“Hello?” Fisher’s voice sounds from downstairs.

Chevelle pushes me away with both hands.

Since I’m not prepared, I fall back. My ass hits the counter as she flees from the room, slamming the door. I look down at where junior is poking out of the towel now.

“Damn, that was almost our chance. Fucking Fisher.” Though in truth, I should be thanking him for preventing me from doing something stupid.

I shake my head. Imagine he caught us fucking? I’d probably be dragged down the steps by my hair and buried alive. I might be Fisher’s best friend and he trusts me with a lot of shit, but I’m not sure his baby sister is one of them. We just did too much fucking around back in the day for him to ever think I could settle down with one woman. For him not to picture me doing the same kind of things with his baby sister.

I open the door and go to my room, where I shove on a pair of basketball shorts and a T-shirt before heading downstairs.

They’re in the living room. Chevelle is on the chair with her legs crossed, and Fisher is on the edge of the couch.

“What’s up, man?” I fist-bump him and join him on the couch.

It’s still weird to see my best friend, my delinquent teenage sidekick, in a role of authority. He was the biggest rule breaker when we were growing up. Now he’s dressed like the guys we used to run from.

“I was just telling Chevelle that Derek has left town. I got a call from a police station in Washington asking about the charges that were dropped. I guess he got pulled over for drunk driving. Needless to say, I doubt he’ll come back here again.”

I look at Chevelle. “That’s good news.”

“Definitely.” She rises off the chair. “Thanks, Fish.” She leans down and kisses his cheek. “I’m going to go shower.”

She walks up the stairs, and it takes every ounce of effort not to follow her.

“How you enjoying it here?” Fisher asks. “I was thinking… if you guys are arguing a lot, I can clear out that storage in the apartment over the garage.”

“Nah, we’re fine. We both work so much, we’re not even here a lot together.”

What I don’t tell him is that some nights when the house is quiet, all I can think about is what she’s doing in her room. Is she masturbating to visuals of me? Will the sexual tension between us ever evaporate?

“Okay, I appreciate it. I was worried about Derek retaliating somehow, but I was thankful to get that call from the police in Washington.”

“For sure. I’m already making a success of my charter boat. Speaking of, let’s set up a boys’ trip. I’ll take all you guys out.”

He runs a hand through his hair. The bags under his eyes say raising twins isn’t easy. “That would be awesome. We finally have the twins on a good sleep schedule, but when they’re awake, it’s mayhem.”

I laugh. “The sheriff’s being run ragged by two little ones?”

“Hell yeah, I am.” His phone goes off. “And that would be Allie.” He stands.

“Hey, if you need me to babysit for you and Allie so you can go out sometime, just say the word.”

His head falls back in laughter. “I hate to break it to you, but you’d need reinforcements.”

“Gunner and I can handle it.”

He holds out his fist to me. “You and your inflated ego always think you can do anything.”

I bump his fist, and he opens the door, stepping outside. We say goodbye, and I shut the door and turn, staring up the stairs. Maybe that’s what that moment was in the bathroom—my inflated ego assuming Chevelle wants me the same way I want her.

12

“SOME OF MY FAVORITE MOMENTS IN LIFE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH YOU.”

Chevelle

Cam comes downstairs, tying his tie that matches his suit. Even though it’s only been a couple weeks since I saw Cam dressed up now that he wears T-shirts, sweatshirts, and shorts to work, I forgot how sexy he looks in a suit. “Can I ride with you?”