Page 39 of The Mistletoe Trap
Her features softened, so much concern rushing forward that his chest tightened. Before he could insist he was fine, she placed her hand on his arm and swiped her thumb across his biceps. Even through the long sleeves of his compression shirt, the touch burned in the best possible way. “How’s the shoulder doing today?”
Gavin automatically rolled it. “Better, actually. That magic you worked on it the other night helped a ton.”
Genuine happiness shone in her features, and his insides went mushy. How lucky was he to have someone who cared about his well-being so much? “That settles it. I’ll work out the knots in your muscles every night, and by the time you head to Jacksonville on Friday, you’ll be amazed at how much better your shoulder will be.”
“Every night? What about your fling?” Dammit, why had that slipped out? Self-sabotage? Or was his brain intervening on his carnal side’s behalf in order to keep him from ruining his longest friendship?
Julie glanced down, and just like that, whatever spell they’d been under broke, the intimate bubble popping and splatting against the tile floor. She darted around him, coffee bag in hand, and poured the ground beans into a filter. “Did you want coffee? I can make extra if you do.”
What he wanted was to rewind the last few minutes. Not that it would do any good. He’d still have to make the same decision, only the next time it’d be that much harder. “Nah. I’m just gonna hop in the shower.”
If you’d like to conserve water, you’re free to join me.Gavin cleared his throat, muttered he’d be back down in a few, and then rushed upstairs, hitting a faster pace than he had during his earlier run.
…
Julie was doing a whole lot of nothing on the couch when Gavin stormed into the room and opened the laptop on the coffee table. “Is everything okay?” she asked.
The only answer she got was a sigh. He opened his email, and not that she was trying to be nosy, but with the tension wafting off him, her own nerves stretched too tight.
“I thought they were all being assholes, but…” He pivoted the computer screen to her. She lowered her eyebrows as she studied the Christmas e-card she’d also received in her email this morning.
“Who’s being assholes? Your parents? Because I’m pretty sure sending out electronic cards is quite considerate. Think of the trees they saved.”
“They sent this to my whole team, including the coaches and Lance Quaid.” Gavin rubbed his hands over his face, as if the image were something he could wipe away.
“Is it the matching outfits thing? Because I thought you were over being embarrassed about that.” Not only was it unlike Gavin to care, back in high school, he’d decided hecouldn’tcare. Mostly due to his parents’ assertion they weren’t planning on changing for anyone, so he could get onboard or shut up about it.
Since he hadn’t wanted to join in on the matching outfits—another threat they’d thrown out—he’d never mentioned the way they dressed again. In fact, last year around the holidays, he, Julie, and Niki had discussed how both sets of their parents, for all their quirks and meddling, were totally #CoupleGoals.
“Our little town has gotten better at accepting people from various backgrounds—a lot in part due to your parents—but you’ve heard the stories. It wasn’t easy for them when they moved here. For most of the townsfolk, your dad was the first Black guy they ever met. Now they all know him as the gentle giant who ensures their kids make it across the road to school safely, but it took time for people to listen and learn. Dressing alike was their way of dealing and having fun with it. And honestly, people in Hawaii dress in the same floral-patterned shirts for pictures all the time.”
“I don’t care about the matching outfits—haven’t for years. Look closer.”
Julie scooted to the edge of the cushion she was occupying. The beauty of the dusky blue sky that melted into a golden sunset that accentuated the dark outline of palm trees, she felt as though she were there herself. She could practically smell the saltwater and feel the sand underfoot.
Rashad stood tall, wearing khaki shorts and a red collared shirt with white flowers. Darlene’s dress was made up of the same material, and a large hibiscus was tucked behind her ear. Each of them had a fruity, umbrella-topped drink in hand, and the words “Seasons Greetings from the Frosts” glittered above them in big gold letters.
“Back right corner,” Gavin said, and Julie moved her gaze from the happy vacationing couple to…
“Oh.That chick is naked. Well, topless anyway.” Between the setting sun and the woman’s bronzed skin, she sort of blended in with the sandy background. “Do you think she knew she was in the photo?” Julie spun toward Gavin. “Do you think your parents realized they’d been photobombed by this woman before sending it out?”
The small shake of his head confirmed what she’d already suspected.Of coursethey hadn’t noticed. Darlene had been raised as a socialite in a ritzy ski town up north, and while she’d given up that life to make one of her own with the man she’d fallen in love with, she didn’t leave the house without her nails and makeup done and every hair in place. She was also a smidge old school when it came to proper table etiquette, clothing and tattoos and drinking “hard liquor” as she called anything more potent than wine.
A laugh slipped out, one that Julie attempted to turn into a cough. But it was no use. “And they sent it to your entire team?”
Gavin groaned. “A few of the guys told me to thank them very much for the holiday escort card with the sexy lady, and I thought they were screwing with me. I wasn’t sure if it was a mom joke they were taking too far, or what. But turns out…” He gestured to the screen.
“That your parents are now the team’s favorite?” Julie asked before snickering again. “I mean, the woman is absolutely gorgeous, and her body is amazing.” Honestly, she admired the confidence. She couldn’t imagine just strolling onto the beach in nothing but a thong—anyway, she was fairly sure the woman had a scrap of fabric between her legs. With her partially turned and all the skin on display, it’d take a magnifying glass to tell for sure.
As subtly as possible, Julie gave Gavin a sidelong glance. Was the woman his type? Did he want some alone time with the right corner of the card?
Instead of ogling the beautiful photobomber, though, his gaze was on her. His face had a pink tint, from his shower or embarrassment or both, she couldn’t tell. The air thickened, and had she leaned closer to him, or was he moving closer to her?
“No, no, no.”Niki’s voice accompanied the pounding of footsteps on the stairs, and then she was charging into the room. “Did you see Mom and Dad’s card—?” She plunked herself smack dab in the middle of her brother and Julie and yanked the laptop closer. Then she waved at the screen and glanced back and forth between them. “They sent this out to the entire town. Between that and you two getting hot and heavy in front of a bunch of kids at the festival, we’re about to be the talk of the season.”
“We weren’t getting hot and heavy,” Julie insisted. “I just…well, I was doing what this lady in the background of the photo was doing. Minding my own business, not knowing how many people might bear witness to my ass.”
Niki’s eyebrows shot up, her earlier panic melting away to reveal a smug expression. “My, my.”
