We step away quickly, and both of us blush. I hear Jenna yell Jimmy’s name, but the damage is done. Liam and Harrison are both standing next to him. Liam is expressionless and Harrison’s eyebrow is raised. He doesn’t look pissed — not that I’d care. I’m an adult and can do what I want.
Harrison runs his hand over his beanie and clears his throat. For someone who told Xander that he’d be okay with us, he’s sure having a hard time finding something to say. “Uh… yeah.” He looks at Liam who shrugs but doesn’t bother looking at Jimmy because let’s face it, anything Jimmy says will be crude. “Katelyn says the food is ready.” Harrison walks away, followed by Jimmy who is laughing.
Liam takes a step into the room, his hands shoved deep into this pockets. “Don’t hurt her,” he says, his voice monotone.
“I won’t,” Xander replies quickly. He’s right, he won’t. There’s nothing to hurt. We aren’t declaring love for each other; we’re just enjoying each other’s company.
“We’re just friends,” I reply, only to realize how shitty that sounds. Xander is looking at Liam, but that does nothing to hide the fact that I’ve hurt him. His eyes close and Liam smirks.
As soon as Liam leaves the room, Xanders turns to face me. He’s hurt. I can see it in his eyes.
“I’m sorry that was rude of me.”
“It’s fine,” he says. “We are friends, right?”
I nod, but suddenly hate that word. None of my “friends” treat me the way Xander does. We need a better word for what we are, or what we could be.
“Do you think you can get away tonight?” he asks, much to my surprise. I could’ve been friend-zoned after my comment.
“I’ll be there.”
This is my second Christmas with the guys and their families. The first one was awkward because I felt like an outsider intruding on what little private time they actually have. This year it f
eels like family though and tomorrow when I arrive at Liam’s, I’ll be bearing presents for the kids. I actually had fun shopping for them. They’re easy to buy for. The only gift I can give the guys is free membership to the gym, and they refuse to accept that. Honest friendship is all they require, and that’s something I can definitely give them. Besides, what do you buy people who have everything? Nothing. That’s what.
When Katelyn called and asked me to pick up Mrs. James and Mr. Powell, I had to bite my tongue to keep from telling her no. There was a certain someone that I couldn’t wait to see, and by arriving late I was prolonging what my body was craving. Yvie, in the flesh.
Last night, watching her drive away from my house sent an ache right through my core. I’m falling for her hard, and I need to find a way to curb what I’m feeling. Except, I can’t. Yvie James is a force to be reckoned with and bit by bit, she’s inching her way into my life. I thought I could put the night in the gym behind me, but I can’t. Having her in my house was killing me. I knew if I made a move, our clothes would’ve been pushed aside until I could be in her again. The problem is that my heart is guiding me and not my head.
The thought of asking her to stay in Beaumont has crossed my mind. Her brother and nephew are here. Her mom is here a lot, and she has a sister-in-law and two nieces to get to know. But that’s not enough for someone like Yvie. The way she speaks about her goals and dreams – Beaumont can’t compete with that. Hell, I can’t compete with that, not that I’d even try.
I told myself this morning that my heart is shut off. This thing between Yvie and myself is nothing but a vacation hook-up. She goes back to New York tomorrow night, and I’ll go back to doing what I do best, or find a new hobby. I may even start dating. There are plenty of eligible women here… once I find one who wants me for me and not for my connection to the band.
So why I can’t I stay away? Why can’t I walk into a room and not make eye contact with her? Until I met Yvie, I thought I had to have what everyone else described: the electricity, the fire that burns when you touch the person you’re meant to be with. No one said anything about the magnetic pull that someone can have on you. That is what I’m feeling. Yvie is the energy source feeding my addiction.
It was never my intention for us to get caught in a compromising situation, and I should’ve known better than to pull her aside in a house full of people, especially her family, but I couldn’t resist. I had to be near her to see if she’s feeling the same way I am.
“We should join them,” I tell her, nodding toward the other room. Yvie smiles and starts to walk way, solidifying my thought that we’re working toward two different goals. Mine needs to be protecting my heart. I don’t know what hers is, and honestly I’m not willing to find out. If I’m lucky enough to have her again, it’s going to be nothing but sex.
I don’t realize how long I stay in the other room watching her walk out of my life until I enter the dining room. Christmas music is playing and eggnog is flowing.
“Tonight, the night before our kids become more spoiled, is for letting loose and enjoying our family. As parents, we know how stressful and exciting tomorrow is, so we all need a little relaxation,” Liam says, raising his glass. I quickly grab one and follow suit. “Tonight, let’s be adults while our children are making their last minute wish lists.”
“Here, here,” everyone says as our glasses clank together.
Yvie is across the room next to her mom and Katelyn, and she’s focused on them. This is how it should be. We aren’t a couple and my betraying heart implied that we were when I arrived earlier. I can’t make that mistake again.
“So you and Yvie?”
Jimmy pats me on the shoulder, as if to congratulate me. Only he doesn’t know that there’s nothing to celebrate.
“Nah,” I say with a shake of my head. “We’re just friends.”
“That’s too bad, mate. She needs a good bloke like you around. That arse she’s been with is a total loser.”
“So I hear.” I haven’t really because we haven’t talked about him much. I honestly don’t care about him and if he succeeds in getting her back, he’s one lucky bastard in my book. But if I find out he tells her she has a fat ass, I may just have to fly to New York and beat his.
I hate that these thoughts are running through my head. I need to be enjoying the moment and not thinking about what it’s going to be like when she goes. She’s leaving, there’s no question about that. Yvie’s been pretty damn clear from the get-go she’s only here visiting.