Craving You (TBX #2) (26 page)

“We got TBX.” Colt breaks out into a giant grin.

“Now, what’re we going to do about the girls’ birthday?”

“I’d planned on proposing …”

“You still can.”

“Hmm, yeah, I may have an idea.
”

Kelsey

My knee is touching Parker while his leg bounces with a nervous energy. Our fingers are interlaced while we all small talk. Parker, Jamie, Colt, Brealynn, and I are currently waiting for Blaine to show up. He’s coming over to finally, officially meet everyone. It’s been one week since the boys told Jamie, their father, and the truth tumbled out. Parker filled me in on the details, and my heart reached out for him. Over the past week, our relationship has grown tremendously. Since he knocked down my walls, they’ve rebuilt with him as the foundation.

The light rasp on the door may as well be a pin dropping from the silence that follows it. Parker’s knee stills and his fingers grip mine tighter for a split second before he releases me, jumping to open the door. Colt and Jamie follow.

Brea and I sit with a nervous stare toward them. When the door opens, the silence screams before Jamie begins to cry and Parker puts his arms around to comfort her. “Oh, my gosh!” she wails.

Blaine is frozen in the doorway. “Come on in.” Colt waves him inside. “I’m Colt.” He extends his hand and the two shake.

“Parker. But we’ve met.” He still shakes his hand as well while the other arm holds Jamie close to his side.

She snuffles, “Hey, sorry I’m so emotional.”

“It’s okay. I’m happy to finally meet all of you.” That’s when his eyes land on Brealynn and me.

“That’s Kelsey, my girlfriend,” Parker says pointing at me, and I don’t miss the warning tone in his voice when he says,
girlfriend
. “And this is Brealynn, Colt’s girlfriend.”

“Nice to meet you both.” Blaine looks so much like the boys. Same dark hair and eyes, tall frame with a lean build and strong jawline.

“Have a seat.” I say while standing up. It’s time these kids had some time together. Brealynn follows my lead. When everyone is seated, we make our exit.

“Where’re you goin’?” Parker calls out to my back.

“We won’t be far. Enjoy some family time.” Then I walk off with my best friend into the kitchen. Parker may not like it that I left him, but he needs this time with his family.

“White wine or pink?” Brealynn is reaching into our emergency wine stash. Please, don’t act like you don’t have one. If not, get one, it’s vital.

“White wine makes me slutty, so let’s go with pink.”

“OMGosh, when’s white wine the only thing that makes you slutty?”

“True.” Brealynn opens the wine and begins pouring us both a glass, filling it to the rim.
That’s a bestie, folks
.

Putting the glass to my lips, the fruity taste of pink wine hits my tongue and it’s heaven. I’m normally a vodka drinker, but wine makes me feel classy and yes, sometimes slutty.

Pinkies up, bitches
.

“Is it bad that we’re drinkin’ before five?”

“When’ve we ever followed the rules?”

“Dammit, Brealynn, stop being right so much!” I joke.

“It’s a hard life, but someone has to live it.” Tossing back her glass, she jokes back with me.

“Did Colt tell you about the competition?”

“Yeah, this morning …”

“Parker told me last night. I think they were hesitant to tell us.”

“I understand it’s our birthday weekend. Honestly, where else would we rather be than supporting them?”

“Nowhere.” Call me lovesick, say it’s puppy love, but I just want to be where he is …
Forever.

“I’m so happy.”

“You’re so easy cheese.”

“Easy cheese?” Brea laughs while pouring more wine, refilling our emptying glasses.

“Easily cheesy.”

“That sounds like a mac and cheese commercial. Is that all I am to you, carbs?” I bust out laughing at that comment; the wine’s already getting to her.

My ears perk up to the voices flowing from the living room. They seem to be getting along well and bonding, which is all any of them want and need.

“Mom called me.”

Brealynn begins downing her glass, “No, no, no!”

I laugh. “I think she’s finally happy.”

“Serious?”

“Yes! It seems. She’s remarried. I know that’s not a shocker, but it’s different this time.” Brealynn looks at me with squinty eyes. “I know, I know! But I really think this guy will stick.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, Kels …” Brea’s tone is suddenly serious.

“I’m not. It’s just ... you didn’t hear her. I know it’s different, I can feel it. Fate’s turned things in our favor.”

“What’s in your favor?” Parker sneaks up behind me before sweeping my hair aside and placing a soft kiss on my neck. Chills erupt over my skin with his touch.

“Girl talk.” Brealynn speaks for me.

Everyone is in the kitchen, and Jamie is helping herself to our emergency stash of wine.

