Falling Together (All That Remains #2) (4 page)

“If
I tell you, will you swear not to bring this up again?”

“Yes.”

“We
were friends and roommates in college. He was gay. He used to flirt with me,
but it was always sort of a joke.”

“Until
it wasn’t?”

He
nods, staring at his glass as he continues. “We were celebrating. It was a few
days before graduation and we were drunk. He grabbed my hand and asked if I
would miss him when he was gone. Before I could answer, he kissed me. One thing
led to another.” He shrugs as if it’s no big deal, but his face flushes a deep
crimson.

“How
far, Airen?” I press.

“Fuck,”
he mutters, and swallows the rest of his drink. Tense seconds creep by while he
glares into his glass, and just as I begin to think he won’t answer, he snaps, “As
far as you and Troy have gone. It was only once, and we didn’t talk about it
afterward. We graduated a few days later and went our separate ways.”

He’s
pissed and embarrassed, but I have to approach this with him. “Airen, have you
ever considered the possibility you’re bisexual?” Straight guys don’t tend to
trade blow jobs.

“I’m
married so I don’t think it matters. I’m going to go. Lane will be up early.” Jerking
to his feet, he slips his shoes on and picks up his jacket, moving as if his
hair is on fire and his ass is catching.

“Hey.”
My hand catches his wrist, and he stares down at me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean
to piss you off.”

He
stares at my hand clamped to his arm and slowly rotates his wrist to loosen my
grip. When I release him, his hand slides softly into mine, stealing my breath
with a light squeeze and a sweep of his thumb across my knuckles. “You didn’t.
We’re good.” The flashlight is flicked on, illuminating his smile as he
stumbles out the door. Oh that smile is as devastating as his touch. “Just keep
it between us.”

He
disappears into the darkened forest. God…what I would give to have him just
once.

* * * *

Abby

June
and July pass in the beat of a hummingbird’s wing. Summer is always a busy
season. The amount of work required to keep nine people fed can be
overwhelming, but we manage nicely. Airen, Carson, and Eric have become skilled
hunters, so we don’t lack fresh meat, and our freezers are never empty. Carson
returns excited about a new prospect.

“We
saw a wild pig!” he exclaims, washing his hands before plopping down at the
breakfast table.

“Really?”
I regard him skeptically. I haven’t seen a pig since the plague.

“I
swear! Ask Dad!”

“I
believe you. That’s amazing.” Lane squirms, and I shift him to my other hip.
He’s getting heavy.

“Dad
says there must be more. They probably belonged to a nearby farmer and escaped
their pen after he died. It doesn’t take long for hogs to become feral,” he
lectures. “And they’re mean. We’re going to try to track them.” My look of
concern is met by a roll of his eyes. “I’ll be careful. It’s just a pig. If
you’re going to worry, save it for the mountain lions.”

“There
aren’t mountain lions in this part of the state,” I scoff, rumpling his sweaty
hair.

“There
are some huge paw prints in the woods that say otherwise.” He swallows his last
bite and hops up from the table. “Thanks, Mom. I’m going to meet Jayla.” He’s
off without a care in the world, leaving me to fret over this new threat.

Troy
and Joseph join Airen, Carson, and Eric on what Carson has dubbed “The Great
Bacon Hunt”. After three consecutive early morning hunts yield no results, they’re
frustrated. Carson is determined, however, and the hoof prints they notice on
the third day only strengthen his resolve.

As
I remove a pan of biscuits from the oven, a cry echoes through the house. Oh hell,
what now? I’m stunned by the sight of them gathered in the yard around a huge
dead hog, satisfied smiles plastered on their faces while they talk animatedly.
They look like a pack of animals surrounding their prey, gloating over the
kill. I can almost smell the testosterone.

“Joseph
got him!” Carson cries. “Right through the eye! He was one heavy son of a bitch
to carry back!”

“Carson
Tyler! Language!” I scold, laughing.

“We’ll
dig the pit tonight and have us a big old hog roast tomorrow,” Airen promises,
his southern accent prominent in his excitement. He looks all of twenty years
old when he’s happy.

