by Lacey Black
“Shower’s yours,” I say, slipping around him and practically sprinting for the doorway. His soft laughter follows me down the hall and all the way down to the kitchen. I’m outside like the hounds were nipping at my heels, and maybe that’s a good analogy for Levi. A hound.
The guy has been sleeping around since he was old enough to figure out what that thing was used for. He lost his virginity as a freshman at fifteen to a girl three years his senior. I know because he bragged about it. Not to anyone, just me. I’m lucky like that. I got to hear about all of his conquests over the years.
Except for recently. He hasn’t mentioned them in a while. Thinking about it, I can’t remember the last one he brought up. Susie, maybe? God, she was last summer. I know he still gets around. The proof is in the pudding; or in the way that gorgeous woman snuck out of his apartment not too long ago. But he didn’t brag about it; didn’t even mention it.
That makes me glad that I don’t have to hear about all of the women he’s sleeping with. Until this pesky little crush thing goes away, I’m not sure my heart can stand the details. But should I also be worried that he’s not bringing it up to me? I mean we tell each other everything. Does this mean something has shifted, potentially changing our friendship?
Now that hurts my heart to think about.
That’s why I need to keep my distance. No more mud wrestling or flirty banter. He can’t help it, but he also doesn’t know the effect it has on me. The best thing I could do is not engage in teasing and not touch him. Touching him is bad. It leads to dirty thoughts and self-induced orgasms in your sister’s shower.
By the time dessert rolls around, everyone is relaxed and having a great time. Well, most everyone is relaxed. I’m tense and fidgety. There’s a pair of hazel eyes that have been glued to me since dinner. Levi sat beside me on the picnic table, which isn’t a big surprise, but I couldn’t help but focus on the way the hair on his leg tickled mine. As soon as I was finished eating, I got up and went to sit under the tree by Brielle. He watched me as I moved and has been observing me ever since. It’s like he noticed my nerves and could sense that I was hiding.
I can feel those eyes on me. He’s sitting in a lawn chair across our makeshift circle, which gives him the perfect line of sight to gawk. I do my best to ignore him, and the crazy way my heart beats in my chest, but it’s difficult. Brielle and I are playing with dolls and it takes everything I have not to glance up and look at him.
“Who wants dessert?” Grandma hollers from the back door.
Jaime jumps up to help her carry out two containers of homemade ice cream that she and Ryan made the night before with Brielle. Bri had spent the night so Dean and Payton could go have dinner with some of his friends who were in town. Since it’s July, they spent the night making several batches of flavored homemade ice cream in a churn that he picked up at the hardware store. Bri loved it, I’m told; especially taste-testing every flavor.
The dolls and I are left behind as Bri jumps up and heads towards the table. I know Levi brought a dessert, one I didn’t get a chance to try ahead of time since I haven’t really seen him much lately. Not since we woke up on the couch last weekend. Yeah, Bri isn’t the only one who is used to taste-testing all of someone’s creations.
“Levi, what are these?” I hear my sister Meghan ask from the table.
“They’re mini crepes. The ones on the left are blueberry, the middle ones strawberry, and the ones on the right are raspberry with a yogurt glaze.” My ears perk up instantly.
“Raspberry?” I ask as I stand up, my tongue surely hanging on my chin.
I don’t even hear him approach. I’m too busy watching which ones everyone else takes, hoping that there’ll be lots of raspberry ones left for me to steal. I mean take home. “Of course I made raspberry ones,” he says quietly behind me. His voice is low and husky as he leans in and adds, “I know you love them.”
A shiver sweeps through my body as goosebumps pepper my skin. Wrapping my arms around my midsection, I wonder if the temperature dropped suddenly. You know, maybe with the sun getting ready to set has made it about twenty degrees cooler than it was a few moments ago?
Or maybe the temperature rose a good twenty degrees.
