35. Josie

35

JOSIE

" S ince I just turned 18, are you ready for that date?"

An arm draped over my shoulders as I stepped out into Evelyn's backyard. I glanced up at Mateo who smirked down at me.

"Depends what you have in mind. Go carts may be too much for you, want to try bumper cars?"

"I don't mind sharing a bumper car with you. I'll even let you sit on my lap." Mateo winked.

"Just tell me when," I played along, a group of Mateo's friends standing nearby, listening in on our conversation. I slipped out from under his arm with a wink and headed towards Evelyn and Mila.

I'd only briefly known Mateo, but I already liked him. In a way he was the younger brother I always wanted growing up. Someone to joke around and be goofy with. It helped that Mateo had an infectious personality that you couldn't help but love.

"I'm so glad you girls could make it," Evelyn said as I reached them.

"Of course. Couldn't miss Mateo's birthday," I said as I gave her a hug.

Mila smiled. "Plus, you don't want to pass up on Evelyn's homemade chocolate cake."

"So I've heard!" I replied.

During the entire ride over, Wyatt talked nonstop about his mom's chocolate cake, telling me it would be an orgasm in my mouth. His exact words. Apparently, Evelyn was known for this cake and made it at every celebration. Now with Mila backing Wyatt's claims, I was curious to try it for myself.

"Wyatt talked about it the whole way here," I said.

"Bryton did too," Mila laughed.

"Speaking of my son, where is he?" Evelyn asked, looking around the backyard.

"He went inside when we arrived," I said, and as soon as I spoke her eyes widened.

"Oh, he'd better not be." Without another word Evelyn took off for the house. Mila and I exchanged bewildered looks before following her.

Evelyn was a step ahead of us as she strode into the kitchen, only to pause mid-step. Peaking around her, I clamped a hand on my mouth to stifle my laughter. Leaning over the kitchen counter were four grown-ass men caught with forks half-raised to their mouths. Sitting in front of them lay a half-eaten chocolate cake.

Wyatt, Landon, Trevor and Bryton stared at us, like little kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar, their eyes wide.

Oh, this is priceless. And that's my boyfriend right there, with a mouthful of cake.

"Is anyone going to explain?" Evelyn crossed her arms and waited. Beside me Mila tried to stifle her own laughter at the scared look that passed over all their faces. They clearly didn't expect to be caught red handed.

As Trevor pulled the fork from his mouth and slowly brought it back down to the cake, I snorted, barely containing my laughter as I gripped Mila's arm. When Evelyn stepped forward, I almost lost it as all four flinched.

"You are grown men."

Wyatt and Bryton glanced over at Mila and I, pleading looks on their faces as though they thought we could come to their rescue. We shook our heads in unison—we were having too much fun watching this unfold.

"Sorry," Bryton mumbled around a mouthful of cake.

Evelyn stared at them for another second before she sighed and shook her head. "You four are lucky I made multiple cakes. But if I see any of you touching the others, I don't care if you are adults, I will ground you." While it was comical that Evelyn was threatening to ground four grown ass men, you could tell she was beyond serious. The tone in her voice left no room for argument.

"Now all of you, out to the backyard so we can celebrate Mateo's birthday." Evelyn turned and walked out of the kitchen mumbling about how these boys were going to be the death of her. As soon as she was out of ear shot Mila and I started cackling uncontrollably.

"Thought she was going to beat our asses there for a minute," Bryton finally spoke.

"I know, right?" Trevor added as he quickly picked up his fork and scooped up another bite.

"What are you doing, dickhead? Didn't you hear what mom said?" Wyatt smacked the back of Trevor's head.

"What? She has back-up's and this one's already ruined. May as well take another bite." To further his point, he dug into the cake again, quickly followed by the others.

"Wow, hiding out and eating cake, I think you've hit a new low," I chastised once I'd gotten my laughter under control.

"I can feel the judgment," he said wryly, cocking an eyebrow at me.

"Oh, I definitely am. And on your brother's birthday," I glanced over at Landon with my best disappointed expression. "You two are his big brothers."

"Hey, that little shit would have done the same," Landon said, pointing his fork at me as Wyatt nodded his agreement. I just grinned.

It was nice being around Landon when he wasn't being his intimating self. When Wyatt and I first arrived, he'd surprised me by saying hello—and with no dirty looks or anything. I didn't know what had changed since I'd last seen him, but I was glad he could at least tolerate me now.

The sound of Mila moaning took my attention away from the brothers as I saw her standing next to Bryton, his fork in her mouth as she closed her eyes.

"What's with this cake?" I asked. "It can't be that good." They all looked at me like I'd just kicked a puppy. "What?"

"Wyatt, control your woman," Trevor said, narrowing his eyes at me.

I loved sweets as much as the next person, but they acted like it was sent from God himself.

It's just cake.

"And I'm dating you," Wyatt shook his head, grabbing his fork and cutting a piece. "Try it."

Everyone watched as I leaned forward and took a bite off Wyatt's fork.

