I slipped off the bed and padded to the window. Rain tormented the land, and heavy clouds sauntered across the sky. Condensation gathered at the corners of the glass, and while I gathered my thoughts, I ran the tips of my fingers over the moisture, drawing random scribbles.
Had I made a decision, then? Would I go with them on their tour? I still needed to talk to Whitney, but maybe I should figure out my stance on their proposition.
Wrapping my arms around my waist, I crossed the room and exited into the hallway. The subtle sounds of the shower running could be heard as I passed by a door outside the room.
I hesitated as I walked the short distance across the hall and paused around the corner to the family room where the others waited.
Were they all sure about this?
Glancing around the room, I found all of the guys present except for Ace and Kai. All eyes were trained on me as I made my way over and took a seat next to Parker and Christian.
“Did you have a good talk?” Parker asked, and I nearly choked.
“They offered me a job with the tour.” I refused to tell them about what I had just done with Ace and Kai.
Parker nodded, looking over my head at Oliver. “And what did you say?”
“That I would need to think about it.” I placed my hands in my lap. “It’s not that I wouldn’t like to, but I have a life here and people who depend on me at work. I have to think about what’s best for Whitney here, and I just don’t know if uprooting her right now is the best idea.”
The couch shifted as Christian moved closer to us. “That’s completely understandable. It’s a big decision to make.”
My shoulders sagged in relief that he understood. Letting my eyes slam shut for a mere moment, I tried to express myself the best I could. “It is. Everything inside my heart screams to say yes, but my brain is telling me to think about it first.”
Parker smiled at me, a thoughtful look in his sea-green eyes. Softly, almost reverently, his thumb tilted my face toward him so I would look at him. “Well, do you have any plans for the day? Because if not, we can always go do something together.”
“To be honest”—Parker let go of my chin—“there isn’t much to do around here,” I said, not giving a straight answer.
“Really?” Christian asked, and I shrugged.
I chewed the inside of my cheek while I mulled over potential activities. “I mean, there’s bowling, malls, and the arcade.”
The guys all shared a look over my head before Parker pulled his phone out and began typing quickly.
My brows dipped, but I didn’t comment. I’d learned already that the guys did strange things and asking one question would only add two more to the long list.
“Well,” Parker said while reading something off his phone. “It looks like there’s a fun October festival going on where you can visit a pumpkin patch and go through a corn maze.”
“That sounds like fun.” Oliver popped a stick of gum in his mouth and chewed slowly. “I forget that Halloween is this month.” Catching my eye, Oliver assessed me, waiting for my answer. Maybe it was to see where I still stood with them, if they had scared me off yet. But lucky for them, I wasn’t easily scared. “I’m up for it.”
I frowned at the window again. “But it’s cold and raining.”
Hunter laughed, happy now as he snacked on some grapes from the fridge. He really was just hangry all the time. “That’s why there are things called coats. Besides, the weather forecast says the rain should lighten up within a couple of hours.”
“I didn’t bring a very warm coat,” I said. “And neither did Whitney.”
“You can wear mine,” Christian suggested, tucking his thumbs in his front pockets. “And we have plenty that Whitney can choose from.”
Still unsure, I hugged myself and rubbed my arms. “If we go to my place, I have some jackets there...”
I trailed off as Oliver sent me a disapproving look. “And waste time? No way. We need to make sure we have plenty of time to play before they close.”
Surrendering, I held my hands up in submission.
Whistling a merry tune, Kai entered the room, a white towel in his hands as he went about drying his hair before it could drip onto his fresh clothes. He peered around the room in curiosity, picking up on the mood change, before cocking his head. “What did I miss?”
Half an hour later, Whitney woke up from her nap, and we were ready to go. Hunter had been right about the weather easing up, and there was hardly any rain now. I wore one of Christian’s spare coats while Whitney insisted on wearing one of Hunter’s. It drowned her tiny frame, but the glee on her face as she strutted down the hall clothed in the brown leather coat was too cute to make her change.
