by J. H. Croix
Evers & Afters
A Dare With Me Novel
J.H. Croix
Contents
Dedication
1. Elias
2. Cammi
3. Elias
4. Cammi
5. Elias
6. Cammi
7. Elias
8. Cammi
9. Elias
10. Cammi
11. Elias
12. Cammi
13. Elias
14. Elias
15. Cammi
16. Cammi
17. Elias
18. Cammi
19. Elias
20. Cammi
21. Elias
22. Cammi
23. Elias
24. Cammi
25. Elias
26. Cammi
27. Cammi
28. Elias
29. Elias
30. Cammi
31. Elias
32. Cammi
Epilogue
Find My Books
Acknowledgments
About the Author
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2021 J.H. Croix
All rights reserved.
Cover design by Najla Qamber Designs
Cover Photography: Wander Aguiar
Cover models: Alex Champtaloup & Adrea McNulty
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Created with Vellum
Dedication
To my friends who remind me time and again it’s about how to take care of each other. Sometimes that means wine and chocolate over videoconference.
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Chapter One
Elias
November
“You have a visitor, Elias,” the nurse said in a cheerful voice.
I resisted the urge to actually growl at her and managed a tight smile in return. “I wasn’t expecting anyone,” I replied.
“Well, the coffee around here isn’t the best, so I think you’ll appreciate this visitor.”
I didn’t know this nurse’s name. She wasn’t one of the regulars. I’d only been here three days, and I’d already figured out the usual staff.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head against my pillows. Being in the hospital sucked. My throbbing side annoyed me, and I wanted to be out of here yesterday. Now, I had a freaking visitor. I only hoped it was someone I liked enough that they wouldn’t mind me being an asshole.
“Elias?” a voice called softly.
I ransacked my brain for a moment because I knew that voice. My weary, achy body gave itself a shake. Then, I spied her. It was Cammi Taylor. Opening my eyes, I saw her step into my hospital room and close the door behind her. She had a cup of coffee in her hands, and my mouth almost started watering because Cammi made the best damn coffee in town. Hell, in all of Alaska as far as I was concerned. Considering that I flew all over the state and visited many coffee shops, including the high-end ones in a few cities, my opinion was based on strong research.
She turned, her blue eyes lighting up when she saw me awake. “Hey,” she said as she crossed the room. “I brought you some coffee.”
I sat up a little straighter in bed and silently cursed the effect Cammi had on me. Every cell in my body sat up and took notice when she was nearby. I’d been getting coffee at her coffee shop for five years now. Red Truck Coffee was impossible to miss when you drove past it on the way to the airport. It was in an old red baker’s truck, a beacon representing incredible coffee and Cammi’s warm smile. I started going there for the coffee, and now I couldn’t be sure it wasn’t Cammi that drew me in like a magnet. Every time I saw her, I had to beat back my body’s intense reaction.
When I first met her, her hair was short, but she’d let it grow out and it fell in a silky bob, swinging forward as she sat down in the chair beside my bed and held up the distinctive red paper coffee cup. “Here you go.”
I ignored the twinge of pain as I lifted my hand to reach for the coffee. I took a swallow, letting out a low groan at the decadent and rich flavor.
Opening my eyes, I met hers, my lips tugging into an unbidden smile. “Thank you. The coffee here is shit.”
Cammi’s laugh was like soft bells in the room, and I felt a tug low in my chest. “I’m sure they do the best they can, but their priorities are taking care of their patients. How are you feeling?” Her concerned eyes coasted over me.
I felt like hell, but I didn’t want to complain. I hated how weak and useless I felt in the hospital.
I lifted my shoulder in a shrug. “Okay. Better now that you brought me this.” I took another healthy swallow.
I tried to adjust the pillows behind me and swore when I couldn’t get it right. Next thing I knew, Cammi was standing beside the bed fussing over me.
“Elias, take it easy. Here,” she murmured. She leaned over me, adjusting the pillows behind my back.
I closed my eyes, taking a breath, and instantly getting a hit of Cammi—she smelled like sugar, coffee and sweetness. Jesus, this girl made me crazy.
I hated how helpless I felt, laid up in a hospital bed. I’d been arguing with the doctor about my discharge ever since I woke up here.
I was both relieved and disappointed when she moved away. Of course, she got the pillows just right so I was more comfortable.
She straightened, her face inches from mine when she asked, “Better?”
The air around us felt lit with a charge. Her blue eyes had layers of color in them, like the ocean under the sun. My eyes landed on her rosebud mouth. There I was, laid up in a hospital bed, cranky and probably acting like an asshole, and I was a hair’s breadth away from kissing her.
I didn’t realize I hadn’t even replied to her until I saw a flush cresting on her cheeks. “Elias?” she prompted.
