The Surprise (Single in Seattle 0.50)

“I heard the song he wrote about you,” Sophie says and nudges me with her shoulder. “It’s super-romantic. No one’s ever written a song about me before.”

He’s written dozens.

The memories fill my mind: intimate nights spent with Brax as he sang to me, songs he wrote for me, and ones I love by other artists.

He’s so damn talented.

“We don’t have to keep talking about Brax,” I suggest and point at Liv. “How are things with you and Vaughn? I have to get over to your new place.”

Olivia recently moved in with her new boyfriend, the super-famous and ridiculously handsome Vaughn Barrymore. I love seeing my cousin so happy.

She smiles behind her martini glass and takes a sip. “Good. Things are really good. We’re planning to have a big party for everyone soon. Maybe the next cousins’ night will be at our place.”

“It’s weird that you don’t live here anymore,” Lucy says with a frown. “I like Vaughn a lot, but change is hard.”

“It sucks,” Stella agrees. “I don’t get to rope her into midnight ice cream feasts anymore.”

“But I get to move in,” Haley reminds us all. Haley is Olivia’s sister. “I’ll have midnight ice cream with you.”

“I knew I could count on you.” Stella high-fives Haley.

Suddenly, we hear a huge splash from the backyard.

“The pool is covered,” Stella says as we all hurry through the kitchen and the back door to find Liam treading water. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“They dared me,” Liam says simply.

“We shouldn’t be surprised.” Olivia shakes her head. “This is the kid who went streaking through the neighborhood and got arrested on a dare.”

“New rule,” Stella announces. “No more daring Liam to do stupid shit.”

“You guys are no fun,” Liam says as he climbs out of the pool, buck-ass naked.

“Dude! Put your clothes on,” Maddie says, blocking her view of his dick with her hand. “Ew.”

“It’s not a dare if it doesn’t include nudity,” Drew says with a laugh and then shrieks as Liam pushes him into the pool.

“It’s not heated,” Stella reminds everyone. “And it’s, like, forty-five degrees outside.”

“I’m too sober for this,” I decide and walk back in to refresh my drink. “No one is going to toss my ass in that pool.”

“Is that a dare?” Keaton asks and runs after me.

“Don’t you do it!” I point at him and run around the kitchen island. “I will shave your head in your sleep, you big jerk.”

“I’m a light sleeper.” He catches me and carries me, kicking and screaming, out to the back patio.

“Don’t let him!” I yell. “Shit, I don’t want to be cold all night.”

He carries me to the edge of the pool but sets me on my feet.

“You’re a baby,” he says with laughter in his eyes.

“Oh, yeah?” I surprise him and push him into the pool, much to everyone’s delight. “You deserved that.”

Keaton comes to the surface, sputtering. “You’ll pay for that.”

“Sure. You scare me.” I walk away once more. “I really do need that drink.”

“Someone sent you flowers.”

I glance up at Beth’s announcement, but instead of her face, I see a bouquet of orange roses.

“Wow. They sent a lot of them.”

“These are heavy,” she agrees as she sets them on the counter. I’m at the nurses’ station in the ER, and it’s my first night back after Brax’s accident.

I didn’t get to see him yesterday. I ended up sleeping off a hangover, and then I had to get ready for work this week.

I snag the note from the clear holder and open it.

I miss you. Have a great night. Love, B.

“Okay, that’s sweet. Who’s B?” Beth asks.

Instead of answering her, I stand and pick up the flowers. “I’d better put these in the back in case someone’s allergic.”

I wink at her and walk away. Once the flowers are tucked safely in the break room, I open my phone and shoot him a text.

Me: The flowers are lovely. Thank you.

I bite my lip and wait as I watch the bubbles dance on the screen.

Brax: Come over in the morning when you’re off shift.

Me: I’ll be boring. I’ll just sleep.

Brax: Come over.

I sigh. I don’t have to think about it too hard before I reply.

Me: See you around 6:30.

It’s another busy night in the emergency room with several car accidents, a child who hit their head on a coffee table and busted open their scalp, and a woman who had a colony of bees set up residence in her hair.

I couldn’t make this shit up if I tried.

By shift-change time, I’m dead on my feet.

I manage to shoot Maddie a text to let her know that I won’t be home, and then I drive over to Brax’s place with the flowers in the front seat next to me.

There was no way I’d leave them at the hospital.

I see a new Audi SUV in Brax’s driveway. Did he already replace his car?