Joseph
laughs. “I’m going to get Walker from Julie’s. He’ll never forgive me if he
misses a chance to see a dead pig. I’ll be back with bricks to line the pit.”

“Bring
a roll of chicken wire from the barn when you come.”

I
leave them to their preparations and head back inside. It’s good to see
everyone so happy and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. We need a little fun. Through
the window, I hear them laughing and talking while Airen instructs them on how
deep to dig and how much charcoal to dump in. When they’ve finished, they’re
all covered in dirt from head to toe, and they smell like a house fire.

They
stop in the hall to kick off their filthy shoes, and Jayla laughs at Carson as
he shakes dirt out of his hair. “Did you roll in the dirt or shovel it?”

“I
had to climb in the hole and set the bricks…just…right,” he replies, glaring at
Airen.

“If
you’re going to do something, you may as well do it the right way,” Airen
replies.

“You
mean your way.”

Smirking,
he strips off his sweat soaked T-shirt. “That’s what I said.” Jayla laughs and
Carson smiles in spite of himself before heading to the shower.

When
I wake the next morning, my nostrils fill with the mouth watering smell of
roasting pork. I’m going to pig out tonight, no pun intended.

“How
do you know when it’s fully cooked?” Jayla asks when Airen announces the pig
will be ready to eat before the sun goes down.

“This
isn’t my first hog roast, honey.” He has been in such a good mood today. Eric
and Troy brought a box full of water pistols, and I suspect Airen is more
excited for the water war than the kids. Julie, Jayla, and I have spent the day
preparing for the barbecue. In addition to the pork, we have baked beans, corn
on the cob, watermelon, and potatoes. Pitchers of Kool-Aid for the kids are
chilling in the fridge, and Eric has made a container of hard lemonade that
could power a space shuttle. It’s been too long since we were all together, and
I’m really looking forward to it.

Tables
are set up in the yard, along with a volley ball net, and Airen places buckets
of water strategically around the perimeter to refill their water guns. He’s a
big damn kid. As soon as Walker arrives, the war is on, and the forest echoes
with their laughter and taunts. Jayla, Eric, Carson, and Troy join in the fun
while Joseph signals for me to follow him inside. Grinning like a madman, he
produces a bucket filled with oversized water balloons.

His
grin is mischievous as he holds up a balloon and asks, “Do you want to help me
teach Airen a lesson?”

“Let’s
go out the back,” I reply with a giggle. We’re scarcely out the door when we’re
presented with the perfect opportunity. Airen is crouched against the corner of
the house, water cannon at the ready, just waiting for a victim. He’s a sitting
duck.

We
creep up behind him, as close as we dare. I’m fighting so hard not to giggle
and give us away. Joseph nods, and we fire the balloons at him, one after the
other. The surprise and utter shock on his face is absolutely priceless. Soaked
to the skin, water drips from his inky black hair to run down his face.

“Just
keep on laughing,” he taunts, wiping the water from his eyes. “You’re both
dead.” Joseph grabs my arm and we back away, preparing to run. Airen laughs. “Abby,
this is your only chance to surrender, sweetheart.” His eyes smolder as his lips
lift in a wicked little half smile. “Just hold Joseph right there.”

I
shake my head, laughing. “Come get us, Holder. I don’t sell out my friends.”

“Have
it your way, now you’re in trouble.” I squeal and run as he laughs and pivots
sharply, darting after us, but he doesn’t get far. In his haste, he overlooks
the large mud puddle from the overflow of our rainwater filter until it’s too
late. Attempting to leap over it at the last second, his foot slips and he
sprawls head first in the mud, nearly disappearing under the murky water before
he sits up spluttering.

“Are
you…all right?” Joseph asks, struggling to talk through his laughter. I don’t
believe I’ve laughed so hard in my entire life. My knees squelch against the
grass as I drop down, holding my side, tears pouring down my face.

When
I manage to catch my breath and peek at Airen, he’s sitting calmly in the
middle of the puddle, staring at us. The sight sets me off again, and when
Troy, Eric, and Julie round the corner, I have to close my eyes. Their
faces…his smirk…oh, I’m going to laugh myself into a hernia.

