Down Too Deep

by J. Daniels

  “Let me know if he changes his mind.”

  “Of course. And thank you for offering to take him.”

  “Jenna.” My brother’s tone hardened. “Fuck Derek. I’ll do it every year.”

  I blinked back tears and picked at the edge of the counter. I had the best brother, and my children had the best uncle. There was no match for Brian. Our happiness meant everything to him. And his was just as important to me. I hoped he knew that.

  My head flew up. “Hey, shouldn’t we be planning a wedding or something? Syd’s divorce is final soon, right?”

  That was the only reason why my brother wasn’t married already. I knew he was counting down the seconds until a judge allowed them to wed. Syd too. She glowed at the mention of becoming a Savage.

  Brian slowly grinned. “I should probably propose first.”

  “Please.” I giggled. “You guys have been planning on getting married since last summer. You’re engaged. Time to make it official.”

  A wily look lifted the corner of his mouth. He was planning something, but before I could inquire further, the front door chimed, causing me to turn my head.

  Jamie drifted into the shop, head thrown back as he laughed loudly. He wore a pair of board shorts and no shirt. His hair was saltwater damp, curling against his neck and with pieces sticking to his forehead.

  If my brother’s best friend and business partner ever looked like he hadn’t just gotten out of the ocean, I’d fear we were under nuclear attack. Jamie was a champion surfer. He lived in the water. Growing up, he and Brian used to compete together all the time. Now my brother did it more as a hobby. Not Jamie though. He was always out to win.

  “Choke!” Jamie held the door open for someone and grinned at Brian. “This motherf—”

  “Jamie!” I glared at him while hooking a thumb over my shoulder in the general direction of my kids. “Little ears. Watch it.”

  Brows lifting, he smiled at me, a fifty-fifty mix of remorse and entertainment. The latter was permanent. It was a rare thing to see Jamie McCade serious about something.

  “My bad, Jenna. Didn’t know you were stoppin’ in today.” Jamie moved aside and released the door as another man stepped in behind him.

  He was wearing board shorts as well but had pulled on a T-shirt that did absolutely nothing to hide his build, which mimicked Jamie’s. Long, sinewy muscle with some bulk to his arms. His short blond hair was wet and would’ve curled had it been longer. It was in the genes.

  I recognized him instantly. This was Jamie’s older brother…Travis, maybe? I searched my memory for a name. I hadn’t seen him in at least twelve years, but I could’ve gone twenty and I would’ve known exactly who this was. The similarity to his brother was uncanny. He was Jamie, grown-up and settled down.

  “Sorry. I didn’t know I had to announce my visits,” I said. I gave Jamie a teasing look, which he immediately shot back. We joked around a lot. He was basically another brother to me.

  “You don’t. But it ain’t like you’ve been comin’ around here lately.” Jamie stepped up to the counter and leaned on his elbow, facing me. He cocked his head in challenge.

  “I’ve just been really busy,” I shot back.

  “I heard.” A mischievous smile spread on his lips, popping out his signature dimples.

  Ugh. Apparently, Tori had been sharing information as well. Great. Whatever happened to girl code? Was that even a thing anymore? I prepared myself for another hard-core grilling, but Jamie cut me some slack and didn’t press further as his brother got up beside him.

  “You remember Travis, right, Jenna? The brother with zero talent on the water…”

  Travis side-eyed Jamie. “Where’d you get your PhD from again?”

  “The University of Suck My—”

  I lurched forward and slapped a hand over Jamie’s mouth while directing at his brother, “Hi! Hello…I uh, sort of remember you. It’s been a while.”

  Jamie grumbled and jerked back. “I wasn’t going to say it.”

  Brian, Travis, and I all responded with different versions of “Yeah, right.”

  The four of us started laughing.

  Travis gripped my hand and shook it as he searched my face. He smiled, revealing yet another similarity to his younger brother. Travis had dimples as well.

  I felt my breath catch. God, the McCade grin game was strong as fuck.

  “You were fourteen or fifteen the last time I saw you, right?” Travis asked, releasing me.

  I thought back. “Mm, probably fifteen. We moved to Denver that year.”

