I will play it cool because this is nothing unusual, and a few minutes later, I get a text back to confirm my theory.
Liam
Oh yeah, I was going to handle that when I got back. You’d be my favorite sister if you can take over since you are a party wizard.
No problem.
Alright, that’s solved, and I can go ahead with my plans.
I hear a sound of something hitting my kitchen window, but it must be a bird as there is a bird feeder near there. However, the sound continues. Woodpeckers don’t attack windows, do they? Call it my sixth sense, but I rush straight to the kitchen because I know who is outside standing at the bottom of the deck step, waiting.
Smiling, I quickly go to the back door to let Oliver in. I look side to side to ensure we have no watchers as he rushes inside.
I close the door and have to ask. “What’s with the pebble throwing? You could have just knocked on the door.”
“What’s the fun in that? I’m not supposed to be here so better go all out on the sneaking around.” He steps to me, and his hands rake through my hair only to fist it at the back of my head to drive my mouth straight to his.
It’s a fervent kiss that has me closing my eyes to completely inhale his breath and dip my tongue into his mouth. I’m already gone. He could slide my pajama shorts right down and I’d be ready.
I pull back and scrape my teeth along his stubbled jaw. “Are you sure Keats and Esme didn’t see you? I feel as though they are watching this place like hawks.”
“Nah, I walked through the backyard of that new family that just moved in next door. Their dog was inside which gave me a clear path.” We both meander to the couch, and Oliver sets my papers onto the coffee table before we have a seat.
I snort a laugh at his effort to fly under the radar. So far, we’ve used power walks, Liam’s key, neighbors’ yards, and me showing up to say they mixed up our mail as excuses. For the most part, we stay at his place since Esme and Keats are live next door. Carter has random shifts, and to be honest, he is the least of our worries.
“I wasn’t expecting you; I thought you were working late.” Getting comfortable, I tuck my legs under and love how his arm rests on the back of the couch behind me. It gives him ample opportunity to take his long finger and stroke my arm. I was hoping he would touch me.
“Managed to get out early. I might have to dash into a call later since the player’s agent is on Pacific time. Sorry if I’m interrupting your teacher stuff. Did that little punk have a better attitude today?” Because we do talk about things as our whirlwind has worn off, and now, we are in reality.
“Actually, a little. However, the excitement of my day was running into your mom in town. It was hard. It nearly burst out of me a few times that she’s my new mother-in-law.”
Oliver rubs his chin and seems to be in deep thought. “I haven’t seen her since they got back. I’m not sure how I’ll handle it.”
“I guess it’s the same boat as when Liam gets back. We have to get our nerves in check and stories straight. It’s just …” My eyes find his. “We’re deceiving everyone, and I know it’s what we walked into, and it will be temporary, but still…”
He cups my cheek, giving me that feeling of comfort. “It will all fall into place,” he promises.
I nod repeatedly, and he leans down to kiss the tip of my nose.
But he doesn’t succeed because the front door swings open, with the sound of feet quickly walking in. Oliver and I are quick to scramble apart.
“Oh hey, I didn’t know you were ho…” Esme stops mid-sentence when she stands in the entryway to the living room and notices Oliver sitting on the other end of the couch and still doing his best to sit straight. “Home.” Esme finishes her sentence and smirks gently to herself, and it’s almost sly because she seems to enjoy this awkward moment.
I swipe my hair behind my ear. “Yeah, grading papers.”
Esme bounces her eyes between me and Oliver. “Not alone, I see. Didn’t know Oliver loved to grade essays on the industrial era.”
My cheeks hurt from my tight smile.
“Actually, I stopped by because…” Oliver glances at me while he thinks before sliding his gaze back to Esme. “We were just talking about Liam’s plants. One of us forgot to water them. We were debating if we needed to buy a new one,” Oliver attempts to cover the situation and could in no possible way fool anyone with that lie.
“Sure you were.” Esme sounds completely unfazed before she sharply turns her attention to me. “Sorry to bother you. I sent you a text earlier that a client forgot her sweater by the door, so I was going to pick it up. You said cool. Remember?”
Ah shit, I did. Still, I need to reset some boundaries about knocking.
She uses her hand to cover her eyes and pretends to look away. “Well… nothing to see here. I’ll be on my merry way.” Then she scurries away.
When we hear the door close, my body eases because it was tense. “Fuck.” My eyes zip up to Oliver. “She knows.”
