Page 52 of My First Mistake
“Hey, you put us in a cabin together,” I remind him.
He brushes past me and hugs his sister. “Are you okay? Did he make you do anything freaky that you didn’t want to do?”
“What? No!” Addie snaps.
“Then, just know I’m not choosing sides if you ever break up.” He turns to me now, his face serious. “Unless you cheat on her or break her heart, and then I’ll bury you.” He holds up the shovel like he means it.
“I won’t do either.” At least not for a second time.
“I knew you two had feelings for each other. I’ve been saying that all week, haven’t I, Brax?” Eva says, muscling her way in and wrapping an arm around Addie and me. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“That explains why you’re not mad then?” Addie says.
“That and our pact,” Brax replies.
Oh, shit! The pact. The one I didn’t keep my end of.
Addie frowns. “What pact?”
Brax sits on the sofa and grins. “The year after you went to college and I noticed the way Chase started looking at you different?—”
“What? He did?” Addie interrupts him.
Brax nods, grabs a handful of almonds from the bowl on the coffee table and tosses one into his mouth. “Yeah, he did, and I made him promise that he would never make a move on you unless it was because he wanted an actual relationship. No casual hookups allowed. And he promised, because he would never fuck up our friendship for a hookup, right buddy?”
“Yeah.” Technically, I’m not lying. I had no intention ofjusthooking up with Addie. After we spent the night together, she was mine, as far as I was concerned. Pity I conveniently forgot that meant I was hers too.
I watch her face going through a range of emotions and wonder if this is when she’s finally going to come clean and rat me out, but she doesn’t. Instead, she flops onto the sofa next to her brother. “So, tell me how married life has been.”
Brax gives Eva a look that makes her blush.
Addie pulls a disgusted face. “I mean, minus the sex, obviously.”
“We just got married and we’ve been snowed inside a fucking cabin for four days, Addie, that’s pretty much all married life has been like.”
I suppress a smirk. Pretty much all non-married life has been like too. And as relieved as I am to get back to the real world, I’m also really fucking sad that this is going to end. Not that Addie and I will end. I’d seal us up inside this cabin forever before I let that happen.
Addie shakes her head like she’s trying to forget what he said. “So, tell me how and why did you get out?”
Brax points to the snow shovels. “Josh and Dad brought us these and then Dad sent us to help dig you and Chase out. The roads are clear, and we’re driving back home this afternoon.”
I see the crestfallen look on her face and I know it’s because she’s thinking the same thing as I am, that this idyllic love-in is over. Her being sad about that makes me happy even if it also makes me an asshole.
“So, everyone is headed home today then?” she asks.
Brax nods. “Mom and Dad are packing up now. Dad said if you couldn’t get your car out and you want them to wait for you, then they will, but I told them you’d be fine.”
“I’m sure Addie and I can take care of her car,” I assure them.
“I guess we should get packing, angel.” Brax stands and holds his hand out to Eva. “I know the shop is bursting with cars waiting to be fixed.”
“You sure you two don’t need any help?” Eva asks.
Addie gives her sister-in-law a hug. “No. We’ve got it covered.”
“The hotel owner told us all the cabins have been freed up until the weekend, so take whatever time you need.”
It takes us at least another ten minutes to say our goodbyes, and Eva, Brax and Addie make plans for donuts and coffee in their favorite bakery on Sunday, and I try not to be too butthurt about the fact that I won’t be there to share it with them.