“We’re gonna take Blaine out to the box. You girls good here?” Colt asks.

“We have wine. We’ll survive.”
Damn, I need to slogan that on a T-shirt.

The three brothers take off for the box, and it’s just us three girls …

“You girls are the sisters I’ve never had,” Jamie slightly slurs. “I’m so happy one day you guys will be family.”
Um, drunk girl say what?

“What do you know about that, Jamie?” Jamie has her mouth open to have what I assume is a huge secret fall out when the guys stumble back into the house.

“Dammit, Blaine, keep it together or they’ll know where wasted,” Colt pleads.

“Oh, we can smell it,” Jamie chimes in.

“Wine makes Kelsey slutty, Parker.” His eyebrow rises at Brea’s confession.

“White wine!” I add, but it’s too late.

“You goin’ to be my little slut tonight?” His whisper is hot and low as the want and need of it travels through my eardrum and straight to my vagina. I shudder against his back.

“When’s the next competition? I’d love to be there.” Blaine is near slur but still manages to pour water over the fire that was sparking.

“Next weekend. We’d love to have you. Just let us know if you can make it.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” It seems like the boys bonded pretty well over alcohol and bikes.

“Jamie, I figured we could hang out before then?” Her face perks up. I think she felt a little left out with the guys going to the box and her staying back with us.

“I’d love that.”

As I stare at this group, everyone laughing and telling stories, I realize they’ve become family to me in such a short time and I can’t help but smile. The love of my life, my best friend, and the family I’ve always wanted in the same room. It’s crazy how life works out sometimes. Every ounce of hostility I had toward love has evaporated, allowing Parker to soak into my veins and jumpstart my loveless heart. It beats harder and slower now like it has a reason.

Parker

“What’s this?” I’m snooping around Kelsey’s room while she ignores me reading her latest romance novel.
Like I don’t do it better.

“Just something I made with Jamie the other night.” Then her eyes are back on the screen in front of her.

Examining the green and black rubber, I kinda like it. Stuffing it in my jean pocket, I turn around to the sight I want to look at forever. Her hair smooth as it falls around her shoulders, lips between straight teeth while she concentrates, and one of her slender legs showing from under the covers.

“You okay with spending your birthday at an event?” Setting down her Kindle, I get her full attention. Those gray eyes shine brightly at me.

“That’s a silly question.” After wrinkling up her nose in that cute way only she can, her feet pad across the floor. Stopping in front of me, she grabs my hands to hold with hers. “I’m okay with spending it with you. Anywhere.”

Leaning down till our foreheads rest against each other, I mutter, “Sweetness.”

She hums. “That word does crazy things to me.”

“
You
do crazy things to me.” Our eyes meet and in them I see my world burst into color; her eyes soak up all the gray allowing the vibrant colors to shine through. She paints my world and without her, everything would be black and white. My lips fall down to hers for a quick kiss. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Never gonna get tired of hearing that.

Parker

“It’s my birthday eve, bitches!” Kelsey sock slides through the kitchen while the rest of the house plus Tim eats their breakfast. He arrived early this morning asking for Jamie. I think he’s worried that with all of this change; she may relapse into her old habits.

“Hells yeah!” Brealynn adds and jumps up to hug her best friend. Screaming and laughing ensue and I regret waking up. Mornings are not meant for talking, let alone screaming.

“You don’t get a birthday eve,” Tim chimes in while shoveling cereal into his mouth.

“Bull corny dogs! I can have whatever I want because it’s MY. BIRTHDAY. Eve!” Kelsey singsongs to Tim.

“The things that come out of your mouth.” Jamie mumbles and covers her food-filled mouth with her hand.

“Happy Birthday Eve, ladies.” Colt winks while looking at Brealynn, and she matches the grin spreading across his face.

Kelsey glides further into the kitchen until her knees are pressed against mine as I sit in the chair, watching her. Pressing her small hands to my thighs, she squeezes, her face inches from mine. “Are you forgetting to wish me a happy birthday eve?” Her stare is playful.

Jolting my arms out, I pull her onto my lap while a giggle escapes her. My hands frame her delicate face, “Happy Birthday Eve. Now, give me my fix.” When our lips slam against each other, a group of collected groans fill the space.

“Knock it off!” Tim throws his napkin hitting us both on the cheek. “Y’all have some practicing to do! Let’s go, losers. Blaine will be here soon.” Over the past week, he’s been hanging out a lot with us. Slowly, but surely we’re building a relationship between the four of us.

Kelsey’s face transforms into a pout. “You’re going to the box?”