by J. Daniels
“This is cool,” I said, admiring the camera after passing Jenna the photo. I hadn’t messed around with one of these before. I was familiar with the older-style Polaroids.
“I got it for my birthday,” Olivia shared. “I got regular film too. But I like the rainbow film the most. You can take another picture if you want.”
“I’ll take some at the party, okay?”
“Of us in the pool!”
“Aw, it turned out so good. Look.” Jenna held the picture over the center console. “You got everyone in the shot.”
I looked down at the photo and smiled. The kids were squished together in the back seat, grinning big and holding up peace signs. Even Marley. Both of her hands were raised and positioned in front of her. Jenna was angled toward me. We were both smiling. Everyone matched in glasses and patriotic attire. Even the solid red T-shirt I wore complemented the group. Jenna was right. It had turned out good. Nobody was cut out of the picture. I’d been half expecting that. What the fuck did I know about taking selfies?
“Too bad there’s only the one. I probably won’t get another shot like that.” I handed Olivia her camera. Then I pulled the seat belt across my chest, adding, “I would’ve liked a copy.”
“Mm.” Jenna tugged her phone out of her back pocket. She pulled up the camera mode and took a picture of the print. “Problem solved,” she said, flashing me a grin. “I’ll text it to you.”
“Great. Thanks.”
“Let me see it!” Olivia shrieked.
Jenna passed the photo over her shoulder as I backed us out of the driveway.
“Aw,” Olivia cooed, her voice pitching higher. Then, barely above a whisper, she added, “We look like a family.”
My foot nearly slipped off the brake.
“Uh…s-some music, maybe? That’ll be nice for the ride.” Jenna reached for the volume on the radio as I shifted into drive and hit the gas. Music filled the cab, which she quickly adjusted so it became unbalanced and spilled more into the back seat. Her fingers trembled as they hovered over the screen.
“It’s okay,” I said.
“Sorry.” She settled on a station, pressed her back against the leather, and finally looked over at me. Her face was red, the flush creeping up behind her aviators. The lenses shielded the highest points of her cheeks. “She’s just…She’s never said that before. I’m so sorry. I’ll talk to her.”
“It’s fine. You don’t need to.”
“She can’t say stuff like that.”
“Well, she’s not wrong in thinking it.” I glanced at the road again, turning us out of the development and heading in the direction of the freeway.
Jenna was silent beside me.
What was I saying? I needed to clarify that.
“I mean, you know…” I looked over at her again and gestured at my face. “The glasses.”
“Right. Of course.” She pulled hers off and folded them in her lap. Her gaze was shy and dropped away.
Christ, come on. This doesn’t need to be weird.
“What are you doing?” I asked, smirking at the road. “I believe it’s been requested that we match today.”
“Huh?”
“The glasses…They’re a requirement, Jenna. How could you?”
“Oh.” Laughter feathered through her voice. “I didn’t realize I was under obligation. So sorry.” She slipped the aviators back on and sat forward to smile at me. “Will you be keeping yours on in the pool?”
“I’m never taking them off. I was asked to wear them, very sweetly, I might add.” I glanced at her. A chuckle shook my chest. Again?
“What?”
“Nothing. I just winked at you.”
“Oh, really?” Jenna was grinning now. “I’m sorry I missed that. Too bad for that pledge you just made.”
“Yes. Too bad for that.” I shook my head at the road.
“It’s fine. You’ll just have to tell me every time you wink.”
Jenna’s quiet laughter tickled my ear. I was quick to join in.
This doesn’t need to be weird, I thought. And then immediately, It isn’t. Not even this—flirting.
Should it be?
I quickly shoved that question out of my head. It was one I couldn’t answer.
On the way, we talked about our favorite fireworks and played an interesting game of I Spy. Oliver and Olivia kept choosing the same object—my red shirt—and laughing at each other. They laughed even harder when Marley adorably tried to play. She didn’t quite understand the concept of the game and kept repeating everyone’s guesses. It took us a little over two hours to get to the house. I’d evaded Oliver’s questioning as best I could during the drive, keeping my responses vague.
