Page 15

Chapter fifteen

Beck

I can’t stop smiling.

Ever since Abby kissed me—really kissed me—I’ve been walking around like I just scored a hat trick in Game 7 of the playoffs.

It’s more than the kiss, though.

For the first time, I feel like Abby’s walls are coming down. She’s not running anymore. She’s choosing me.

And Jake? That kid’s already carved out space in my heart.

This… this feels like something real.

So, I’m making the next move.

***

“BBQ at my place this Saturday,” I tell Wes and the rest of the guys after practice. “Casual. Just friends, family… no pressure. And bring whomever you want.”

“BBQ, huh?” Wes raises an eyebrow, his grin widening. “Trying to lock it down with Abby, are we?”

I smirk, not denying it. “Just giving her and Jake more reasons to stick around.”

Wes chuckles, but there’s warmth in his eyes. “Smart move, Hayes.”

“Bring Quinn,” I add casually, watching his expression shift.

The corner of his mouth quirks up.

“You think she’ll say yes?” I nudge Wes.

“Oh, she’ll say yes,” he retorts. Unable to resist needling him I add: “The real question is… can you handle her?”

Wes just laughs, but I see the flicker of anticipation in his eyes.

“Challenge accepted. And you know, Hayes, you’re the only person I know who lives in a penthouse and can still invite people over for a picnic. I guess owning the building is a start.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just don’t make a deal out of it, ok?” I hope his snicker means yes.

***

The week drags by, and Saturday finally arrives. The sun’s dipping lower as I set up the last of the lawn chairs and toss the burgers on the grill. I invited my folks, so Dad’s helping. Jake’s running around the yard, Spotty close on his heels, while Abby’s inside with Mom putting the final touches on the salads.

I introduced them earlier and it could not have gone better. Abby was a little shocked since meeting my folks was a surprise; I figured I wouldn’t give her any time to fret about it and I think I was a good decision. From my end, the introductions went well. At least no one bit anybody was my best takeaway. Mom’s been yearning for me to bring home a “sweetheart” as she calls it. She seems smitten with Abby and Jake was an immediate hit as well. Who couldn’t love them both?

So all-in-all it’s been perfect.

Then Wes shows up… with Quinn.

She looks amazing—casual in shorts and a flowy top—and the way Wes watches her?

Yeah, this guy’s in deep.

“Hey, you two!” Abby greets them, her smile widening. She plants a sister kiss and hug on Quinn and an eyeball-to-eyeball motion on Wes as a warning.

“Hope you’re ready for some friendly competition,” Wes says, his eyes flickering to the cornhole boards I set up earlier.

“Bring it,” Quinn fires back, her grin is playful, but her eyes dare him.

Oh boy.

“I hope you’ve been practicing, Archer,” Quinn taunts, picking up one of the bean bags.

“Practicing? Plul=eeze.” Wes smirks, stepping closer. “I’m a natural.”

“Natural at losing?” Quinn raises an eyebrow, her lips twitching.

Wes grins, but there’s a glint in his eye. “Careful, Quinn. Trash talk only makes me more competitive.”

“Good,” she murmurs, her tone low enough that only he hears. “I like a challenge.”

Holy catfish! Even I’m feeling the heat between them.

Abby catches my eye, her expression somewhere between amusement and concern. “Should we… do something?” she whispers.

“Nah,” I murmur, leaning closer. “Let’s see how this plays out.”

Quinn and Wes are locked in, and neither of them is backing down.

***

“Hey, Hayes! Smells good!”

I barely turn before Griffin Shaw strolls onto the deck like he owns the place.

“About time you showed up,” I call out, flipping the burgers.

Griff’s grin is easy as he claps me on the shoulder. “Wouldn’t miss your famous BBQ.”

But then… his eyes land on Jane Archer.

Jane, standing off to the side her arms crossed, watches the cornhole game with quiet amusement.

Jane, who looks every bit the sweet, shy librarian with her oversized sweater and thick-rimmed glasses…

Except, something tells me this librarian is anything but shy.

Griffin’s grin falters for half a second, and I catch the flicker of interest in his eyes before he masks it with that signature charm.

“Who’s that?” Griffin murmurs, his gaze locked on Jane.

“Jane Archer,” I reply casually. “Wes’s little sister.”

Griffin’s grin returns, slower this time. “Archer’s sister, huh?”

I glance toward Wes, who’s too busy trying not to lose to Quinn to notice what’s happening.

“Careful, Griff,” I warn, lowering my voice. “Wes is very protective of her.”

Griffin’s grin just widens. “I love a challenge.”

Oh boy.

So, of course, Griffin strolls over, that easy confidence rolling off him in waves.

“Hi.” His grin is all charm. “I’m Griffin.”

Jane looks up from her phone, her expression polite but guarded.

“Jane,” she says softly, her lips curving into a small smile.

“I don’t think we’ve met before.” Griffin leans casually against the railing, but there’s nothing casual about the way his eyes are studying her.

“We haven’t.” Jane’s smile is sweet, but her eyes…

Her eyes are sharp.

Griffin’s good, but Jane?

She’s better.

“Librarian, right?” Griffin asks, clearly thinking he’s got her figured out.

“Yep.” Jane tilts her head, her tone innocent. “And you’re the guy who thinks he’s charming enough to get away with just about anything, aren’t you?”

Oh… damn.

Griffin blinks. “Excuse me?”

Jane’s smile doesn’t waver. “Did I get that wrong?”

For the first time in a long time…

Griffin Shaw looks speechless.

I like her already.

