You & Me

Chapter 6

The clock read 5 o'clock, and I was just now finishing up the strawberry cheesecake I was taking next door. 

I still needed to get myself along with Everleigh dressed. Luckily, we lived right next door, so we didn't need to rush. We could show up in sweats, and the guys wouldn't mind.        

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Walking over to Luca and Xavier's house, a red Jeep was sitting in their driveway. I've never seen this vehicle before, and they never mentioned they were buying something new. Maybe that's why they wanted to have dinner. 

They never mentioned that someone else was joining us for dinner either. If I had known, I would have dressed Everleigh and I a little better, other than leggings and t-shirts. 

Walking into the house, I heard Beckett's laughter along with someone else's laugh I've never heard before. This laugh was deep compared to Xavier and Luca's squeals.

We made our way through the foyer and into the living room where I stood frozen. Right in front of me was Declan playing with Beckett. He was wearing casual clothes today, and if I'm being honest, he looked good. Too good.

How can he make joggers paired with a grey t-shirt look hot?

I'm assuming he's the owner of the Jeep parked in their driveway.

Why was he here? Are they planning something? Why didn't they tell me?

Maybe because you wouldn't show up.

Well, there was no avoiding him now that I was here, I mean I couldn't just leave. 

On second thought, maybe I could leave? No one has spotted us yet, so they wouldn't know I was here. We could just turn around and act as if we forgot.

Nope, you can't do that to Luca and Xavier. They would murder you. You might as well leave the country and change your name. Besides, Everleigh will rat us out.

That was true; they would murder me. 

I already told them I'd be here, so it was too late to back out. 

Everleigh made her way over to the two playing on the floor. That's when Declan looked over and saw me standing there at the entrance. Sending him a small smile, I left to go find the guys who were more and likely in the kitchen. I needed answers. I have a feeling they are up to something, and that something is not going to work.

Sure enough, both men were in the kitchen finishing up dinner. 

"Hey, guys."

"Hey, gorgeous. Where's the little one?" Luca replied.

"Out in your living room with the other two. By the way, you forgot to mention someone else was joining us. Care to explain why he's here?"

"Well, you never responded back to him. So we took matters into our own hands. He's into you, Nova. Ever since the two of you met, he's been asking about you. I'd say he's asked about you every day to every other day. Besides, if we told you, you wouldn't have shown up. Am I right?"

They were right, I would have made up with an excuse not to come. Especially seeing him with that woman yesterday at the mall.

"Fine, you have a point, but so do I. There was something I actually wanted to talk to you about that I saw yesterday."

"And what was it you saw?" 

"A certain someone at the mall with a woman and two kids."

Now I had both of their attention on me. Most likely trying to gauge my reaction to what was about to be said.

Xavier was the first one to respond.

"And does this person happen to be in this house?"

Nodding my head, I was trying to avoid looking at them. I didn't need them thinking things that weren't true.

Your just afraid they'll know you're jealous.

Before I could argue with myself, Luca chimed in.

"Are you sure it was him? As far as we know he's single. He's not the type to cheat, especially since he's been cheated on before."

That was as far as the conversation went because Declan and the kids were joining us. I just prayed he didn't hear what we were talking about, it would make dinner pretty awkward. He may even think I was a stalker.

Everleigh started pulling on my shirt while saying, "Mommy, I hungry." 

Before I could answer her, Xavier spoke up: "Why don't the two of you get the kids seated while we bring out the food."

I didn't fail to miss the subtle wink that was sent our way. Either all three of these men were up to something or just the two that stayed behind in the kitchen. Now that we were alone, I couldn't ignore him.

Lightly clearing my throat, I decided to break the silence.

"Thank you for the flowers. They were beautiful."

"I'm glad you liked them, I was afraid you didn't receive them. I never heard anything from you."

Okay, that was blunt. Now, what am I suppose to say? Should I bring up the fact he was at the mall with another woman and kids? I don't want to come off jealous. Maybe I should play it off and act like I didn't notice him. See if he comes out and says anything.

"I'm sorry about that. It's just I've never talked to anyone since Everleighs father, and that's been three years ago. I know it has been a few years, but I guess I'm just nervous. Wait, does that make any sense?"

If what I said bothered him, he didn't let it show.  

"I get it, I haven't talked to anyone in almost two years now."

Who was he with at the mall then? 

The shock and confusion must have been written on my face.

"You look surprised."

"Have you looked in the mirror?"

Realizing what I had just said, I turned and got Everleigh seated into her booster seat. When I didn't get a response from him, I looked up to see him putting Beckett into his booster seat. But he was doing it with a huge smile on his face. 

It looks like he knows what you think of him.

Before either one could respond, Luca and Xavier were coming out with the food. What I failed to notice was how the table was set up. They have two chairs on each side with a booster seat each. Meaning no one sat at the head of the table, and I would have to sit next to Declan.