Drawn To You: A Beyond The Cove Novel

by Quinn, Jaclyn

  Warm, soft lips pressed against his mouth as Jake panted, trying to catch his breath. “What was that about you winning?” Eli teased.

  “Can’t…talk…” Jake licked his dry lips, opening his eyes halfway. “You broke me.”

  Eli barked out a laugh. “Just say it. ‘Eli, you won.’ It’s easy. Here I’ll start you off… Eli, you—”

  Jake tackled Eli back onto the mattress, silencing him when he crashed their lips together and drove his tongue into Eli’s mouth. He kissed him until they both were breathless, slowing to little nips and licks. He pulled his head back slightly. “Pretty sure we both win.”

  Eli reached up and ran a hand through Jake’s hair, tugging until Jake took his mouth again. When they broke apart, Eli whispered, “Yeah, think we do.”

  They all knew Thanksgiving wasn’t going to be easy, but Eli felt helpless watching Jake and the boys go through the motions. They tried to pretend they were okay with fake smiles, but every now and then, Eli would catch one or all three of them staring off absently. Kevin and Maggie were on everyone’s minds. Even Ryder and Kenz seemed to be thinking of them, and they hardly knew them.

  When they sat down to dinner there was an awkward silence. They’d put two tables together to make one long table with Stan sitting at one end and Nina sitting at the other. Jake and Eli sat on one side with the boys between them. On the other side sat Avery, Ryder, and Kenz. Ryder, of course, made sure to plant himself right next to an annoyed Avery. Eli got the impression that giving up a family Thanksgiving wasn’t a hardship for Avery. He’d made it clear he wanted to be here with them. The only empty seat was reserved for Parker, who would be joining them for dessert.

  “I know this isn’t easy for anyone.” Nina glanced solemnly at everyone. “There’s an absence at this table we’re all feeling, but…” She looked at Jake and the boys with such compassion in her eyes. “I’m hoping through our sadness, we each can find one thing we’re thankful for.”

  Jake gave Nina a small smile and nodded his head.

  With a smile in return, Nina squeezed Jake’s hand. “I’ll start.” She looked around the table. “I’m thankful each and every one of you are here. I never imagined we’d have such a full house for the holiday.”

  Stan gazed at his wife across the table. “Since you stole mine,” he winked at her, “I’m thankful to have neighbors who are more like family.”

  “I’ll go next,” Kenz said in a rush, as if she just wanted to get the all-eyes-on-her moment over with. “I’m thankful that you all invited me to be a part of your holiday.”

  Jake looked at Eli over the boys’ heads and smiled. “I think ours is the same and pretty obvious.” Eli nodded, reaching behind the boys’ chairs to take Jake’s hand. “I’m thankful none of this was taken away from me.”

  Eli added, “I’m thankful you finally came to your senses.” The whole table laughed, but Jake just nodded his head and mouthed me too, and Eli could feel the love coming from him.

  “Great. How do I follow that?” Avery shook his head and sighed dramatically with a chuckle. He looked across the table. “I’m thankful to still be a part of Kevin’s boys’ lives and for new friends.”

  Dylan and Nick were whispering to each other before Dylan nudged his head at his older brother. Nick nodded at Dylan then looked at the rest of the table. “We’re thankful we didn’t have to move to stupid Connecticut.” Dylan smiled and added, “And we’re thankful that Uncle J and Eli wanted us.” Eli’s gaze shot down to Dylan then back up at Jake.

  “Always, kid,” Jake responded. “You’re stuck with us.” Both boys nodded their heads as Dylan leaned toward Eli for a hug, and Nick did the same with Jake.

  “What cologne do you wear?” Ryder randomly asked Avery as he took an exaggerated whiff.

  Avery’s eyebrows pulled together. “Prada, why?”

  Ryder announced, “I’m thankful for Prada and candied sweet potatoes with tiny marshmallows.” Avery groaned and hung his head, but couldn’t conceal his laughter as the rest of the table joined in. Eli didn’t miss the subtle wink Ryder sent Jake. He’d obviously wanted to lighten the heavy moment. It didn’t look like Avery missed it either, his eyes softening as he stared at Ryder. Ryder’s eyes shifted toward Avery, and he gave a crooked smile and a small shrug. Eli wondered if anyone else had caught the moment between the two men.