It doesn’t take long for big brother Wes to notice.

“Hey.” Wes’s tone is too casual as he steps up beside Jane, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looks at Griffin. “Everything okay over here?”

Griffin’s grin returns, but I see the way his jaw tightens ever so slightly.

“Just getting to know your sister, Archer.”

Wes’s eyes darken, his posture shifting into full-on protective-brother mode.

“Yeah?” His tone is even, but the warning is clear. “Maybe you should get to know someone else.”

Jane sighs, her eyes rolling slightly. “Wes…”

“Just looking out for you, Janie,” Wes says, his smile tight.

“I can handle myself.” Jane’s voice is soft but firm, and for a moment… Griffin looks impressed.

But Wes? He looks ready to deck Griffin.

“Relax, Archer,” Griffin says, holding up his hands. “Just making conversation.”

“Make it somewhere else,” Wes mutters under his breath.

This is going to be fun. I look over to Abby and wink, but she just shakes her head. Oh yeah. This is definitely going to be fun.

***

While Wes and Griffin quietly exchange death glares, I slip away with Abby to the side of the deck, where it’s quieter.

“You okay?” I murmur, running my thumb down the crease in her chin.

Her smile is soft, her eyes warm as they meet mine. “I am.”

“Jake’s having fun,” I say, watching as he runs around with Spotty near the lake.

“He loves being here.” Abby’s voice is softer now, her gaze drifting back to me. “And so do I.”

My heart clenches at her words. “Abs …” I murmur, leaning closer, my hand brushing her cheek.

Her voice is barely a whisper as her lips brush mine.

The kiss is slow, tender… but there’s heat simmering just beneath the surface.

I deepen the kiss, my arms wrapping around her as I pull her closer.

And for a moment… the chaos fades.

But then…

“Mrow.”

I barely have time to register the sound before a familiar weight lands on my foot.

“Biscuit!” Abby gasps, pulling back slightly, her eyes widening as she looks down.

Sure enough, Biscuit—my orange tabby affectionately known as ‘the puck’ for his tendency to chase anything that moves— is staring up at us with an expression that screams, Don’t mind me. Just supervising.

“Buddy, not cool.” I groan, but I can’t help the laugh bubbling up.

Before I can move, Mitts, my fluffy gray with an attitude to match her name, saunters over like she owns the place and plops down right between Abby and me.

Abby bites her lip, trying not to laugh. “You didn’t mention they’re possessive.”

“They think they run the show, indoors and out.” I chuckle, trying to nudge Mitts out of the way, but she just stretches lazily, refusing to budge.

“And where’s…”

Before Abby can finish her sentence, Hat Trick—my sleek black cat with a mischievous streak— darts around the corner, his eyes locked on Spotty.

Spotty, who had been peacefully sitting with Jake, notices Hat Trick’s movement and immediately springs into action.

“Spotty, no!” Abby calls out, but it’s too late.

The Dalmatian bolts toward Hat Trick, who, of course, thinks it’s a game.

And just like that… Chaos.

Spotty chases Hat Trick around the deck, barking with excitement, while Hat Trick zigzags between the lawn chairs like he’s skating on ice.

“Are they always like this?” Abby asks, her voice full of laughter.

“Pretty much.” I sigh, shaking my head, but I’m grinning. “They keep things… interesting.”

Abby’s eyes soften as she watches Jake giggle uncontrollably while Spotty and Hat Trick continue their high-speed chase.

“You’re good with him, you know,” she murmurs, her voice quieter now. “Jake.”

I turn my attention back to her, my chest tightening at the emotion in her eyes.

“He’s a great kid,” I say softly. “It’s easy.”

Her lips curve, but there’s something deeper in her gaze—something vulnerable.

“Beck…” She swallows, her voice barely above a whisper. “What happens if this… keeps going?”

I blink, my heart pounding. “What do you mean?”

She looks away, her teeth grazing her bottom lip. “If we… if you and Jake and I… become something more.”

My throat tightens. “Is that what you want?”

Her eyes meet mine again, and for the first time…

There’s no hesitation.

“Yes, I think I do,” she whispers, her voice trembling just slightly.

My heart pounds harder. “Me too, Abby, me too.”

She bites her lip, her cheeks flushing. “I’m scared. But… I’m not running anymore.”

I take a step closer, cupping her face gently in my hands.

“We’ll take it slow,” I murmur, my thumb brushing over her cheek. “One step at a time.”

Abby nods, her eyes shining with something that looks a lot like hope.

“And what about them?” She gestures toward the chaos unfolding around us, where Spotty is now practically herding Hat Trick toward the door, while Biscuit and Mitts watch with what I can only describe as mild judgment.

I chuckle softly, pressing my forehead against hers.

“They’re part of the package.” I grin. “Full chaos included.”

Abby laughs, her body relaxing against mine.

“Good,” she whispers, her lips brushing mine again. “Because I think I’m ready for all of it.”

Just as I’m about to lose myself in her gaze, my phone buzzes in my pocket.

“Sorry,” I murmur against her lips, reluctantly pulling back.

“No problem.” Abby smiles, but her eyes are clouded with curiosity.

I glance at the screen, and my stomach drops.

My agent.

I answer, keeping my voice low. “What’s up?”

“Beck,” his tone is serious, cutting through the warmth of the moment. “We need to talk.”

My heart pounds as I glance at Abby, who’s watching me closely.

“What’s going on?” I ask, my gut tightening.

“We’ve got a problem, Beck. We need to talk.”

And it’s as serious as I’ve ever heard Dex.