Balanced in Love (Written in the Stars Book 9)

by Jennifer Woodhull

  I grin. “Okay, let’s do it.”

  “Yeah! That’s my girl!” She hip bumps me and we both laugh as we finish getting ready.

  We all pile into a couple of rideshares and head up to Shem Creek for dinner. It’s almost dusk, and the shrimp boats are starting to come in. I hang back on the deck, pulling out my phone to take some pics of them, silhouetted against the setting sun. I feel a presence beside me and look over to see my brother standing at the railing, looking over my shoulder and onto my screen.

  “You should frame that vertically—emphasize the height of the rigging.” He orders me to do what he thinks is best, as usual, and I’ve really had about all I can take.

  I turn on my heels, crossing my arms as I look up at him. “You know, I can make decisions on my own. I don’t need you second-guessing everything I do, Brody.”

  I see his brows draw together above his aviator shades and he blows out a short, hard breath.

  He looks out over the water and my eyes follow his gaze to see a Great Blue Heron flying low over the dark blue water ass purples and oranges begin to paint the sky.

  “I’m your big brother. It’s my responsibility to look out for you, that’s all.” I can tell he’s holding something back, but I’m not sure what. He turns to me and looks at me over his shades. “You’re a pain in the ass, and make it harder than it should be, but it’s still my job to take care of you.”

  “I know you want to look out for me, Brody. But you also have to trust me. Let me make my own decisions, and my own mistakes, and if I need you…”

  “I’ll be here.”

  “I love you too, Brody.” He smirks at my interpretation, and I know that’s what he’s trying to say. “And I’ll be here for you, too.”

  He chuckles. “You think I’m going to need a rescue by you?”

  “You never know. I mean, you are kind of a dumbass.” I half-shrug.

  He wraps an arm around my neck in a playful headlock and I return the hug only a brother can give with an arm around his shoulder as we head toward the restaurant door.

  Chapter Four

  Ethan

  After dinner, Gabi and Taylor want to head over to a club called Speakeasy. Marcus and Felicia are heading back to the house, so Noah and Elle decide to go with them and take Brody, who enjoyed his after-dinner cocktails a little too much to be up for dancing. I don’t like the idea of the girls being out in a strange city on their own, so I offer to tag along. I also don’t like the idea of Taylor out being hit on by dozens of guys, but that’s beside the point.

  The club is packed, even though it’s a weeknight. The music is hot, and bodies are crammed onto the dance floor. A table off to the side is opening up so I put one hand in the middle of Taylor’s back, the other on Gabi’s shoulder, and guide them toward it. As soon as they’re seated, I head over to the bar to grab us some drinks.

  When I return with Margaritas for the girls, and a whiskey sour for me, Taylor excuses herself to go look for the ladies’ room.

  Gabi takes a sip of her drink and narrows her eyes at me. “So, are you going to tell me what’s up or do I have to treat you like a hostile witness? Please don’t make me work, Ethan. I’m on vacation.”

  I’m not sure if Taylor has told her anything about what happened between us, so I reply with caution. “I guess that depends on what you mean.” I take a sip of my drink.

  “Well, let’s look at the evidence.” She puts her drink on the table and leans forward, extending her fingers and counting off on each one as she speaks. “First, you and Brody aren’t out right now picking up girls like you’d normally be. Number two, ever since we got here, you’ve had your sights locked on Taylor pretty much the whole time, like you can’t take your eyes off of her. Number three, my girl is a complete space cadet lately, and she’s usually only that distracted when she’s got a new guy. So, again, I ask, what’s up with all that?”

  I blow out a hard breath and cock my head to the side before meeting her eye.

  “Ethan, Taylor is my best friend, so by default, you and Brody are like brothers to me. I’m not going to betray your trust, whatever it is.”

  “Lawyer-client privilege if I confess, huh?” I chuckle.

  She laughs. “You got it.”

  I don’t go into details, but I tell her that things seem to have changed between Taylor and me. I know Brody will flip the fuck out if he thinks I’m making a move on his sister, but I can’t help but wonder if there could be something between us.