He
scoops the mud away from his eyes and off his lips before rising slowly, a
wicked mischievous grin spreading across his dirty face. Suddenly, he bolts in
my direction, and before I can take three steps he embraces me, pressing his
body against mine. Mud squishes between us and soaks into my shorts and T-shirt.
It’s cold!

“Airen!”
I squeal. His wet lips are chilly against my cheek. The muscles in his arms and
back bunch and flex as he scoops me up, and my world tilts as tosses me over
his shoulder. “Put me down!” I cry, still giggling.

“Sure
thing, darlin’,” he drawls. Letting my body slide down his chest, he plants his
leg behind mine and falls back into the mud, taking me with him. I’m soaked and
covered in grime from head to toe.

“You
asshole!” I laugh, splashing him.

“Traitor.”
Grinning, he lies back in the mud hole as if he’s reclining on the beach, slips
his arm around me, and pulls me onto his chest. I can hear the others laughing
and hooting. I’m lying on top of him, face to face. His eyes are lit up, alive
and dancing with happiness as they gaze into mine. No woman in the world could
resist him when he’s like this. We kiss, warming our lips against one
another’s. “This would be perfect if we were naked,” he murmurs, too low to be
heard by our snickering audience.

“You’re
terrible.”

“Let’s
get Joseph,” he whispers. Muddy hands pull me to my feet and we climb out of
the puddle. Our intentions must have been shining on our faces. Joseph takes a
cautious step back a second before we dart toward him. Eric and Carson hold him
until Airen grabs his waist, and we drag him into the mud with us.

“It
was Abby’s idea!” He laughs, glancing at me.

“Oh,
you backstabber! You’re so full of shit! Who brought me the water balloons?” His
lie earns him a muddy splash. After a minute or two of wrestling to keep him
submerged in the goo we let him go and climb out. I sling an arm around each of
them, and we head for the water barrel to wash off the worst of the mud, still
chuckling and teasing. My boys, how I love them.

After
a quick shower, we’re all ready to eat. Joseph gets the honor of serving the
roasted pork since it was his arrow that brought it to our table. Who knew he
was so good with a crossbow? Is it strange I find the thought of him firing it
sort of sexy? I’ve become a prehistoric barbaric cave woman, or maybe it’s the
hard lemonade.

After
dinner and a few too many drinks, we gather around the bonfire. Jayla brings
Airen his guitar and tries to convince him to sing. It’s been ages since he
played and sang for us; not since Julie, Eric, and Troy joined us, and I
suspect they’re the reason for his shy refusal. It’s one of those rare
occasions when he lets his confident, dauntless façade slip, showing the
insecure little boy hidden beneath.

“Play
the bottom of the sea song, Uncle Airen, please,” Walker begs. Joseph glances
at Airen with an impish grin. Walker has only recently begun calling him Uncle
Airen and it’s clear from his expression he’s pleased with the moniker. He
reluctantly picks up the guitar and begins tuning it. Walker beams from ear to
ear and winks at me, and I laugh aloud. That little rascal knew Airen couldn’t
resist those puppy dog eyes.

He
plays a few children’s songs for Walker and everyone sings along with him.
After a rather humorous rendition of “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly”,
he attempts to lay the guitar aside.

“Play
a song for Mom,” Jayla suggests, and smiles at me.

“You
don’t have to do that,” I reply hastily, trying to let him off the hook. With a
soft grin, he scoots over, and motions for me to sit beside him. The flames
cast a glow on his gorgeous face, making his dark eyes glitter. They focus on
me lovingly, and he leans to plant a chaste kiss on my cheek before he begins.
Everyone is hushed, and his cheeks flush a soft pink as all eyes are on him. I
half expect him to play something silly to break the tension and make them
laugh.

Instead,
he pivots to face me and begins to play and sing softly. I recognize the song
immediately and a lump forms in my throat. “God Only Knows What I’d Be Without You.”
An oldie for sure, by The Beach Boys. It’s a beautiful love song and hearing
him sing it to me in his husky voice affects me deeply. His eyes never leave
mine while the words spill from his lips. I forget I’m surrounded by people,
forget everything but him, my perception narrowing to his handsome face, and
sexy voice telling our whole world he loves me.