I can feel his breath against the nape of my neck, and another tremor races through me. My breathing is shallow and my body very much aware of his close proximity. In fact, I can practically feel the material of the shorts he borrowed from Ryan graze against the back of my thigh. God, he’s so very close.
“Come on, angel. Let’s get some ice cream before it melts and fill you up on the raspberry crepes before they’re gone,” he says. Levi places his hand on my lower back and applies a little pressure, which causes me to move. As we approach the table, I notice the warmth still firmly planted against my lower back. Again, cue the shudder.
He doesn’t let me get far after our bowls are full of dessert. I try to sneak away and sit over in a chair by my dad, but it doesn’t work. Apparently, Levi doesn’t understand my need for space or the fact that he’s causing me sexual anxiety. Well that, or he doesn’t care. Every time I glance his way, I find his eyes on me. They’re…different. They’re darker and laced with something I’m not used to being directed towards me. They look almost lustful.
Again, this is all new to me. Sure, I’ve had boyfriends, but none of them looked at me the way Levi is right now. Like he wants to forget his ice cream and gobble me up instead. It’s making my brain go haywire. I know I’m reading more into it than what is actually going on. I’m crushing on him, therefore seeing things that aren’t there. Namely, his desire for me.
Suddenly, Grandma comes out of the kitchen with a large butcher knife. It’s so out of place that it draws just about everyone’s attention. I watch as she walks over to the ice cream and starts to scoop some into a bowl. Then she adds two crepes on top of her sweet treat, grabs the knife and walks over to the picnic table to sit beside Grandpa.
“Uh, Grandma? Why do you have that knife? You know you don’t need it to cut ice cream, right?” AJ asks nervously from across the table.
“Of course I do, sweet girl. This knife isn’t for dessert,” she says, setting it down in front of her. “This knife is to cut the sexual tension floating around Abs and Levi. It’s so thick, I’m afraid it might choke someone.”
Speaking of choking, the ice cream I’m eating goes down the wrong pipe and I all but sputter and spit chocolate ice cream all over myself. I’m probably even drooling it down my chin right now as I gasp for air. Levi reaches over and pats me on the back as all eyes focus on me.
Kill. Me. Now.
When I finally find words, I glance at my grandma. “There’s no tension, sexual or otherwise. We’re friends,” I say lamely.
“Keep telling yourself that, dear.” And with that, she turns back to her dessert and eats like she didn’t just embarrass the crap out of me in front of my entire family. Including Levi. Everyone snickers around us.
I’m divorcing my family.
Later that night, as everyone is cleaning up the backyard before we leave, I find myself alone with my twin. Something has definitely been off with her lately, but I can’t quite peg what it is. Stress, I’m sure. She’s been evasive for a while now when it comes to Chris and their struggles to conceive. I feel horrible for her, especially in light of Payton’s confession a few months back. What if Lexi has the same thing – that PCOS – and even though all of the tests she’s had done lately don’t lead in that direction. In fact, all of the tests came back clear.
Is it Chris? Is there a problem with him? Not that I want to think about my brother-in-law’s sperm count, but maybe it’s low and his little swimmers just aren’t getting to where they need to be? I’m no doctor, but I do know he hasn’t yet been to see any one of the physicians she has been recommending. That’s one thing she has told me.
“Where’s Chris?” I ask as I pick up any cans or bottles still lying around from the gathering.
“I don’t know. Probably
at home.”
Glancing over, I give her a look. “You don’t know?”
“Nope,” she says in a huff as she picks up a doll dress from the ground. “I don’t know because I left without inviting him.”
“You didn’t invite him? Today?”
“Nope. He barely shows interest in going anywhere with me anymore, so I just decided to avoid the entire discussion. I would have just gotten some stupid excuse that he has a policy to write, or a client to take to lunch. I’m over it, Abs. Like really, really over it.” She finally stands up and looks at me. Her eyes are filled with tears and my heart breaks a little more for her. My twin sister has had her share of ups and downs with her husband, but lately, there seem to be a lot more downs.
“What are you saying?” I whisper, making sure no one is around to overhear.