Oh, right. I was too busy staring at her mouth. I brought my eyes back to hers and cleared my throat, my answer coming out rough. “Definitely better. Thank you.”
Cammi sat back down. “I’ll bring you coffee tomorrow too. Actually, are you getting out before tomorrow?”
I reached for the cup of coffee again, this time able to reach it easily on the table beside my bed. I needed another sip of Cammi’s fine elixir. After a long swallow, I lowered the cup and let out a sigh. “I don’t know.”
“Well, you don’t want to get out before they think you’re ready,” she said matter-of-factly.
“I’m ready,” I insisted.
Her lips twitched, and I felt my own laugh bubbling up. I didn’t want to admit it, but I knew she was right. When I finally did let a laugh loose, I followed it with a shuddering breath because it made my side hurt.
“Oh!” She pressed her hand to her heart. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you laugh.”
She looked so genuinely worried that I felt pressed to reassure her. “You didn’t make me laugh. I’m laughing at mys
elf. I’m just impatient to get out of here. Rumor has it I might get discharged tomorrow afternoon.”
“Then, I’ll definitely bring you coffee in the morning. It’ll cheer you up before it’s time to go.” Worry suddenly crossed her features, a crease forming between her brows. “Wait a sec, are you even supposed to drink coffee? The nurse knew I had it, but maybe she thought it was mine.”
Cammi started to stand from her chair, and I thought she was actually going to call the freaking nurse to my room.
“I’m allowed to have coffee,” I said. “Please sit down.”
She sat down quickly. “Are you sure?”
“Sure about what?”
Right then, the doctor, who looked young enough to be straight out of college, came through the door, his eyes flicking between Cammi and me. “Glad to see you’re having visitors,” he commented as he walked in.
I felt the scowl form on my face. I’d been perpetually annoyed ever since I’d landed here after the accident. I’d had a minor plane crash with my friend a few days before. He’d skated out with fewer injuries then me. I had a nasty ankle break and a doozy of a gash in one side from a piece of metal. I still thought they should’ve discharged me once surgery was over.
Cammi, of course, smiled. She was nicer than me. “Hi there. How is Elias doing?”
“We should be able to clear him for discharge tomorrow, assuming the checkup we do tomorrow looks good.” The doctor gave me a critical look. He stopped at the foot of my bed, tapping on the small computer tablet that seemed to be permanently in his hands.
When I glanced toward Cammi again—because I couldn’t freaking help it—I got that usual sweet shot when my eyes collided with hers. It seemed there was nothing I could do about that.
She smiled encouragingly. “That’s great. Is he taking enough medication for his pain? Because he doesn’t seem very comfortable.”
I practically growled at her. “I’m fine. I do not need anything else for my pain.”
Cammi didn’t need to know that I’d once come way too close to getting hooked on painkillers. I’d faced what felt like an endless desert of pain after the accident that killed a friend and landed me facing the end of my career as a pilot in the Air Force. Unrelenting with no end in sight, opiate painkillers had felt like manna from heaven, a relief from the pain and an escape from the thoughts chasing in circles in my mind.
Although the doctor here drove me kind of nuts, he seemed to understand my resistance to medication and didn’t push it.
“He’s hanging in there. Maybe he’s a little cranky,” the doctor said with a quick grin in my direction, “but not many people love the hospital. It’s nice to know he’s got a girlfriend who cares about him.”
I almost choked. Cammi’s pretty blue eyes widened slightly with a wash of pink cresting on her cheeks. She opened her mouth to reply right as his pager buzzed in the room. “I’ll be back to check in later.”
Just like that, he was gone. “I’ll make sure to clarify you’re not my girlfriend,” I muttered.
Cammi shrugged lightly, her eyes coasting over my face. I hated feeling weak, I hated being in pain, and I hated that all of that was obvious to anyone who saw me. Even worse, Cammi tended to make me feel as if she could see right through me, and it drove me crazy.
“It’s a harmless misunderstanding. By all means, make sure to correct him though.” Her lips twisted to the side. She actually looked a little hurt, and I felt a twinge of guilt.
“Cammi, that’s not it. I’m an ass and definitely not at my best in here. For that I’m sorry,” I said sincerely.
Chapter Two
Cammi
Elias actually looked like he felt bad. Good Lord, this man was dangerous for my sanity. There he sat in a hospital bed with the sheet draped at his hips, and his hospital gown barely concealing his chest and doing a whole lot of nothing to hide the lean muscles of his arms and shoulders.
His shaggy dark blond hair was rumpled, falling almost to his shoulders on the sides. His piercing espresso eyes met mine. I took a moment to study him. His skin was burnished bronze, even in the middle of winter. Being alone near him had my libido giving itself a shake and perking up like a cheerful puppy after a nap. It did that every time I saw Elias.
