Page 25

25

TASHA

“ I love my fiancé, but the guy is driving me nuts.” Josie groaned.

“Ready for the game tomorrow, huh?” I joked.

My best friend shook her head across from me as she took a sip of her coffee. “Don’t get me started.”

This morning, when Josie called and asked to go to coffee together, I immediately said yes. The two of us haven’t seen much of each other lately. She wanted to hang out the other day, but I had my date with Trevor, so I was in desperate need of some girl time.

“I need some girl talk that isn’t hockey.” Josie said.

“Perfect, because I was just about to ask if you’ve thought about the wedding yet.” I commented, sipping my coffee.

“Oh yes!” Josie sat forward with a wide grin. “Wyatt and I both agreed we don’t want something huge. Just family and friends.”

I nodded in agreement. I couldn’t see Josie with a huge wedding anyway.

“Are you guys thinking soon?” The thought of my best friend getting married made me almost giddy. The two of us talked about our weddings before and the fact that she was about to walk down the aisle with the love of her life was a little mind-blowing.

“Okay, it might sound a bit crazy but…” Josie hesitated making me nudge her under the table with my foot. “We’re thinking five months from now.”

My eyes widened. Five months. Five months to get a dress, a venue, send out invites, order flowers.

“Okay, that’s…” I trailed off.

“I know. It’s a lot.” She sent me a sheepish grin. “But we don’t want to wait.”

Even though she was sitting, I narrowed my eyes at her, looking her up and down.

“You aren’t pregnant, are you?” Josie sipped her drink, damn near sputtering it out when my question clicked in her head.

“Tasha!” She coughed into her napkin and looked at me with wide eyes.

“What?” I shrugged. “The way you two go at it like bunnies.” Although, I wasn’t any better at the moment. Josie shook her head at me, her cheeks pink.

“No, I’m not pregnant. We both want kids but not right now.”

“Well, whenever you do have kids, I call godmother” I fully planned on being the cool, fun aunt.

“Noted.” Josie laughed. “But that reminds me.” She sobered up, reaching across the table to grab my hand. “I know I asked in Australia, but I want to make sure that you really want to be my maid of honor. You’re my best friend, but I don’t want you to feel like you have to be.” Josie started rambling.

I squeezed her hands to get her attention. “Jo.”

“You’re literally a sister to me. I wouldn’t have made it through the last few years without you.” Tears appeared in her eyes as she spoke. My own started to tear up. “You pulled me out of a dark place, not once but twice. When my dad passed you were the only person I had left. I want you by my side when I get married.”

“Of course, I will.” I sniffled. “Can’t get married without me.” Josie laughed as she wiped her eyes. Pulling my hand from hers, I wiped my cheeks.

“Damn you, Josie Scott for making me cry.” Who would have thought a simple question would get me to burst out in tears? I wasn’t prepared. Neither was my mascara that was probably smudged under my eyes.

“At least you look like a cute panda,” Josie joked, cleaning her own from under her eyes.

“Of course I do, but seriously, I’d be honored to be your maid of honor.”

“Good, cause I’m going to need someone to help me veto Wyatt’s ideas.” We both shared a look. Men were pretty helpless when it came to planning a wedding.

“You’re going to hire a wedding planner, right?” There was no way Josie and I, even with help from the other girls, could plan an entire wedding in five months.

“Yeah, we’re meeting with someone on Tuesday.”

“Okay, one thing down, hundreds to go.” Even though there was a lot to do, I was beyond excited to help my best friend get married. I was going to do everything I could to make sure it was the best day of her life.

The two of us talked more about wedding stuff as our food came. Trying to come up with a game plan on where to start first, when to look for dresses, if they wanted an engagement party, and everything else. The entire time we talked, Josie had a permanent smile on her face.

I never saw her so happy. She was always stressed and worried about her father, going every weekend to see him to make sure he was taking his medicine and doing okay. She gave up so many weekends to be with him. Always pushing aside her happiness.

Then, when she dated her asshole of an ex, I thought she finally found that happiness. I thought she was finally with someone who could make her smile and give her the world. Who would treat her like she hung the moon. But I was so wrong. He gave her none of that.

I will never forgive myself for not noticing the signs. For being so wrapped up in my own life that I didn’t notice my best friend, my sister, being hurt by that monster. I hadn’t known the extent it went until I saw the bruises until later on. I had been sick to my stomach when I found out what had happened behind closed doors. Even now, I could barely stomach the thought.

