Never Have I Ever
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, HE wasn’t there?” This is not happening. Why did I let Linc get involved? Now’s he’s in trouble because of me.
“Exactly what I said. We went to the station and he was never booked there. We waited, but he never showed.”
I stare at Ram in shock. “Well, did you ask about the detective who took him? Did you give them his name?”
“Reagan, it happened so fast, I didn’t catch the guy’s name. No one did. I was busy holding Roman back so he didn’t commit murder in our HR office.”
Shame washes over me. This is all my fault. “I’m so sorry, this is all my—”
Roman steps forward, pulling me to his chest. I wrap my arms around him, the comfort of my big brother helping ease my worry. “Do not even go there. This is not your fault. That bastard had us all fooled.”
“But I should have said something. And now Linc is in jail and Holloway Advertising? Will he try and sue us?”
Roman pulls me away so he can see my eyes. “Linc will be fine. The company will be fine. I dare that motherfucker to try a lawsuit.”
I pull back and my worried eyes find Ram. “Where could he be? I’m worried. What if they hurt him? Why would he just go with that man?” The panic in my voice is clear. The suited man just walked into Holloway Advertising, quickly flashed a badge, and Linc went with him, no questions. I ran after Linc, but everything was happening so fast and Ram grabbed me, telling me to stay clear.
How could I stay clear? This was all my fault!
Ram had Clara bring me back to my office so they could deal with Chase. They wanted him out and fast. Ram made sure he didn’t take any company files and that he left in one piece. Roman seemed to only see red and wanted to rip his arms off. Thankfully at least one brother was thinking about the company. They didn’t want Chase to get a chance to speak to me, so I was told to stay in my office and not leave.
By the time Chase was escorted out, I was running to my car to head to the police station. That’s when Ram stopped me and told me to go home. Ram confessed that Linc took the lead to keep Holloway Advertising out of a lawsuit, so he owed it to Linc to bail him out and clear his name. He didn’t want me near a police station and said Linc wouldn’t want that either, so he told me to wait for them at home. That was until my brothers showed up without him.
“I have no idea what’s going on, but I’m sure Linc will fill us in when he—”
Just then the door opens behind us, and Linc strolls in. I waste no time in breaking away from my brother and running to him. I throw myself into his arms, and he catches me with ease.
“Easy there, killer.” He hugs me to him, pressing his mouth to my ear and whispers, “Careful, Rey. All eyes are on us. Unless you want your brothers to murder me before we try number seven on your list, you better chill.” He pulls away nonchalantly, and I drop to my feet. Our eyes meet in a quick understanding and I slowly nod.
“What happened? Ram went to bail you out and they said you were never booked?”
It takes Linc a moment to answer. He looks over my shoulder toward my brothers, then eyes back at me.
“Nothing. A misunderstanding.”
What? “A misunderstanding? What happened? Why did they arrest you then? And who was that man?”
Linc shrugs his shoulders and walks further into my house breaking eye contact. “Like I said, a misunderstanding. They had nothing to book me on so they let me go.”
Let him go?
“Then where have you been? It’s been hours since you left the office.”
Linc turns to Roman, who’s asking the question. “They aren’t very courteous about handing out rides, so I had to walk back to your office and get my car.”
I gasp. “Oh Linc, you should have called me. I would have come and gotten you.” I follow him into the living room where he plops onto the couch. He shrugs and allows me to sit next to him, throwing his arm over my shoulder.
“Who knows. Cops are fucking tools. I’m fine. Fill me in about that asshole. Is he gone?”
Ram sits on the love seat, addressing Linc’s question. “He is. He won’t be back.” Both men nod at one another, as if they have a secret understanding.
Linc takes a look around the somber faces and shocking everyone, he starts laughing. “Man, I feel so loved by the Holloway family. By the way, if all three of you are here, who’s running your company?”
I look at Ram who looks at Roman. It’s then we all join in on the laughter as we respond in unison. “Clara.”
Poor Clara, she’s probably on the verge of a breakdown right now.
“Remind me to offer Clara a raise,” Roman says, taking a seat in a chair opposite of Ram.
Linc sits up and pushes himself up to stand. Clapping his hands together, he grins. “Since everyone is playing hooky today, we might as well make it worth it.” Turning to me he says, “Glasses or no glasses?”
“Never have I ever,” Roman says, a wicked grin on his face. “Brought a girl home and fucked her while mom was in the house.” He snorts. “But the yard is a different story.”
Ram throws his hands in the air laughing.
I gasp. “Ew, Roman, in the yard?”
Roman shrugs. “What? When you got the moves you got the moves, and sometimes those moves happen between the azalea bushes at midnight with the neighborhood skank.” He points at Ram. “Drink because I know you’re guilty…”
I look over at Ram who takes a chug of the Fireball and hands it back to Roman. Roman looks at me, curious as to whether or not I’ll take a swig. I know this is a setup to see if I ever did anything my brothers would disapprove of in high school, so they can go and lecture me. Pitiful for me, I have actually never taken a guy home and gotten farther than first base under Mom’s roof.
I lift my hand, reaching for the bottle, and Roman’s eyes widen. “You’re fucking kidding me.”