His face was a thing of beauty—cut cheekbones, and a strong jaw with a little dimple at the bottom of his chin. His rich brown eyes stood out, and oh my word, his lips were bold and sensual. Just looking at him made my mouth water a little. Being in the hospital, his raw masculinity should’ve been a little weaker now. I mean, he was injured. I tried to convince my body to cool its heels, but no such luck.
Of course, being Elias, the reason for him being in the hospital was no mundane accident. Oh no, even that carried an edge of sexy danger. He and his friend crashed in the wilderness in a small plane. Elias had braved cold weather and stayed conscious the entire time with cracked ribs, a broken ankle, and a nasty gash on his side, according to my friend who had given me the scoop.
Injured and in a hospital bed, Elias still had that crazy effect on me. Every time I looked at him, it was like getting a hit of hotness. My hormones lit up like a pinball machine, and my libido did a little dance. As far as I could tell, it was a one-way street.
I hadn’t come to the hospital with designs on Elias. I’d gotten to know him over the last few years when he stopped by for coffee almost daily at my little coffee truck. Even though he was usually a grumpy guy, he was a very reliable customer and left ridiculous tips, like five bucks for a three-dollar coffee. Even if he didn’t call himself my friend, I considered him part of my circle, such as it was in the small world of Diamond Creek, Alaska.
“It’s okay, I know I’m not your girlfriend. I wasn’t confused about that part,” I teased, injecting lightness into my tone.
“I know you’re not,” he said, his voice coming out a little rough. “I hate being here, and it makes me more of an ass than usual.”
“You’re not an ass, and you’ll be free tomorrow,” I said, my heart squeezing a little. He looked like a lost boy. “Like I said, I’ll bring coffee tomorrow for you. It’ll improve your morning.”
“That’d be more than nice. How are things?”
“Be careful now,” I teased. “We’re about to have the longest conversation we’ve ever had.”
Elias stared back at me, just long enough that I wondered if I saw heat flicker in his eyes. Surely not. Because that was crazy thinking.
Just then, the door to his room opened again, and Flynn Walker came striding in. Flynn was another gorgeous specimen of a man, tall and lanky with dark blond hair, and glacial blue eyes. There were plenty of women who pined after him.
He was a lost cause, or so I kept telling every girl who’d listen. He was beyond in love with Daphne Bell who was the chef at the outdoor resort he ran on the outskirts of Diamond Creek. I was thrilled for them.
Flynn flew planes with Elias and rumor had it they’d been in the Air Force together, along with the rest of the pilots who worked for Flynn. Flynn wore battered jeans and a navy T-shirt that made his eyes pop. He stopped beside the bed, looking from me to Elias. “Is he being nice to you?” he asked with a sly grin.
“Absolutely,” I said sweetly.
“I was only a little cranky,” Elias added. “I even let the doctor think she’s my girlfriend.”
Flynn’s eyes went comically wide at that. “Damn. I guess that means she is your girlfriend.”
Elias actually laughed, and then immediately grimaced.
“Take it easy,” Flynn said.
“It’s my fucking ribs, man.”
“I feel you,” Flynn replied, patting his own side. “You know I cracked a few. I’m still sore.”
“Yeah, but you’re not in the fucking hospital,” Elias muttered.
“Dude, it’s only been three days,” Flynn said.
“Yeah, but you’re free. You didn’t have to spend the night,” Elias argued.
“Yeah, well, I di
dn’t get stabbed in the side with a branch and a piece of metal. You did.”
Elias rolled his eyes with a sigh. “I’m gonna have a hell of a scar.”
“Well, scars are badass. Right, Cammi?” Flynn glanced toward me.
“I prefer for my friends to not almost die,” I said sincerely.
“Let me see that side anyway,” Flynn commented, stepping closer to the bed.
A wash of heat blasted through me when Elias slid one arm out of his hospital gown and bared his chest and abdomen. I’d never actually seen him without a shirt. Now, I knew for sure he had a genuine six-pack, maybe even an eight-pack. My fingers twitched. Oh my God. I was getting hot and bothered over a guy in a hospital bed.
Elias pushed the fabric over further, and I gasped. He had a wound, probably eight inches long on his side, about halfway between his waist and armpit. There was a tidy line of stitches and it appeared to be healing nicely. I didn’t like thinking about what it must have looked like before it was stitched up. The entire area surrounding it was still bruised.
Flynn whistled through his teeth. “Ouch. The bruising is ugly, so that means the swelling is going down. You’re well on your way,” he offered encouragingly, unperturbed at the sight of Elias’s injury. “So, it’s that and your broken ankle, right?”
Elias nodded. “Yup. They had to repair my spleen where it got nicked and put a pin in my ankle.”
