“Yes!” Tugging on my hand, she drew me to the diner door. “Let’s eat, and then we’re going shopping.”
I let her draw me inside, glancing around at the small place. A couple of the customers nodded our way, then went back to eating as we walked over to one of the booths and took a seat. “What exactly are we shopping for?” I asked, thanking the waitress when she brought us our menus, before turning my full attention back to Everly. I could tell the waitress wanted to say something, but I only had eyes for the beautiful little elf who was nearly jumping up and down in her seat with excitement.
“Something warmer for you. A coat, snow pants, boots, hat, gloves.” She paused for a moment, a small frown marring her forehead. “Unless you want to see if Noah has something you can borrow? I bet he has coveralls. You probably don’t want to buy anything when you live in California where it is always sunny.”
“What exactly are we doing?” I interjected, fighting the urge to laugh. She was adorable.
“Sledding!”
A slow smile spread across my face at the idea of spending the day with Everly, flying down hills on a sled, her laughter ringing in my ears. I like the idea of us sharing a sled, her body beneath mine, even more. “I’m in.”
It didn’t take us long to eat lunch, then we headed over to Noah’s. She was right, I didn’t want to spend money on things that I might never use again. While there were places to go in California if you wanted to ski or sled, I never went to them. I was too busy with my career to take time off for things like that. And, even though I might have a lot of money, I didn’t spend it the way many of my band members did. I donated a large sum to various charities, but most of it was invested or in savings.
An hour later I found myself decked out in Noah’s winter gear, standing at the top of a hill on land owned by Everly’s parents with the rope to a sled held in one hand. Everly stood next to me, a wide smile on her face as she looked out over the area below.
“This land has been in our family for several generations. Dad and Mom told us that when we are ready to settle down, if we choose to live in Santa Claus, they will give us each ten acres to build on.”
“How many brothers and sisters do you have?” I knew about Noah, and Everly had mentioned a sister, but I wasn’t sure if there were more.
“Drew is the oldest. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Gretchen. They have two children, Charlie and Chloe. Then, there’s Noah. He lives in an apartment above his garage for now, but plans on building his house over to the north about two miles that way in a few years. Madeline is the youngest. She still lives at home with me and our parents.”
“And you?” When she glanced up at me, I couldn’t help but move a little closer to her. She drew me in, made me feel things I never felt before. It had only been a couple of days, but I couldn’t remember the last time I laughed so much and been so happy. “Where are you going to build?” Somehow, I knew without a doubt, there was no way my little elf would ever leave Santa Claus, Indiana.
“I haven’t picked a spot yet. I wanted to wait.”
“For?”
She shrugged, glancing down at her feet before looking back at me. “Until I find that special someone who wants to build it with me. I want to pick a spot together.”
My heart jumped as I lowered my head to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. A part of me wished I could be that special someone.
“What about you?” she asked, laying her head against my chest. “Do you have any family?”
I stiffened, but then made myself relax as I slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Just a brother, but he left when I was a child, and I haven’t heard from him since.” I had no idea why I just told her that. No one knew about Eric. Not even my band members. I kept my past a secret, except from Everly, it would seem.
“I’m sorry.”
I shrugged. “It is what it is.”
Raising her head, she whispered, “Can I ask what happened?’
I gritted my teeth together tightly, looking blindly over her head as I thought back to that time in my life that I wish I could forget.
“Never mind. You don’t have to tell me.”
I sighed, lowering my head so our foreheads touched. Maybe it was time I talked about it to someone. Not just anyone–to Everly. “My parents were in a car accident when I was young,” I replied gruffly, swallowing hard. “They didn’t make it. My brother and I were put in foster care. When Eric turned eighteen, he aged out. He left…” I stopped and couldn’t go on.
“He left you alone,” Everly whispered, both of her arms going around my waist, holding me tightly against her.
“I was ten,” I rasped. “I never heard from him again.”
“Oh, Alex.”
“I was lucky enough to be adopted by a good couple,” I told her, not wanting her to think I lived a horrible life. “They gave me a new name, and a new life with it.”
“A new name?”
“I used to be Alex Covington.”
“Oh! Where are they now?”
I sighed, holding her a little tighter. “They are both gone, but they were really good to me when I was growing up.”
“So, you are alone again?” Her words were soft and hesitant. As if she were afraid to speak them.
“I have my band.”
“They are your family?”
“The only one I have.”
Deciding it was time to leave the depressing talk behind, I leaned back and gave her a quick kiss before pulling away. “Last one to the bottom owes the other one dinner!”
Not waiting for a reply, I jumped on my sled and took off with Everly right behind me on hers.
6
Everly
“A deal’s a deal.” I had my hands on my hips and was looking up at the stubborn, sexy rock star. He beat me to the bottom of the hill, and I planned to buy him dinner, but he was refusing to let me.
“Not happening, Evie.”
“You might as well let her have her way, Son. She’s as stubborn as her mama.” My dad came out onto the front porch and sat on the swing to watch our face off first-hand.
“Thank you, Daddy. I’ll take that as a compliment.” I sent my dad a huge smart-ass smile, and he just grinned slightly, lifting his cup of coffee.