“I don’t know,” she grumbles, throwing the doll dress down on the table. “I just…I don’t know how much more of this I can handle. He won’t talk to me, and when he does, he just keeps assuring me that everything is fine. It’s not fine, Abby. Not by a long shot.”
“You know I’m here for you if you need me, right?”
“Of course, I do,” she says, wrapping her arms around my neck. After a brief hug, we both pull away. “How’s the Internet dating going?”
Glancing around again, I turn my attention back to her. “It’s going. I’ve talked to a few guys who seem nice. There’s potential there for a date. One is really pushing for it. But there’s this other guy, SimpleMan, and I don’t know, I just really feel a connection with him.”
“Yeah?” she asks, her green eyes brightening for the first time since we started our conversation.
“Yeah. We haven’t talked about meeting up or anything, but I can see it leading there. We talk every day. Like multiple times every day.” I can’t fight the smile on my face.
“What about Levi?” my sister whispers, glancing over her shoulder.
“What about him? We’re just friends, and even if I wanted more–which I don’t–he’s not interested in me that way.” I throw in a shoulder shrug for good measure.
“Well, I think you’re wrong, but I guess time will tell. I will say that this dating thing must just be the kick in the ass he needs, Abs.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, if he sees you dating, he just might realize that his feelings for you go way deeper than just friendship.” She crosses her arms at her chest and gives me a pointed look.
“Or he may realize that we’ll always be friends and he’ll be just fine with me dating,” I reply, mimicking her pose.
Her smile is the only comment I get. We stare at each other for several moments, my face remaining impassive and stern, while her face becomes brighter and full of mischief. “Levi!” she bellows over her shoulder. It doesn’t take long before my friend walks up to where we stand.
“Yeah?” he asks, concern written all over his handsome face.
“You’re okay with Abby dating, right?” His entire body tenses. “I mean, you guys are friends and you’d never want to deny her the happiness she deserves, am I correct?”
What a horrible, evil sister she is.
“Uhh, yeah,” he says, running his hand through his hair like he always does when he’s nervous or upset. “Sure. Abby’s happiness is the only thing I want.” It’s like the words bite him as he says them.
“See! Levi wants you happy like I do. Schedule those dates with all of those guys you’ve been talking to.”
“Guys?” Levi asks, turning those hazel eyes my way.
“Oh, yeah. Lots of guys. Tons of them. She’s been inundated with date requests lately, and has been a little nervous to go. I think she should reply to them all. Every one of them. Don’t you?” she asks my friend, her face dripping with sweetness.
Levi, on the other hand, looks like he’s caught between horror and anger. Both emotions battle for the lead, and I’m not sure which one is out front. “All of them?” he whispers hoarsely.
“All. Of. Them.” I stare, dumbfounded, as my sister manipulates my best friend.
“I mean, you don’t want to seem too eager,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.
“Maybe, but you don’t want to let any of the good ones get away either. I mean, you date lots of different women, and I might be wrong, but it seems like the girls that are the most eager get moved to first in line.” Lexi smirks at him because she knows she has him. Levi never has to work for a “date.” Women are always throwing themselves–and their panties–at him.
He looks as uncomfortable as a hooker in church as he runs his hands repeatedly through his hair. There’s a flush to his cheeks and he’s struggling to keep his temper in check. Why, I’m not sure, but it’s something that I don’t miss nonetheless. Unless there may be something to what she was saying earlier…
“I guess if she wants to date, she can. I mean, she should. She should be happy,” he concedes, looking completely defeated, yet trying to put on a brave smile. But I see it. I can tell it’s fake.
“Good,” Lexi says, turning to face me. She’s smiling widely, while I can only stare back at her completely in awe and shock. “As soon as you get back tonight, you should message them all!” she exclaims.
I can’t answer her, so I just raise an eyebrow. There’s also no need to worry about Levi seeing my response since he’s staring a hole into his shoe. Without another word, my ornery sister winks at me, and heads to gather her belongings.