  Eli looked around the table and took in the love, banter, and delicious aromas. This was exactly like a Taylor Thanksgiving.

  One day Jake and the kids would be a part of that.

  Eli held the iPad up to make sure Jake and the boys were on the screen with him as they squished together on the couch. It was the Friday night before Christmas, and he and Jake had taken the weekend off and wouldn’t be returning to the shop until the day after Christmas on Wednesday. “Where are you guys?”

  His dad glanced at his mom. “Savannah’s. You know, in her back room—”

  “We’ll miss you this year, honey,” Eli’s mom said, cutting his dad off, “but we understand completely.” He knew she genuinely meant it because she always checked in to see how Jake and the boys were holding up.

  “I know. I’ll miss you guys too,” he replied. “Maybe next year.” Eli glanced over at Jake, giving him a smile to reassure Jake that he was okay with it. There was no way he was leaving them for Christmas.

  “That would be wonderful.” Her eyes shifted to the boys. “There may be a present or two with your names on them. I’ll get them to you soon.” She winked and the boys laughed.

  “How do you guys have her wrapped around your little fingers already?” Eli teased, nudging Nick, who was closest to him.

  “Um…because we’re awesome,” Nick snarked with twelve-year-old attitude. They all laughed while Eli tapped Nick playfully on the back of his head.

  He loved seeing how comfortable the boys were talking to his parents. Even Jake was warming up to them. Eli had Jake and the boys join in on his FaceTime calls with his family all the time now. There was no reason that, just because they were hours away from each other, they couldn’t get to know one another. He wanted that more than he would ever admit to Jake. To have his whole family under one roof someday. “So, what do you have planned this weekend?” Eli watched his parents give each other sneaky looks. They’re up to something.

  “Oh, just a little last-minute shopping.” His mom feigned innocence.

  Ah. Christmas presents. Probably going overboard, as usual.

  Eli’s mom yawned. “I’m sorry. Today was a little hectic. Last minute holiday things and all that. I think we’re going to let you boys go.”

  “Yeah, okay. We’ll call you Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I love you guys. Give everyone a hug for me.” Eli cleared his throat, trying to keep his emotions in check. He was going to miss being with them for the holiday, but he also knew he’d make new traditions with Jake and the boys here. When he glanced at Jake, he caught his stare, and immediately Eli smiled, maybe a little too enthusiastically. Jake gave him a small smile in return.

  “We’ll talk to you then. Love you too, honey.” Eli’s parents each gave a wave before the call was ended.

  Eli put the iPad down and stood up but didn’t make eye contact with Jake. “Well, I think I’m gonna turn in. I need my strength tomorrow since you guys,” he looked at the kids, “promised Nina that we’d help her make pies. All. Day.” He raised an eyebrow at them, and they both shrugged innocently before laughing.

  “Yeah, maybe we all should turn in.” Jake stood and walked behind Eli, wrapping an arm over Eli’s shoulder and across his chest. The move was meant to comfort. He hadn’t hid how much he missed his family after all.

  They all made their way upstairs, and once Eli and Jake were in bed, Jake pulled Eli back against his chest and wrapped an arm over his waist. “I know this is hard on you.”

  Eli quickly rolled to face Jake. “No—”

  Jake covered his mouth. “Yeah. It is. I would have given anything to have the
parents you have. I can’t be with my brother, but you’re choosing not to be with your family for us.”

  Eli brushed Jake’s hand away. “I told you. You guys are my family now.”

  “I don’t know what’s more mind-blowing to me. That you think of us that way, or that you think I’m worthy of that kind of love.”

  “You are,” Eli whispered and softly kissed Jake.

  “Shit, we got all sappy again.” Jake laughed as he brushed his nose against Eli’s. “I might as well tell you I love you then.”

  “You are so damn romantic.”

  Jake sighed dramatically and rolled his eyes. “I know. It’s kinda my thing now.”

