The Next Day (Foothills Book 2) by Carrie Thorne (christmas read aloud TXT) 📕

The long driveway to the Sutherland’s place was enclosed in a fairytale grove of maples. Zane had kept both hands firm on the steering wheel nearly the entire drive, since Freya’s skirt had slid up her thigh – not quite to the point of showing all the goods, but one glance at the curve of her inner thigh, exquisitely remembering how he’d traced his tongue along that contour, straight to the honeyed silk of her… breathing in and out, his knuckles turned white as he clenched the wheel.

Imagination on the verge of exploding, he tried to keep his eyes locked on the road. Maybe an oatmeal stout with a coffee edge… Never polite to arrive at your best friend’s parents’ house with a raging hard-on. Even worse to admit it was because he’d been fantasizing about the erotic weekend he’d spent with his soon-to-be annulled wife who happened to also be their niece.

There were already a few of cars in the driveway. Eamon and Tammy were just getting out of their car, carrying a red-flowered bowl that looked to contain a potato or pasta salad. Seeing Zane’s truck arrive, they turned and waited before going in. His heart thundered in his chest, wondering if they knew, and if they did, what the hell was he going to say?

Although, on the plus side, nothing calmed a massive boner like in-law scrutiny.

Parking next to their car, he held back while Freya hopped out to chat, Sophie joining her. He grabbed the box of beers he’d brought and took his time walking to the front of the truck.

Eamon moved to greet him. “I hear you’ve got quite the home brewing set-up.”

Zane nodded, gesturing to the opened box.

A warm smile, damn disarming, Eamon accepted the subtle offer. Remembering he’d forgotten to take his ring off, Zane checked his grip to make sure the eye-catching piece of jewelry was hidden.

If he’d seen it, Eamon didn’t let on. Instead, he popped the cap off and took a long swig. “Damn, that is good,” he held the bottle back and admired.

“Thanks. I’ve always got more than I’ll drink and try to pass them off, so I can have Freya bring more over next time.”

“Great.” Eamon gestured toward the gate to the back patio where Freya, Sophie, and Tammy were disappearing. “I hope my family wasn’t too overwhelming for you. We’re a big bunch, and that was a rowdy crowd.”

He snorted, holding back on the eye-roll. “Both of my parents are only children, so it was… different.” Biting his tongue, he held back before he said anything potentially more offensive than he’d already implied.

Eamon threw his head back and let out a chortle. “Got that right. Different. We’re a unique group, that’s for sure. I am really sorry about the toxic drinks and laced cupcakes. Lulu’s parents are so furious, they’re making them write formal apologies to all the guests and return the gifts. I can’t remember the last time I got stoned. And the combination? It’s lucky Tammy and I made it back to the hotel room. I don’t remember much after dinner.”

Zane let out a long sigh of relief that their secret might be safe.

Until Eamon laughed, “I mean, can you imagine what trouble we all might have gotten into? I’ve got the wildest pictures on my phone.”

Blood draining from his face, Zane cleared his throat and backed away, “Yeah, I can imagine. I, uh…” he trailed off, on an urgent mission to deliver the beer to Paul at the outdoor kitchen. He set the box on the ground, slipped the ring off, and jammed it into his pocket in one smooth motion.

Paul immediately grabbed one from the box and helped Zane load up the minifridge. “Thanks for bringing the beer. As soon as Asher mentioned how talented you were, I hinted you ought to bring some.”

Denise pranced out the door and threw her arms around him, clearing her throat, “Hinted? Honey, I believe begged is the word.” She flipped her salt and pepper braid out of the way and looked up at Zane, “I’m so glad you came. Asher said to give you space, so we did. But now that you’re all settled in, please say you’ll come over often? If you want to use the pool but aren’t in the mood for company, just text us and come on over so we know to give you some privacy. That’s what Asher and Sophie do. We don’t get enough use out of it on our own, so really, I’m not kidding.”

Hugging her right back, he felt the familiar affection that had grown with each of their visits to San Diego. Asher was damn lucky. Clenching in his chest, that growing pang tugged at him. “I’d like that. Thanks again for making that apartment so great and inviting me over today. Looks like a hell of a setup.” He checked out the patio, its clusters of conversation-arranged furniture, an outdoor sofa set under a huge gazebo, Pippa and Lincoln snuggled up in one of the overstuffed chairs.

“You’ve kept our boy out of enough trouble over the years, and aside from all that, we like you. We are truly glad you’re here.”

Paul nodded, “Good to have you.”

Sashaying over, her breezy tank skimming above the edge of her skirt, Freya grabbed a glass and poured some ice water from the fancy dispenser filled with lemon slices and cucumber. She leaned against the counter and smiled knowingly, lacing her arm around Denise’s other side.

Shifting, Denise squeezed them both and then stood comfortably with her arm around her niece. What was it about Freya, that, okay, shit, hokey as it sounded, but she was so damn huggable? She exuded this warmth and easy affection that settled those around her. Zane stepped back and