Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 122219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
He smiled.
He remembered.
“You made me a hummingbird cake?” I echoed, stunned.
“Yes.” He shrugged. “Actually, Priya made it. But I did add the eggs.”
I laughed. “Close enough. Thank you.”
“Always.”
My cheeks flushed as he placed a candle in the middle of the cake. He pulled a lighter from his pocket and lit the candle. He held the container in front of me. “Make a wish, Avery. Make it a good one.”
I closed my eyes, and I wished for him.
When I opened my eyes, his lazy smile was smiling at me. Gosh. To love a smile like his…
He placed the cake down and then handed me the small box.
“You didn’t have to get me a gift,” I said.
“To be fair, half of the gift is mine,” he explained.
My curiosity increased from his comment as I opened the small box. I laughed instantly as I stared down at the item in front of me. “Best Friends necklaces?”
“Yup,” he said, picking up one of the necklaces that said “Best” on it. “Figured we could each wear one to highlight this beautiful union.”
I moved my hair to the side to allow him to put the necklace on, shaking my head in amusement. I then placed his necklace on.
“You’re so freaking ridiculous,” I told him.
“Don’t shame me, Coach,” he teased. “I’m not trying to cross those friendship boundaries with you tonight.” He picked up a fork and dug into the cake. He fed me the first bite. “Happy Birthday, Avery.”
Happy birthday, indeed.
49
NATHAN
OCTOBER
When Halloween came around, the Pierce brothers and Kingsley sisters linked up and went out in downtown Honey Creek to celebrate. One thing about a small town was that we took our holidays to heart.
Everyone dressed up except for Evan. I wasn’t shocked about that, though. He wasn’t one to take part in costumes. I was almost certain he only come out because he knew whiskey would be involved.
My brothers and I walked into the bar before the Kingsley women showed up. Easton was dressed as Quailman from the cartoon Doug. River and Grant showed up dressed as Ken from Barbie. They didn’t plan to match costumes and didn’t even notice that they had until they arrived at the bar.
Identical twin behavior.
I, myself, was a tube of mustard.
When Willow, Yara, and Avery walked in, I couldn’t help but smile.
“For fuck’s sake,” Evan muttered. “Don’t tell me you and Avery agreed on being ketchup and mustard.”
Pride beamed through me as I saw Avery walk in dressed as a tube of ketchup. The most beautiful kind of ketchup, too.
“Part of me thought she wouldn’t follow through,” I said as I grinned ear-to-ear.
“That’s why I don’t fall in love. People do stupid shit when they fall in love,” Evan said.
I laughed. “We aren’t in love. We are—”
“Just friends,” my four brothers echoed, rolling their eyes as if they didn’t believe me.
The women approached us, and Willow smiled brightly. “Hey, you guys. I see most of you went ahead and dressed up,” she said, eyeing Evan.
He grimaced yet didn’t say a word.
“Nice costumes, ladies,” Easton said, already having shots ready to hand out toward the three sisters. “Willow, you are…?”
Willow spun slightly, showcasing the leaves and flowers all over her body. “Mother Nature.”
“You look like a flower shop vomited on you,” Evan dryly remarked. Clearly, it was meant as an insult, but Willow’s eyes glistened with joy as she curtsied.
“Thank you,” she replied.
“No Alex tonight?” I asked Yara, who was dressed as a witch. That was comical, seeing how Yara Kingsley was one of the sweetest women alive.
“Are you kidding me? Socializing on a holiday when people are drunk, loud, and rowdy? He’d rather peel a million onions than be here. Mama’s having her first night off to party like wild!” she sang, downing the shot Easton passed over to her.
She shivered with disgust from the taste, making me chuckle. “Another one!” she cheered.
Avery smiled at her sister, then she smiled over at me. A shyness touched her cheeks as she slightly nodded. “Hey, Mustard.”
“Hey, Ketchup. Red looks good on you. Brings out your eyes,” I joked.
Evan rolled his eyes. “Fuck, you’re corny. I need air.” He pushed past us with his whiskey in his hand and headed outside.
The rest of us took more shots and partied even more.
After a while, I realized Evan never made it back inside. I took a break and went to check on him, only to find him sitting on a bench outside of the bar, staring down at his hands, which were gripped together. I knew my brother could be grumpy, but he seemed more than his normal grump that evening. He seemed troubled.
“Brother,” I called out.
He looked up and frowned. “Hey.”
I walked over and sat down beside him. “What’s up? What’s going on?”
“Nothing. A lot on my mind. Sorry. I don’t want to bother you. Go have fun.”