Something smashes near the entrance, and Jimmy lets out a soft breath, resting the mop against the counter and quietly murmuring, “I’ll go.”
I keep sweeping, and by the time I have three little piles of dirty flour in the kitchen, Jimmy has pulled Darian and Mac apart. I can’t hear what he’s saying because the guy always speaks so quietly, but it’ll be something calm and sensible. That’s just how Jimmy rolls.
“Say ‘fuck’ again and I’ll end you.” Darian stalks back into the living room, still looking mildly pissed while Mac saunters in behind him.
Jimmy’s got a calming hand on his shoulder, silently telling him to shut up and end this thing already.
Thankfully, he heeds his friend’s advice and bites his lips together. He’s still fighting a laugh, and when he glances at Nix and winks, she gets the giggles.
“What?” Darian barks.
“Nothing.” Her impish grin is adorable as she hands him the game controller, and his angst from moments before starts to disintegrate.
Grabbing it with a huff, he stares back at the screen. “Which game do you want me to beat you at next?”
“Nice try, loser. I’m up five-three on your ass.” Her smile is triumphant, and all Darian can do is grunt and pick a new game.
I crouch down with the brush and shovel, wondering if there’s something brewing between those two. I don’t think they were an item last year. I can’t help but keep an eye on everyone on the team.
What? I like to watch people. I’m good at making quiet observations, and I’m pretty sure Nix is only here because she’s friends with Charli.
But maybe Darian is taking advantage this weekend.
Hope it goes okay for them. Things can get messy when you start crushing on your sibling’s friends. I saw it with two of my sisters. For a while there, Renee was hanging out with this guy named Josh. They were just buddies, but then Emmeline started crushing big-time. She and Josh ended up dating for a bit, but then they broke up, and Josh was too gutted to be around our family anymore. His friendship with Renee ended, and the Cold War of 2015 began. I was ten, and I remember it vividly. It went on for like three weeks, and it was painful. Mom was losing her mind. The girls refused to even look at each other, and it made mealtimes awkward and any family outing nearly impossible. In the end, after Mom and Dad both failed to fix the situation, they called up my oldest sister, Kelly, and she drove back from college for the weekend and set things right. I don’t know how, but Renee forgave Emmeline, and apparently they both decided that guys weren’t worth it or something.
I don’t know.
Girls are weird sometimes.
I’m just glad that my girl isn’t a drama queen like my sisters can be.
Throwing out the flour trash, I make way for Jimmy to mop the floor.
“Thanks for your help.” I smile at him and he nods, quietly finishing up the task like he’s embarrassed that I noticed he wasn’t just sitting on his ass like the rest of the team.
Sawyer and Charli drip back into the house once again, and this time, Jimmy moves to mop up their mess, so I step outside to make a phone call, walking all the way to the end of the deck and around the corner of the house. I can see all the parked cars from here and the pine trees beyond.
Mandy doesn’t answer and I frown down at my screen, wishing she was around. I’d like to hear her voice. I can’t wait for her to get here tomorrow. She’s so fun and pretty. She tastes amazing, and I love how adventurous she’s made me in the bedroom. I’m hoping to sneak her upstairs during the party tomorrow. Or… I glance around at the wooded area and imagine making her come against a tree or something. That could be fun.
My grin grows as I send her a text.
Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. I’m gonna give you the biggest kiss, baby. Get ready for some Ben-Lovin’.
I know she won’t see my message immediately. If she didn’t answer her phone, then she obviously doesn’t have it on her.
But my message gets a heart only a moment later. I pause, wondering if she’ll call me back, but she doesn’t.
She must be busy. As much as I want to try calling her again, I better not. Maybe she’s with her parents or… I don’t know.
All I do know is that I get to hold her tomorrow, and I can’t fucking wait!
Yes, I’m a romantic sap, okay?
And I don’t see anything wrong with pining for your woman and wanting to be with her. I’m a good, attentive boyfriend. Mom always says girls are lucky to have me, and she said Caroline must have been insane not to want me.
She was probably just trying to make me feel better, but the point is… I am a good boyfriend. I’m kind, considerate, and attentive. Mandy seems to like that about me, and that’s all that matters.
“Hurry up and get here, baby,” I whisper at my phone. “I miss you.”
