Page 80 of Inseverable (Carolina Beach)

“It’s because you never gave yourself enough credit. You’re a great girl, Trin. I’m proud to know you and call you my friend.” He angles his chin. “Now, don’t go lookin’ like your favorite episode ofTeen Wolfgot deleted. It wasn’t love?notthatkind anyway. Besides, I realized long ago it was for the best. The group of us?with all the shit I’ve been through with my family?—I don’t know how I would have survived without your friendship. I could have ruined it with that kiss.” He thinks about it. “Or if I’d taken your panties off like I’d planned.”

We both laugh because we can and because we’re just that close. The best part is that when we quiet, I hold onto my smile and so does he. “Thanks, Hale.”

He slings his arm around me and kisses the top of my head. “Always, sugar,” he says.

I lean into him. Maybe Hale and I could have been great given we were always great friends. But I can’t imagine feeling what I feel for Callahan with anyone else. And like Hale said, it may have interfered with our friendship, or God forbid, ruined it. Then where would I be without my boys?

In looking back, it was hard spending all those nights being the odd duck out. Being the one without someone to cuddle and kiss. But as I adjust my position against my friend, I would have relived those lonely nights a thousand times over, knowing that even though I didn’t have a date, I was still loved. Just like I loved them in return.

“What about Becca?” I ask him after a moment.

“That girl’s always looked good in dem jeans.”

“You know what I mean,” I tell him softly.

He lets out a harsh breath. “There’s almost no point. Becca’s going to marry another silver spoon with plenty of money and a lot more attitude.”

The words I have to say I choose carefully despite how I would love these two to fall hard for each other and never look back. Becca’s my friend. But for as long can remember, her family’s always had a plan for her. And despite that she’s never agreed with that plan, Hale’s not too far off with his prediction. “Your family comes from money, too,” I remind him.

“Not like hers,” he says. “Hers has a shit ton and the pedigree to go with it. Like too many folks around here, they think me and mine are nothing more than a bunch of mongrels who got lucky.”

I run my gaze over where the kids continue to splash and do a quick count as I speak. “Well, then they don’t know what they’re missing. You’re a good person, Hale. One of the best I know, and someone who deserves that equal best in his life. Anyone would be lucky to count you as part of their family.”

“Doesn’t matter as far as her family’s concerned.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Did she tell you we finally went out the other week?”

“She did. She said she had a nice time,” I say, more than putting it mildly.

His finger taps against my skin. “Did she tell you she had to meet me at the restaurant?”

Yes. Making it clear her daddy didn’t want Hale near his land or his daughter. I wish I could tell him that Becca called me after she left him, crying about what could have and would’ve been with him. I want him to know that she finally admitted what he means to her, and how she regrets denying her feelings and keeping him at a friendly distance. But I can’t. I won’t hurt either of them this way. That doesn’t mean I don’t pray that somehow, they’ll find their way to each other.

He gives my shoulder another squeeze. “I don’t have a shot in hell with Becca, no matter how bad I want to. But, Trin, you have something special with Callahan—something not every person is blessed to find. Don’t ruin it by not coming clean with him. As good as he is to you, you owe him that same respect back.”

Chapter Twenty-six

Callahan

The front door opens. “Batman?”

I laugh as easy as that, because Trin makes it easy. “In here,” I call.

I dip my paintbrush into the open can of light blue paint she talked me into buying. “Carolina Sky Blue” it’s called. Although I’d planned to paint this room white, the color’s not as bad as I thought. I look up in time to see her step onto the paint tarp wearing a grin and nothing else.

Holy shit.

She strolls around leisurely, examining my work while allowing me to take a very long and much appreciated glance at that body I can’t stop touching.

“Hmm. looks good.” She smiles playfully over her shoulder. “See, not so bad is it?”

Considering everything down south is harder than a steel rod, it’s not so bad at all.

“What are you doing?” I say, because I know she’s dying for me to ask.

She shrugs innocently and wanders over with enough skip in her step to flick her ponytail and bounce her breasts. “I didn’t want to get paint all over my clothes.” She offers me a brief kiss, her fingers trailing down my shirt. “You don’t mind me naked, do you?” Her hands go further down, outlining my now painful erection. “No,” she purrs. “You don’t mind at all.”

She falls to her knees, pulling the waistband of my old board shorts with her, and me right into her mouth. I drop my brush with a grunt while my other hand slaps the wall I just painted. Like so many times before, my hips begin to pump as she lures me further in. I watch her take me, swearing when I sense the back of her throat.

My hand curls around her head. I don’t think about everything still left to do before I call it a day, or how my clothes are coated with paint. I only think about how good she’s working me and how she digs her short nails into my hips to keep me going.

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