Chapter Twenty-Eight

Mike

 

Bob returned in time to join us overlooking the valley, putting the group in pairs. Must be a dozen shows visible tonight. Beth had made popcorn and handed it out in paper boxes like at the movies.

“We used to wave sparklers around as a kid until my grandfather burned a hole in his pant leg,” Hannah said. We were the only pair not cuddling where we stood.

“Fireworks at home aren’t legal in most cities here. The drought.”

“Oh.”

“Do you miss Arizona?”

“My popcorn needs more salt.” She left my side for the tub of flavoring jars Beth brought out.

This wasn’t the fun holiday I expected, thanks to Aaron, and my brother’s influence. We’d need a new drummer if things didn’t change soon.

Then there was Hannah.

Chatting with Jennifer instead of coming back. Well, at least she made a friend.

Was I nuts to pursue a woman nearly five years younger than me? She was just starting life while I was looking for something real and permanent. I wanted to fall in love and feel secure in it. Well, it was my first attempt back into the dating pool. Practicality would say there was no guarantee the first relationship would be the right one—but I really liked Hannah. She was the first girl I’d ever been tempted to toss out my rulebook for.

Which made it all the more important that I didn’t, right?

To do things the correct way the first time?

Beth and Jacob did the epic second-chance-love thing with a lot of angst. Bob and Celeste started with sex and never stopped seeing each other. Dylan and Jen hit it off right away and were probably still in the honeymoon phase and always would be. My parents met in high school, dated in college, and married after graduation. I didn’t know Beth’s brother’s story with her sister-in-law, but they’d been together a long time and seemed happy when they visited. Beth and Darcy were close. Why couldn’t this be easy for me?

Someone needed to write a textbook.

The longest fireworks shows were only thirty minutes. The group meandered back to the patio. Wanting to get past this awkwardness, I pulled Hannah to a chair.

“Please don’t be mad at me,” I whispered in her ear as I settled her on my lap.

She sighed. “I’m not…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Today has been intense.”

“Who’s up for the hot tub?” Celeste hollered. She shed her top and shorts to reveal a bikini that barely contained her curves.

“Do you want to leave?” I asked Hannah.

“I don’t know. No. I don’t think so. It’s a holiday.”

“Make the most of it?”

She nodded, then stood and slipped her dress off her shoulders. A retro bikini in white. Maria carried a pitcher of sangria to the table by the Jacuzzi.

Hannah picked up her glass. “Coming?”

Yes, ma’am. Walking behind her, I admired the view. The high-waisted bottom flattered her small waist and curvy ass. It was the most leg I’d seen of her and I approved of those, too. Her body split the difference between Beth’s lankiness and Celeste’s petite endowment. Similar to Jen, really. They might wear the same size.

The generous tub seated several, so everyone that wanted in had space. Beth and Darcy wore one-piece suits. The band was used to stripping down around each other, but Andrew kept his shirt on, just dangling his legs in the water next to his wife. Celeste, Hannah, and Darcy had full glasses of the wine punch.

“Good the sky stayed clear,” Beth said. When she glanced up at the stars, Jake kissed her neck. “Behave.”

“Why? We’re kidless tonight.”

Andrew’s face scrunched up. “That’s my sister.”

“I’m not strippin’ her down in front of you, perv.”

Andrew splashed Jake. Darcy slapped his leg. “No water fights in the tub!”

“Hey, house rules,” Beth said. “Water fights in the pool, no one drives drunk, and if you’re feeling frisky, that’s what we have guest rooms for. Clear?”

“Yes, Mom,” Bob said. Beth wagged her finger at him.

Bubbles, steam, music, and social lubrication soon made for a loose bunch. Somehow we got on crazy tour stories (that didn’t involve bedding groupies) and laughing at each other’s expense. Hannah was leaned into my chest under my arm that rest on the deck.

I kissed the top of her head. “Having fun?”

Her face tilted up. “You have an interesting life.”

“At times.” Jake and Bob had lived the wildest parts.

Darcy and Andrew bowed out before midnight, heading to the first-floor guest room in the farmhouse where they always stayed during visits.

Bob waited to carry Celeste off until she was a happy drunk.

Dylan and Jen left for his apartment.

Beth yawned. “Sorry. My daughter is an early riser.”

“Here’s when I kick you out, mate,” Jake said, helping her out and wrapping her in a towel.

“Let’s get changed, Hannah.” She looked sleepy, too.

She collected her purse and dress to find a bathroom while I grabbed gym shorts from my trunk. “Meet you at the car,” she said.

I wanted to offer to help clean up, but Maria had quietly taken care of it all. Jake used the smart house tablet to power down everything else.

Dried off, I waited for Hannah, leaning on the trunk of the Camry. She smiled at me when she reached the parking area. “Ready?”

“Uh-huh,” she said. I helped her into the passenger seat. “I like your people.”

“I’m glad.”

She was angled toward the driver’s seat when I got in. “Does your building have a pool?”

“I think so.”

“We could go swimming without all the horse-play.”

“Any time you like.”

“The complex I grew up in had a pool, but they only turned the heat on from June to August, so it just sat there, collecting leaves. Was there a pool when you were a kid?”

“We took a basics class as toddlers, but didn’t have access until high school. Jake’s houses always have a pool, so I got more proficient. Bob surfs and used to play water polo, so you don’t challenge him.”

“Mm-hm.”

“Hannah?” I glanced over at the light and she was asleep. I turned the radio down.

Let her rest until I stopped in front of her duplex. She stretched. “Where are we?”

“Your house.” I hurried around the car to help her out. “Do you need a hand?”

“I can walk.” Leaning on me, we made the short trip to the porch. She rifled around in her bag for the keys. And dropped them.

Got her inside and guided her straight to the bedroom. Turned on a lamp. She pressed into me, holding on to my shirt. “Wanna know a secret?”

“What?”

“I’m not wearing anything under this dress,” she stage-whispered. Oh my.

“That’s a wonderful image, but you’re a bit drunk right now, sweetheart. It’s time for bed.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“To sleep, Hannah.”

She pouted and walked into the bathroom.

A shelf on the wall across from the full-size bed held the plush toys from the zoo. The walls were white, comforter light blue, and nightstand a dark wood. A chair was layered with clothes and the other corner had some wooden contraption on a stand.

Water ran in the sink. I should get her a bottle from the fridge.

She walked out of the bathroom when I returned, wearing a satin robe, her hair down, face clean, and glasses on. Natural and very tempting. She walked into the closet and a drawer slid open. I hoped she had pajamas.

“What is this thing in the corner?” I asked.

“Thing? Oh, the loom.”

“Like for weaving?”

“Yep.” She came out in a tank top and short shorts. Her nipples were alert in the air-conditioned room. She climbed onto the bed.

“I brought water.” Set the bottle on the nightstand. “You don’t want a hangover.”

“Mike…”

“Hmm?” Don’t look directly at her.

“Stay.”

“I’m not—”

She took my hand. “To sleep.”

“Uh…nope.”

“Why not?” She drew random patterns on my palm, a teasing touch with her nail that was surprisingly arousing.

“You’d molest me in my sleep.”

“Would I?” She was trying to pull out the innocent doe eyes, but it didn’t quite work on a sleepy drunk.

Shaking my head, I said, “Goodnight, Hannah. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Fine.” She turned the light off.

I shut the bedroom door and used the spare key to lock the house.

Then headed home to a cold shower.