Holy shit. This is the most amazing cake I've ever tasted.

Part of me wanted to fake disappointment, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Not when I now knew exactly why they were all obsessed over it.

What the hell did Evelyn put in this?

"Okay, yeah, that's good cake," I said, licking my lips.

"Thank God, for a second there thought we'd have to disown you. And I like you," Trevor sighed dramatically.

Even with Evelyn's threat hanging over us, we each grabbed another bite of the cake before filing out of the kitchen. No doubt Evelyn would return and drag us all out if we didn't make an appearance soon.

"You're lucky you like the cake," Wyatt said as we hung back from the others.

"And if I hadn't?" I questioned, peering up at him as I sucked the frosting covered fork. Wyatt's eyes widened as I slowly licked it before pulling it from my mouth.

Wyatt lowered his head closer to me, his chocolate-y breath fanning my face.

"Then I wouldn't be able to lick the frosting off of you." His thumb grazed my bottom lip as he spoke, and my breath hitched in my throat. I swallowed back the moan that threatened to come out as I pictured him doing just that. "But if you're good, maybe I'll let you cum as I lick it off," he added.

Unable to help myself, I gasped, my eyes widening.

With a wicked smile he stepped around me and walked out of the kitchen. I took a moment, trying to calm my heart and the heat pooling in my belly.

Stop it. Now is not the time to be turned on.

And the cheeky bastard knew exactly what he did to me.

Everyone gathered around Mateo as he opened presents in the backyard. His friends had all pitched in to get him a bunch of little presents. Trevor and Bryton somehow got a signed football and jersey by a player Mateo absolutely loved. When Evelyn gifted him with a game he'd wanted for his PlayStation, he all but lifted his mom in a hug, grinning from ear to ear.

I watched everyone give their presents, my stomach dropping with each one. I looked down at the wrapped gift in my hands, feeling nervous.

How the hell am I going to top any of those presents?

Wyatt and Landon haven't even given theirs yet.

Needing to go before them, I shuffled forward and awkwardly held out my gift. I didn't know what to get him. I mean, what do you get an eighteen-year-old boy? When I asked Wyatt, his helpful suggestion was beef jerky. Yes, beef jerky. It had taken everything in me not to smack him for the shitty present idea.

"Happy Birthday."

I played with the rings on my fingers as I watched Mateo open the present, knowing it couldn't top the others, but I still hoped he liked it.

"Woah." Mateo said as he unwrapped the photo album I'd put together for him, tearing the wrapping paper. I'd collected a series of photos I'd taken over the weeks. Some were from the afternoon when I first met Mateo and the team, and some were from the game I'd watched him play. There were candid shots of his family cheering him on from the stands, and even some of him playing through the years, courtesy of Evelyn.

"Check it out!" he said, turning the album around to show everyone a photo I'd taken during his game. It showed Mateo in side-profile, his arm cocked back, mid-throw, and his eyes focused straight ahead.

That's a damn good photo if I say so myself.

"How did you get some of these?"

"The younger ones I got from your mom, and I took a bunch at your game."

Beside me, Wyatt leaned forward for a better look. After his beef jerky suggestion, I'd kept him in the dark.

"Damn, I look good," Mateo declared as his friends gathered around for a look. "Josie, thank you!" He flashed me a wide smile, and the joy on his face eased my nerves.

"Of course," I grinned back.

Finally, it was Wyatt and Landon's turn. Wyatt stepped forward and handed Mateo a small box.

"This is from Landon and I."

Mateo eagerly opened the box only to freeze, his mouth hanging open.

"Wait, are you serious?" Mateo looked between Landon and Wyatt with wide eyes.

"It's all yours," Landon nodded as he walked over and stood beside him, giving his shoulder a squeeze. Mateo's hands shook as he stared down at the car keys sitting in the box.

"You aren't messing with me, right?" Mateo's eyes looked a little glossy as Wyatt grabbed his other shoulder.

"Nope. They'll drop it off on Monday."

"You're about to graduate and we wanted something more reliable for you to drive," Landon said, his tone almost fatherly.

"I…" Mateo shook his head. "Thank you."

Beside me I heard Evelyn sniffle as Mateo hugged both Landon and Mateo, profusely thanking them. He clearly wasn't expecting a car for his birthday.

When Wyatt told me what he and Landon planned to get Mateo, I found it beyond sweet. The two of them wanted Mateo to have a safe car to drive to school, practice and Uni next year. Was it a bit extravagant for an eighteen-year-old? Yes, but like Wyatt said, what's the point of having money if you can't spend it on the ones you love?

It really showed just how much he loved his family and how they loved him for him, and not his money.

Wyatt and Landon stepped back as Mateo was immediately swarmed by his friends. Returning to my side, Wyatt wrapped an arm around my shoulders pulling me against him. I leaned into his side as he planted a kiss on the top of my head. Evelyn smiled in our direction before stepping forward clapping her hands.

"Now, who wants cake?"