Into the Tide (Cottonwood Cove #1)(10)

I shouldn’t have said it. I was playing with fucking fire.

“Doesn’t everyone?” she purred.

Damn. I was going to need a cold-ass shower tonight.

“I’m not sure about that. So, what’s your story? Your brother said you were dating some guy who was on your cross-country team. Jeremy? Is that still a thing?” We turned the corner, as my parents lived just a few blocks away from downtown, and I pulled into the driveway of the ranch house where I’d grown up.

“Nope. I’m single and ready to mingle,” she said and nervously waved her hands around as she laughed.

“You’re fucking cute as hell, Snow.” I roughed a hand over her hair after I turned off the engine. “But be on guard with my brother. God knows Finn will be hitting on you if you let him. Cage is too uptight to try it when he’s with Gracie.”

“Stop worrying, Dad.” She smirked as we both climbed out of the truck. “I can handle myself. I’m so excited to see Gracie. I haven’t seen her in a long time. Cage is still doing the single-dad thing?”

“He is. And he’s damn good at it. We all help when we can. She’s the fucking cutest kid on the planet.” I reached for the knob and held the front door open, and she stepped inside.

“Wow, they’ve done some renovations,” she said, spinning around to take it all in.

“Yeah, you know my mom and her house decorating skills. She’s always making changes and redoing things.” I closed the door, and the chatter coming from the kitchen was loud, per usual.

“Hello?” I shouted, my hand grazing Lila’s. I glanced over to see she looked a little nervous, and my finger wrapped around her pinky instinctually, to comfort her.

“You good?” I leaned down, my forehead almost touching hers as I assessed her.

“Of course. I just haven’t seen everyone in a while. I hope I’m not underdressed.” She shrugged.

“You’re perfect.” As the words left my mouth, I saw a blur in my peripheral, and my baby sister, Georgia, came charging toward me like a fast-moving train. My hand moved from Lila’s as I braced for impact. Georgia was a firecracker at all times, and we’d always been close. She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight. “Thank God, you’re here. There are all sorts of ‘what are your plans for the future’ talks going on, and I can’t handle it. And, oh my gosh, is that Lila?” My sister squealed and shoved away from me before barreling into the woman beside me. They’d grown up together, being in the same grade their entire lives.

“Hi, Georgia. It’s so good to see you.” They held hands after they broke away from their hug and beamed at one another.

“Look at you. You were always gorgeous, but holy shitballs, you have blossomed, my friend,” my sister said over a fit of giggles. I glanced down at her trademark Doc Martens, jean shorts, and a tank top that hung off her shoulder, which I was certain my mother had already nagged her about.

“Well, thank you. You’re looking stunning yourself. I see you kept your hipster style. You may need to give me some fashion tips while I’m home, because I need to freshen things up,” Lila said, her voice teasing.

She didn’t need to freshen up anything.

She was fucking gorgeous.

“Okay, let’s let Lila breathe, all right?” I said, wrapping an arm around my baby sister and placing a hand on the small of Lila’s back, leading them into the kitchen.

The whole room erupted when we walked in, and everyone took turns hugging Lila and welcoming her into the fold. That was my family. And I wouldn’t change a damn thing.

These were my people.

We fought hard, and we loved harder.

“Uncle Hughey. Hugs.” Gracie moved in front of me. The little nugget was too cute for her own good. She held up her hands, waiting for me to scoop her up like I always did. Hell, I used to hold her in the palm of one hand when she was a baby. Now she was four years old and the smartest little girl on the planet.

I lifted her into the air, settling her neck against my scruff and tickling her. She clapped her hands and broke out into a fit of giggles. I pulled her close to me, and her little head settled on my shoulder as I turned toward Lila.

“Do you remember Lila? She’s Uncle Trav’s sister,” I said.

“Hi, Gracie. I haven’t seen you in a long time. You’re so big now, and you’re so pretty.”

“You’re pretty.” My niece reached her arms out for Lila, who scooped her right up. Everyone laughed and gawked at me because Gracie always wanted me, no matter who we were with, and these fuckers were green with envy.

“I see how it is, Gracie girl. You’re jumping ship on Uncle Hughey?” I grasped my heart like I was wounded, and she laughed some more before turning her attention back to Lila and petting her hair and smiling at her like she was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.

Trust me, I understood it.

Gracie wasn’t the only one gaping at my best friend’s little sister.





four





Lila





To say that the Reynolds’ house was like something out of a movie, would be an understatement. They were better than a movie. Five rock star children with huge personalities and parents who were just as amazing.