We’re going to my friend’s house, an old buddy of mine from college. Did I say his house was ridiculous? It’s not that big.
I wanted this to be a surprise for him. For everyone. He’d know exactly where we were soon enough.
“Whoa.” Jenna leaned forward in her seat and gazed out the windshield as I parked us in the sloped driveway that circled an obnoxious, four-tiered fountain.
That’s new, I mused.
Jenna slowly peered over at me. “Who is your friend?”
I laughed and cut the engine, throwing my door open. “You guys ready?”
The twins chanted in exuberance as they climbed out of the truck. Marley giggled and squealed, grinning against my neck when I plucked her out of her seat.
“Daddy, go swinnin’?” she asked.
“Yeah, baby. We’re going swimming.”
Jenna insisted on carrying the diaper bag, scooping it up while I was reaching in the front seat for my hat. I slipped it on backward.
“What? My arms are free,” she said, catching the look I gave her before I turned to shut the door.
I slid the beach tote up my arm. “I can handle all the bags.”
“Nope. I want this or her, and she seems to be very content right where she is.” Jenna smiled and stepped closer, tickling Marley’s belly. “You like that, don’t you? You like it when Dad—dy,” she stammered. Then her mouth slammed shut and she quickly spun away.
I chuckled. “You all right?”
“Fine.” She grinned at me over her shoulder, no longer flustered.
Did I imagine her reaction? Huh. Okay. Maybe that was nothing.
Even though Davis always had an open-door policy with me, I still rang the bell when I stepped up onto the porch. It had been two years. Plus, I knew the impact it would have if he…
Davis flung the door open and grinned. “S’up? You made it!”
“Hey, man.” We passed on handshakes and settled for hugs, slapping each other’s backs loudly.
Davis attempted to pluck Marley out of my arms once I stepped inside the house, but she burrowed against me and whined.
“She’s shy,” I explained.
“It’s cool. I get it.” He looked down at Olivia and then at Jenna when she walked in behind her daughter. His brows lifted. “Well, hi there.”
“Hi,” Olivia squeaked, stepping closer to my leg.
I reached down and placed my hand on her back, thinking she was nervous. Strange man. New environment. I understood her reserve.
Olivia peered up at me and smiled easily.
“Davis, this is Jenna and her daughter, Olivia,” I said.
“Nice to meet you guys.”
“Your house is beautiful.” Jenna shoved her glasses to the top of her head and blinked widely at her surroundings. “Thank you so much for having us.”
“No, thank you for coming.” Davis slid his gaze to me and shot me a look. Are you fucking kidding me? You have so much to explain.
I shook my head and braced for the interrogation of a lifetime. What is wrong with me? I could’ve predicted this shit. But had I prepared for it? Of course not. Just like the looming bikini reveal. I was wide open for this.
“Oliver, are you coming inside?” Jenna asked.
Stepping over, I looked back at
Oliver and saw him frozen on the porch.
Eyes round above his aviators, which were now near the tip of his nose. Mouth gaped open. Shoulders dropped. His duffle sliding down his arm.
I grinned into Marley’s hair.
“You’re Dave Davis!” he screamed, slapping his cheeks. “Oh my God! I am not here right now. I am not at your house…Mom! Somebody pinch me!”
Everyone started laughing, except Oliver. He was still in shock, and scrambled into the house, nearly face-planting on his way in. He hoisted his duffle against his stomach and started digging through it.
“You brought a fan? God, I love you.” Davis slapped my shoulder.
Jenna smiled at him. “I’m sorry…Nathan didn’t tell us who you were. And I—I’m still not sure who you are.” She winced. “Sorry. Should I know?”
I threw my head back and laughed. Davis looked ready to punch me.
“Oh, please. The fountain. You need a good hit to your ego.”
“Hey, it’s pretty,” he argued.
“Mom, really? This is Dave Davis. Starting tight end for Carolina. First-round draft pick!” Oliver shook his head. “Oh my God, this is embarrassing…How can you not know? How are we even related?”
Laughter shook my chest.
