Page 43 of Full Out Fiend

I can’t stop staring at him—studying him—now that we’re sitting side by side in broad daylight. He’s somehow even better looking than I remember. As if his dazzling smile and lagoon-blue eyes weren’t enough, his arms and hands are like works of art. Not following the tracks of veins in his forearms down to the strong flex of his fingers is all but impossible when I’m this close.

It doesn’t help that I remember exactly how those hands felt on my body. The things they can do. The ways he can make me come undone.

“All right, boys,” Maddie declares, smacking a kiss on her boyfriend’s cheek before rising to her feet. “To the kitchen with you. Daphne and I will handle the steaks.”

My stomach churns at the mention of steak—I’m not sure I can handle even looking at raw meat right now. She must notice because she offers me a sympathetic smile before whispering, “I’ve got you.”

The boys haul themselves out of their seats but grumble about her bossiness. She just smirks and plants her hands on her hips. She looks between them with raised eyebrows before turning back to me. “Field can’t be trusted—he gets distracted by his phone and overcooks everything. Dempsey makes the best potato salad. Ergo, I’m in charge of the grill. And now that you’re here, you’re sticking with me.”

Fielding closes the space between us but doesn’t touch me. I still shiver from the near-contact.

“You don’t have to be stuck with her,” he murmurs. “Will you be okay out here? Or do you want to come inside?”

I’ve already gotten the impression that Maddie’s a force to be reckoned with. But I’m confident I can handle her. Besides, if we’re really doing this, I want to get to know his family. I want them to like me, too.

“I’m good,” I insist, mustering a smile I hope convinces him of the words I don’t fully believe myself.

“I’ll grab my phone from the car before we get started on the rest of dinner. Text me if you need anything.” He brushes his fingers against the bare skin of my arm, leaving me shivering as he walks away.

Maddie follows them into the house, then comes back out with a foil-covered platter and a handful of seasonings. We’re both quiet as she fires up the grill and gets things situated. After a few minutes, I break the silence.

“Can I ask you something? Did he already tell you…” I trail off, because if she knows, it’ll be obvious what I’m asking. And if not, I’m not sure what to say next.

She meets my gaze over the top of the open grill lid and nods slowly. She must notice the grimace on my face because she’s quick to defend him in the next breath.

“He told us, but he honestly thought he wouldn’t see you again. He was… really upset. Upset enough to text Dem last night and ask us to come home.”

“Home?”

“We live in California,” she reveals.

I blink multiple times, working out what she just said. “You flew across the country to be here today?”

That’s… extreme.

Maddie smirks as she closes the lid of the grill. “Being in a relationship with a twin is awholevibe. You’ll see—”

She looks away as soon as she realizes her potential overstep. Just because I’m here… and I’m carrying his child… doesn’t mean Fielding and I are in any sort of relationship.

“Fielding and Dempsey are exceptionally close,” she continues. “Dem moved out to Cali to be with me last year, but I don’t see them living apart for much longer. I’m looking at law schools on the east coast and already plotting ways to get them back in the same time zone. They’re best friends. They’ve been through hell and back. Their mom died last year—”

Emotion catches in my throat.

“—And their dad’s a dick.”

I snort at her shrewd assessment. Nice to know I’m not the only one with less-than-stellar parents.

“Their lives were sort of on hold for a while because their mom was sick. After she died, they both had to find their footing and figure out what was next.”

She pauses then, looking toward the house. When she speaks again, her voice is softer, just above a whisper.

“Fielding’s been working really hard to get his shit together. He starts med school next week. His reasons are absolutely not financial,”—she raises her hand with a flourish, indicating the over-the-top backyard and the literal mansion before us, “—but he’s determined to make something of himself.”

“So they’re rich?” I confirm.

Maddie’s eyes go wide, and she smirks. “Stupid rich.”

We’re making progress, she and I. She obviously loves her boyfriend and his brother, but she’s not one to sugarcoat or bullshit. I press my luck and decide to see just how much she’ll tell me.