Page 72 of Tight Ends & Tiaras
No one has gotten me a cake in years. My mom started getting me cupcakes in high school because it was usually just the two of us, and she didn’t want to gorge on the leftovers. Until this moment, I hadn’t realized I’d missed the hoopla of an actual birthday cake.
We each eat a huge slice, and I tease the guys they’re going to get beer guts if they’re not careful.
“Speak for yourself.” Johnny jumps up and pulls up his t-shirt that says “To-Do List” and has “your mama” crossed out. Proudly displaying his eight-pack, he reaches for another piece of cake. “Don’t mind if I do,” he says.
His date Yvette is looking at him like he’s tastier than the cake he’s shoveling into his mouth.
Since we’re celebrating my birthday, the guys ask what I want to watch on TV. I don’t care, so I let them choose, and like big nerds, they pick old episodes of Silicon Valley. It has a dry sense of humor, but it reminds me of my dad and brothers.
“I don’t understand this show,” Amelia says as she picks at her nails. “I just don’t think it’s funny.”
“I fucking love this show,” Olly mumbles around a mouth full of cake.
Ben’s been chuckling throughout the episode, so he’s obviously into it.
But when Amelia pouts, Olly gives in and changes the channel. She whispers something in his ear, and his cheeks turn red while a huge smile spreads on his face.
He jumps up and pulls her to her feet. “Okay, well, we’re beat. So... see y’all tomorrow.”
Then he drags her to their bedroom and slams the door shut behind him. We all laugh.
“Our boy’s getting laid,” Johnny explains to Yvette.
“Pretty sure she understood the subtext there,” Ben says with a snicker.
I’m so tired, I can’t keep my eyes open anymore, so I tell Ben I’m going to get ready for bed too.
“I’d join you, but I think I should stay up and wait for Janelle to get back.” He turns to Johnny. “Did she say where she was going? It’s getting late.”
“Nah. She just said, ‘Later, bitches,’ and ran off to talk to some guy in a black Audi.”
Ben frowns and pulls out his phone. “Gonna text her just to make sure she’s okay.”
Part of me feels conflicted because he’s having to look after his ex when she’s given him no good reason to garner his concern aside from birthing his kid. But I know I’m being petty because I’d rather spend our last night of vacation snuggled up in bed.
“Good night, everyone,” I say because Ben doesn’t need me hanging over his shoulder, watching his every move.
Before I can turn away, he grabs my hand and lowers his voice. “Is it okay if I wake you up later?”
My breath catches at the smoldering look in his eyes. “You should definitely wake me up later. Consider this a nap.” I wink, and he chuckles.
But when he finally comes to bed two hours later, he drops into bed exhausted. I curl up into him and he wraps an arm around me. He must’ve taken a shower because his hair is damp and he smells delicious.
“She makes me crazy,” he groans.
“Did she make it home okay?”
“Yeah. Walked in at two a.m. like it was no big deal that she’d been gone about twelve hours. Which, it’s her life. I’m not trying to tell her how to live it. Only...”
“Only she took off without Lily and didn’t bother to tell anyone where she was going or when she’d be returning.”
“That.” He scrubs a hand over his face. “I didn’t get into it, though, because I can’t handle her getting in my face and screaming one more time today.”
“You did your best. Tomorrow’s another day.” I run my hand up and down his chest, trying to soothe him. “Speaking of tomorrow, we have to be out by ten. We should get some sleep.”
Even though there’s nothing I’d rather do than pounce on him, it’s almost three, and we have to pack our crap tomorrow and clean the cabin before we take off. I’m sad we don’t have time to bang each other’s brains out tonight, but with Janelle in the same cabin, it’s probably better if we wait until we’re alone. We don’t need another scene like we had this morning.
He’s quiet for several minutes, and then he whispers, “This trip sucked as a birthday present to you. I’m sorry.”
I lean up and kiss him. “Shut up. This is one of the best birthday presents anyone has ever given me. We went skiing, river rafting, and horseback riding. It was a trifecta of awesomeness. I had a great time.” Even if Janelle did her best to rain on everyone’s parade, I feel like we made the most of it. “I know I’m going to sound a little like Forrest Gump, but life is what you make of it. If you want to be miserable, you can be miserable. I’d rather see the cup as half-full than half-empty.”
“Anyone ever tell you that you’re pretty sweet, sunshine?” He pulls me closer until I’m splayed across his big body. “Thanks for being the one bright spot for me this summer.”
He’s so warm, I shiver, which prompts him to pull the covers over us. Nestled in his arms, I get the best night of sleep I can remember.
