Chapter 18

Eighteen

Harrison

W hen Everly arrived at my parents’ home earlier than expected, I was worried. Was her mom worse than usual, or had Everly finally decided she’d had enough? I had always trodden carefully when she talked about her mother.

I knew Everly’s mother was all the family she had, and she didn’t want to sever that connection, but I’d seen how upset Everly got after spending time with her. I suspected her mother was toxic, so I would support Everly in whatever decision she’d made. My family was hers.

When Everly came out to the backyard, she asked, “Can I play too?”

“Of course,” I said, lobbing the football in her direction. She caught it easily. She had plenty of practice playing catch with me over the years. We formed a triangle to continue warming up.

Dad was staking the end zones with Wren. They were currently arguing over the perfect location.

“They both think they’re right about everything,” I said, observing them arguing about the proper width for the end zone.

The sharp corner of the football smacked me in the chest. “Hey, I wasn’t looking.”

Sage smiled ruefully. “That’s what you get for not paying attention.”

I picked up the ball from the ground and lobbed it to Everly, continuing our rhythm.

Finally, Dad and Wren settled on a proper end zone, and we split up into teams so we could play three on two. Wren and Everly were on my team. We didn’t have a lot of people, but it was still fun.

We joked and talked trash, running and laughing until our sides hurt.

Finally, Mom came out to announce dinner. “If you’re done pretending to play football, the food’s ready. Afterward, we can watch the professionals show you how it’s done.”

Heading inside, I said to Mom, “You don’t think we’re as good as the professionals?”

“Not even close,” Mom said dryly.

“I guess it’s a good thing you love us anyway,” Sage said.

We washed up and helped Mom move the platters and bowls of food to the dining room table where she’d placed a festive tablecloth.

Dad poured red wine for the adults and apple cider for Wren. When he was finished, he sat at the head of the table and raised his glass. “Let’s toast to being together as a family, and to Harrison finally coming to his senses and making Everly his girl.”

Smiling, I lifted my glass. “It was a smart decision.”

“Every once in a while, brother, you do good,” Sage agreed, clinking my glass with hers.

“I’ll say,” Gran added, and everyone laughed.

Everly’s cheeks were pink, and I couldn’t resist leaning over to kiss her softly before clinking glasses with her and then everyone else. It was truly the best Thanksgiving I could remember in a long time. Everyone I loved was in one place.

I even had plans to take our relationship to the next level this weekend. I didn’t allow myself to think of the what-ifs. Everything would work out because it had to.

We ate way too much food. I felt like my jeans were ready to burst, then we helped Mom clean up before getting dessert. Mom had overdone herself, as usual. There were five different pies to pick from since no one could agree on their favorite.

We ate pie and then headed into the den to watch football. It was the perfect ending to the perfect day. I still didn’t know what went down between Everly and her mother, but whatever it was, I supported her. Everly sat next to me on the couch. It was natural for me to lift my arms so she could settle into my side. Kissing her temple, I asked, “Everything okay?”

She grinned. “It’s great.”

“I think so too.” Wren was lying on her stomach in front of the TV with her feet in the air while she talked to my dad. Wren and my dad loved to argue about everything, including sports, books, you name it, and I sat back to enjoy their banter.

Mom sat in her chair with her knitting out. She said she liked to keep her hands busy, and it was a comforting sight.

“What are you making?” Everly asked Mom.

“I’ve been making hats for the babies in the hospital since it doesn’t look like I’ll have any more grandbabies anytime soon. Unless someone has an announcement they’d like to make,” Mom said pointedly.

“Hey, I’m not even seeing anyone,” Sage said to take the pressure off herself.

Wren rolled to her side and pointed at her chest. “What am I, Grammy?”

“You’ll always be my favorite, but I’d like more little ones,” Mom said to her affectionately.

Satisfied with her answer, Wren turned back to the TV.

Mom raised a brow at me. “You have an announcement you want to make?”

“Not today.” I exchanged a look with Gran. I’m sure she was remembering that she gave me her ring.

Gran shook a hand at me. “Don’t wait forever. You aren’t getting any younger.”

“Thanks, Gran.”

“That’s what I’m here for. To remind you that you’re getting older. Time’s wasting away,” Gran said.

“Was that directed at me?” Sage asked.

“Well, if the shoe fits,” Gran said grumpily, but we knew she meant well.

“Dating is crazy these days. The apps are filled with guys not looking for a relationship.”

“Doesn’t anyone meet people in person anymore?” Mom asked her.

“Wherever you go, everyone has earbuds in, and you can’t start a conversation.”

Sage was a few years younger than me, so her experience was a little different than mine. Having a child at home and a job that filled my nights and weekends, I couldn’t get out.