I bust out laughing and pull my hand away. “Sike. I have more manners than that.” I shudder. “The yard of all places. Gross. No wonder why I’m Mom’s favorite.”
Ram laughs, offering us his dramatic, Holloway Pfft. “Hardly. Mom loves me the most.” He sits up reaching for the bottle.
“This isn’t even up for debate. Mom loves me the most. It’s evident,” Roman argues, snatching the bottle away from Ram and taking a swig.
Going back and forth, I realize that we have managed to get ourselves drunk in the middle of a workday. I look over at Linc, who’s leisurely lying back on the couch with his hands behind his head. This is his fault. I shake my head at him, trying not to smile, but it’s impossible with that sexy wink he offers me.
It makes me want my brothers to leave so I can have Linc all to myself. Thank him properly for coming to my rescue today and every day since we’ve met. I’m tempted to turn to Ram and Roman and fake sickness, until someone at the door starts banging and it flies open. Andie, holding a car seat, diaper bag, and a billion stuffed animals in her hand, walks in.
“Oh my God! Is that my little princess?” I squeal and jump off the couch to help her. I pass Ram, who looks a little too smiley, and Roman, who looks like he just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
“It is. She just fell asleep, though. Wake her and someone dies,” she warns.
I giggle and snatch the carrier out of her hands. I peek inside at the most beautiful little girl on this planet. I’ve also had a few too many, so it makes sense when Andie kicks me for goo-goo, gaga-ing too loud.
“Sorry, but I just want to eat her up,” I say with a sigh. “She’s so cute and tiny and kissable.”
Roman finally gets his drunk butt off the couch and greets his wife. “Hello, beautiful. How are my wife and daughter today?” Andie takes one good look at Roman and Ram before bursting out laughing.
“Are you drunk?”
Oh boy.
I bring Molly over to the couch and sit her between Linc and I while I get comfortable for the show. Ram is already turned and Linc is taking a swig, putting the bottle out there, clearly not helping Roman.
“No, baby. Just a few drinks. We were celebrating.”
Andie looks at him curiously but also like she might slap him. “Celebrating what exactly?”
“Well, Reagan admitted that that bastard Chase was hurting her, so Linc kicked his ass and we fired him.” My brother can be a big oaf when he’s drunk. So when he explains our afternoon that way, I simply smile and shrug when Andie’s blazing eyes turn on me, offering me the what the fuck look.
“You better ALL fill me in right now. And do it quietly, because if you wake that baby she is all yours!”
Andie squeezes on the couch, smashing Linc into the arm of the sofa while I give her the short rundown. She cries when I tell her about my first incident with Chase and swears loud enough at the second one that she wakes up Molly. Everyone points to her saying she did it, but then everyone fights to get at the baby first.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you. And that none of us noticed anything was wrong. I’m glad you had my brother to protect you.” We hug, and I know she’s offering Linc her thankful eyes over my shoulder.
Once were done, she pulls away and gives her husband her crazy eye.
“You’re sexy when you look at me like that,” Roman says. “Did you want to go home and tell me a secret in the dark?” Everyone breaks out in laughter except for Andie. She just shakes her head at my brother, stands, and makes her way into the kitchen. “I know you have something besides that gasoline to drink.”
We spend the next few hours gushing over Molly and enjoying the remainder of the day. Ram texts Dani to head over when she gets off work. The easiness of the conversations and the way Ram and Linc get along warm my heart. I know Roman still has reservations but I can also tell he’s eased up on him. There is respect there for what he did for me. Even if Roman wants to be too stubborn to admit it. Once dinner time arrives, everyone throws out the idea to barbeque.
“Let’s just go pick up some burgers and we can grill out,” Roman suggests.
I am out of my seat like a fire was just lit under my butt. “No! No grilling.”
Everyone looks at me. “Why not?”
“Um, I had a bad experience with burgers the other day. Plus, I’m not feeling the mess. Let’s, uh, let’s just order pizza. I’ll buy.” Everyone is looking at me peculiarly while Linc is fighting a smile. He knows exactly why they can’t go in my backyard. Thankfully, Ram agrees to pizza and everyone follows suit.
Once we’re stuffed and everyone is coming down from the daylong drink fest, Andie decides it’s time to drag her drunk husband home.
“It’s because you have something important to tell me, isn’t it?”
Andie whacks him in the back of the head. “Yeah, that you’re an idiot when you drink. Do I have to carry you to the car or can you manage?” Roman bends down kissing her on her head and stumbles out of my door. I hug Dani and Ram and give Molly butterfly kisses on her sleeping nose. “You’re just the cutest little princess, and I want to snuggle you all night long.”
“How about you snuggle her while I use your bathroom really quick,” Andie says and hands me the carrier. I swing Molly gently back and forth just like she likes it. At first I thought Molly looked like Andie, but I can see Roman sneaking through. Her head is definitely Roman’s, but her sweet eyes and lips are all Andie.
“Once the house is all ours, any interest in testing out number seven on your list?”
I lift my head away from Molly and smile at Linc. “But what happens if we break the couch? We will have nowhere to practice number eight.”