When I apologized for not being there for her, she told me there was nothing to apologize for. But if I hadn’t been so selfish and wrapped up in myself, I would have seen what was going on long before. I’ll never forgive myself for that. Even if I did get revenge on Josie’s behalf.

Josie will never know what I did to her ex for laying a hand on her. I plan to never tell her the strings I pulled using my parents’ last name in order to make sure the guy’s life was ruined. To this day, I’ll never regret what I did. Especially sitting here across from her and seeing her smile like that.

“So tell me, what’s been going on with you? Feels like we really haven’t talked much,” Josie said a moment later.

My stomach knotted in guilt. Since we’ve been back from our vacation, we’ve only talked once on the phone mixed with a few texts. I'd been busy with work and spending most of my time with Trevor. I hated that I was keeping stuff from her, but at least I could tell her one thing.

“I actually have something to tell you.”

Josie leaned in, gazing at me with an arched eyebrow .

“I got a call from my mom a few days ago.” Josie rolled her eyes. After everything, Josie was not a fan of my parents.

“What do they want now?”

“They want me to marry the son of some business partner.” Josie’s jaw dropped at my revelation, her expression one of disbelief.

I'd been doing my best to shove aside the whole thing since I last spoke with my mother. The fact that my own parents would arrange a marriage for me without even asking was like a stab in the back. I could take the jabs about my job or being forced to stupid events to show off but this… This I couldn’t do.

“You’re kidding me right?”

“Wish I was.”

Trevor did a great job at keeping my mind off of it, but I couldn’t help but still think about it.

“They want you to marry someone you’re not even in love with? For what?!” Josie exclaimed.

“So their companies can merge.” I grimaced. “Sounds like the plot to some bad romcom.”

“They do realize it’s the twenty-first century, right?”

The whole thing made me sick to my stomach. There was no way I was going to go through with it. I wasn’t a puppet that my parents could control.

“What did you say to them?”

“I told her no.” I watched as Josie broke into a grin, and I couldn't help but mirror it as the reality of telling my parents no fully sank in. I never blatantly told them that. I'd been so caught up in Trevor that I didn’t realize what I had done.

“I can’t believe you said that to them” Josie had the proudest look on her face. We both knew how much of a pushover I became when it came to my parents. The need to always please them took over whenever they called. But not this time .

“I’m so proud of you. I should go give your parents a piece of my mind.” I couldn’t help but snort at the idea of Josie marching up to them and telling them off. She was the least intimidating person I knew.

“I would pay to see that.”

“Excuse me, I could do it.” She narrowed her eyes.

“Of course you could.” I patted her hand, which just made her huff at me. She muttered something under her breath.

“Bitch.”

“Hoe.”

We shot fake insults back at each other until we were laughing too hard to continue. I missed this. I missed being around my best friend who could instantly make me feel better. I really wasn’t sure what I’d do without Josie in my life.

“Ready to head to the house?” Josie asked once we calmed down. With a nod, I finished the rest of my coffee and got to my feet. My legs protested, the muscles severely sore from the workout yesterday with Trevor. My entire body felt like it had been hit by a bus.

“You okay?” Josie frowned as she looked over at me.

“All good.” I waved her off. “Decided to workout yesterday. Wasn’t a smart idea.”

“See, that’s why I don’t workout.” Josie laughed. I was inclined to agree, especially after waking up this morning barely able to move.

“It’s just going to be the group right?” I asked as we left the coffee shop, heading for my car parked down the street.

Apparently, Wyatt’s family has a tradition of doing a family BBQ the day before the first game of the season. It was also supposed to be a small engagement party for Josie and Wyatt.

I hadn’t known anything about it until Josie texted me last night asking me to come. I was a bit bummed Trevor and I had to postpone our pumpkin carving date today, but he promised we’d do it later this week.

“Yeah, it’s just Mila, Bryton, Trevor, Landon, Mateo and Evelyn.”

I was glad it was going to be our regular group and not other people from the team. Not that I didn’t like the guys on Trevor’s team, but there was only so much staring and horrible pick up lines I could take.

“Oh, did you hear?” Josie said a second later when we got in the car.

“Hear what?” I briefly glanced over at her before focusing on pulling out into oncoming traffic.

“Trevor had a date Friday night.” I smothered my smile at her words.

“Oh.”

“Wonder who it is.” Josie frowned. “Think it’s serious?”

“Uh…”

“It has to be if he hasn’t told Wyatt or Bryton,” Josie went on, Oblivious that the person he was seeing was sitting next to her.