“You don’t have any friends from school?” Mom asked her.

“Not really. Everyone moved away for college and didn’t come back.”

Sage struggled living here more than I did. She didn’t want to move away from our family, but I wondered if she should have.

“You should get a job where you could travel and see more of the world,” Gran said.

Sage sighed. “That would be nice.”

We talked about job options for Sage, who was working as a graphic designer for a firm in the city. She had a long commute that included driving and a train. So, she didn’t have much time to look for another job or consider other opportunities.

When Wren started to get tired, we said our good-byes and waited for Mom to pack up food and pies for us. On the way home, Wren nodded off quickly.

“How are you really?” I finally asked Everly.

Everly smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m good. Really.”

“I’m proud of you for finally standing up to her.”

“I feel a little bad about leaving without sharing a meal with her. It’s Thanksgiving, after all.”

“She’s been miserable for years. I think you were right to point it out and stand your ground. You deserve to have an enjoyable holiday.”

She smiled. “I do.”

I took a deep breath before saying what I’d wanted to for years. “Have you thought about confronting your father?”

Everly’s mouth dropped open. “What? No. Why would I do that?”

“You could use the closure.”

Everly’s jaw set. “It wouldn’t make a difference.”

“Are you sure about that?” I’d always wondered if things would have been different if she’d been able to ask him the questions building up in her head.

“He could have reached out at any time. He never came to my graduation or sent cards on my birthday. It was like I was dead to him.”

I couldn’t handle the pain in her voice, so I reached over and covered her hand with mine. “He’s a jerk.”

“Yeah, no kidding.”

I’d never treat Wren like that, someone who was disposable. “But I think talking to him would help. Would you at least think about it?”

“For you, I will.” But her lips were set in a grim line.

I wasn’t sure she would, even though I suspected it would help her move on, much like talking to her mother today had to be cathartic.

At home, Everly helped me get Wren into bed. She didn’t wake up, so I wasn’t able to get her to brush her teeth or change. When I went downstairs, Everly had a bottle of wine and two glasses set out. “Want to drink a glass with me?”

I stretched my arms over my head. I’d used muscles I hadn’t in a while playing football. I flipped on the fire, taking the bottle from Everly to pour a glass for her and then one for me.

Raising my glass, I said, “To our first Thanksgiving together.”

“To our first Thanksgiving.” Everly smiled before she clinked her glass with mine. We both took a long pull of the red wine.

The light of the fire danced over her face, making her skin practically glow. Unable to help myself, I set my glass aside, cupping Everly’s face, and kissed her like I wanted to all day. I wanted her to feel my love, to know, deep down, this thing between us was real. It stopped being a fake role we had to play a long time ago. I wanted her to know I would be by her side through everything. We were her family now.

“What was that for?” Everly asked when I pulled back slightly.

I took the glass she still held and set it aside before I picked her up. She laughed into my ear as her legs wrapped around my hips.

“I like when you manhandle me,” she whispered as she tugged on my earlobe.

The sensation zipped down to my dick.

I’d deal with the fire later. Much later. I wanted to pleasure her and make sure she knew that she was the most important person in my life, aside from Wren.

Her mouth met mine, and I wondered how I had kept her as a friend for so many years. Maybe a part of me knew that she’d wreck me if I let her in. But I had, and there was no turning back. I could only hope I could convince her that she was mine.

After carrying her back inside, I crossed the hallway, shutting the door to our bedroom behind me. I had the wherewithal to pause and lock it. Then I laid her gently on the bed, taking her in, her hair spread out on the pillow, her eyes dancing with happiness. I eased back so I could remove her clothes before covering her body with mine.

I was content to kiss her.

Everly’s hand caressed the back of my neck. “Why are you still dressed?”

I smirked down at her. “Because tonight is for you.”

Her lower lip protruded. “But I wanted to taste you.”

We hadn’t done that, and my cock twitched at her offer, but I held firm. “Not in the plans for tonight. Another time.” Tonight was for her.

I kissed her, taking my time before dropping softer ones on her chin, her collarbone, and the rise of her breast, then finally sucking her nipple into my mouth.

Her hand at the back of my neck kept me tight to her. Her hips rose up to meet mine, creating a delicious friction against my cock.

“Please, Harrison.”

She didn’t say what she wanted, but I had a plan for the evening, and I wouldn’t be deterred from it. I moved lower, dropping kisses as I went, her stomach quivering under my touch. Then I settled between her legs, breathing in the scent of her.

Everly propped herself on her elbows so she could watch. “I think I like you there.”

“I do too.” I loved it. Keeping my gaze on her, I licked her.

