Page 68 of Play For Keeps

“Yeah, she’s pretty cute.”

“How have things been going with you and Everly?”

“Good.”

She gives me a look before exhaling a breath. “C’mon, Jake, you gotta give me more than that. She seems really sweet. She’s gorgeous too.””

“Things are good. Okay, they’re great,” I admit. “I’m happy. We’re dating. Everly is a little cautious because she’s worried about Birdie getting hurt, but everyday seems to get better than the last.”

Sierra smiles before covering her mouth with her hand, eyes wide.

“What is that for?” I grumble.

“You’re happy, Jake, and it’s about time. You deserve this. Now just don’t go fucking it up.”

I laugh. “Geez, thanks for the vote of confidence. Now here, will you help me with the drinks?”

The dinner goes as smoothly as I knew it would. Everly and Birdie fit in seamlessly with everyone—it’s almost like we have all known each other for years. I didn’t remove my hand from Everly’s thigh under the table the entire time, liking the way it felt to have her next to me at a family dinner. After we’ve cleaned up, we’re talking in the kitchen while Ev is putting on a movie for Birdie in the living room to wind her down. I notice Grayson grab Sierra by the loops on her jeans and pull her down on his lap, kissing her temple. He lowers his mouth to her ear, whispering something that makes her blush. It makes me want to barf.

“You two are gross,” I say with a roll of my eyes.

Everly walks into the kitchen just in time to notice the eye-roll. “What did I miss?” she asks, nudging me with her shoulder.

“Nothing. I’m just sitting here having to watch my best friend kiss my sister.”

“Get used to it,” Grayson says. “Your sister is a smoke show. I’m going to—”

“Finish that thought,” I interrupt him, because I know Gray and he likes to push my buttons. “And you’ll be leaving here in an ambulance.”

“Oh my God, Jake. I am 25 years old,” Sierra sighs. “The protective brother shtick has got to stop.”

Grayson is smirking, his eyes flicking from me to Sierra. “Jake’s bark is bigger than his bite. He just likes to hear his own voice. He’s like a big ol’ Golden Retriever behind that broody vibe he likes to rock. Just look at him with Birdie, who is the cutest thing on this earth, by the way, Everly.”

Everly’s eyes brighten like they always do when she’s thinking about her baby. “Thank you. She’s a spitfire. She’s been a force to be reckoned with since she was born.”

“I bet. You must have been really young when you had her,” he says, sticking his foot directly in his mouth. “You don’t look much older than 25.” I haven’t told anyone about our age difference. I’m not sure why. It doesn’t bother me that Ev is older than me. I guess, it just hasn’t come up.

Her eyes flick to me nervously before moving back to Grayson. “Well, I was actually 26 when I had her.”

It feels like everyone in the room is doing the math in their heads, or maybe that’s just me being overly sensitive. But beside me, I feel Everly stiffen a bit, so I know she’s gauging their reactions as well.

“Older woman, Jakey. You’re a lucky guy,” Grayson says, breaking the ice. “Every guy’s secret fantasy.”

“Excuse me?” Sierra teases, elbowing him in the ribs.

"Not me, babe. You’re my secret fantasy,” Gray says, kissing her neck.

“Seriously.” I shake my head at them. “Can you guys save that shit for when I’m not sitting right here?”

“Age is just a number. Everyone knows that.” Gran adds.

Beside me, I can feel the nervous energy deflate from Everly’s body. I hear the breath she was holding exhale. Now everybody knows about our age difference, and it turns out that nobody cares. I’m happy to have that over with.

“Do you have any plans for Birdie’s birthday?” Sierra asks, getting up from Grayson’s lap and taking their empty mugs to the sink.

“The birthday girl wants sushi and ice cream, so that is what we will do on Tuesday, then on Friday I’m dropping her off in Brookmont for the weekend. That’s where her dad lives.”

“We’re dropping her off in Brookmont,” I say.

---