Free 12 Days Of Forever by Heidi McLaughlin

couple, and he
    doesn’t owe me anything.
    “I would’ve, but I don’t have your number.”
    I laugh and step a little closer. My hands ache to clutch the sides of his sweater, to pull him close and whisper my number against his lips. “I could probably give you my number.”
    “Yeah, I’d like that,” he says, leaning closer.
    “What’s wrong, mate? Does she have bad breath?”
    We step away quickly, and both of us blush. I hear Jenna yell Jimmy’s name, but
    the damage is done. Liam and Harrison are both standing next to him. Liam is
    expressionless and Harrison’s eyebrow is raised. He doesn’t look pissed—not that I’d care. I’m an adult and can do what I want.
    Harrison runs his hand over his beanie and clears his throat. For someone who
    told Xander that he’d be okay with us, he’s sure having a hard time finding something to say. “Uh . . . yeah.” He looks at Liam who shrugs but doesn’t bother looking at Jimmy because let’s face it, anything Jimmy says will be crude. “Katelyn says the food is ready.”
    Harrison walks away, followed by Jimmy who is laughing.
    Liam takes a step into the room, his hands shoved deep into this pockets. “Don’t
    hurt her,” he says, his voice monotone.
    “I won’t,” Xander replies quickly. He’s right, he won’t. There’s nothing to hurt.
    We aren’t declaring love for each other; we’re just enjoying each other’s company.
    “We’re just friends,” I reply, only to realize how shitty that sounds. Xander is
    looking at Liam, but that does nothing to hide the fact that I’ve hurt him. His eyes close and Liam smirks.
    As soon as Liam leaves the room, Xander turns to face me. He’s hurt. I can see it in his eyes.
    “I’m sorry that was rude of me.”
    “It’s fine,” he says. “We are friends, right?”
    I nod, but suddenly hate that word. None of my “friends” treat me the way Xander
    does. We need a better word for what we are, or what we could be.
    “Do you think you can come over tonight?” he asks, much to my surprise. I
    could’ve been friend-zoned after my comment.
    “I’ll be there.”
    Chapter 10–Xander
    This is my second Christmas with the guys and their families. The first one was
    awkward because I felt like an outsider intruding on what little private time they actually have. This year it feels like family though and tomorrow when I arrive at Liam’s, I’ll be bearing presents for the kids. I actually had fun shopping for them. They’re easy to buy for. The only gift I can give the guys is free membership to the gym, and they refuse to accept that. Honest friendship is all they require, and that’s something I can definitely give them. Besides, what do you buy people who have everything? Nothing. That’s what.
    When Katelyn called and asked me to pick up Mrs. James and Mr. Powell, I had
    to bite my tongue to keep from telling her no. There was a certain someone that I couldn’t wait to see, and by arriving late I was prolonging what my body was craving. Yvie, in the flesh.
    Last night, watching her drive away from my house sent an ache right through my
    core. I’m falling for her hard, and I need to find a way to curb what I’m feeling. Except, I can’t. Yvie James is a force to be reckoned with and bit by bit, she’s inching her way into my life. I thought I could put the night in the gym behind me, but I can’t. Having her in my house was killing me. I knew if I made a move, our clothes would’ve been pushed aside until I could be in her again.
    The problem is that my heart is guiding me and not
    my head.
    The thought of asking her to stay in Beaumont has crossed my mind. Her brother and nephew are here. Her mom is here a lot, and she has a sister-in-law and two nieces to get to know. But that’s not enough for someone like Yvie. The way she speaks about her goals and dreams–Beaumont can’t compete with that. Hell, I can’t compete with that, not that I’d even try.
    I told myself this morning that