I roll my eyes. “You’re about on my last damn nerve, Katie,” I say with a laugh.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Elias Carnell
The house is filled with people—some I know; most I don’t. Music is filtering through the surround-sound speakers placed all around, drinks are flowing steadily, and Zeke and Randall, his CFO, are out back grilling.
My mom is sitting by the pool with her toes dipped in the water as she chats with several of her friends.
And me? Well, I’m halfway to wasted off Jell-O shots and it’s not even two p.m. yet. I’m positive it’s the only way I’ll make it through this party today, having to seehimalmost everywhere I turn. We still haven’t talked about what happened. We haven’t talked aboutanything. My level of avoidance is getting pretty good.
I don’t know whether that should make me proud or disgusted with myself.
After talking with Katie last night, I know I need to put a stop to this. It’s fucked up, unhealthy, and isn’t going to get me anywhere but hurt. I’m also back to considering moving out again. Sure, it’ll probably be hard given my line of work, but not being here all the time will help tremendously with ending this… thing with Zeke.
Being here is nothing but temptation. I need to remove myself from it in order to get past it. Period.
Katie got here about ten minutes ago. She’s talking to her mom about something while I people watch outside. Zeke’s sister, Elena, is here too. Arrived last night. She’s the complete opposite of her brother, that’s for sure.
As far as I know, she’s his only sibling, and she lives in Miami, which is apparently where he’s from. Aside from that, all I really know about her is that she’s battled with cancer a few times. I remember not long after the wedding, my mom telling me she relapsed and had to get back into chemo.
I’ve obviously never talked about her with Zeke, but they do seem close. She cooked dinner for us last night, and she’s friendly. Asked me about college and friends and life.
She’s sitting by the pool with my mom and her friends right now.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. When I pull it out, I’m greeted with a text from Jordan.
Jordan: Hey, I just got here. Where you at?
Me: I’m out back. I’ll come inside and grab you.
This should make for an interesting day. As if Zeke hasn’t already been watching me like a hawk. I don’t know if he thinks I can’t see him or if he just doesn’t care. Truthfully, I don’t know how nobody else has noticed yet. He’s not very subtle.
Once inside the house, I find Jordan in the kitchen, along with Katie and that sheriff, Enzo. My eyes rake down Jordan’s body, taking in the pretty basic outfit he’s wearing that he manages to make mouthwatering—black-and-white striped shorts that go to about mid-thigh, a plain black t-shirt, and a pair of black checkered Vans.
He’s talking to Enzo about something, and his hands are moving animatedly as he does while Katie watches them both before she notices me.
“There you are,” she says, jumping off the stool she’s sitting on.
“When did he get here?” I ask, tipping my chin toward Enzo.
“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “I came in here to grab a drink after helping my mom with her dress and he was here.”
“What’s wrong with her dress?”
“One of the straps broke.” Reaching into the fridge, she pulls out two beers, handing one to me.
I twist off the cap, tossing it into the trash before downing a few swallows. Jordan and Enzo drag their gazes to us, a smile splitting on Jordan’s face.
“Hey, Elias.” I don’t miss the way he shamelessly checks me out, similarly to how I was him a few minutes ago.
I told myself I wouldn’t do anything with him here to avoid any unnecessary drama, but the alcohol is already trying to convince me I should change my mind, and it appears I really don’t need that much convincing.
“Hey, you,” I purr, crossing the room until I’m close enough that I can smell his cologne. It smells amazing, but it doesn’t make my blood heat the way Zeke’s does. “You look hot.”
A slight blush takes over his cheeks. It’s cute. “Thanks. So do you.”
“You get something to drink?” I ask him, lifting my beer.
