Page 31 of Behind the Cascades
“Hey, birthday girl! Come do a shot with us!” The bad influence twin shouts through the open sliding glass door.
Letting out a groan, I look at the chaos that is happening out back. Levi is handing out shot glasses and then pouring a very expensive bottle of tequila into each one. He knows it’s my favorite and the only way I’ll actually concede to this.
“Fine! But if I barf tonight, you’re holding my hair!”
He gives me a playful smile. “Wouldn’t be the first time I rescued a drunk princess.”
“Yeah, yeah. You got any banana bags for my hangover tomorrow?” Another good thing about being friends with this group is that there isn’t a shortage of expensive liquor or trained professionals with access to medical supplies.
“He’s coming to my house first!” Sweet, innocent Elise isn’t as innocent as I thought she would be when I first met her. Despite the fact that she’s old enough to be my grandmother, she drinks like a fish.
She holds up her shot glass, full of Fortaleza. “A toast to our favorite southern belle! When I fell that day, I’m beyond grateful that you were there to pick me up. Even more grateful that you decided to stay in town, and become one of us. Happy birthday, Charlie!” She downs her shot and we all follow. As soon as the heat reaches my throat, I know I’m in for a long night.
I’ve had more than my fair share of liquor when I hear a knock on the door.
I open it, only to find a giant, gorgeous man staring down at me. His dirty blonde hair is shorter on the sides and longer on top, but styled to perfection. The stubble beard, mixed with the blue/green eyes, has got to be every woman’s fantasy. He is 6ft 5in of all man.I feel like I’m finally starting to understand the saying, “Climb him like a tree.”
The tequila must be hitting harder than I thought, because I shout out, “Did someone order me a stripper for my birthday?”Because yes, please.
He looks at me bewilderedly, like he was definitely not expecting me to answer the door or make an idiot of myself.
“Hey, uh, sorry I was looking for Olivia.” He glances into the house, now noticing a full party going on, and his eyes grow wide. He moves his shoulder back protectively and I notice the infant carrier he’s holding.
“Ethan!” Olivia rushes around the kitchen counter to greet our new guest. That’s when she sees the car seat and nearly trips over her feet. “Woah, since when did you multiply?”
He grins and looks around the full room. “Guess it wasn’t going to be long before the town found out anyway. Everyone, this is Jake. My son.”
The entire group jumps to their feet, rushing to the front, trying to greet Ethan and Jake.
Everyone, but Maisie.
I move around the crowd and toward her. Her eyes begin darting around the room and her lower lip starts slightly shaking.
“What’s wrong?”
She startles and her eyes snap to me, like she’s just now noticing I’m here even though I’m only a foot away. “He’s back.”
Based on her facial expression, it isn’t a good thing either. Asingle tear falls down her cheek and she quickly brushes it away.
“I really need to go.” She looks around panicked, trying to find an exit but Ethan’s massive form and fifteen other people are blocking her only chance of escape.
Grabbing her hand, I pull her toward the door that leads into the garage. Once the light is flipped on, we step down and stand next to Olivia’s old Jeep.
Before she could get around me, I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and hugged her. “Are you okay? Is he an ex or something?
“I’ll be okay. No, we never…” She shakes her head, trailing off into a different thought. “I’m just shocked. I haven’t seen him or heard from him inyears. I didn’t even know he was with someone and now they have a baby.”
I know it was more than she’s leading on but whatever Maisie and he had or didn’t have isn’t my business. I can tell just his being here is wrecking her. Long gone is the bubbly, charismatic Maisie; in her place is a heartbroken woman.
My heart goes out to her, knowing I’d feel the same way if Hayes ever walked in carrying a tiny baby.
“I don’t know what went down with you two, but call me anytime. Day or night. I’m here if you need to vent; a shoulder to cry on; or someone to down shots and dance on a table with.”
She nods and tears well in her eyes as she takes the opportunity to leave through the side door.
When I got back into the house, things seemed to have calmed down. Everyone was still asking a million questions, but Ethan seemed to be evading most of them. He’d only say that he has full custody and Jake’s mom isn’t in the picture. I also caught him watching the garage door that Maisie used more than once. Each time, disappointment briefly clouded his eyes before he quickly blinked it away.
Chapter Twenty
