Chapter Thirteen

Julie rolled over and cracked open her eye so she could see what time it was.

The stuffed teddy bear she’d snuggled up to last night greeted her instead of her alarm clock—that’s right. She was at the Frosts in Colorado, not her apartment in Phoenix. She flicked the jingle bell on the end of the bear’s hat and grinned. She’d been chatting with Kory, doing her best to throw out flirty lines that were safe around the Holiday Bazaar crowd.

He’d mentioned the mistletoe, and a shrill, alien-sounding laugh came out. As she’d remained glued to her seat, awkwardness had crowded the space, and she’d made a joke about waiting until her two moms weren’t breathing so heavily over her shoulder while darting a glare at both of them.

In truth, as she considered giving in to the tradition, all she could think was that she wished it were Gavin instead. If she’d kissed him earlier, that would require a twenty-four-hour cooling off period before she planted her lips on another dude, right?

She’d been mentally beating herself up for not seizing the opportunity—and honestly, she hadn’t been sure with which guy she even meant—and then Gavin had strolled over.

“I won you somethin’,” he said with a grin so wide it should come with a UV warning. With a flourish, he slipped a teddy bear from behind his arm brace. “This is the bear that looked the most like me. Brown skin, big and strong, and check it out”—he tugged on the green fuzz that made up the stuffed toy’s elf costume—“a uniform so tight it’s practically painted on.”

The bell on the tip of the bear’s hat jingled as Gavin shook it at her, and she’d squealed and hugged the stuffed toy to her chest. No boy had ever won her a prize before. She realized he was merely being considerate and kind because that’s who he was. Still, she’d forever treasure the elf bear, and the memories it evoked of their wardrobe-malfunction scandal.

Kory had wished her goodbye—reminding her that he was there—and the relief that spread through her made it pretty clear which guy she wanted to kiss. If only it wouldn’t end up being a total disaster. As simple as a kiss sounded, she couldn’t just go swapping spit with her bestie and expect it to not affect their entire relationship.

“Looks like you’ll be the only man in my bed this trip,” she said to the teddy bear, and Kylo Ren lifted his head and narrowed his eyes at the new addition. “Come on, you can share for a week, can’t you?”

Her kitty stood, stretched at the leisurely pace of watching paint dry, and jumped off the bed, tail in the air. Julie climbed out of bed, slipped into her worn yoga pants and a T-shirt, and threw her hair into a messy bun.

Last second, she picked up the bear and kissed his fuzzy snout. “There. Now I won’t be tempted to kiss another guy today.”

Doubtful, but hey, she was going for optimism. After taking a moment to steel herself and demand the butterflies in her tummy remain dormant or else, she pocketed her phone. Then she headed downstairs to see what exciting adventure was on the schedule for the day.

…

Gavin wiped the sweat from his brow with his forearm and blew out one last puff of cloudy air before heading inside the house.

Around seven in the morning, he’d woken up, watched game film, did his physical therapy exercises, and then found himself pacing past the office door. Then back to his room.

Then suddenly he’d be standing outside the door again, fist raised and ready to knock.

He’d thought up all manner of excuses to go in and wake Julie up. They didn’t have much time; could she work out his shoulder again; and did she still have on the tiny panties he could barely make out underneath her tights before he freed her skirt last night?

That last one propelled him to layer up and go for a run. It’d been refreshing, the cold nipping at his exposed skin and his lungs burning with each inhale of frigid air. Better yet, it’d helped clear his head of improper thoughts about his best friend.

But after he stripped off his beanie, gloves, and sweatshirt, and made his way to the kitchen, there she was. Stretched onto her tiptoes, reaching for the coffee beans.

Gavin walked up behind her, gently placed his hand on the small of her back to warn her he was there, and then reached over the top of her and grabbed the bag of roasted beans.

She spun around, and her chest bumped into his.

He should step back. Give her room to make her coffee. Do anything but gape at her like a man who hadn’t had a decent meal in weeks.

“Mornin’,” he said, and while he’d stuck to the one-word greeting to be safe, it’d come out husky, with the hint of longing that watching her body stretch had provoked. That perfume was doing a real number on him, too, demanding he lean in and sniff her neck.

Hell, might as well lick it while he was there.

Julie ran her gaze over him. “Wow. I felt like enough of a slacker before, but you went for a run already? In the cold?”

Since his focus had snagged on the pulse point beating away at the base of her neck, it took him a moment to put her words together. “No rest for the wicked and all that. And it’s not that cold. It’s a sunny thirty-five and getting warmer by the minute. During last week’s game against Green Bay, the high of the night was two degrees—they don’t call that stadium the Frozen Tundra for nothing.”

Julie shivered, as though speaking the temperature had made it drop inside the kitchen. “That sounds like torture.”

“It was actually pretty fun. Until…you know.”

Her features softened, so much concern rushing forward that his chest tightened. Before he could insist he was fine, she placed her hand on his arm and swiped her thumb across his biceps. Even through the long sleeves of his compression shirt, the touch burned in the best possible way. “How’s the shoulder doing today?”