“Ready to go?” Ace held out his hand for me.
A small smile formed on my lips as my palm slid into his. I enjoyed all their subtle touches here and there. It was nice to feel their hands against mine or a thigh pressed against my own.
It wasn’t smart to become too familiar. Once we figured everything out, my relationship with the guys would be different. There couldn’t be any more subtle flirting or stolen kisses behind locked doors. Things would have to change.
But even now, my subconscious laughed at me. Even she knew there was no going back now. I’d had a peek into each of these men’s hearts, and my heart fluttered with rapacity at the thought of keeping things the way they were.
These thoughts plagued me as we drove south on the freeway, heading in the direction of the corn maze. Whitney played car games with the guys while I stared out the window, lost in musings.
Today would serve as a test run to see how well things could go with the guys, not that I would tell them that. Yes, their proposition earlier had sounded logical—date them all while we sorted things out—but words were different from actions. It sounded great in theory, but wouldn’t they get jealous? Wouldn’t they develop resentment for one another if they all started dating the same girl? I didn’t know.
So, I needed to see if we could handle spending so much time with everyone without animosity between each other. I didn’t need more drama, and I wasn’t going to drag Whitney around the country so I could flirt with some cute boys.
But I couldn’t lie that what the guys offered would be potentially beneficial for all of us, including Whit. If we went with them on tour, I’d be able to resolve my questions with the guys and spend some much needed time with my sister, and Whitney, if we figured out what to do medically, would get to visit so many different places before she… No, I couldn’t go there.
So, to go or not to go with them? If, for some crazy reason, we accepted their invitation, how could they possibly think I could handle dating all of them and only pick one?
Biting my lip, I trailed my gaze over each of the guys. There was Ace and his unmatched control, Kai and his playful flirtations, and Christian with his teddy-bear heart. Plus, Parker with his honest soul, Oliver with his mischievous banter, and then Hunter and his hangry protectiveness.
Each one of them was so different and independent. Yet, it was together that they seemed complete.
Parker held my hand, his sea-green eyes searching my face as my thoughts whirled with the unknown. He tugged me closer to his side, and I took comfort in the warmth that radiated off his broad frame.
Sitting here with all of them, I wondered whether I could risk it. Could I risk all I had built and made for myself and Whit? Could I risk becoming a rift between these guys?
Could I risk my heart?
Cornbelly’s was a lot livelier than I’d realized.
My eyes widened as I hopped out of the SUV and took in the fall festivities going on at the pumpkin patch. A labyrinth of stacked yellow hay spread a mile wide. The corn maze. Near the entrance sat a large pumpkin patch, rows of orange squashes in varying sizes were scattered along its ground. Here and there, a few families trekked through the rows, searching for their pumpkins. My gaze moved farther down, to where a couple of tall, white tent
s stood, shielding some of the pumpkin-patch-goers from the soft fall of rain.
I hugged Christian’s coat around myself and shifted in my shoes as a hand came to rest on mine, and I peeked up into a gaze with irises in shades of green. Oliver beamed down at me, and his thumb slowly traced the outside of my hand.
“Come on,” he whispered conspiratorially, tugging us along ahead of the group. “I can smell caramel apples.”
I really doubted he could, but I didn’t say it out loud.
“Oliver!” Hunter shouted after us, holding Whitney’s hand as she ogled the booths.
Oliver merely chuckled as we passed by a couple of bouncy castles.
Kids giggled as they slid down the slippery surfaces while parents watched on with fatigued faces. We made it to the tents, where several tables were lined up with various foods and goodies. Oliver dragged us over to the gourmet caramel apples, and I had to give it to his nose. They did smell delicious.
The elderly man behind the table smiled at us, his face lined with wrinkles and age spots. On him, though, they looked endearing. “What can I do for you folks?” he asked in a slow, gravelly voice.
“Two caramel apples, please.” Oliver tugged me to stand in front of him. He wrapped his arms around my waist and settled his chin lightly on my shoulder. The gesture turned my stomach to goo.
