I giggle.Perfect answer.
He adds,“Snagging two protein bars from the kitchen.” When I groan, he adds, “I’ll treat you to a killer lunch before we hit the store.”
“Deal.” I link my fingers with his and pull him through the bedroom door toward the stairs.
Chapter 4
Julian
“Babe, the garlic bread is done. Are they almost here?” I call to Ever from the kitchen loud enough so my voice carries up the stairs. Just as I’m pulling the sourdough loaf from the oven, the doorbell chimes. “Never mind,” I call out again, before I set the bread on the stovetop and move toward the door and the voices on the other side.
I’m excited to see Noah and Lilly. It’s been too long. Pulling open the door, I reach for Lilly first, scooping her into a hug that lifts her feet and spins her around.
“J Mac,” she shrieks as she squeezes my neck. “I see you’re not skipping workouts. Good man.” She pats me on the pec with her palm as I set her down and shake hands with Noah.
“Hey, man. I’ve missed you.” He claps me on the shoulder with his free hand as we shake.
“Same. Damn, you look good. Surfing agrees with you.” I squeeze his shoulder for emphasis. Noah’s physique has changed since I last saw him at the end of summer. From Lilly and Ever, I know he’s beensurfing almost every day. He’s ripped, shoulders broader, torso deeply V-shaped.
“Thanks, J Mac. I fucking love it. Speaking of surfing, this is Seth.”
“Hey, welcome to Blue Lake, Seth. Glad to have you.” Just as I take his hand, Lilly squeals and bounces past me.
“Davis!” She and Ever hug and bounce as the three of us chuckle watching them.
“Come in, guys.” I motion them in and close the door. “You get settled okay?”
“Bet. The apartment is perfect. What a view. Thanks for letting us crash.” Seth claps me on the back as we step into the living room from the entryway.
“Of course. Hope you guys are hungry. Ever . . . ly made her famous chicken alfredo. The ultimate comfort food.”
Unanimous confirmations sound at once.
Ever hugs Noah and grips his shoulders, teasing him about bulking up. Her whole body stiffens when she turns to Seth and gives him what can only be described as an awkward half-hug. “Hey, Seth. Glad you could make it.”
“Me too. This place is great.” He looks around and seems completely at ease.
Maybe it’s the stress and busyness of accommodating everyone, but my girl is for sure giving tense vibes, seemingly out of nowhere.
Ever walks ahead of the group into the kitchen, asking over her shoulder, “Everyone having wine? We have beer, too. But the wine goes well with the dish.”
“Wine,” Lilly and Noah say in sync.
“Me too,” Seth agrees.
As Ever reaches into the cabinet for the wine glasses, I come up behind her and reach over her taking a couple down. With my free hand I lightly squeeze her waist and lean in to kiss her neck. “You good, sweet girl?” She nods and reaches behind her to rub her palm on my face, holding it next to hers for a beat.
“I am. Thanks, Julie.” She speaks so low that only I hear her. As she turns to set the glasses on the island bar, I cage her in with my body and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, tracking her eyes. Yep. Twitchy. Her smile flounders. She pecks me on the lips to back me up and moves to the island, fake smile intact. I don’t know what to make of it and can’t exactly ask in front of everyone. Instead, I pour the wine and offer everyone a glass.
Through dinner, the conversation flows. Noah and Seth love to talk surfing while Lilly and Ever talk school, classes and campus life. I know Ever sometimes misses not going to college in person, which is why I encourage her to visit Pepperdine whenever we’re down south. Tonight, though, she only seems excited listening to Lilly’s stories. No one can tell a story like Lilly. I find myself torn between both conversations, trying to listen and engage in both and missing chunks of each. After dinner, in the living room, we open more wine and sit around the L-shaped couch.
When the winter festival topic comes up, Noah pipes up, “Seriously, put us to work,” and wags his finger between him and Seth. “I freaking love this tradition. I love that Allie started it.”
“Me too,” Lilly chimes in. “Way better than that shitty carnival they always bring in.”
“Aw, you don’t like carnivals?” Seth complains. “We don’t get those on Molokai. Gotta go to the bigger islands for that. Maybe that’s why I like them.”
“Don’t worry, brah, we’ll make sure you get to the carnival.” Noah salutes him with his glass. Now it’s my turn to fidget. I’m with Lilly. I hate that frickin’ carnival. Okay, not totally true. It’s not the carnival I hate. I hate its proximity to the shitty trailer park. The trailer park I reallydohate. Fuck that place and the people in it. Except Hal if he’s even still there. He was older than dirt when I was young. But everyone else, especially the ones in earshot of the violence and bullshit that went on inside my dumpster fire of a house and never spoke up or gave a shit. I look up from my swirling wine glass to see Ever watching me. That we track each other’s moods so well is both a comfort and a curse. I don’t want her to worry about me. I force a smile I feel in my cheeks and wink at her. She smiles back, but hers is reserved and a little sad.
