Page 67 of Pinch

We’ve been playing nonstop, and we’re finally getting a break. Only it’s not much of a break, as Mav has us all preparing for Friendsgiving in December—pushed back a week, because our schedule didn’t have any time in November.

I’ve been slipping into her bed every night we’re in town since that first time, and it’s been heaven. A lot of times I just hold her, but other times, in the silvery dawn, before I sneak out to head back to my own room, I’ll take her.

I can’t help it. I always want her.

For the last week, though, I’ve been sleeping alone in my own bed, and it sucks. She says she hasn’t been feeling well, but I have a sinking feeling it’s something more. Particularly because she doesn’t seem to want to meet my gaze, and the few times she does, she doesn’t hold it for very long.

It’s starting to make me a little crazy. I’ve started to feel attached, and I had wanted to ask her out on a real date, seehow she’s feeling about our sneaking around. I wanted to ask if she might consider going public.

“A little more to the right…” Gigi is on the ground directing me to hang a giant turkey in the palm tree in front of the house.

It’s all made of paper, but it’s almost as big as me. I’m up on a ladder, and she’s waving her hands as I pull the rope.

“There!” She gives me two thumbs up, and I tie it off. “Now we can put up this garland, and we’ll be done.”

Gigi is really into decorating for the holidays. I thought we went all out at Halloween, but she’s got more decorations than I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even know they made Friendsgiving decorations.

I’ve been up and down ladders all day while Mav’s been in the kitchen whipping up turkey burgers. I told him I thought that sounded disgusting, but he told me just to wait.

I’ve learned over the past few months not to question him. He hasn’t made a bad dish yet.

“Hold this side.” Gigi is on a ladder across from me holding the other side of the streaming curtain.

“Thankful for you… bitches?” I slant my eyes at her.

“Two of my dog-breeder friends are coming. They’ll get a kick out of it.”

“What about everybody else?”

“Let’s see… it’s your friends Donovan and Saxon, and Haddy said her lab partner Timothy is coming. I don’t think any of those males will care.”

“I think it’s funny.” I shrug.

If I recall correctly, Timothy’s a little bitch. He might care, but I don’t say it out loud.

Gigi’s pretty feisty, but I’d never call her a bitch. I’d probably punch anybody who did… unless it was a girl, then I’d have to be growly and make the offending female apologize.

“Bitches, Gina?” Haddy’s voice lights my entire body. “Seriously?”

She’s standing at the foot of the stairs frowning at the sign, and she looks so pretty. Her dark hair is styled in large curls around her shoulders, and she’s wearing an oversized brown sweater that hangs to her thighs. It’s almost like she’s trying to cover her sexy body, but I know how hot she is under all that yarn.

“We’re hosting dog people,Hayden.” Gigi’s nose lifts as she climbs down the ladder. “I don’t tell you what pageant people will think is funny.”

I take a step in Haddy’s direction, but the doorbell rings, cutting me off. She shakes her head, going to answer it, and a bustle of noise precedes my giant teammates entering the house.

Donovan leans down to give Haddy a hug, and I swallow the jealous knot in my throat. I’m not jealous of Donovan, jeez.

She turns and gives her cousin a pointed look. “The guys are here, Gigi.”

Gigi’s eyes narrow, and she waves her away. “I’ll let Maverick know.”

Again, she tries to pick up that heavy ladder, and I have to take it from her. “You stay. I’ll let Mav know.”

Her hands are on her hips, and with her back to our guests, she cuts those green eyes at me. “Are you two in cahoots?”

Holding up my free hand, I shake my head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Whatever Haddy is up to, I’ll support, as long as it keeps her attention on me and not either of those knuckleheads.