There isn’t much speaking between us as we follow suit and head towards our cars. He helps me load my empty slow cooker in the passenger seat and turns to face me for the first time since the awkward conversation in back with Lexi. “I’ll follow you.”
Direct and to the point.
“Okay.” After giving my family hugs, I pull out of the driveway, my best friend hot on my heels.
Chapter Twelve
Levi
I’m fuming.
As I follow behind Abby on our way back to our apartment building, I go over and over the conversation with her twin. I’m pretty sure that it was slightly exaggerated for my benefit–hey, I’m well aware of some of the Summer sisters’ tactics. But the thought of one man, let alone a whole slew of them, messaging Abby and wanting a date, makes me crazy. Like batshit, I want to punch something, crazy.
My mind is doing battle against itself. On one hand, I have no right to feel this way except to worry and protect her. On the other, I have every right because, dammit, she’s my girl.
But she’s not.
But she is.
At least she should be.
So maybe it’s time I do something about that. Fuck the boundaries of friendship. Fuck the worry of hurting her. Fuck the fear of living a life without her. Fuck it all…and maybe fuck her (no, not the bad way; the good way).
I feel something deep for my friend and maybe it’s time to figure out what in the hell that is. Sure, I’m terrified of screwing it up and losing her. But what if I don’t? What if that crazy ol’ woman is right and there’s something bigger and greater planned for her and I? Am I strong enough to deny both of us the opportunity to figure out what that is?
Hell no.
Time to form a plan. Time to put it in motion. Time to take my girl and show her why there’s a thin line between friends and lovers, because all I want to do is jump over that line and run straight to the lover part. I haven’t wanted anyone else in a long damn time. Too long, in fact. It’s been almost a year since I took a girl home from wherever for a night of fun between the sheets.
As I head towards our place, I realize my plan is simple: make her see that we have more chemistry than friendship. Should be easy, right? Of course not, but I’ve never shied away from a challenge. And if I’ve learned anything about my friend in the fifteen years I’ve known her, it’s that this will definitely be a challenge. Maybe my greatest one yet. The end result? Having Abby in my arms permanently? Being able to finally taste the lips
I’ve been dreaming about? Taking that body of hers and making us both reach new heights of pleasure?
Fucking worth it.
* * *
I follow her up the stairs, my arms loaded down with the stuff from both of our vehicles, but my eyes are elsewhere. They’re positioned squarely on her firm ass. Do I care if she turns around and catches me? Not anymore. I hope she does, actually. I’m about to make it damn clear what my intentions are, even if it’s a slow declaration. Even I’m not stupid enough to jump off the building without a parachute.
We head to her apartment first. Her keys are already in her hand–another safety tip I taught her–and she opens the door wide for me. I set her pot and bag down on the counter before turning her way. “I’ll be right back,” I say, grabbing my own container and heading towards my apartment.
Throwing my stuff on the counter, I boot up my laptop. As soon as it’s up, I click on the app and send her a message. Since I had basically worked out what I wanted to say on the ride home, it didn’t take me long. I go ahead and click the button to ignore all of the requests and messages already sent to my profile before powering down. Grabbing the second, smaller container from the counter, I head back over to my friend’s place.
Not even knocking, I enter. She’s not in the kitchen or living room, so I hang back. Sure, my inner caveman wants me to storm to her bedroom, throw her down on the bed, and ravish her from head to toe for hours–days–on end. But I can’t let that prick out right now. Right now, I need the softer, sweeter Levi to come to take the lead.
“Sorry,” she says, walking out of the bathroom and pulling her hair back up into another high ponytail. For some reason, I’m glued to the long column of her neck. I’ve never really noticed before, but those damn ponytails do a hell of a lot more than just keep her hair out of her face. They reveal the sexy curve and arch of her shoulders and neck. My dick nods his approval at the thought of licking a line from her spine up to her hairline.
“You okay?” she asks, her green eyes full of worry.