Jenna blushed hard and bit her lip, looking to Davis then. “I don’t watch a lot of sports,” she explained.
“It’s cool.” Davis stood tall and smirked. “I’ll make sure you know all about me before you leave.”
“I wouldn’t doubt that,” I threw out.
Oliver let his duffle hit the floor after retrieving his football out of it. He stepped around Olivia. “Could you sign this, Mr. Davis?”
Davis took the ball. “Sure. You got a pen?”
“Uh…” Oliver looked absolutely panicked. “N-no. Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it, kid. I got tons of pens. Come on.” Davis moved around us to close the door. Then he led the way through the foyer toward the back of the house.
The twins followed quickly behind him after Oliver retrieved his duffle. They spoke closely, their voices racing with excitement. Jenna flanked my side.
“Just some friend you went to college with?” she whispered.
I peered down at her and grinned. She elbowed me, shaking her head, and we laughed together.
Once we reached the back of the house, the room opened up. Music poured in through open French doors. Guests filtered in and out, adults and kids, wearing swimsuits and carrying plates of food. Oliver and Olivia pointed outside and whispered with each other. They bounced on their feet and high-fived. It was so fucking cute. Jenna called them over to the kitchen, where Davis retrieved a Sharpie out of a drawer. He bit the cap between his teeth and signed the ball for Oliver. Then he tossed it to him across the counter, saying, “There you go, kid.”
Oliver stared at the signature. “Wow,” he whispered, lifting his head. He pushed the glasses up his nose. “Thank you, Mr. Davis.”
“Just Davis. That’s what my friends call me. We’re friends now, right?”
Oliver nodded fast and hugged the ball. “Y-yes, sir. We’re friends.” Then he looked at me and mouthed, Oh my God.
When Jenna instructed him to put the ball away for now, he hesitated until she tagged on a warning of accidentally dropping it in the pool and smearing the signature. That got him moving.
“You guys wanna head outside?” Davis asked. “The party’s already started.”
“Sure. Sounds good.” Jenna slid her smile over to me, then giggled at Olivia, who shook her hips to the music.
“I love this song!” Olivia shrieked.
We padded outside, stepping onto the large, covered patio. There were a few tables set up there for shaded seating, along with coolers filled with ice and beverages. The patio opened up to a lavish outdoor kitchen, which overlooked the pool. Everything was made of stone and marble. Two grills flanked a large swim-up bar. I knew Davis got a lot of use out of his setup, but he wasn’t cooking anything today. The food was catered, and there was plenty of it. Ladles stuck out of rectangular, aluminum tins, with fuel canisters beneath them to keep everything warm. The pans covered the island.
I was prompted to ask the kids if they wanted anything to eat yet, but their attention was solely on the pool. I wasn’t even sure they’d noticed anything else. I couldn’t blame them. It was fucking excessive, but nice. I understood the appeal.
The pool was freeform, with three rock waterfalls, a spa Jacuzzi, and a giant custom slide built into a boulder. There were hidden caves under the falls with lagoon lighting, springs every ten feet or so along the perimeter, and one of those infinity edges. It was like an oasis built right onto the beach.
I stepped up behind the twins. “What do you guys think?”
“It’s pretty sick, right?” Davis asked, joining me.
Oliver turned his head and gaped at us. “Are you kidding? How are we even here?”
I chuckled.
“This is awesome!” Olivia yelled, pumping her fists into the air. She tugged on Jenna’s arm. “Can we get in now? Can we!”
“Sure!” Jenna looked at me and mouthed, Wow, a breathless laugh leaving her. Then she pointed to a group of unattended lounge chairs near the Jacuzzi. “Let’s go put our stuff down over there. We need to get sunscreen on.”
“Want to take her with you?” I asked, gripping Marley under her arms. “I’m going to catch up with Davis for a minute.”
“Of course. Oliver, get that tote from Nathan, please.”
I passed Marley off, then the tote, after testing the weight of it. “It’s heavy,” I told Oliver.