I itched to tell her, but Trevor and I said we wouldn’t tell anyone yet. I’d hate to tell her when he isn’t ready. I wanted to talk to him first before I said anything.

“You know, maybe we should set him up with someone.” At her words, I gripped the steering wheel tighter. The thought of Trevor being with someone else did not sit well with me. Someone else kissing him, seeing the side of him that only I saw.

I quickly pushed those thoughts aside. I was not going to think about him being with another woman. Not as my feelings for him grew with each passing day.

Thankfully, I was saved from the conversation as we pulled onto the road leading to Wyatt’s mom’s house a few minutes later. When I pulled up to the curb, there were already cars parked all around.

“We’re here,” Josie called out as we stepped through the front door.

Walking into the house Wyatt grew up in made my chest ache. The cream walls were littered with photos of the Boone brothers. The deep brown hardwood floors were newer since Wyatt forced his mom to let him do updates on the place.

You could tell the place was loved. It was an actual home. Not some mansion that was filled with emptiness. There was a bit of clutter throughout the house but it was a type of clutter that came with a home that was well lived in. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would have been like to grow up inside of it.

We walked down the hallway towards the kitchen in the back. I stepped through the archway just as Evelyn, Wyatt’s mom, stepped away from the stove.

“There’s my favorite.” She pulled Josie into a tight hug, rocking her back and forth for a moment.

Wyatt appeared from the other side of the room. “I thought I was your favorite?”

“You mean least favorite,” Landon pipped in, walking into the kitchen.

Evelyn rolled her eyes at her sons as she let Josie go and held her arms open to hug me. Giving me a bright smile, she pulled me into her arms. It was a hug only a mother could give. Not having gotten many from my own mom, I held onto Evelyn a tad bit longer.

“Are you taking care of yourself?” Evelyn asked, pulling back to look at my face. I nodded, but I wasn’t sure she believed me. Those blue eyes of hers seemed to stare into my soul.

I changed the subject. “Thanks for letting me come. ”

“Of course.” Rubbing my arm, Evelyn stepped back and moved over to the counter. The gorgeous white counters with grey throughout was filled with different kinds of snacks. Everything from chips and salsa, to devil eggs, to cheese balls. Evelyn always went full out when guests came over.

My eyes flitted over the rest of Evelyn’s kitchen. The dark gray cabinets were gorgeous and not too dark for the space. Especially with the huge windows off to the side. While the kitchen has been updated it was still that older family home where a wall cut off the dining room and living room from the kitchen.

As I glanced over at the archway to the living and dining room area and found just the person I was looking for. Trevor leaned against the wall looking absolutely delicious. He shouldn’t have been allowed to look like that.

And he was all mine.

I couldn’t bring myself to argue with my inner voice. Not when he flashed me a smile that was reserved just for me.

“Where’s Mila and Bryton?” Josie's voice pulled my focus away from Trevor. Her and Wyatt were standing off to the side of the island. Landon was leaning against the counter by his mom.

“He texted saying they’ll be here in a bit,” Trevor answered. Like a magnet, my eyes went back to him. I wanted nothing more than to go over there and kiss him. Since I couldn’t I stepped towards the island, swiping a cracker.

“I have some snacks for you guys to munch on while we wait to start the burgers.” Evelyn said as she placed yet another plate on the counter.

“Please tell me you made chocolate cake, Ma?” Landon asked, looking around the kitchen. These guys and their damn chocolate cake. Apparently, Wyatt and Landon’s mom made the best chocolate cake you’d ever eat.

Someone always brought it up and raved about how amazing it was. Even Josie jumped on the chocolate cake train. I had yet to actually try it.

“Don’t any of you even think of finding it and taking some before tonight.” Evelyn pointed her finger at each of us. Landon, Wyatt and Trevor put their hands up as if they were innocent. I grinned at their expressions, knowing full well they would try and find that cake.

The sound of the front door opening and closing got all of our attention, especially when one voice in particular yelled out.

“The party has arrived bitches!” Mateo, Wyatt’s younger brother, came waltzing into the kitchen. As soon as he saw his mom, his eyes widened. “Landon don’t swear in front of Mom!” Mateo quickly turned to Landon and shoved his arm.

“You little shit.” Landon wrapped his arm around Mateo’s neck, tugging him into a choke hold.

Across the counter, Evelyn just sighed. “I’ll be back in a minute. Try not to kill each other.” With that, she left us all in the kitchen.

