“Maybe we picked wrong then,” he teases and I flail wildly in his arms, trying to get free. His lips press to my ear, “Just kidding, love. We could never choose wrong with you. I’d rather lose one hundred games of beach football than lose you.” He lets me down, spinning me in his arms, pulling me to his chest.
“You had me worried.”
He kisses my forehead.
“Everlee!” Lizzy shouts at me, pulling my attention.
“What?” I ask, turning around.
“Is this what it feels like to be you? In your harem?” She’s holding her arms around to the men around her.
“Still missing one.” I scrunch my nose playfully at her.
“Girl… too much!”
Will runs over to the group. He’s been sitting under the tent with my mom, keeping her company this morning. “Becks.”
“What’s up, babe?” he asks, slipping his arm around him.
“Are you still wanting to leave after dinner tonight?”
“Yea, why?”
“Cap called and asked if I could come in tomorrow morning?”
Beckett grimaces.
“I can say no, if you want me to.”
“If you want to, you can. Sucks for you because I’ll be sleeping in the whole day.”
“He says he only wants me there to help run a community event in the morning, so I’ll be home in the afternoon and then I’ll go in for my shift the next morning.”
“I’m good with it. Do you want me to help you?”
“Come to my house? Don’t know what the others would say about an outsider coming in. Plus, they already got rid of you once.”
“Shut it!” Beckett jumps on Will and they wrestle, laughing.
Mother told us this morning she’s going to head home after dinner, and Beckett and Will said they’d leave with her to make her feel more comfortable. She swore it had nothing to do with the news from yesterday and I believe her. She wants to get home and clean the house, do laundry, and get all the groceries before dad gets home. It’s a habit that started when Becks and I were young that she’s stuck to, even though it doesn’t make as much sense anymore. The house was clean before she left, she’s only doing the laundry for the days she’s been here, and the groceries… well, that makes sense.
“Is our game done?” Knox asks on deaf ears, as his arms wrap over my shoulders.
The boys have been moderately more affectionate in front of my mother, but have still been respectful, which I can appreciate, as I’m sure she does. This morning she was chatting up a storm with Emmett in the kitchen, planning out where she wants him.HIM, not me, to take her when she comes to visit in a few months. She wants to definitely eat at Bo’s for dinner and then have him show her other fine cuisine restaurants. She about lost it when she found out we knew Sophie Lorenz.
“I guess so,” Jax says, then jabs Emmett. “Better luck next time.”
Emmett lowers his shoulder and rams into Jax, and they fall. Then Knox jumps in, followed by everyone else. One giant wrestle match on the beach because everyone is just… happy.
Once the crowd naturally settles to a stop, we all run into the ocean to wash the sand out of our hair and off our body.
“What was that?” Lizzy yells.
“Not me!” Tony returns.
“No, seriously. What the fuck is that?” She asks, swimming beside me.
“Don’t bring whatever it is over here!” I shout, trying to swim away from her, then scream out. “Fuck! Ow! Ow! Fuck!”