“I’m strong.” He quickly flexed as proof, making sure Davis saw his muscle, then situated the duffle on one shoulder and heaved the pool tote over the other. He followed behind Jenna and the girls.
I watched closely as they passed the DJ, gauging their reactions. There were a lot of kids here, different ages too, so the music wasn’t too loud. I wanted to make sure they weren’t bothered by it, Marley especially. But none of them seemed to mind the noise. Oliver and Olivia were racing to the chairs, and Marley giggled at something Jenna was saying, her feet kicking excitedly.
“Well, well, well,” Davis drawled.
I pulled my arms across my chest and stared ahead. “Here we go. Let’s hear it.”
“I was expecting Mary fucking Poppins, you bastard.” He laughed, bumping elbows with me. “Not the bombshell girl next door. Jesus Christ.”
“I told you I was bringing the woman who’s been watching Marley for me. Any assumptions you made are your own fault.”
Davis took a step forward and spun around, putting his back to the pool. “Nathan Bell, are you banging the babysitter?”
My gaze slid to his. “Come on, man.”
“Come on what? You did not just bring her today so your kids could hang out. Don’t lie to me.”
“There’s nothing going on.”
He cocked his head.
I shrugged. “Nothing has happened. That’s the truth. We’re friends. She’s watching Marley for me. We hang out—all of us—not just me and Jenna. What do you want? There’s nothing else to say.”
“Fine. You’re friends. Love the matching outfits, by the way. Do you do all your shopping together now?”
“Oh, fuck you.”
“You want something more to happen, Nate. Admit it.”
I didn’t answer that, mainly because I couldn’t answer that. I hadn’t allowed myself to admit to anything I was feeling. I knew I stared too long and found excuses to be around her. I sent texts that pushed the boundaries of friendship. I acted, though I didn’t acknowledge. I knew what acknowledging this would mean.
“You’re hesitating.” Davis narrowed his eyes. He was being serious now, a rare thing to witness. “Why? It’s been almost two years.”
“I know how long it’s been.” My tone became sharp. I felt a muscle in my jaw jump. “What are you saying? Two years…Shit, that’s the cutoff
mark, right? Time to move on.”
Davis sighed through his nose. “I don’t think there’s moving on. I think there’s living. There’s no right or wrong here, Nate. There’s no judgment either. And fuck you for thinking there would be—you’re my best friend. However you continue, for you and for Marley, I’d back your decision. Hell, I backed it when you refused to talk to me. Are you forgetting that?”
“No, of course not.” I lifted the aviators and scrubbed at my face. “Fuck, man, it’s just…I don’t know what’s right to do here.”
“So do what you want. Nobody can tell you what you should be doing. Even if, God forbid, I ended up going through the same thing…what’s right for me might not be right for you. Stop thinking and fucking move, man. You’re always going to find a reason not to do something if you’re looking for it. My suggestion?”
“Sure.”
“Quit looking.”
My mind opened up and grabbed at his logic. He was right.
The clarity had always been there, lingering quietly. Maybe I would’ve been able to work through this on my own in another month or so. Maybe not. I wasn’t sure I’d take any opportunities without being given permission first. It was the entire reason I hesitated.
“So, are we ready to admit how we feel yet? Dr. Davis has other things to do.”
I chuckled through a “shut up,” then slid my attention over his shoulder when Olivia squealed. Davis stepped aside and turned to watch as well, just as Olivia dumped into the pool off the slide. Oliver was quick to follow.
I smiled when they emerged from the water with their goggles on, giggling. They looked so fucking happy to be here.
“Cute kids,” he said.
“Yeah, they are.”
“Jesus.” Davis made a noise deep in his throat and cursed under his breath. I followed his gaze to the lounge chairs.
Marley sat on one with pool toys in her lap. She had streaks of lotion on her face and arms and was holding a bottle of sunscreen while bopping her shoulders to the music. And standing beside her…
Oh, holy fuck.
Jenna had stripped out of her top and shorts and was now wearing nothing besides a red, white, and blue bikini. Blue with white stars on one breast and red with white stripes on the other. The bottoms were solid white.
