I fan my face.
Yeah, I’m in big trouble with this one.
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Cade
I finish cutting up the onions and mushrooms as people start to arrive. Wyatt has two fryers going over near the barn, and they’re about up to temperature for cooking. Under the shade of the big oak tree, he has a few tables and chairs set up and a Bluetooth speaker pumping classic country from his phone.
“Hey, what can I help with?” my twin asks when he reaches my side.
Ignoring him, I give my full attention to the gorgeous woman at his side. “Hey, Lizard. Tired of the stiff yet? I’m available,” I offer, waggling my eyebrows and giving her a big smile.
She reaches over and pats my arm. “Sorry, big guy. I’m quite fond of the stiff,” she replies.
“Hey,” Collin grumbles.
Lizzie moves to his side and kisses his cheek. “You’re my favorite stiff though.”
“Eww, don’t do that around me. I’m starting to feel all warm and fuzzy,” I mutter, faking a big shiver in disgust.
“Oh, don’t you worry, Cade. One of these days, someone’s going to knock the wind right out of your sails. It’s going to be glorious,” she proclaims, her green eyes sparkling with delight.
“Watch your mouth,” I tell her, pointing the onion slice in my hand at her.
Lizzie rolls her eyes. “I’m going to take this taco salad over to the table,” she says, most likely to my brother, and I don’t miss the way his eyes follow her every move as she walks away.
“You’re drooling,” I mutter, placing the sliced onions into a baggie.
“Do you blame me?” my brother asks, a faint smile on his lips.
I don’t fail to acknowledge the change in my twin ever since he fell hard for Lizzie. When she bought the bar earlier this year, she slowly chiseled through the brick wall he erected around his heart, knocking down the layers and helping heal the hurt he still carried. Those scowls he always wore have slowly been replaced with smiles, and for that, I’m grateful.
I glance back at Lizzie, who gives Wyatt a hug. “Nope. Not at all.”
Collin gives her a full-watt smile, watching as our friend basically hits on her. Of course, Wyatt isn’t actually hitting on her. He’s subtly giving Collin a hard time and ruffling feathers, much like I do. My twin exhales and shakes his head. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to go rescue my girlfriend from the moron.”
I snort and finish my task, making sure everything’s sliced up to be battered and deep fried with the fish. I say hello to more friends, all bearing food to share and coolers of drinks. Before I know it, the gathering is in full swing, and Wyatt’s signaling it’s time to start cooking.
Glancing toward the driveway, I realize I’m a little disappointed not to see Oaklee. She said she was coming, and even confirmed earlier this morning when we chatted on her way to work, but I haven’t talked to her since. I had a rare Saturday off, but that doesn’t mean I got to sleep in and relax. I got up early, went for a run, and then sent her a simple little good morning text message. That turned into a phone call while she was driving, and a promise to see me later in the afternoon.
Yet, she’s not here.
Wyatt, Collin, Alex, and I get to work on preparing the food. Of course, we have a crowd gathered around, everyone chatting and watching us prepare the deep-fried goodness. Alex and I man one fryer and start with coating the onion slices in beer batter, making homemade onion rings, while Collin and Wyatt start the fish. I try to keep my attention on what I’m doing, considering I’m dealing with splattering oil and scalding hot food, which is probably why I didn’t notice Oaklee join us until I was finishing up the last round of onion rings and getting ready to start the mushrooms.
Just as I’m about to deposit some of the coated mushrooms into my fryer, I hear a laugh that makes me stop. I look up and find Oaklee and Lizzie talking together, standing over near the edge of the barn. My eyes are glued to her beautiful face, the way her hair is pulled back and tied high on her head, and the fact her laughter floats through the air like a hymn.
As if feeling my gaze, she looks over and smiles. That simple gesture crashes into my chest, causing my heart to race and my palms to get a little sweaty. Not to mention what it does below my belt. My balls ache, and it takes everything I have not to grow hard standing in the middle of a big group of friends.
“Earth to Cade.” Alex snaps his fingers in front of my face to get my attention.
“Sorry,” I state, using the strainer basket to place fresh mushrooms in the oil.
“Ahhh, I see what’s got ya so distracted. You brought a friend.” He flashes a knowing smile before returning his attention to the woman across the way.
“Eyes over here,” I grumble, earning a hearty laugh from my friend.