Linc takes a step closer, allowing our thighs to brush against one another, as he dips down and whispers in my ear. “We’re definitely going to break that couch. And as for number—”
“Jesus, Linc, why are your clothes all over the place? Not sure how Reagan allows that,” Andie says as she steps in to take Molly from me.
“Doing laundry. My shit’s broken,” Linc replies, separating from me.
Andie stares at Linc with those speculating eyes, and then to me. Stop staring at me. Stop staring at me.
“Whatever,” she huffs and waves at us. “I need to go before my husband throws up in my car. Love you both.”
And she’s gone.
The second the door shuts, I’m up and in Linc’s arms as he carries me over to the couch. He sits down with me in his lap, allowing me to straddle him. “Now, I’ll let you ride me like the good little cowgirl you want to be, but then I get to bend you over this couch and ride you. Got it?”
My legs squeeze around him, already feeling the wetness form. “Absolutely.”
“God, you’re so fucking perfect. Shirt off, beautiful. Now.”
With a giggle, I lift my arms and off goes my shirt. My skirt has ridden up my thighs, giving Linc easy access to my butt cheeks and panties. Instantly, his mouth is around my breast, sucking at my flesh.
“Fuck, I love your tits,” he praises as both hands cup my breasts. My hands are in his hair—I love the feel of my fingers threaded through his thick mane.
“Kiss me. I need you to kiss me.”
“Anything for you.” And his lips are on mine. Crushing our mouths together, fighting to get closer. I moan, he growls. It’s never enough. If I could climb inside him, I would. That’s how much I need him.
“Linc, I want—”
“Hey, sorry I forgot my…holy what the fuck are you two doing?!”
I throw myself off Linc so fast, only to realize I don’t have a top on and squeal, grabbing a pillow to cover my chest. “Andie, Jesus. What are you doing?”
“Um, me?” she asks in astonishment. “You want to know what I’m doing?”
Shit.
I feel like now is the right time to start swearing. Because shit! I look to Linc, who doesn’t seem like he knows what to do any more than I do.
“Listen… it’s not what you—”
Storming over to us, she snaps. “Not what I think? Okay, so you half naked on top of my brother is not what I think. What should I think then, Reagan?”
Oh God, she’s mad. She looks super mad. She turns to Linc. “I told you not to mess with her. I told you she was not one of your conquests. Dammit, Linc! Why? She’s my goddamn sister-in-law!” She ends on a yell.
Linc hasn’t moved, and neither have I. I can’t tell who she’s really mad at. I go to open my mouth, but Linc beats me to it.
“Because she isn’t a conquest to me,” he bites out, his tone dead serious. “She’s my fucking everything.”
I think Andie and I gasp at the same time.
“I know you don’t approve, and I love you, sis,” he huffs, “but it’s none of your business. I would kill myself before I ever hurt her. I’m in this for the long haul. If she’ll allow it.”
I turn to Linc, the tears welling in my eyes. “Oh, Linc. I feel the same way.” With the pillow still covering my chest I lean in and kiss him.
“Umm, I’m still here,” she screeches.
We break apart guiltily.
“Listen…” I start, unsure of how this is going to go. “This started after Chase. I know that question is running through your head. But what we have is something that I’ve never wanted more. I know you may not understand. And neither will my family. But for right now, we want to keep this between us. To enjoy us before my brothers find out. Please. I know you might hate me for what we’re doing—”
Andie quickly grabs my hand. “Hate you? Why would I ever hate you? My brother deserves happiness and if that’s you then so be it. And I want you to be happy. You spend too much of your life worrying about others and not about yourself. If this is what you both want, then I’m all for it. Shit, one hundred percent. I can’t predict how your brothers will take it, but I support you.” She turns to Linc. “Both of you.” The tears fully drip from my lids as I reach out and hug Andie.
“Okay, okay. As much as I want to bond over this, you’re still topless, so…”
I laugh and pull away. Linc grabs my hips and hauls me behind him as if to shield my nakedness. Andie shakes her head at him, but not before he receives the smile of approval. “I’m just going to say that I am not shocked at this. Just that it took this long for you two to get caught.”
Now I’m the shocked one because I didn’t think we appeared to be anything more than the best friends we were before last weekend.
“Oh, give me a break,” she says rolling her eyes. “Why do you think Roman really hates Linc? It’s because he sees the way you two look at each other. He would have to be a dummy not to notice. Anyone would be. I doubt he’ll be shocked when he hears the news. But either way, your secret’s safe with me.” She walks away then realizes why she even came back in. She turns and picks up the stuffed animal lying next to the couch. “Mr. Pickle. Molly’s favorite. Nighty night, you two.”
And then once again, she’s gone.
We stand there for a few minutes, trying to take in what just happened.
“I think that went well,” Linc says in my ear as his lips close around my earlobe. And surprisingly, I think it did, too. I was super worried about what Andie would think and to get her approval means so much to me. He sits on the sofa and pulls me down beside him. I take the lead and straddle his lap.
“Maybe we should get back to you telling me just how perfect you think I am.”
And with that, with his lips, fingers, and cock, Lincoln Carter shows me exactly what he thinks of me.