Somehow, Mateo managed to wiggle out of his brother's hold, stepping away with a wide grin. He turned toward Wyatt, holding his arms out as if to hug him, but when Wyatt stepped forward, Mateo shoved him to the side and grabbed Josie, yanking her into a tight hug and lifting her off the ground. “There’s my girlfriend.”

I'd been around enough times to know Mateo only said that to mess with Wyatt. It was hilarious to watch the eighteen-year-old flirt with Josie. I leaned back against the cabinets, watching the two of them.

“Geez, have you grown since I last saw you?”Josie took a step back, looking him up and down .

“So kind of you to notice. Yes, I have.” Mateo lifted his arms up and flexed his biceps. “Grew these guns.”

I snorted under my breath, but I had to agree. He definitely put on more muscle since he started uni a few months ago. His shoulders seemed wider and his face looked thinner like he was slowly growing into himself more.

“I’ll let you touch them later if you want, gorgeous.” He winked at Josie, making her laugh.

“Can you stop flirting with my fiancée?” Wyatt grumbled, stepping behind Josie to wrap his arms around her waist.

“Oh shit.” Mateo looked between the two of them with wide eyes. “You finally did it, baby bro!”

A deep chuckle sounded by my ear, and I instantly knew who it was, the swirl of Trevor’s cologne filling my nose. He leaned against the cabinets next to me, his arm grazing mine. I hadn’t even noticed he had moved across the kitchen toward me.

“I’m older than you, dimwit,” Wyatt shot back.

“Well, you see, I would have put a ring on Josie’s finger way before now, so I think I am, in fact, more mature than you.”

“You can’t even grow a beard,” Wyatt deadpanned.

Mateo let out a fake gasp. “Hey, I can! You see this?” He stuck out his chin and pointed. “Hair.” Both Josie and Wyatt leaned forward to see.

“I see nothing.” Wyatt shrugged.

Mateo pouted, looking directly at Josie. “Jo, he’s being mean.” The kid should have gone into acting as he fake-worried his bottom lip and pretended to swipe away a tear that definitely hadn’t fallen onto his cheek.

“It’s okay, I see hair, Matty.” When Josie pulled him into a hug, I watched as Mateo sent his brother a smirk.

“It’s like he wants his ass kicked,” I muttered to Trevor. He chuckled beside me, the sound wrapping around my body like a blanket.

I quietly watched as Mateo showed Landon his nonexistent beard. I felt fingers nudge mine, making me glance to the side. Gesturing with his head, Trevor motioned toward the doorway leading out of the kitchen. Once he slipped through, I looked back to make sure everyone else was occupied.

Mateo was busy looking at Josie’s ring with Wyatt, and Landon was looking at his phone. Slipping out unnoticed, I quickly followed after Trevor, reaching out to grab his hand. Feeling like a kid sneaking around, I clamped down on the laughter bubbling in my chest.

Trevor glanced around before grabbing the door handle of some random room and shoved the two of us through. I stumbled in as he hurried to shut the door behind us. Out of every room, he chose the bathroom.

“Hey.” I greeted.

Trevor turned me to face him, his hands on my waist. I rose up onto my toes and wrapped my arms around his neck, bringing us closer. “Hey. How was coffee with Josie?”

I smiled at the way he always asked about my day, even if we were only apart for a few hours. “It was nice getting the chance to hangout, just two of us.”

“Good.” His hands slid under my sweater, softly caressing my bare skin before he lifted me up to sit on the edge of the bathroom counter. “You have no idea how hard it was not to kiss you when you walked in,” Trevor whispered. His eyes darted from my lips to my eyes.

My fingers played with the hair at the nape of his neck as I looked at him. He had no idea how bad I wanted to kiss him too.

He dipped his head, bringing our lips that much closer but not touching. The need to kiss him grew by the second. I didn’t even care that we were hiding in the spare bathroom with our friends just around the corner.

“Kiss—” I didn’t get to finish my sentence before his lips were on mine. Finally.

I wrapped my arms tighter around his neck, pressing my front to his. His lips were meant for mine. Every time we kissed, my body came to life like a flame. Like he woke up some part of me that I didn’t know existed.

I moaned softly in his mouth as he stepped between my parted legs. The rational part of my brain knew we couldn’t do that here, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t tease him a little. Especially not when Trevor groaned against my mouth, tugging my hips even closer to his. God, I’d never tire of how vocal he was when we kissed and did other things.

We were too lost in what we were doing to hear the bathroom door open. Wasn’t until the person said something that the two of us sprung apart. “What the fuck?!”