a drinking contest with the beers Dylan brought but can’t drink because he has a game tomorrow, and Sky decides to try to outdrink them.
Olivia’s laughing, but she’s standing back, almost on the periphery of the group.
I put my arm around her and say quietly, “This is supposed to be fun.”
“I know.” An emotion passes through her eyes. She masks it quickly but not fast enough.
“You’re sad.” I run my thumb over her hip.
“It’s stupid.”
“It’s not stupid. Tell me.”
“I wish I could have known them better.” She gestures toward the group, but I already knew where she was going. “They’re all so nice, and kind, and funny. And they love you so much, J. It makes me realize how much time we lost.”
I pull her into my arms. “We’re not going to lose anymore. You’ll have years and years to hang out with these crazy guys and their partners; so much that you’ll get sick of them.”
She leans in close to me, and I kiss her head.
When I hear the sudden silence, I shift slightly so that I’m facing everyone.
Yep. Just as I thought.
Every last one of them is staring at us. Cam and Ayden most of all. Only Colton seems at ease; he leans against the nearby tree and crosses his legs at the ankles. His expression’s calm like none of this is a big deal.
And the thing is, it isn’t. The big deal is the woman to my right.
I gesture toward Olivia. “Olivia’s not really my cousin as you know. And the truth is, I’m in love with her. I have been forever.”
Cam points from me to her. “I knew something was going on…you two always had that damn chemistry. I couldn’t just come out and ask you, though…”
“You knew?” Dylan asks him. “How did you know?”
Cam shrugs. “I was with someone young, so I guess I got young love. Jenson and Olivia always looked like a couple to me. Or two people who should be a couple.”
Ayden jerks his chin toward me. “You two okay? Because you seem stressed.”
Keeping my arm around Olivia, I say, “Our families don’t know. We don’t expect them to be super supportive. Olivia’s father is the mayor of this town. He’s running for re-election this fall, and the residents look at me as her cousin. They don’t take to change very well.”
“We’re your family too,” Sky says. “And we’re a hundred percent supportive.”
Everyone nods.
“That is so sweet,” Olivia says softly.
Cam raises his beer and points it at us. “To you two,” he says. “The newest couple in our group. Bray, you and I are going to be partying alone soon. All these losers getting hitched and growing up and shit. When did that happen?”
Brayden grabs a fresh beer and clicks it to Cam’s. “To staying single,” he says solemnly.
“One of you will have a date to Dylan and Jasalie’s wedding renewal,” Sky says confidently. “I have a strong hunch. You could call me psychic.”
Cam shakes his head emphatically. “No way. Won’t be me.”
“Me neither.” Brayden backs away from Sky like he’s allergic to her prophesy, and we all laugh.