  “Whoa. Not what I expected to hear.” She narrows her eyes and examines my face as if she’s waiting for a lie. “Was it just a hookup?”

  “What kind of asshole do you think I am? I would never hurt Taylor.” My chest tightens a little as I try to explain. “She’s barely spoken to me since. I don’t know what it was for her, but…” I shrug.

  Gabi points her finger at me, and I can’t tell if the gleam in her eye is from the cocktail or something else. “A-ha!”

  I chuckle. “A-ha what, exactly?”

  “You caught the feels. You like Taylor.”

  “What are we, ten-years old? I don’t like Taylor.” I scoff, hoping to sell the lie, and take another swig.

  “Okay, fair enough. You have some sort of feelings for her though. You can’t tell me you don’t want something more than a one-time thing with her. It’s written all over your face when you say her name.”

  I tip my head back then return my gaze to meet Gabi’s. “What does it matter if I do? I crossed the line. You’re not supposed to go after your best friend’s sister. It’s bro code.” A lump forms in my throat. Brody was my first real friend when we came to Charlotte. He and Taylor’s dad filled the void after my own dad died.

  “Does Brody know how you feel? Better yet, does Taylor?”

  Just as she says it, Taylor appears right behind her.

  “Does Taylor what?” She asks, picking up her drink and taking a sip. “Were you guys talking trash about me while I was gone?”

  “Absolutely.” I meet her eyes and grin. “We were talking about dancing. The poster over there says they flip the music for Latin dancing at eleven. Gabi was bragging about her skills and asked if you or I know salsa.”

  “I’m afraid not, but it sounds fun. Do they have instructors? Maybe we can give it a try.” Taylor looks around the bar as if she’s scanning for a potential dance partner.

  I don’t love the idea of her dancing that close with anyone besides me.

  I lock eyes with her. “I’ll teach you.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to do that. I’m sure there are tons of pretty girls here who you’d rather dance with.”

  “There’s no one I’d rather dance with.”

  I feel the pointy toe of Gabi’s shoe connect with my shin. When I cut my eyes over to her, she’s leaned back, out of Taylor’s line of sight, mouthing the words. “Be cool.”

  The DJ brings down the techno music and plays a Spanish song with horns and the crowd cheers. As soon as it comes on, Gabi puts her arms in the air and starts moving her shoulders.

  “Maybe you should dance with Gabi first. She obviously wants to.”

  “I won’t have any trouble getting a partner.” She looks around for a minute and spies a group of guys standing near us. “Hey,” she steps up to them. “Who wants to dance with me first?”

  A tall, blonde frat-boy type hands puts down his beer and takes her hand as she leads him to the dance floor.

  “Come on, Taylor.” I take her hand and pull her close so I can whisper in her ear. “Dance with me.”

  Her eyes are full of heat when she nods her reply.

  Out on the dance floor, she looks around, trying to get her bearings.

  “Here,” I move her left hand to my shoulder, and put my hand on her back just beneath her arm. I take her other hand in mine and hold it up. “Now, start with your right foot. Back, step, then forward.” She looks down at my feet as we start to move, and in a few steps she gets the hang of it. “That�
��s great. Now to the side.”

  When she looks up and smiles, her eyes sparkle. “I think I’ve got it.” She’s beaming and damn if it doesn’t make her even more beautiful.

  “You’re doing great. Now really get your hips into it.”

  She glances down and nibbles on her bottom lip. “You’re really good at this.”

  “Are you saying you like my moves?” I tease.

  She throws her head back and laughs. “I plead the fifth.”

  I spin her around and she squeals. The longer we dance, the more she’s getting into it. After a couple of fast songs, a slower song comes on and I take full advantage.

  I pull her close, sliding both my hands down to her hips. Her arms snake around my neck.

  Her eyes are dark, now, a deeper shade of blue. “What’s this dance called?”

  “Fuck if I know, but if it lets me get this close to you, I’m a fan.”