  Eli barked out a laugh, rolling on top of Jake. He took his mouth in a deep kiss and whispered, “I love you too.”

  Bright and freaking early the next morning…too damn early for a Saturday off…they were all downstairs making breakfast before Eli and the boys had to head over to Nina’s for the pie-baking marathon. “Next time you want to volunteer me for something, can you not make it at the butt crack of dawn?”

  The boys snickered, Dylan pointing at Eli. “You said butt crack.”

  “Technically, eight-thirty is not the butt crack of dawn,” Jake clarified. Eli looked over at Jake who was laughing as he took a huge bite of his bacon and egg sandwich. With a full mouth, Jake mumbled, “What?” in response to Eli’s glare.

  “How did you get out of this?”

  Jake swallowed his food. “Have you met me?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Besides, I haven’t wrapped anything yet. I need you all out.”

  Eli huffed. “You owe me so big.”

  “Yeah, I do,” Jake agreed in a moment of sincerity. Then a wicked smile spread across his gorgeous face and Eli knew exactly where Jake’s mind had gone. Eli snorted and looked away before the boys caught on. “You guys better get going. You don’t want to make Nina wait.”

  Oh, he so owes me for this.

  The three of them grabbed their coats and made the short walk next door. As soon as Nina opened the door with a huge, loving smile on her face, all grumpiness slid away. How could anyone be cranky around a woman filled with so much kindness? She ushered them inside, with a hug for each of them. The house already smelled like Christmas, with the scent of pine coming from the living room and cinnamon, spices, and warm apples filling the air from the kitchen.

  Immediately, they got to work. Nina had made three pies before Eli and the boys had even gotten over there. “How many pies do we need?” Eli asked jokingly, looking in awe at the six finished pies on the table.

  “You can never have too many at Christmas.” Nina took the next pie out of the oven and smiled warmly. “We can even freeze some in our garage freezer. Don’t worry,” she added. “They’ll get eaten.” Nina winked at the boys. No doubt, those two could each finish a pie on their own.

  Eli’s phone went off in his pocket. He looked at the screen to see a text from Jake. Need help wrapping one of the bigger presents for the boys.

  Eli snickered as he pictured a huge box covered in patchwork wrapping paper and a pissed-off Jake cursing at it. Be right there.

  He shoved his phone in his back pocket. “I have to go help your Uncle J with something. I’ll be right back.”

  “’K,” they both responded without looking up from their tasks.

  Eli headed to the door, grabbing his jacket off the chair as he went. As he crossed the yard, he heard loud Christmas music coming from their house. There’s No Place like Home for the Holidays? He didn’t take Jake for a Christmas music kind of guy. He walked up the steps, his hand almost on the doorknob, when the door suddenly opened.

  “Mom?” Eli froze, his brain frantically trying to catch up to what his eyes were seeing.

  “Well, don’t just stand there.” She took his hand and pulled him inside—and immediately Eli was surrounded by his family.

  “Dad? Zach?” Eli looked around him and every single member of his family was standing in their foyer. He turned when a hand landed on his shoulder. “Jonah.” His voice cracked as he pulled his brother into a hug. “This is amazing. Thank you.”

  “It was Jake’s idea,” Jonah whispered and pulled back to look Eli in the eyes. Jonah smirked and slightly nodded his head as Eli stared at him in disbelief.

  He searched Jake out and found him standing by the stairs with Dylan and Nick by his side. Jake had a look of vulnerability on his face, and in that moment, Eli couldn’t have loved him more. Eli crossed the foyer and wrapped his arms around Jake’s neck. The boys joined in, one on each side, as the four of them hugged. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”

  “Then I’m doing something wrong,” Jake whispered in his ear. “I don’t do things like this for you often enough.”

  Eli leaned back and took Jake’s face in his hands. “Do you even know how happy I am here with you guys?”

  “We know you love us,” Nick said.

  “But we could tell you were a little sad that you weren’t going home for Christmas,” Dylan added.

  “I am home,” Eli clarified. “But you have no idea what this means to me.” He heard sniffling coming from his right and turned to see Nina and his mom watching them, both in tears.

