Page 37 of Theirs to Take

“You guys beat us here,” Nova said, pulling her in for a hug. “I’m so excited that we’re all here tonight.” She released Evie and tugged Rod down for a quick hug. Evie noted the way Alex looked between the two of them with a knowing smirk on his face.

“How’s it going?” Alex asked his brother.

“Great,” Rod insisted. “Ready for game night.”

“What did you bring?” Evie asked Nova nodding to the casserole dish.

“Well, I made some mac-n-cheese. I’ve been craving it like crazy.” She smiled up at Alex and he took the dish from her. Evie wondered why Nova had stressed the word, “Craving” the way she had, and then it all seemed to click.

“Wait,” Evie said, “are you pregnant?” she asked.

Nova smiled and nodded, her eyes welling with tears. “I am,” she croaked. “I just found out and we’re not really telling many people—just you guys and Tyler and Doug. I want to be further along before we make a big announcement.”

“Does Jack know?” Rod asked.

“Not yet,” Alex said. “He’s one of the ones that we’re going to wait to tell when we’re further along. But I’m betting he’s going to be pretty excited. He’s been asking for either a little brother or a puppy.”

“Yeah, I’m betting that a puppy might have been easier, but at least this way, I won’t have to walk a dog,” Nova teased.

“We can still get him a puppy if you’re still not sure,” Alex offered.

“Right because we need a newborn and a puppy,” she sassed. “I think we should figure out the newborn first and then, maybe when Jack’s older and can help with a puppy, we’ll revisit that plan.” Hearing the two of them talk about their growing family and everyday little things like getting a puppy, made Evie long for those things in her life. As if he could read her mind, Rod reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze. She looked at their joined hands and then up to him, to find him smiling at her like a loon.

“Should we go in?” he asked. “I’m ready to kick my brother’s ass at some board games.”

“I’m betting that they don’t play Candy Land, Rod. That’s more your speed, so don’t get your hopes up,” Alex teased. Eviefollowed the three of them to Tyler’s porch, never letting go of Rod’s hand. She was trying to not think about all of the things that could possibly go wrong, but Evie knew that a million things could. All they had to do was get through game night and then, she’d sit down with Rod and come up with some rules for whatever this thing was that was happening between them.

Rodrick

It was nice seeing Evie so happy. She was surrounded by her friends and that was new for him. He only had a few close friends—mostly, his brother and Luke. It was fun to hang out with new people. They spent the evening eating, drinking, and just plain acting silly. He hadn’t really played games since he and Alex were kids, and they were trying to kill time. Whenever he or Alex were grounded from television, they broke out the board games. It usually ended up with a fistfight and more television timeout, but they were both hardheaded jerks when they were teens.

“I’m going to grab a beer out of the kitchen,” Rod said. “Can I get anyone else one?” Everyone put their hands up and he chuckled. “I’ll make a few trips then,” he joked.

“No need,” Alex insisted. “I’ll come with you and give you a hand.”

Rod knew that by giving him a hand, his brother meant that he was going to be grilling him about what he had found him and Evie doing in the car. “Thanks,” Rod said. He knew that sooner or later, he’d have to explain this whole mess to his brother and Nova, but he was hoping to sit down with Evie first to decidewhat they were doing together. He was hoping that she’d help give him some clarity about what the two of them were doing, but he was sure that she was just as clueless as he was.

Rod followed Alex into the fridge and took the three bottles of beer that he handed him. Alex shut the door and turned on his brother. “What the hell was that out in your car?” he asked.

“I think it was pretty self-explanatory. I told you that I like her, and well, I think she likes me too. Has Nova said that she suspects anything?” he asked.

“No,” Alex breathed. “In fact, when we pulled up here and found the two of you, she actually squealed and clapped. She’s really excited that you both are together. I am too if I’m being honest. Now, I won’t have to lie to my wife and keep a secret. If you two are together, then you’re technically not lying to Nova.”

“That’s what I told Evie, but I’m not sure if she’s on board or not. We’re going back to her place after this is over and talking things through,” Rod said.

“Is that code for sex?” Alex asked. He wasn’t about to tell his brother that Evie was a virgin, and he wouldn’t pressure her for sex until she was ready. Hell, he didn’t know if that was something that she’d even want with him. Maybe she had some crazy notion to save herself for marriage and that would be a shame because Rod had no intention of getting married any time soon.

“No,” Rod breathed, “it’s not a code for sex. Listen, I appreciate you keeping our little secret, but with any luck, it won’t be something you have to keep for much longer.”

“Good to know,” Alex said. “But sooner or later, you and Evie will have to come clean with Nova.”

“You guys coming back with those beers?” Nova asked.

“What do you care?” Rod asked. “You can’t drink them anyway,” he said.

“See, this is why we had to tell everyone about me being pregnant tonight. You all would have given me hell for not drinking tonight.”

“You’re right,” Tyler agreed. “Plus, we’re super excited about meeting him or her in eight months.”

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