“Good. Wouldn’t have it any other way.” I could hear the laughter in his voice when I looked back at Alex.
“See. You should just concede and let me buy you dinner.”
“No.” He crossed his arms over his chest and stood firm, going toe to toe with me. It was hot. I loved the fact that he was just as strong in his stance as I was in mine. “It wasn’t a fair race since I sprang it on you. Plus, I’m taking you on a date, so I’m buying. End of discussion.”
“He’s right, Sweet pea,” Dad spoke up from the porch, siding with Alex, who was now giving me a big told you so smile.
“Traitor,” I said, making both my dad and Alex laugh.
“You could always invite him to dinner here.” Dad shrugged. “That way neither of you are—”
“You win. I’ll let you buy me dinner,” I cut my dad off. It was bad enough we were having this discussion in front of him, but to have our first date with my parents and my siblings—not going to happen.
“See you later, Daddy,” I called over my shoulder, pulling Alex with me toward my car. I had to get him out of there fast before Mom came outside too. Daddy was wrong about something. I might be stubborn, but my mom held that particular crown in our family. She put me to shame.
Alex was laughing as I hurried him to the car. “You embarrassed by me, Evie?” he teased.
“Please. I’m saving myself the embarrassment of Mom gushing over you and showing you my baby photos.” I rolled my eyes.
He laughed, thinking I was joking, but I wasn’t. God knew, if Alex went in there, my mom would be planning our wedding in her head and picking out baby names. The woman was obsessed with grandbabies and wanted some that weren’t so far away. With Noa
h refusing to date anyone in town, she was looking at me next, but the man I was about to go out with was a heartache waiting to happen. As soon as his bus was fixed, he’d be gone. I was sure I was just a distraction while he was stuck in Santa Claus.
“Where are we heading for dinner?” Alex asked when I pulled away from the house.
“Nona’s Kitchen. It’s the best Italian food you’ve ever had,” I promised as I turned the car back towards town.
“Is that right? I’ve had a lot of Italian food across the country.”
I smiled, “You’ll see.”
We were halfway through dinner when Noah and Penelope walked through the door hand in hand. “Well, I’m done,” I snapped, putting my fork down and sitting back in my booth.
“Everything okay?”
I sighed, “Yeah. The food is delicious, but seeing Noah come in with her,” I sneered thinking about Penelope, “that took away my appetite.”
“What happened between the two of you to make you hate her so much?” Alex settled back in his seat as he waited for me to reply.
“We were in kindergarten; she stole a toy from me,” I shrugged. “I know it doesn’t seem like much, but it got worse when we both had a crush on the same boy in junior high.”
“And let me guess, he dated her and not you?” He gave me a crooked grin.
“Actually, no.” I laughed, shaking my head. “He ended up dating Philip, another boy in our class. Last I heard, they are now married and living in San Francisco.”
Alex laughed, “And yet, you still hate her?”
I stayed silent for a few minutes before casting another glance toward Noah and Penelope’s table. They were sitting close and talking, completely unaware they were being observed. Noah appeared to be relaxed and happy, and the way he was looking at Penelope was the same way our older brother Drew looked at his wife.
“Shit,” I breathed out, finally seeing it for the first time.
“And she gets it…” Alex said, smiling at me.
I gave him a confused look. “You just got into town. How could you have known when I didn’t?”
Alex reached for his tea and took a sip before answering. “I went into your brother’s shop yesterday morning right after he got off the phone with you. He only gave you a hard time because he knew you wouldn’t want him to be happy about the date.”
“How did I miss this?” I felt guilty because of the promise I made Noah make to me so long ago. He was a man of his word, just like our dad taught him to be, so he had kept his word even at the expense of his own happiness.
Alex reached over the table and took my hand. “Because you were too close, Evie. Don’t beat yourself up over it. You didn’t know.”
I sighed and glanced over at the couple again, knowing what I needed to do. “Excuse me, please.”
Alex nodded, releasing my hand and letting me slide from the booth. As I approached their table, Penelope looked up and worry filled her eyes. I hated that. Our long-standing rivalry had caused them both pain, and my being in the middle of it made me feel like shit on a shoe.
“Hey,” I said lamely, standing next to their table. “Sorry to interrupt, but can I talk with you for a second?”
Noah moved to get up, but I held out my hand. “No, not you.” I nodded to Penelope, “I’d like to talk to Penelope. Join me in the ladies’ room?”
“Evie.” Noah’s voice held a warning.
“Relax, Noah. I’ll send her out completely unharmed in just a minute.” I looked back at Penelope. “Two seconds. I promise.”
Penelope got up and moved toward the bathroom. “I promise,” I repeated to Noah, stressing the word promise before following her down the hall.
Humble pie tasted awful, and I was about to eat a big piece of it. Sighing, I pushed open the door to find Penelope waiting with her back to the wall and her arms crossed protectively over her chest. I stared at her for a moment, trying to get my thoughts and words straight. “Truce,” I said lamely, the only thing I could come up with.