Her mouth dropped open slightly, and her head dropped back. It was a nice reaction, but I wanted more. I wanted her writhing under me, begging for her release. I wanted to draw out her pleasure and make her yearn for me to fill her up.

I paid special attention to her clit, sucking it, circling it with my tongue, and tugging it into my mouth, watching as she whimpered, falling back onto the bed, her fingers twisted in the comforter. When I inserted my fingers, her mouth fell open with a gasp.

She was almost where I wanted her.

“Harrison. Please. Please. Please.”

“Please what, sweetheart?” I eased back, kissing the soft skin of her inner thigh, first one, then the other, as her muscles trembled.

“I need you. Inside me.”

“My fingers or my cock?” My jaw tightened as I waited for her response.

“Your cock.” She reached for me as I ripped the shirt over my head, shoving my pants down and then off.

I made a move to grab a condom. Then stopped. “Do we need condoms?”

“I’m on birth control, and I’m clean.”

Fuck. It was a big step, but I wanted to feel her bare. “I am too. Do you trust me?” I asked her, knowing it was me who’d gotten someone pregnant before. Even with two forms of birth control, it wasn’t foolproof.

I settled between her legs, every muscle in my body tense.

Everly caressed my cheek, and I couldn’t help but to turn into her touch. “I trust you.”

I braced myself on my forearms, taking her mouth with mine. I slowly entered her, savoring the sensation of her walls closing around me with nothing separating us. “You feel so good.”

I’d said it before, but this was different. Better. I’d never been bare with anyone before. After Lola, I wasn’t sure what happened, if the condom had a hole in it or if she wasn’t on birth control as she’d promised. But my trust was blown. The difference was, I trusted Everly. I loved her.

And if she got pregnant, it would be one of the happiest moments of my life. I wanted to continue building my family with her. We were meant to be together.

Everly raked her nails along my sides, the slight sting only intensifying my pleasure.

“I never want this to end.” I wanted it to go on and on and on. I’d never get enough of her. I was bursting to tell her I loved her, but it wasn’t the right moment.

I refocused on bringing her pleasure, showing her love with my touch. I sucked on her nipples, knowing it drove her wild.

She writhed under me, whimpering and tugging on my hair until I reached down to touch her clit. She moved my hand out of the way so she could touch herself. I sat back on my heels, changing the angle to hit her G-spot.

I was mesmerized when her fingers circled her clit, hesitantly at first, but then she bit her lip and grew more confident. I loved that she was taking care of her own pleasure, making herself feel good. The familiar tingle built at the base of my spine. “Are you close?”

She nodded, biting harder on her lip. I moved over her, careful to give her space, pulling her lip from between her teeth. I sucked on it, soothing the sting I sensed was there, and kissed her until she was moaning into my mouth.

Her walls spasmed around me, drawing out my release. I thrust one more time, driving deep, spilling into her body. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced before, and it wasn’t just because I was bare. It was the emotion behind the act. The love I felt for her. I rolled onto my side, bringing her with me.

“I should clean up,” Everly said.

“Give me a minute.” I needed to hold her, to reassure myself she was a solid presence in my life, and she wasn’t going anywhere.

“That felt different,” Everly murmured against the skin of my chest.

Pleased, I ran a hand over her arm. “For you too?”

“Yeah, I’ve never felt anything like that before.”

I wasn’t sure if she was trying to figure something out in her head, and I still wasn’t sure when the right time was to tell a woman you loved her. But I concluded it should probably be natural. Not planned ahead. “Maybe it’s because of our friendship.” When she didn’t say anything, I swallowed hard, wondering if this was a mistake. “Maybe it’s because I love you.”

She stilled before she finally said, “As a friend.”

“As a man who’s in love with you.” I knew she’d never told anyone she loved them, and I hadn’t either.

“You do?” She turned slightly to study my face.

“I do, and you don’t need to say anything. I understand if you’re not ready.” Feeling like my heart was going to burst out of my chest, I said, “Let me get a washcloth.”

I didn’t want to know if she didn’t feel the same. Not yet. I was a mix of emotions. My hands shook as I filled the cloth with warm water and wrung the excess from it before returning to the bedroom.

“Did you mean it?” she asked after I cleaned her and threw the washcloth aside.

I gathered her to me. “Every word. I love you, Everly. And I don’t care how long it takes for you to get to the same place.”

“It’s just I’ve never—I don’t—”

I silenced her with a finger over her lips. “It’s okay. It’s enough that I love you.” And I had the courage to tell her my feelings. In the beginning, I was worried about our friendship, but we were too far gone for that. Whatever happened in the future, I wasn’t going anywhere.