Page 109 of Only Between Us

Summer throws an arm over Melody’s shoulders and tugs her into her side. “Don’t go giving Zac any ideas, Shy. We locked down Mel’s wedding dress the other day, and let’s just say there’s no room for both mommy and baby in that kind of number.”

Parker uncaps a couple of beers and passes one to Zac. “While we’re on the subject, Mels, Mom wants to know if they can park the RV at your place in a couple months. Sounds like they’re headed back to town.”

Mel frowns at her brother. They look hardly alike for twins, with her light features and Parker’s darker ones. “Why is she askingyouabout parking at my house?”

“Why does Mom do a lot of things?” Parker shrugs. To me and Shy, he adds, “Our parents are…”

“Eccentric?” Zac supplies, visibly suppressing a laugh.

“So polite. Gold star for the son-in-law.” Melody pats his arm. “They’re straight-up weird, okay? They sold their home and all their belongings a few years ago to travel the country in an RV.”

“Is it bad that I love the sound of that?” I ask.

“Is it bad that you couldn’t pay me to do that?” Shy counters.

“Uh… hi?”

I spin to find Brooks hovering uncertainly in the kitchen opening. He’s mouthwatering in a sweat-soaked T-shirt that clings to him in all the right places. His waves are in tighter curls now that they’re damp with exertion, and he has a sweetly confused look on his face as he takes in the banner covered in graduation caps.

“Oh—surprise!” I throw out my arms.

The rest of the kitchen has noticed Brooks, and they all shout theirsurprisesin a highly disorganized fashion. Which is right on the money for me, honestly. I was so fixated on the assortment of candy I didn’t think to properly rally the troops for a coordinated grand entry.

Brooks doesn’t react. He just stares into the now-silent kitchen. And…

Oh, it’s awkward.

My stomach inches down my body. I think maybe I miscalculated.

I genuinely thought he’d enjoy this, but they’re very polarizing things, surprises.

Maybe he hates them.

I’m on the verge of turning to the group, sayingthanks but no thanks, please get out of my new home and take that ridiculous banner with youwhen Brooks clears his throat. He becomes deeply fascinated by the wooden beams soaring across his vaulted ceiling, as though it’s the first time he’s noticed them.

Oh God. He’s visibly touched, and my heart melts into a gooey puddle in my chest.

“Thank you,” he says softly.

My heart tugs. Literallytugsme over to him.

Summer clinks a glass behind me, pulling everyone’s attention off us. “Okay, kids, who needs a drink?”

Brooks tucks me against him. “You did this for me?”

“I’m proud of you. You deserve to be celebrated.”

“Thank you, baby. This is so… But you know it’s only a tryout, right? It might not go anywhere.”

The fact that he’s trying to brush off the accomplishment, that he looks so floored that someone might have done this for him, makes me murderous. I’m not sure I’ve ever hated someone as viscerally as I do his ex.

“It’s a tryout you’ve worked your ass off to get invited to. I can’t think of a cause more worth celebrating.”

He beams at that, the warm smile that touches every inch of his flawless face, and I absolutely preen.

Slipping away from the party, I follow the sound of running water behind Brooks’s bedroom door. It’s a gorgeous room, neat and understated with its dark blue colors. There’s a well-worn Pete-shaped spot on his massive bed. The three of us would easily fit, if he hadn’t given me my own space across the hall.

After devouring a handful of candy, Brooks had gone to freshen up. I find him in the steaming shower. Naked, perfect, shoving his soaked hair off his face. He catches sight of me just as my shirt hits the slate floor, and stands there watching me like his prey as the rest of my clothes come off. He’s stunning, this man of mine. Juststunning, in a way I can barely stomach.

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