Page 10 of We Never Kissed

“Who’s Gunnar?” I heard over the loudspeaker and jumped.What the hell? I turned in my seat, left then right. Sammy was standing behind me with the mic in his hand. Apparently, reading my texts over my shoulder.

“You jackass,” I whispered. It wasn’t that I was hiding Gunnar from them, but I also rarely talked about the life it didn’t seem like any of them approved of. It wasn’t until I started at the publishing company that I began to share more with them.

He ignored me and said into the mic, “Will the ownerof a blue”—he made a pouty face—“Gremlin, please come and move your daughter. She’s about to be towed.”

Laughter rang through the crowd, and I shook my head. I reached up to grab the microphone, but he whipped it out of my reach and laughed, like the annoying big brother he’d always been. Then back into the mic, he said, “Seriously, Sue and Denny have requested everyone to get on the dancefloor. You know what time it is, people!”

Great. I was so not in the mood for the Tush Push, but I also didn’t want to disappoint my parents. I waved a hand at my brother. “Yeah, yeah.” But then I laughed. The Steadmans didn’t let pouting linger. I knew it was time to give in.

As a flood of people moved to the dancefloor, I scanned around to see where Alex was and more importantly, where Elsie was. I still couldn’t believe those two hooked up again. For all I knew it was a tradition or something. Like a long-term booty call.

My parents took their spot in the front, where I typically was as well, helping anyone who wanted to join in but struggled with the steps. Thanks to Sammy, Mom knew just where I was and looked over at me, giving me a head tilt. I blew her a kiss and stood but then pointed to the back. She shrugged and didn’t seem to be unhappyabout my choice. I was relieved they were both having such a good time.

From the back I could keep an eye on Alex, who was only a couple rows in front of me, without being ambushed. He was no Gunnar, who could easily go from a choreographed Vegas show to freestyle in a nightclub. But Alex still looked sexy as hell. I couldn’t seem to stop myself from staring at his ass as he moved to the music, having removed his jacket. My brain was conjuring up what it would be like to experience those moves up close and personal.

As if he sensed me behind him, he glanced over his shoulder, and our gazes locked. We exchanged a soft grin, and it felt like he knew I wasn’t mad at him anymore. It wasn’t like Alex owed me anything. At the next turn, Alex stayed facing the back—and me—and made his way over to do the dance next to me.

“So, who is Gunnar?” he said beside me.

“Someone very special to me.” I grinned, enjoying making him squirm.

“Is he why you broke it off with Mark?”

“Partly…” I shrugged.If he was going to say dumb shit to me then I wouldn’t correct him.Plus, it was partly true.

Alex didn’t like that answer based on his expression. I should have stopped but after that crap with Elsie, I was inthe mood to be petty. So, I sidestepped closer to him, and said, “We’re actually moving in together.”

His hand gripped my elbow, and he said in my ear. “Like hell you are.”

I stopped and glared at him until he released me. Then I said, “That big brother act is getting stale,” before I walked away.

Alex was hot on my heels as I headed for the exit, and the song ended.

“Ava Steadman!” My brother’s voice boomed over the mic.

I stopped and spun around, Alex reaching me and stopping as well.

“Some important announcements, please…” He went on to thank everyone for being there tonight and sharing my parents’ special night. It seemed he was ready to wrap it up when he said, “And since my wife’s family is heading back tomorrow morning, names will be drawn to watch Dax tomorrow while me and the missus get some special time.” He tucked the mic under his arm, and mimed turning a bingo wheel, then pulling out a ball. “And the winners are…”Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it.“Ava Steadman…and Alex Bannister! Don’t forget to collect your prize. One small boy.”

Chapter 6

Alex

I woke with a start, my heart beating double-time, the pitch-black room making me wonder what the hell time it was. The clock was turned the other way. I remember the annoying light keeping me up, so I’d knocked it away.

I sat up, wiping beads of sweat from my forehead.Was it the dream again? I couldn’t be certain. All the signs were there, but I couldn’t remember what I’d been dreaming about. I fell back against my pillow, taking it as a good sign. And yet, as I lay there, I began to replay the memory responsible for my nightmares. Sitting in the back seat, my mom driving, hearing her crying. She’d picked me up from kindergarten and said we had to go far away. The fear I’d felt when she told me thatwas dwarfed by the chaos that ensued only moments later, leaving me scarred both mentally and physically.

“Dammit!” I blew out a breath, angry with myself for thinking I could change what had happened, just by trying to change the memory. It was never going to happen. I hadn’t spoken to my mom in a long time. So long, I wasn’t sure I’d recognize her voice. In some ways she was a stranger to me. Last I’d heard she was dealing cards and trying to stay clean.

I reached over and turned on the lamp, then searched for my phone. I found it under the covers, which meant I fell asleep texting with Ava. It wouldn’t be the first time. I didn’t have a death wish, and despite the fact that she’d basically called me out, I still wanted to make sure she was all right. I also tried to give her an out for today, said I’d take care of Dax myself. Another thing that wouldn’t be a first. She’d replied with a laughing emoji. It probably only pissed her off more, but I reminded her that I had actually spent more time watching Dax than she had.

The hotel we were in was more elegant than family-friendly, but after I grabbed a quick shower, we found a quaint café, and the three of us sat down for brunch, despite the fact that Dax had already eaten breakfast. Like me, the four-year-old was grumpy when he was hungry, so too much food wasn’t a concern on this day. Andwith his parents off to spend some quality time together, there weren’t many options for entertainment.

“What would you like to eat, sweetie?” Ava asked Dax.

He didn’t answer. Dax had an assortment of Hot Wheels in front of his booster seat that kept him busier than I’d expected or preferred. Dax behaving meant Ava and I had to talk. I would have much preferred staring at her and enjoying her toned dancer arms and lightly tanned skin. The floral sundress she wore was both sweet and sexy, and it was killing me.

“It’s fine. I’ll order for him,” I said.

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