“And which kinds would you like?” The man gestured to the apples.
“Which one do you want?” Oliver’s breath ghosted over my neck, and I shivered as I looked over the different kinds with indecision. There were some coated in chocolate while others were sprinkled with bits of crushed candies.
My eyes kept wandering back to one with melted marshmallows and ground up graham crackers, though. “I think I’ll have the S’mores.” I’d make sure to share it with Whitney.
Oliver nodded. “Great choice. Okay, one S’more and one Caramel Kiss.” He pointed to an apple entirely covered with caramel and milk-chocolate kisses.
The man gathered them up and deposited them in little paper baggies to go. Oliver paid for the both of them, and I didn’t even bother fighting him over it. It would have been pointless anyway. “Have a great evening, folks.”
The others finally reached us, and Hunter glared daggers at the caramel apples in our hands as if they had personally told him he didn’t look good in black.
“Ollie, how many times have we gone through this?” he asked in an exasperated voice. “You shouldn’t be eating this much sugar.”
Oliver shrugged and bit into his apple, keeping his eyes on Hunter as he did so. My mouth watered as I held up my treat, and the sugary perfume of what I imagined camping to smell like drifted up to my nose. I’d never been, but I knew people roasted s’mores when they went. There was a smoky hint to the apple, and I wondered if they truly roasted the marshmallows before dripping them over the apples.
Holding it out to Whitney, I watched her awed face as she bit into the decadent treat.
Hunter turned his dark gaze to me. “And you’re going to encourage this behavior?”
I frowned, unhappy he was being such a sourpuss. “It’s just a treat.”
“We’re gonna go check out the pumpkins.” Parker pushed a hand through his silver hair. “It’s getting dark, and we want to get some to carve for once we get back to our place.”
The thought of carving pumpkins had Whitney jumping up and down on the balls of her feet. “Really?”
Ace smiled and brushed a stray hair out of her face. “Yes, really. Have you ever carved pumpkins before?”
She nodded. “Yeah! Last year I carved a bat.”
We chuckled, and Ace bopped her nose. “Well then, let’s find some big pumpkins.”
Ace, Parker, Christian, and Whitney waved at us as they made their way to the pumpkin patch. Oliver pointed behind us at the corn maze, already finished with his apple. “You guys wanna race?”
I shook my head. With so much on my mind, I needed the time to sit and think. “No, you guys go on ahead. I think I’ll stay and rest for a little bit.”
Oliver shrugged and turned to Hunter and Kai. “How about you guys?”
Kai grinned. “Sure, man. I’d love to.”
They raced over to the maze, chatting together about a bet.
Hunter huffed, watching their retreating figures for a moment. Returning his attention back to me, he jabbed a thumb behind himself. “Come on. Let’s talk.”
He led me around to the opposite side of the tent from where the festivities were going on, staying close without touching. The area was deserted and out of view of others. Stacked boxes and empty carts hid us from prying eyes, giving us privacy. Ever since this morning at the diner, he had seemed on edge. Like something was bothering him. I knew he was upset about Whitney, we all were, but that didn’t seem like all that was troubling him.
Crossing his arms over his chest, the leather of his jacket crinkled slightly from the movement, and I watched the storm clouds as they slinked down the mountains, promising rain as I waited for him to speak. His eyes were lost in thought as he stared with me, and the broodiness in them reminded me of the brewing storm outside the tent. He could use a pick-me-up.
Walking closer, I silently held my apple out for him.
He eyed it cautiously, and I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. “What?”
I lifted the treat closer to his lips. “Just try a bite.”
Stumbling a step back, his eyebrows furrowed. “No.”
Sighing, I lowered the apple and pouted my lower lip. “Why not?”
Hunter paused. “Because it’s a cavity on a stick.”
I cocked my head. “One bite won’t hurt you.” Grinning mischievously, I inhaled its sweet aroma. “Come on, grumpy gills. I know you’re probably hungry.”