  “Gross, Travis. You noticed Jenna when she was fifteen? You were twenty-three.” Jamie winked at me.

  Most women would’ve reacted somehow to being on the receiving end of so much as a look from Jamie McCade, but I remained completely unaffected. I didn’t even blush.

  I thought about Nathan winking at me…

  He did it and my brain melted.

  “How was it out there?” Brian cut in, directing that question at Jamie. The two of them fell into conversation about currents and wave height.

  I looked to Travis and found him already watching me. His eyes were crystal blue. He smiled when I smiled. Sheesh, he was attractive. I felt heat rising up my neck.

  “So, are you living here now?” he asked. “Or are you just visiting from Denver?”

  “No, we’re here now. Me and my kids.” I pointed over my shoulder at the noise behind me. Olivia giggled on cue, and Travis’s grin brightened. “My parents stayed out in Denver, though. What about you? Are you still local?” Growing up, we all had lived in Emerald Isle, a town about an hour down the coast.

  “I’m up in Durham. Just visiting for the weekend.”

  “That’s nice. Do you surf too?”

  Travis had been off at college when Jamie and Brian were just kids, thirteen years old and entering competitions every weekend.

  “I have. It’s just been a while.” He winced and pushed a hand through his hair. “I don’t get to do it that much. I stay pretty busy.”

  “Excuses, excuses,” Jamie muttered, straightening up to throw his arm around his brother’s shoulders. They were both tall, practically the same height. Travis had maybe half an inch on Jamie.

  “Put a scalpel in my hand, and I’ll figure it out on the first go. Probably win trophies for that too.”

  “Is everything a competition to you?” Brian asked.

  Jamie looked disrespected. “Yes.”

  Scalpel? “Wait, are you a doctor?” I asked Travis.

  He nodded lightly.

  His modest admission was almost laughable. Whereas his brother would’ve stood taller while he bragged on his accomplishments, Travis was quiet and shy about it. Jamie would’ve shared this information straightaway. He would’ve tagged it along with his greeting, or gone as far as to introduce himself as Dr. McCade. I wasn’t sure Travis would’ve revealed this information without being goaded first. Interesting.

  “That’s really great,” I said. “Good for you.”

  “Yes, good for him,” Jamie repeated, sounding bored. “And good for me. I killed it today.”

  Travis sighed and shrugged out of his brother’s hold. “I need to get going,” he said, patting Jamie on the back, then leaning over and extending his hand to Brian. “Take care, man.”

  “See you around.”

  When they separated, Travis turned to me and reached for my hand again. He squeezed it gently.

  “It was really good to see you, Jenna,” he said. His tone dropped lower and held meaning.

  “Yeah.” My voice squeaked. I quickly cleared it and smiled at him. “You too.”

  When the door closed behind Travis, I turned back to Brian and Jamie, who were both staring at me.

  I gathered my hair over one shoulder and picked at the ends. “What?” I asked.

  Jamie smirked, then slowly looked over at Brian as he resumed leaning on his elbow. “You got a problem with me givin’ it to him?”

  “Not m
y business,” Brian mumbled.

  “What are you both talking about?” I asked.

  “Travis gettin’ your number from me.” Jamie cocked his head and grinned.

  I scoffed. They thought Travis was going to ask for my number? From that one interaction? We barely said anything. “Um, okay.”

  “First the daddy and now my big bro? Damn, Jenna. You’re gonna need to start beatin’ them off with a stick.”

  “Ew.” I slapped Jamie’s arm as he buckled over with laughter. “Don’t call him that! That’s so weird.”

  God, delete this conversation from my memory. I never wanted to hear that reference again.

  “What?” Jamie straightened up and frowned. “Why’s big bro weird? Oh, you mean daddy…Do you call him that?” He chuckled.

  “Man, shut up,” Brian growled.

  “You’re ridiculous. Guys! We’re going!” I reached for the bag of tees Oliver had picked out. As I slid the bag off the counter, I noticed a stack of Whitecaps coupons beside the register. They advertised for one free appetizer. “What a great idea,” I said, pointing at the pile.