Gavin automatically rolled it. “Better, actually. That magic you worked on it the other night helped a ton.”

Genuine happiness shone in her features, and his insides went mushy. How lucky was he to have someone who cared about his well-being so much? “That settles it. I’ll work out the knots in your muscles every night, and by the time you head to Jacksonville on Friday, you’ll be amazed at how much better your shoulder will be.”

“Every night? What about your fling?” Dammit, why had that slipped out? Self-sabotage? Or was his brain intervening on his carnal side’s behalf in order to keep him from ruining his longest friendship?

Julie glanced down, and just like that, whatever spell they’d been under broke, the intimate bubble popping and splatting against the tile floor. She darted around him, coffee bag in hand, and poured the ground beans into a filter. “Did you want coffee? I can make extra if you do.”

What he wanted was to rewind the last few minutes. Not that it would do any good. He’d still have to make the same decision, only the next time it’d be that much harder. “Nah. I’m just gonna hop in the shower.”

If you’d like to conserve water, you’re free to join me. Gavin cleared his throat, muttered he’d be back down in a few, and then rushed upstairs, hitting a faster pace than he had during his earlier run.

…

Julie was doing a whole lot of nothing on the couch when Gavin stormed into the room and opened the laptop on the coffee table. “Is everything okay?” she asked.

The only answer she got was a sigh. He opened his email, and not that she was trying to be nosy, but with the tension wafting off him, her own nerves stretched too tight.

“I thought they were all being assholes, but…” He pivoted the computer screen to her. She lowered her eyebrows as she studied the Christmas e-card she’d also received in her email this morning.

“Who’s being assholes? Your parents? Because I’m pretty sure sending out electronic cards is quite considerate. Think of the trees they saved.”

“They sent this to my whole team, including the coaches and Lance Quaid.” Gavin rubbed his hands over his face, as if the image were something he could wipe away.

“Is it the matching outfits thing? Because I thought you were over being embarrassed about that.” Not only was it unlike Gavin to care, back in high school, he’d decided he couldn’t care. Mostly due to his parents’ assertion they weren’t planning on changing for anyone, so he could get onboard or shut up about it.

Since he hadn’t wanted to join in on the matching outfits—another threat they’d thrown out—he’d never mentioned the way they dressed again. In fact, last year around the holidays, he, Julie, and Niki had discussed how both sets of their parents, for all their quirks and meddling, were totally #CoupleGoals.

“Our little town has gotten better at accepting people from various backgrounds—a lot in part due to your parents—but you’ve heard the stories. It wasn’t easy for them when they moved here. For most of the townsfolk, your dad was the first Black guy they ever met. Now they all know him as the gentle giant who ensures their kids make it across the road to school safely, but it took time for people to listen and learn. Dressing alike was their way of dealing and having fun with it. And honestly, people in Hawaii dress in the same floral-patterned shirts for pictures all the time.”

“I don’t care about the matching outfits—haven’t for years. Look closer.”

Julie scooted to the edge of the cushion she was occupying. The beauty of the dusky blue sky that melted into a golden sunset that accentuated the dark outline of palm trees, she felt as though she were there herself. She could practically smell the saltwater and feel the sand underfoot.

Rashad stood tall, wearing khaki shorts and a red collared shirt with white flowers. Darlene’s dress was made up of the same material, and a large hibiscus was tucked behind her ear. Each of them had a fruity, umbrella-topped drink in hand, and the words “Seasons Greetings from the Frosts” glittered above them in big gold letters.

“Back right corner,” Gavin said, and Julie moved her gaze from the happy vacationing couple to…

“Oh. That chick is naked. Well, topless anyway.” Between the setting sun and the woman’s bronzed skin, she sort of blended in with the sandy background. “Do you think she knew she was in the photo?” Julie spun toward Gavin. “Do you think your parents realized they’d been photobombed by this woman before sending it out?”

The small shake of his head confirmed what she’d already suspected. Of course they hadn’t noticed. Darlene had been raised as a socialite in a ritzy ski town up north, and while she’d given up that life to make one of her own with the man she’d fallen in love with, she didn’t leave the house without her nails and makeup done and every hair in place. She was also a smidge old school when it came to proper table etiquette, clothing and tattoos and drinking “hard liquor” as she called anything more potent than wine.

A laugh slipped out, one that Julie attempted to turn into a cough. But it was no use. “And they sent it to your entire team?”

Gavin groaned. “A few of the guys told me to thank them very much for the holiday escort card with the sexy lady, and I thought they were screwing with me. I wasn’t sure if it was a mom joke they were taking too far, or what. But turns out…” He gestured to the screen.

“That your parents are now the team’s favorite?” Julie asked before snickering again. “I mean, the woman is absolutely gorgeous, and her body is amazing.” Honestly, she admired the confidence. She couldn’t imagine just strolling onto the beach in nothing but a thong—anyway, she was fairly sure the woman had a scrap of fabric between her legs. With her partially turned and all the skin on display, it’d take a magnifying glass to tell for sure.