  “Ethan,” she starts to speak. I move my hand to her jaw, brushing her lips with my thumb.

  “You’ve hardly spoken to me since that night. Why?”

  “I thought it would be weird.”

  “It’s definitely weird.” I chuckle. “But does that have to be a bad thing?”

  She shakes her head. “It’s all such a mess. If Brody finds out, he’ll flip, and I don’t want to ruin your friendship.”

  “Is that all?”

  Her eyes search mine.

  “Look, Taylor, let me handle Brody. He has nothing to do with this thing between us, though.”

  “Yeah? I’m not even sure what this thing between us even is.”

  “Neither do I.” I slide my hands around her waist and pull her closer. “But I want to find out. How about you?”

  Before she can answer, the song changes and the tempo picks up. Everyone around us starts moving faster. She looks over her shoulder and nods toward the edge of the dance floor. We move to stand near the spot where we were sitting earlier, and Gabi joins us.

  “I don’t know about you two, but I’ve had enough dancing for one night.” Gabi pats her forehead with the back of her hand.

  “Yeah, let’s get a car and head back.” Taylor agrees.

  When our rideshare pulls up, Gabi opens the front passenger door. “I’m hot from dancing. I’d rather sit next to the vent if that’s okay.” She gives me a look that screams, “You’re welcome.”

  In the back seat, next to Taylor, she rests her palm against the seat between us. I put mine beside hers and stretch out my finger to stroke the back of her hand. She doesn’t pull away. In fact, she relaxes back into the seat. As she stares out the window on the drive back to the beach, I see a smile playing at the edge of her pretty, full lips and however small this little win is, I’ll take it. I’ll take anything she’ll give me.

  The door isn’t wide open, with her, but it’s not shut either.

  Maybe I can get her to give me a chance. That’ll mean talking to Brody and telling him things I’m only just starting to realize myself. If that’s what it takes, though, I’m willing to do it. It’s worth it for a shot with her.

  Things will never be the same between Taylor and me, but I’m starting to realize, that doesn’t mean they’re going to be less than they were before. What I’ve got in mind could be a whole lot more than I ever knew was possible, let alone knew that I wanted.

  Chapter Five

  Ethan

  I’m usually not a fan of touristy shit. I have to say, though, this kayak tour that Gabi booked for us is pretty fucking spectacular. We’ve been paddling for about an hour, and we’re at the edge of a tall grass tidal marsh. The sky is starting to turn orange and purple as the sunset looms closer. The guide tells us we’re going to take a break and float for a bit, so I hang back and maneuver my kayak next to Taylor’s.

  “We’re going to hang out here for a bit. This will be our best chance to see dolphins this evening.” The guide points out toward the mouth of the inlet. “On yesterday’s tour, we saw a pod right over there.”

  Taylor is a little way behind the rest of the group, so I paddle over and pull my boat up next to hers. She reaches for the water bottle that’s bungeed to the hull, and her paddle begins to slide off into the water. I reach over and grab it before it sinks.

  “Whoa. Careful, Tay.” I grin as I lay her paddle beside mine so she can finish her drink.

  “Thanks. I’m kind of a mess with this thing, huh?” She paddled in a circle the first five minutes we were on the water.

  I chuckle. “You did seem to have a little trouble getting started.”

  I grab the edge of her kayak, pulling it until we’re side-by-side. Using the nylon rope and carabiner that’s attached to each boat, I tether her boat to mine, so she doesn’t float away.

  “You’re a natural. I guess you’ve done this before?”

  “We did kayaking at scout camp.” I reply.

  “I’d forgotten about that. Dad used to take you and Brody up to Camp Barnhardt every summer.” She smiles. “I was so jealous. I wanted to go.”

  I laugh, remembering her always wanting to tag along with Brody and me everywhere we went back then. “You went to the girls camp.”

  “Yeah, but we made friendship bracelets and corn husk dolls. I wanted to throw axes and learn archery.” She shrugs.

  “And you would’ve wanted to wear one of those flowery dresses you loved so much while doing it, too.”

