Page 107 of Detour
“Together,” I agree. “I love you.”
His insistent mouth kisses me deep and rough, claiming what’s already his.
“About damn time you two make it official.”
Breathless, we pull apart.
“Did you think more about what we talked about, neighbor girl?”
Marc, still in work clothes, sits on the lounger next to ours, pulling out a cigarette while Beckett stands with his arms crossed over a gray shirt that says Does This Bike Make My Ass Look Fast?.
I twist in Coty’s arms, melting into him as he reclines. He brings his nose to my hair and kisses my temple.
“I did. But I have some concerns.” The tallest of the three motions for me to continue. “This is new for me. A relationship. Friendships. Trusting anyone in general, especially men. I’m bad at it. All of it.” I bite my lip, looking between Coty’s friends—my friends.
“And you think we aren’t?” Beckett bursts. “Look at us. We can’t rub together a healthy relationship between the three of us except the one we shaped from scratch ourselves. Nobody showed us how, we just did what felt right, making mistakes as we went. Hell, you’re the first girl we’ve ever had around for more than just fu-”
“What he means is, this is new for us, too,” Marc quickly interrupts. “But we’re willing to try because it feels right. The same way it did years ago at the track, riding without a clue as to what would come next but knowing it’d be okay with these two in my corner. You’re not used to anyone being in yours but know that from here on out, we are. This one’s taking up the whole fucking thing anyway and where he goes, we go.” He jerks his thumb behind me making Coty’s chest rumble.
“I think you mean where we go, he goes.” Beckett pretends to beat his fists on his chest.
Coty runs his hands up my sides before wrapping his arms around my middle. “Dude, it’s where she goes, I go. I’ve just been biding my time, waiting for her to show up.”
“So, what do you say, Angie?”
“All for one and one for all?” I joke.
“I’ll settle for a foursome.”
“Motherfucker.”
I’m set to the side as Coty makes a grab for Beckett. Marc hops up, tossing his cigarette butt and joins the others poolside. They play fight and trash talk amongst themselves, having momentarily forgotten about me. I sit back, watching their dynamic, the ease of it all. The love, the trust. They have each other’s backs, but like Coty said, it’s more than that. They respect the damaged parts in one another, never using it against each other, always keeping it safe from outsiders. Each man is strong on his own but together they’re a force to be reckoned with. One I’ve found myself in the middle of. The comfort and security I never thought would come has settled over me like a blanket on a cold night and I’m growing more and more fond of the refuge it’s provided. The three nosey neighbors refusing to give up on me has generated warmth where only cold previously lived.
Fighting to constantly stand alone was necessary but has left me tired, run down. These three provide a safe place for me to take a rest—should I decide to take one.
Today, though, is not that day.
Laughing, I walk over and shove the unsuspecting trio toward the water. Three different hands shoot out, latching onto mine and together we fall in giving Beckett a version of his foursome after all.
CHAPTER 37
Angela
“T here we go.”
A smudge on the window’s been bothering me all day but I haven’t had time to properly clean it until the afternoon rush passed. I glance over as a junky car pulls in then hustle back inside to the glorious air conditioning.
It’s been several weeks since I started at Latte Da Coffee Stand and I’m finally getting the hang of this barista stuff. Luckily, my excellent customer service makes up for any mishaps I’ve had serving less than perfect orders. I haven’t lost Faye any returning customers, that I know of, so that’s a plus.
Apparently with all the college kids back in town after graduation and looking for a local coffee spot—not a chain!—to support, business has been booming. It’s not the easiest job for someone like me who’s not food gifted in the slightest, but the schedule allows for my night course to continue unhindered and the tips are great. Although, after falling in love with a certain someone with mocha swirled eyes, I will say I’ve become obsessed with the drink, giving me more motivation in learning how to make it correctly.
There hasn’t been a lot of alone time for me and Coty with the long hours I’ve had to put in, but we’ve been making it work. Coty’s also developed a serious coffee addiction but only during my shifts coincidentally. And I’ll admit that living next door to your boyfriend does have its benefits when you’re strapped for time.
With the offer on the property for their garage being accepted, the guys have been laying it on pretty damn thick in trying to convince me to accept the last remaining management position—that they made specifically for me. Digging my heels in with apprehension has only encouraged their efforts, much to my immense enjoyment. I finally conceded but only under the condition that we’d all get to know each other better, both as a unit and separately. Now every Friday before their usual parties we have family dinners together. It’s been going well so far—as long as I’m not the one cooking. This week I invited Drew, too, and am looking forward to seeing all the men in my life getting along.
Joe’s absence from my life has helped everyone to relax. Word has it his wife found out about the video and kicked him to the curb. I also heard a very pregnant Amity let him move in with her and the two are perfectly miserable together. Karma loves a good plot twist, doesn’t she?
The ding of the drive-thru sensor draws my attention to the window and I open it, ready to take the next order. Freezing in my spot, my chest tightens to almost painful and my lips clamp together. My mother’s smug grin tells me this is no coincidence and I exhale through my nose.