  “Your man didn’t mention that to you?” Jamie asked.

  My man? Why was I still here? Move, Jenna!

  Grunting, I spun around and gestured for my kids. I was suddenly in a rush to leave, but I wouldn’t let that on. Maybe we had plans? Maybe I had work to do? Nobody knew our schedule today but me.

  “Where are we going?” Olivia asked, walking over. Oliver was right behind her.

  “Home. I don’t know. We have stuff to do.” I herded the two of them toward the door, smiling over my shoulder at the guys. “See ya!”

  “Whose home you goin’ to, Jenna? Yours?” Jamie asked. “Maybe play another game of touch?”

  “Ooh, Mom, can we?” Oliver was beaming. “Are we going to Nate’s?”

  “I wanna go to Nate’s!” Olivia shrieked. “I love it there!”

  I ignored my easily excitable children and narrowed my eyes at Jamie’s smirk before getting us the hell out of there.

  I was right. Girl code was so dead.

  * * *

  Later that night, I was snuggled up with the kids on the couch when my phone beeped from across the room with an incoming text. I squeezed out from beneath Oliver and Olivia and moved into the kitchen, swiping my phone off the table.

  Hey it’s Travis. Can I call you?

  My stomach flip-flopped. So he did ask for my number…

  “Mom, should we pause it?” Oliver asked.

  “No. You can keep watching. I’ll be there in a minute.” I stepped further into the kitchen as I typed my response.

  Yes

  My phone rang immediately. I answered on the first ring.

  “Hey.” I kept my voice soft and faced away from the kids so I didn’t disturb their movie.

  “Hey, how are you?”

  “I’m good. How are you?”

  “Good.” There was chatter around Travis until I thought I heard a door close. His surroundings quieted down after that. “Sorry. I’m at work and only have a minute. I’d rather talk than text.”

  “That’s okay. I can talk.”

  “It was really good seeing you today, Jenna.”

  I felt my face heat. “It was good seeing you too. It’s been a long time.”

  “Well, hopefully we won’t go that long between visits again, which is why I’m calling.” He cleared his throat. “I wasn’t sure what your situation was and my brother said he didn’t know, but if you aren’t seeing anyone right now, I’d love to take you out sometime.”

  My thoughts immediately went to Nathan. I couldn’t help it.

  What was my situation? I didn’t have one, right?

  Nathan and I were friends. I hadn’t lied when I’d explained things to Brian earlier. Nothing else had happened yet. I wasn’t sure it ever would, even though I wanted it to. And I liked Travis. If Nathan wasn’t in the picture, I wouldn’t hesitate at all. I wasn’t sure I had any reason to now. Why shouldn’t I go out on a date? I wanted to…

  “That sounds great,” I said, answering how I wanted to answer. “I’d love to go out with you.”

  “Work is pretty crazy for me right now, but I can take some time after the holiday. I’ll reach out to you after the Fourth and we’ll set something up.”

  “Perfect.”

  “Great.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “I gotta get back to work. I’ll talk to you soon, Jenna.”

  “Okay.” I was smiling now too. “Bye, Travis.”

  Chapter Ten

  NATHAN

  Jenna had the kids waiting outside and ready to go when I got home on the Fourth.

  I’d only worked a half day, closing up around one and letting everyone off for the night. My staff was appreciative of that. The girls especially. Shay and Kali both stopped in my office several times to express their gratitude. I figured everyone had plans to celebrate, and my staff worked hard for me. I didn’t mind giving them off for this.

  Davis’s house was two hours away, and I knew we’d hit traffic. I always had before. To save some time, I changed in my office before I left. Then I sent Jenna a text, letting her know when I was on my way.

  Oliver and Olivia jumped off the porch and took off running through the grass when I pulled into the driveway. They both had their duffle bags with them, Oliver’s slung over his shoulder and Olivia’s dragging by her feet. Jenna was close behind, carrying Marley.

  The four of them looked like a walking advertisement for the holiday, straight out of a catalog, wearing red, white, and blue, with matching Americana aviators shielding their eyes. Even Marley. Her glasses took up most of her face. It was cute.

