July 15

Ottawa, Ontario

Pulling into the front entrance of the hotel after the festival today, I whistle. The Château Laurier is definitely ritzier than I was expecting since we'll be at such a casual festival, but it's all the same to me. Theo's dad fixed all the reservations according to Elle's requests.

We're covered in sweat, dust, and colored powder from the canons at the festival tent we'd been in. Hell, I wouldn't let us in here in our current states. Elle, Mads, and I had left the others back at the festival for the last set they wanted to hear.

Elle's managed to wipe most of the day off her face and hands, at least, with these small makeup wipes. I'd need a dozen packages just to make a dent.

"Why don't you two stay here while I check-in. I don't want to give reception a heart attack."

She's right. We look disgusting. I watch her pull a sweater over her head to cover the colorful stains across her white t-shirt, then head inside.

I grab our bags and toss the keys over to the valet with a smile and nod, taking the ticket in return, grinning as he eyeballs my old truck.

"That was quick." Mads hooks an arm over Elle's shoulders.

"All I had to do was pick up keys, Theo's dad paid in advance. Do you want help with the bags? I said no to the offer of a bellman. I can take one, though."

"I'm fine, just lead the way."

Our rooms are adjacent to one another, and reception has closed off the small hallway so that our rooms can be self contained, connected.

I drop the girls' bags on their side of the suite, then wander over to claim a bed in the boys' side.

When I hear water running, I wander back over to find Elle rummaging through her small duffel.

"I'm dying for a shower once Mads is finished."

"Go use the shower in the other room, might as well, since no one else is here." Elle places a sweet, but all too quick, kiss to my lips and dashes off into our other room with her toiletry bag to shower.

After sorting through my own belongings, I knock on the bathroom door. When Elle opens up, steam billows out, and she's wrapped in a short, silky robe. "Mind if I shower while you finish getting ready?"

When she shakes her head, I grab a much needed shower while she finishes drying her hair, then pull on clean boxers and jeans before I tug her with me into the living room and pull her down to sit on my lap, facing me on the sofa overlooking the parliament buildings.

Her hands wind their way through my damp hair, fingers tugging playfully to tip my face up so she can lean over me for a kiss. She certainly seems more interested in me than the view.

I let her set the pace, my hands resting lightly on her hips, but preventing her from sitting any lower. I'm not sure I'd be able to resist the temptation of her sweet ass pressed to my groin and thighs.

Her tongue sweeps through my parted lips to tease me, and she nips my bottom lip. I hiss at the sharp pain, but she soothes it with her tongue lightly. I feel her smile against my mouth, a sure sign she's feeling bolder, more curious. I dig my fingers into her hips when she tries to settle down onto my lap, preventing her from closing the gap.

It doesn't faze her, she simply presses her chest against mine instead, and I groan. Her breasts are crushed against me, her hands fisted in my hair, lips moving from mine across my cheek, to my jaw, then down my neck as she places hot, open-mouthed kisses down to my collarbone.

I slap her ass playfully, shifting my body and tipping her to the side until she's lying on her back, and I'm on my side facing her, head resting on my elbow. This is much safer.

At least it was until she bites her lip, skimming the edge of her robe up across her thigh, to her hip with her fingers, giving me a flash of the dark blue lace panties she's wearing. I grind my teeth together and drop my head onto her stomach, just under her breasts.

"You're killing me, Elle. Take it easy on me, I only have so much control."

She uses her hands in my hair to raise my face to look up at her. "Maybe I want you to lose control."

My throat closes, and I swallow convulsively. I know Elle doesn't fully understand what that means. I shake my head but move up to kiss her cheek, her lips lightly. "Trust me, you don't want that. Not yet, Elle. Don't rush us on this, we've got time." I love her innocent curiosity, but I need to discourage this, at least for now, to give us some time together before adding more layers.

Her sigh makes me smile as I kiss her again, but she nudges me away.

"Theo's dad left a note at reception, I didn't want to say anything in front of Mads, or the others. He left his card on file for 'any and all' incidental charges we want. Said 'go nuts, kids.'"

"Your point?" I don't care about T's dad right now, I don't know why she seems to.

"My point, is don't you think it's a bit excessive? He's never offered to pay for the extras before, he's more than generous with the tickets, the passes, the hotel."

I shrug. The guy's filthy rich, probably won't notice, anyway. Or he'll write it off on some corporate account. Either way.

"Talk to T about it, he can decide if he wants to tell the group."

Her sigh makes me frown.

"If I tell Theo, he's going to say charge everything there. I think he's angry at his dad, maybe his mom too, for leaving him on his own so much. I talked to Hudson about it, but I don't know if he's talked to Theo yet."

"Why are you telling me?"