Desire warred in his eyes as he focused in on the treat like a hawk. He swore and rubbed the crease between his brows. After another moment, he gazed down at me with resigned frustration. “Fuck, yeah, I’m hungry.”
My face lit up in a victorious smile as I practically shoved the apple into his hands. Hunter eyed it warily before lifting it to his lips. Glaring at me, he sank his teeth into the caramel apple and tore off a large bite. A speckling of graham crackers dusted the corner of his mouth, and a smudge of marshmallow coated his upper lip.
My breath caught in my throat as my eyes were drawn to the movement, wishing I was bold enough to lick it off myself. Dumbstruck, I watched as his tongue darted out and slowly licked off what remained on his lips.
Hunter handed back the apple, a sigh of bliss escaping his lips as he eyed the apple wantonly. “This is why I don’t eat sugar.”
I giggled. “You have a secret sweet tooth, huh?”
He rolled his eyes, not answering the question, and I accepted the apple back with numb fingers. It was hard to ignore the way his fingers brushed against my own, setting every nerve of mine on fire.
To distract myself, I nibbled on my apple, trying not to feel like a weirdo for getting excited when I ate around the part Hunter had bitten into. My eyes closed as melted marshmallow, smooth chocolate, and crispy graham cracker mixed with the taste of sour apple, sliding tantalizingly over my tongue. A soft moan escaped my lips, and a pained longing began to build in my chest. This was all too good to be true. I couldn’t help but worry I’d wake up and the guys would just be figments of my imagination. I didn’t know what I would do if I had to continue on alone.
A hand brushed lightly across my cheek, and I opened my eyes to meet Hunter’s concerned gaze. He wiped away the tear I hadn’t even noticed I had let go. “What’s wrong, Tessa?”
I smiled sadly up at him. “Do you think she’s had a full life?”
He came closer and pulled me into his arms, the smell of leather and sandalwood surrounding me as he buried his face in my hair. I felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my cheek, and my heart synchronized its beating to match his.
“I know it sucks what you’re going through,” he whispered,
his voice low and soft against the noises of families coming from the pumpkin patch. “But you both have support now. More family. Stick with us, and we’ll make sure you never fall behind again.” He pulled back and lifted a calloused hand to my cheek as his dark eyes searched mine.
“How can you be so sure I won’t?” My voice came out breathier than I had intended.
“Because even though we’re not the most conventional bunch, we’re still a family,” he murmured, tilting my head up by my chin. “And family comes before anything else. You, Whitney, in the short time we’ve known you, you’ve joined our family. Whether you’ve realized it or not.”
Light rain drifted over my face, but it helped clear my mind.
His eyes traveled to my lips, causing a pleasant hum to float through me. Before my heart could make another beat, Hunter lowered his lips to mine. I sighed as the warmth of his mouth heated my chilled lips. Something rumbled low in his throat as he stepped even closer and sealed the small distance that remained between us. Two warm hands reached up to tangle in my hair, threading tenderly through the locks.
My apple slipped from my grasp, but I didn’t care as I stood on my tiptoes to get closer. Snaking my hands up his chest, I memorized every dip and form of his body as they made their way up to his cheeks. His whiskers along his jaw tickled my palms. Once his mouth opened more, and I took advantage of it to dip my tongue inside. He tasted so sweet, the flavors of sugar and apple on his tongue as I caressed it with my own.
He groaned, and his body pressed harder into mine.
You beat my heart into a pulp... And hid the evidence with lies...
The familiar words vibrated through me as Hunter’s teeth tugged on my lower lip, and I released a moan at the sensation. Heat scorched and singed my veins, traveling lower to settle inside my belly. Hunter’s hands slid slowly down my back and over my butt, not stopping until they grasped me behind my thighs. He lifted me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist like I had seen people do in movies.
Lonely Lullaby: Ballad of a Broken Soul Series | Book 1 Page 20