“You’re willing to do that?” She stood up straighter, letting her arms fall to her sides. We’d both been horrible to each other in school. She’d thrown a ball at my head during dodge ball, and I’d hit her in the back of the head while serving during volleyball. She spread a rumor or two about me, and I’d done the same to her. We loved to hate each other, it seemed, but we were adults now, and my brother was a commonality that we seemed to have. It was time to change.
“As long as you don’t fuck with my brother, I’m willing to call a truce.”
For the first time, Penelope gave me a genuine, un-sarcastic, real smile. “Thank God,” she said, laughing. “I’ve wanted to put that shit behind us for a while, but I didn’t know how to approach you.”
I giggled, leaning back against the counter. “Stealing my clothes while I was showering in the locker room after athletics was genius, but seriously a dick move.”
Penelope laughed. “Served you right after you put blue hair dye in my shampoo bottle.”
“I did deserve it. Not saying I didn’t, but you deserved it, too.”
“Yeah, I did,” she chuckled softly.
“Well, I better let you get back to your date with my brother. He is probably thinking I have your head shoved down the toilet by now.”
Penelope laughed again and moved to open the door. “Maybe we can do lunch one day next week?” she offered.
“I’d like that.”
We left the bathroom to find Alex and Noah standing in the hallway, patiently waiting for us to emerge. The sight of them sent both of us into a fit of laughter because, apparently, they didn’t trust us to behave. Well, Noah didn’t. Alex gave me a soft smile and my breath caught at the look in his eyes. He gave me a small nod of approval, and I couldn’t stop the blush that rode up my cheeks.
“It’s about damn time,” Noah said, reaching for Penelope’s hand. “Everything good?” he asked her before looking at me.
“It’s great. We are doing lunch next week,” Penelope answered, curling into his side. I watched them leave and moved into Alex’s waiting arms.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, brushing a wayward strand of hair behind my ear.
“Lighter, actually. I feel like a weight’s been lifted off me.”
“Good. I already paid for dinner and had the leftovers boxed up for you.” We stopped at the table to pick up the bag, then made our way out of the restaurant so Noah and Penelope could have the rest of their date without us nearby. “Do you want to go for a walk?” he asked with his palm touching my lower back, leading me onto the sidewalk and into the cold night air.
I took a deep breath, the air stinging as I sucked it in. Tonight was a night of chances and new beginnings. The things I felt for Alex went way beyond the lust I felt for Xander. He was more than the rock icon I’d been crushing on for so long. He was a really good guy. I’d always thought so, but knowing him personally confirmed it for me, and it made me want him that much more.
“Only if that walk leads us to your room.”
7
Xander
I stared at the woman I was quickly coming to care for, wanting nothing more than to take her back to my room and worship every inch of her body. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Evie, I can’t make any promises right now. I have a tour I need to finish. I’m meeting up with my band…”
Everly reached up and covered my mouth with her fingers, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Did I ask you for any promises, Alexander Scott?” Slowly, I shook my head. “Then stop trying to put words in my mouth. I want tonight. Possibly another week or two, depending on what you can give me. Beyond that, I have no expectations. I know what kind of life you lead. I understand.”
She said she did, but the look in her eyes said more. The thing was, I was pretty sure mine were saying the same thing. I wanted something with Everly. Something more than just one night or one week. But I had commitments—obligations
I couldn’t shirk.
Taking her hand in mine, I brought it to my lips and kissed her knuckles. “I want to promise you the world, Everly Chase. I can’t do that right now, but I can promise you every day until I have to leave for my next gig.”
“Sold,” she whispered, those beautiful eyes dancing with an emotion I was afraid to try to name.
Sliding an arm around her waist, I held her close as we made our way back to the bed-and-breakfast. We were both silent, the air vibrating with anticipation. I was rock hard at the thought of being inside her and had to reach down to adjust myself discreetly twice.
It was quiet when we entered the dimly lit lobby. I grabbed Everly’s hand and pulled her quickly over to the stairs, up them, and back to my room. I slid the key into the lock and got the door open just as I heard voices below. We both laughed as we slipped inside my room, shutting the door before anyone could see us.
“Trying to save your reputation?” Everly teased, laughing up at me.
“That depends,” I whispered, cupping her face in the palms of my hands.
“On what?”
“Are you going to take advantage of me, Ms. Chase?”
Her eyes went to my mouth, and she licked her lips. “God, I hope so.”
I groaned, leaning down and capturing her lips with mine. The taste of her was like heaven, and no matter how many times I kissed her, I couldn’t get enough. Tracing her lips with my tongue, I moved my hands down to her jacket, zipping it open and slowly sliding it from her shoulders. Not taking my mouth from hers, I tossed it over in the direction of the chair that stood in a corner. Everly giggled, her hands finding my coat and doing the same.
Her hands slid under my shirt, and I jumped at the ice-cold feel of them. She giggled again, and I nipped at her bottom lip, then soothed it with my tongue. “Not funny,” I whispered, paying her back with the feel of my own cold hands against the soft skin of her back, just under the hem of her shirt. I swallowed the muffled shriek that she let out, then leaned back to slip the shirt over her head, before chasing those delectable lips again.
Wedding Bell Rock: Christmas of Love Collaboration Page 4