  “Here, Nate! We got you a pair too.” Olivia stopped in front of me when I got out of the truck. She thrust a pair of aviators into my hand and encouraged, “Put them on!”

  “All right.” I bumped fists with Oliver before he climbed in the back seat. Then I swapped the sunglasses for the ones I was wearing, letting my prescription pair hang from the collar of my shirt. The stars and stripes tint were surprisingly easy to see through. “What do you think? Do they look good?” I asked Olivia.

  She nodded quickly. “Can you keep them on so we match?”

  “Sure.”

  Olivia grinned and stepped up beside me, grabbing hold of my hand. I thought she was going to give it a squeeze and let go, a way of thanking me for obliging her request, but she held on. I didn’t mind it. Lately, she was showing me affection in one way or another every time we were together. Making sure she sat beside me or resting her feet in my lap. Both of Jenna’s kids have been warm with me from the beginning. It was oddly comforting.

  “Olivia, baby, we need to get going. Get in the truck.” Jenna smiled at her daughter, who took that encouragement and ran around to the passenger side.

  Marley reached out for me with one hand, holding her glasses on her face with the other. “Daddy, we go swinnin’?”

  “Yeah, baby.” I took her from Jenna and held her in the crook of my elbow, kissing her cheek. She smelled like sunscreen and citrus. “Are you ready?”

  Marley hugged my neck. “Swinnin’ in the pool?”

  “Yep.” I smiled at Jenna. “Thanks for the glasses.”

  “Sure. If you need the other ones to drive, Olivia will understand.”

  “I think I’ll be all right. Mine are mainly for seeing.”

  Laughter tore out of her throat. She was wearing a sleeveless navy-blue top and jean shorts with flag patchwork on the pockets. Her bathing suit was on underneath. The white strings tied under her hair.

  Jenna had curves in everything she wore, but they were even more noticeable today. Her top hugged her waist and the shape of her breasts and dipped low enough to show a hint of cleavage.

  Obviously, she was planning on swimming at this party. Even if she hadn’t been wearing her bathing suit already, I would’ve assumed the same. Maybe I should’ve considered this earlier instead of waiting until right
fucking now. Jesus. I needed more than a couple of hours to prepare myself for the image of Jenna without her top on.

  She wasn’t small in the chest by any standards. Jenna would spill out of my hands. Easily. That top was modest. There was way more cleavage to come.

  “Let me grab the bags,” Jenna said.

  “I got it.” I moved past her and crossed the yard to the porch.

  There were two bags by the door, Marley’s diaper bag and a large tote stuffed with beach towels and pool toys. Two pairs of goggles sat on top.

  I carried the bags to the truck, stepping up to the side Oliver was in. There was plenty of room for the bags beneath the kids’ feet, which was a good thing. I didn’t have a cap on the bed, and I didn’t feel right making Jenna keep everything up front with her. My gym bag was already up there.

  “Check it out, Nate!” Oliver had his duffle on his lap. He unzipped it and pulled out a football. “I’m bringing this in case we wanna play.”

  God, he was going to freak out. I couldn’t wait.

  “Sounds good, bud.” I leaned over him and got Marley buckled in her seat. Olivia was on the other side, and she helped me slip Marley’s arm through the strap closest to her. Then she smiled at me and pointed at her glasses.

  “They’re cool, right?” she asked.

  “The coolest. We should get a picture of all of us,” I suggested, knowing Olivia would get a kick out of that.

  With a gasp, she tore through the duffle she had balancing on her legs and whipped out a bright pink Fujifilm camera. “With this!” she shouted. “Mama, can you take it?”

  I closed the back door and got in the driver’s seat.

  Jenna fiddled with the camera, pressing a button on the front and making sure it was turned on. “I’m not sure my arms are long enough to get everyone,” she said.

  “Here. I got it.” I took the camera from her and held it over the dash, aiming over my right shoulder. My thumb slid to the exposure button. “Ready?”

  “Wait! Marley, smile like this…these two fingers. Okay, we’re ready!” Olivia giggled.

  I took the shot. The film pushed out. It was half the size of regular Polaroid film, and rainbow colored along the edges.