Smokescreen

“My bathing suit.”

“Don’t you have something with more coverage?”

“Are you embarrassed of me?” The tone in her voice is crippling. She thinks I’m embarrassed?

“Fuck no, you’re fucking stunning. I want to cover you up for purely selfish reasons,” I explain.

Her face softens and she leans into me, rubbing her chest against mine. “Sweetie, I’ll reserve the red thong only for you. But this is the next best choice.”

Fuck! Hot pink halters, red thongs, my dick jumps again.

“Maxwell Andrew McCoy! Let that girl go and make us some Margaritas!” my mom yells.

“Maxwell Andrew huh? I really like that,” Stella purrs against me.

I kiss her quickly and then head to the cabana to make drinks.

Two hours later, everyone is having a great time. Pool volleyball was a joke with guys against girls because of height issues. We had to pick numbers and split the teams. I was never on Stella’s team. But my brothers and Dave took every chance they got to tease me about her. Each of them would pick her up to volley the ball, wrapping their hands around her slim waist. It was a complete distraction to me so I was worthless. In return, I made their drinks stronger so they couldn’t function as well.

In the end, we played for fun and Mom, Mia, and Dana got the food together. Mason and I grilled the hamburgers, while enjoying the carefree company. I can’t remember a time like this since even before my dad died, we were all in different areas and never got together except for holidays and graduations. My mom kept looking at me with a sparkle in her eye and I winked at her.

It doesn’t scare me at all to encourage her. Stella’s in my life and if she can welcome her, I want that. Pouring her another drink, I walk over and pull Stella into me.

“Even with your cover up, my mind is thinking of you in that bikini.”

“Max, please.”

“Please what? Please don’t spin you around and fucking claim your mouth? Or please don’t pick you up and take you to a bedroom and fuck the shit out of you? Better yet, should I kiss you then take you to another room?”

“For the love of all things holy! You two are ridiculous! Here comes Sara, watch it!” Laci pushes past me.

Stella tries to move, but I run my lips over hers in a soft kiss and then go back to the grill.

We eat and laugh as we watch the sun fall over the back of the property. My mom and Dana have a serious buzz going when we decide to open presents. Stella surprises me by jumping up and grabbing Laci. Both of them bring out a pile of gifts for Mason. You would think he was eight and not twenty-eight.

He opens mom’s gifts first, and immediately throws on the football jersey she got him. Stella is handing another gift when the back door opens and a shrill voice fills the patio. Every head snaps in the direction of the sound and Erica stands in the doorway, wearing a designer sundress and platform sandals. She’s so out of place it’s ridiculous, but she walks out anyway, with a card in her hand.

Stella stills beside me and scoots away an inch. Unfortunately, it puts her close to Mason and Erica picks up on it.

“Mason! Did you get a girlfriend finally? You didn’t think to tell us?” She slides in next to me and tries to grab my arm. I instinctively pull away.

“What are you doing here, Erica?” I ask sternly trying to control my temper. This is completely stepping over boundaries.

“Oh, babe, did you think I would forget your brother’s birthday party? Sorry I’m late.”

No one says anything, waiting on my next move. Everyone knows our situation and I haven’t spoken to this woman since the night we returned from New York. Her being here is a shock because she’s never been invited to my family functions. Showing up, uninvited, is a huge mistake.

“Ms. McCoy, did you hear the good news? I’m going to be starring with Maxwell in the JOS photo shoot. Isn’t it perfect?”

My mom’s only response is a forced grin.

It’s quiet for several minutes and I feel the heat in the air. Erica is oblivious to the change in mood around her and keeps babbling. Deciding that she needs to leave now, I stand up, but a low groan stops me. I look at Stella and her expression is both angry and concerned. Her eyes slide to Mason, who looks lost. I understand completely. She’s asking me silently not to make a scene.

I still step back from the table and walk to the bar, “Come on, baby bro, get to the rest of those presents. You aren’t getting any younger. And there’s still a half bottle of tequila.”

He opens more while I busy myself setting up shots. I cut the limes, spread the salt, and hear the cheers behind me.

“Hoooooolllllly shit! Is this what I think it is?” Mason yells and Stella giggles. The sound sends my heart racing. Her laughter could change e