  “It’s just so sweet.” Nina grabbed Eli’s mom’s hand like they’d been friends forever.

  “I know. Look at them,” his mom added and dabbed at her eyes with a tissue.

  Zach walked over and wrapped an arm around their mom’s shoulders. “So precious.” He wiped away fake tears. “This moment could only be made better,” he sniffled and put a hand to his heart, “with eggnog.”

  She wacked Zach on his stomach with the back of her hand. “Santa’s still watching. You’re getting coal, brat.”

  Zach shrugged. “As long as it’s enough to fill a grill, I’m good with that.”

  She rolled her eyes as everyone else laughed. The family spread out, making themselves at home in Jake and Eli’s house. It was still a little weird to think of this house as his, but they were all still adjusting.

  “I’m stealing these handsome men for a bit.” Eli’s mom took each of the boys’ hands. “Nina said you have a few more pies next door. Why don’t we go help her?”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Eli leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “Anything for pie…uh, I mean for you. Anything for you, honey.” Nick and Dylan snickered as she pulled them toward the front door.

  “Nice,” Eli said shaking his head. He glanced into the family room seeing more decorations than had been there this morning, tables set up with food, and presents under the Christmas tree, including the ones Eli and Jake and gotten for his family. “How long have you been planning this?”

  “Since Thanksgiving,” Jake replied. “They all got here last night around eight. Half are in your condo and half are in mine.”

  “So your random trip to the store for Cheetos…?”

  Jake laughed. “I was letting them in and getting them set up. We figured your parents or Savannah, Tom, and their kids can stay in our guest bedroom tonight. They all leave tomorrow. I’m sorry you won’t see them on Christm—”

  Eli pulled Jake’s face down and kissed him. After all he’d planned, Jake still felt like it wasn’t enough? When they broke apart, Jake leaned his forehead on Eli’s, wrapping his arms around his waist. “Thank you,” Eli whispered. “This is perfect.”

  “Are you two done with the lovey-dovey stuff over there?” Zach called out. “There’s a plate of ziti calling my name.”

  “Moron…Moron…” Dakotah said in a faint voice.

  Jocelynn, Dakotah’s girlfriend, gasped. “I hear it!”

  “Ha ha.” Zach rolled his eyes then turned to their dad. “Seriously, I don’t know why you and Mom didn’t stop after me.”

  With each hour that went by, and every embarrassing, funny story told, Eli could see Jake feeling more comfortable. Eli stood in the opening between the family room and the foyer and watched him. Jake sat on t
he floor with the boys in front of the coffee table, opening a huge Lego set Jonah and Cameron had gotten the boys. Each member of his family bought Nick and Dylan a present. Just as Eli knew they would, they all welcomed Jake, Nick, and Dylan into the family without a second thought.

  “He’ll get used to it,” a soft voice spoke behind Eli. He turned to find Cameron with a shy smile on his face. “Not gonna lie, the Taylors can be a little overwhelming,” he chuckled, “but…you all make it impossible to feel like an outsider.” Cameron looked at Jonah, his eyes softening. “I’d never known this much love before I met Jonah and the rest of you.” He must have realized what he’d just said and blushed, glancing quickly at Eli. Clearing his throat, he added, “He probably doesn’t even realize that he’s already a part of this family. Took me a while to understand, but I finally get it. He will too.” A small smile curved his mouth, and Eli nodded and smiled in response. He watched Cameron make his way across the room, weaving around family members, until he reached Jonah and sat down on the floor between his legs.

  Eli’s gaze shifted to Jake and they locked eyes. The intensity of the way Jake looked at him now, the love in his eyes that Eli never thought he’d see, made his heart stutter in his chest. This moment, with his entire family surrounding him, was exactly what he’d wanted for Christmas.

  “It’s seven o’clock!” Dylan yelled through the bedroom door. “Is that late enough?”

  “Yeah, we gave you another hour! Come on already!” Nick yelled, knocking on the door.

  “Oh sure, but for school, seven is way too early,” Jake grumbled.

  Eli turned his face into Jake’s neck and laughed, his warm breath sending a chill down Jake’s spine. “We better get up.”