Page 49 of From the Ashes
“Always gotta ruin the moment, don’t you, Jakey?” Phoenix taunts.
“I do when it involves Dylan,”Jakeyfires back. “I know you got some shit going on, but find your own hot ass husband to maul.”
Phoenix throws what can only be described as a warning glare at Jake, but the way he just throws it out there makes me wonder if Phoenix is finally out? Or maybe just to his friends? Before I can think on it too hard, Phoenix nods in my direction.
“Everyone, this is Walker DeVille. We, uh,” he rubs the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. “We go way back. He’s staying with me for a little bit. Figured what better way to break him in than all at once, ya know?” His strained laugh is a tell for his nerves, but his friends don’t seem to pick up on it.
Standing next to me, Phoenix points around the circle. “Walker, that’s Hudson. His wife, Shannon, is the beautiful pregnant lady over there. Knox, you know.” Knox raises his beer bottle to me inhello. “This is Jake and his husband, Dylan. If you forget they’re married, don’t worry, Jake will remindyou…repeatedly. And this stunning woman is Cassie. She’s Dylan’s twin sister.”
I smile at the group and nod. “It’s nice to meet y’all.”
After that, Phoenix mingles with his friends and leaves me to find my own way. The group is very welcoming and I never feel out of place.
I do my best to keep my eyes off of Phoenix throughout the evening, but it’s hard because he’s the most carefree I’ve ever seen him, and the way he is right now reminds me of the cocksure cowboy that followed me away from that bonfire.
When Hudson gets booted from the game of Spikeball, he grabs two fresh beers and comes over to where I’m sitting, handing one down to me.
“Thanks, man,” I say, grabbing the proffered bottle.
“Sorry to hear about your wrist,” Hudson says, taking a seat next to me on the steps of the deck.
I shrug. “Shit happens. Especially in this line of work.” I feel like an idiot as I fumble with the bottle cap until I look up at the sound of Phoenix’s voice.
“Hud, you gonna help him with that or just let him struggle? It’s like handing a blind guy your car keys, asshole.” He roasts his friend and then walks away.
Hudson looks over, finally aware of what’s happening.
“Oh, shit, dude. My bad.” He twists the cap off easily and hands it back to me, making me chuckle.
“It’s all good. I’d have figured it out eventually. And for the record, I’d also make a stellar blind driver,” I joke.
Hudson throws a bark of laughter up at the sky and Phoenix’s head whips back toward us. I can tell he wants to know what we’re talking about, but he doesn’t ask, so I don’t say.
Instead, I raise my bottle to him and maintain eye contact as I relax my throat and drain the entire thing.
Fuck it.
I want him. I neverstoppedwanting him. And it’s time I make that crystal fucking clear.
Chapter 24
Phoenix
“He’s it, isn’t he?” Cassie asks, nudging my elbow at the sink after dinner. Everyone is still outside, drawing the last bit of energy from the sun as it dips below the tree line, but Cassie and I stayed behind to clean up the dishes that wouldn’t fit in Knox’s dishwasher.
“What are you talking about?” I ask innocently, washing the next plate as she dries them to my left.
“The person you’ve been missing.”
My jaw clenches. “Who said I’ve been missing someone?” I ask defensively. “And even if I was, it wouldn’t be him.”
She leans in, her lips brushing my jaw. “Your neck and ears turn pink when you lie, Phoe. It’s why you always lose at poker.” She takes the washed plate from my hand and begins to dry it with the towel before placing it in the cabinet and turning to patiently wait for the next one.
“Fine,” I relent. “It might’ve been him at one time, but that was a long time ago and I don’t want to talk about it. Speaking of missing people, Knox tells meyou’reseeing someone.” I keepmy eyes firmly on the dish in my hands as I change topics to put her in the hot seat for a change.
I had hoped Cassie and I would hook up right until the second I knew we never would, but I still feel uneasy at the thought of her with someone else. Someone none of us know.
She places her head on my shoulder.