  She shrugs. “And boots. Don’t forget the pink mud boots.”

  “You got so mad when we wouldn’t let you tag along. You’d cross your arms and stick that bottom lip out. You were damn cute.”

  She rolls her eyes and half chuckles. “Well, I hope I’m still cute.”

  My gaze moves from her eyes, down to those gorgeous lips, and makes a quick sweep of her bare skin. “Taylor, you’re a helluva lot more than cute.”

  I don’t miss the pink blush across her cheeks as she averts her eyes from mine.

  Suddenly, her expression changes. Her face lights up. “Oh my god, look.” She points to the horizon. “Dolphins.”

  Everyone looks toward the distance where four or five of them are swimming, occasionally breaking the surface to show off with a leap.

  “Aren’t they beautiful?” Taylor looks up at me, her smile beaming, and the look on her face is everything. She’s so optimistic and can see the beauty in everything.

  “Beautiful.”

  “Have you ever seen them before?”

  “Once when I was a kid. My Mom and Dad took me to San Diego. Dad had a friend out there from his Navy days and they had a kid about my age. We took a boat tour and out of nowhere there were these two dolphins that came up and swam beside the boat.” I laugh at the memory. “I couldn’t see over the rail, so he put me up on his shoulders to get a better view. Mom started freaking out, saying he was going to drop me into the water.” I close my eyes for a moment, and it’s so vivid, it’s like it just happened yesterday.

  “Wait, he didn’t drop you, did he?”

  “No. He just said,” I pause and swallow the lump forming in my throat. “He said he would never let anything happen to me. “Daddy’s always got you, right, E?” He always made me feel safe.”

  Taylor reaches over and strokes my back with her palm. “I’m so sorry you lost him. You were so little, too.”

  I nod. “Seven. It was the year before we moved to Charlotte.”

  “You know, Brody loved having you around all the time. You know, for all the boy stuff.” She gives me a soft smile. “I guess Dad wanted you to have the chance to do things your Mom didn’t have the opportunity to do with you.”

  “My mom is the best, but back then…well, she was struggling too, I guess. Losing her husband and having to take care of me on her own couldn’t have been easy. She worked so hard, too.”

  “You’re lucky to have her.” She smiles. “Remember her wedding? I was, what, maybe fourteen?”

  “Yeah,” I smirk. “And you were crushing hard on my shithead little cousi
n.”

  She laughs. “Yes! But he was slow dancing with another girl, and I was absolutely devastated.” She meets my eye, her smile big and bright. “You found me outside and dragged me back in to dance with me.”

  I nod. “I always hated seeing you cry. Even when we were little.”

  “That was about the sweetest thing anyone ever did for me.” She grins and shakes her head. “I’d never thought about it before, I don’t guess, but you were there for everything. High school graduation. Packing me up to go off to college. My first job. You were there for all of it.”

  “I was, and I always will be. I’m not planning on going anywhere, Taylor.”

  She’s still smiling, but her eyes are darker, now. Her lips part, but just as she’s about to speak, her brows furrow as if she’s changed her mind. “I’m glad we’ll always be friends.”

  Fuck.

  Over the years, I’ve broken more bones than I can count. Playing sports, showing off, and getting into a few fights, I’ve had torn muscles, dislocated my shoulder, and separated ribs. Right now, I can’t remember any of them hurting as much as what Taylor just said to me.

  All evening, I can’t get Taylor’s words out of my mind. In bed, I toss and turn. When I can’t take it anymore, I walk through the bathroom and tap on the door of her room.

  “Taylor, are you awake?”

  I hold my breath until she opens the door.

  “Everything okay?”

  Her blue eyes are a little hazy, and I’m not sure if it’s from the beer we’ve been drinking all night, or if I’ve woken her up. She’s wearing a fitted tank and a pair of cotton shorts. Her hair is pulled into a messy braid. Keeping my hands—my lips off of her is almost more than I can manage.

  “Yeah, I just wanted to talk. I didn’t wake you, did I?”