This isn’t going well so far.
“I’m sure he was just worried I hit my head or something and was lying on the floor in a pool of blood and the vacation would be cut short,” I rush out in one breath.
Ryan raises an eyebrow, but just shakes his head.
“You are kind of a klutz, aren’t you?” He reaches out and gives me a playful punch in the shoulder that’s a little harder than I think he meant for it to be. I lift my hand, rubbing the spot he hit, trying to ease the ache that's building.
Ryan must not notice, but Jeremiah does. When I look up, he’s staring at me with concern-filled eyes.
“Okay, Mama decided what we’re doing first, and it’s eating. Apparently, the babies are hangry and devouring her from the inside out.”
I smile, happy about that decision for a couple of reasons. One, I’m hungry as well. Two, it’s a little longer I don’t have to be around a topless, wet Jeremiah on the beach. It’s a win-win.
“So now the question is, what do the babies want to eat?”
“PIZZA!” both kids scream at the same time.
“Anyone object?” Ryan smiles, staring at his son.
“Sounds good to me. Most of the places that sell it have a salad option,” I add, feeling a little self-conscious about Jeremiah’s remark.
“Salad? What the hell are you, a rabbit?” Maddy balks as her face scrunches up. “You’ll have pizza just like the rest of us.”
Ryan steps closer, sliding his arm around my shoulders, and pulling me flush with his body. “When does my sister turn down one of her favorite foods?”
“Since she’s gained a few pounds and needs to drop them,” I bark back, pissed that I need to justify my food choice to him.
“I don’t see where you need to lose any weight,” Jeremiah states a little too loudly. Ryan’s head jerks in his direction so fast I’m positive he got whiplash.
Jeremiah holds his hands up for the second time in thirty minutes.
“Ryan, I’m not blind, nor is any other man in eyeshot of her. Anyone could see she’s perfect..”
Ryan narrows his gaze at his friend, making me all the more self-conscious, as if the pizza and Jeremiah’s compliment weren’t enough to do the trick.
“Make sure to keep your eyes and body away from my sister. Maddy, we need to change rooms,” Ryan grits out with a tic in his jaw.
“Would you stop, Ryan? He’s just stating the obvious, your sister is a smoke show. You need to let go of this overprotectiveness and we’re not moving.”
“Fine.” Ryan sighs, but glares at Jeremiah. “Let’s go eat. We’re taking your SUV Jeremiah since it has the booster seats already and three-row seating.”
“Sounds good.” Jeremiah gives Ryan a playful shove, and it’s like the tense conversation we just had evaporates into thin air.
Chapter 14
Jeremiah
Ialmost blew itearlier, letting it slip in front of Ryan that I noticed Amberlee’s body. I could see the steam coming out of his ears. He was pissed. If looks could kill, I’d be dead right now.
His anger blew over quickly, though. No police had to be called. It does make me worry about when I do confess to him how I feel about his sister. Will it ruin the friendship we’ve had since meeting in basic training? God, I hope not.
I make my way out of the water with Ryan and head in Maddy’s direction. She’s lying on one of those beach loungers under a large ass umbrella. Ryan spent over a hundred dollars to rent it for the day because he didn’t want her getting overheated or worse, sunburned.
He drops down beside her and shakes his hair. The cool water sprays her stomach and she shrieks but quickly starts laughing. Ryan leans down, pressing his lips to her bare stomach, and I have to look away, feeling as if I’m intruding on a private moment.
Shifting my gaze, look for Angel and RJ, knowing they should be nearby since Maddy was keeping an eye on them. I find them just a little way down the beach, excitedly running in and out of the waves as they hold Amberlee’s hands.
My mind runs wild, thoughts of what it would be like if we were married with her belly swollen with my child—her natural curves accentuated by the glow of motherhood. I’m so caught up in my fantasy, I don’t see the volleyball flying at my face until it hits me right in the nose, causing me to stumble back a little.