As subtly as possible, Julie gave Gavin a sidelong glance. Was the woman his type? Did he want some alone time with the right corner of the card?

Instead of ogling the beautiful photobomber, though, his gaze was on her. His face had a pink tint, from his shower or embarrassment or both, she couldn’t tell. The air thickened, and had she leaned closer to him, or was he moving closer to her?

“No, no, no.” Niki’s voice accompanied the pounding of footsteps on the stairs, and then she was charging into the room. “Did you see Mom and Dad’s card—?” She plunked herself smack dab in the middle of her brother and Julie and yanked the laptop closer. Then she waved at the screen and glanced back and forth between them. “They sent this out to the entire town. Between that and you two getting hot and heavy in front of a bunch of kids at the festival, we’re about to be the talk of the season.”

“We weren’t getting hot and heavy,” Julie insisted. “I just…well, I was doing what this lady in the background of the photo was doing. Minding my own business, not knowing how many people might bear witness to my ass.”

Niki’s eyebrows shot up, her earlier panic melting away to reveal a smug expression. “My, my.”

“No, it wasn’t like that. I accidentally tucked my skirt into my tights because I win at life, and Gavin was trying to shield the children from getting an eyeful.” At the reminder, her skin flushed, and why hadn’t she let that memory die and give way to the new scandal?

“And what an eyeful it was,” Gavin said, ever so helpfully, “all striped and—”

Julie leaned across Niki’s lap and slapped a hand over his mouth, doing her best to ignore the way he’d cupped his hands, as if he were sizing up her gluteus maximus—thanks to all the Christmas treats, it was looking more maximus by the day, too.

“Very funny.” She craned her neck to address the face behind her elbow. “Gavin’s elf shirt was so tight it ripped open, buttons flying everywhere, like he was doing a solo performance for the Merry Christmas version of Magic Mike. If I’d had any dollar bills, I would’ve shoved them into his tights.”

Finally, Gavin chuckled along with her and Niki, who put her hands over her ears and groaned at the imagery. Happiness that he’d found humor in the situation pinged through her. Or perhaps his laughter was directed at her snafu. How delusional was she? Moments ago, she’d been experiencing attraction vibes that led her to believe Gavin might lean in and kiss her.

Commendable or not, women with supermodel bodies like the one in the photo onscreen hit on Gavin all the time. Women who were bold enough to sunbathe topless and send him messages inviting him to participate in some mutual completion—with video, nonetheless. Even Kristin, who’d followed fashion trends and was crowned prom queen, couldn’t survive in his world, and she was a hundred times more exciting than Julie would ever be.

Good thing Julie didn’t want him in that way, anyway.

Right?

“Let’s focus on the card again,” Julie said so her brain wouldn’t overheat with all the overthinking. She returned her highly discussed butt back to its original cushion. “It’s seriously the gift that keeps on giving.”

Trepidation seized her internal organs as she thought of how horrified Darlene was going to be when she discovered the snafu. “Wait. If your parents didn’t notice the woman when they uploaded the photo, who’s gonna tell them?”

“Not it,” Niki said, whipping her finger to the tip of her nose, and Gavin quickly did the same.

Julie shook her head. “No way. I’m not gonna be the bearer of naked news.”

“Rules are rules, Jules.” Gavin reached across Nikita to give Julie’s thigh a condescending pat. “It’s not our fault that you’re still too slow to beat us.”

An offended gasp came out. “I’m not slow. If anything, I’m just rusty. I also thought we were now grownups who didn’t resort to childish games to solve things like we did when we were kids.”

“You know what they say…” Niki glanced at the image on-screen again. Then she slammed the lid on the laptop and scrubbed a couple of fingers over her forehead, as if that would erase the image burned into their head for good. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Everything inside of Julie protested. “They’re not my parents. Wouldn’t it be better coming from one of you?”

Niki arched an eyebrow at her, and it was freaky how similar it was to Gavin’s oh-really expression. They even did the same bite-the-tip-of-their tongue grin. Having them both gang up on her was like seeing double, only the male and female versions at once. “Pfft. Yes, they pretty much are. Plus, you’d break it way nicer and easier than Gavin or I could.”

No surprise, Gavin bobbed his head in agreement. “They like you better, too—remember, my dad even said it our first night home. That’s why I always had you ask for permission back in the day. They were way more likely to say yes if you asked.”

“Suddenly I feel like the pawn in a Frost sibling chess match.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Niki said. “Everyone knows that you’re the queen, and Gavin’s the king. You two are each other’s ride or die.”

Truer words had never been spoken. Which meant she needed to stop indulging in this fantasy where they could cross lines without consequences. Because the stakes were too high, and with that “ride or die” phrase echoing through her head, she got a harsh yet timely reminder of everything she could lose.