When Elle gives me a stern look, I realize I've really stepped in it now. Of course she's telling me because she shares everything, because she wants to fix it. Because she expects me to do the same, to a certain extent. I don't want to open this particular can of worms here, so I backtrack.

"I'll check in on him, don't worry." There, I'll ask Theo how he is, he'll say solid, then I'll consider that box ticked.

Elle smiles up at me, kissing me lighty. "Can I tell you something else? It's kind of a secret, so you have to promise not to say anything."

Christ is this girl a bottomless pit of secrets, feelings, and concerns? It must be exhausting. "Who am I going to tell? Lay it on me."

I struggle not to smile as she bites her lip, debating. "Spit it out, Elle."

"Jules told me Hudson said that he was only interested in a summer fling. She also told me she hopes to convince him to stay with her by, well, by hooking up with him this summer." Elle looks up at me, concern darkening her big blue eyes.

The adorable way she emphasizes 'hooking up' makes me bite my cheek to avoid grinning. The expression on her face does not scream 'laughing matter'. "And you're worried about her? Or Hud?"

"I'm worried about both of them. They're both my friends. I don't want Jules to manipulate him, and I know Hudson would never be intentionally disrespectful or hurtful, but you know how he is, sometimes he can just be a little careless."

"You know him better than anyone. He's never careless with you, why would he be with other women?"

She rolls her eyes at me, pouting just a little. It's the sweetest expression, and I bite the inside of my cheek again, struggling not to laugh.

"It's different with me, Greyson. Of course, he isn't careless with me, but that's because he grew up that way. It's the same with all of you, I guess. I don't think he's the same with other girls, I don't know, really. I try not to meddle. You guys all made that clear."

When she wrinkles her nose, I can't help but kiss it, laughing, "That we did, Elle. Don't worry too much about it, let them figure it out."

"I'm just worried Hudson will hurt Jules unintentionally or that he'll get tangled up in something because of guilt, and then he'll feel bad about it. I get the feeling she told him she was okay with keeping it casual so that he would spend time with her, but she has this secret plan."

"What do you want me to do about it?" When her face brightens, I groan. I already regret asking.

"Maybe you could just mention to Hudson how important it is to make expectations clear. Really clear and to have both people on the same page. Please, Greyson? They're both my friends, and I don't want anyone to get hurt."

"What will my reward be if I meddle in their relationship on your behalf?"

"Anything you want," she whispers before pressing her lips against mine and snuggling closer. I refuse to let my mind play out all the fantasies that crash together in my head. When I finally pull away, I stand and move away from her, and none too soon, since the rest of the gang arrives.

The next hour is pure chaos, as everyone scrambles to shower, get ready while debating over their ideas for plans tonight. I can see Elle is totally frazzled, and Theo looks like he wants to pull his hair out. Every person in the group is tossing opinions and ideas at them, rapid-fire.

Apparently, the gang does not want to go to dinner at Allium, the traditional Canadian bistro with a twist Elle and Theo picked out. Perhaps it was even recommended by Theo's dad's assistant, I think dryly.

I, for one, am looking forward to eating at a real restaurant with real food, other than what we've been eating at the festival and barbecuing or roasting over the fire the last few days.

I bite my cheek to stop myself from laughing when Theo flops down on the sofa to stretch out, pulling Elle down with him. He pulls the throw up around the pillows to create a tent-like cocoon for them.

The others continue to argue, and I sit on the arm of the sofa, waiting for a moment to see if it will resolve itself.

I hear Elle's quiet laughter, then her stern whispers from under the blanket. "You can't just hide here, Theo. We have to make a decision. Don't be a baby."

"They're the babies. I can hide here forever. It's pretty cozy, plus you smell really nice." Theo's dramatic sniffing noises and Elle's laughter tug at a dark feeling inside me, but I should have known better because a second later, I hear a whoosh of breath and a groan which tells me Elle's probably jabbed him in the ribs with a pointy elbow. I know the feeling, we all do.

I roll my eyes. I told Theo if it came up, he'd be responsible for solving it, considering he bailed on Elle in the planning.

I decide to take pity on them, more for Elle, than for Theo, and help sort out our wayward band. "Listen up, everyone." My voice is slightly louder than intended, but it has the desired effect, all eyes are on me. Mostly out of surprise, or shock I think.

Shit. The things I'll do for this girl apparently include wrangling our friends and getting involved in everyone's business.

"Now is not the time to be pushing new ideas around, Elle gave everyone the option to share ideas weeks ago when they were planning. Did any of you share ideas then?" I sound like a stern uncle. When silence surrounds me, I rub the back of my neck awkwardly and continue, "That's exactly what I thought. So, since we have reservations at Allium, we'll go there, and if things are more fluid after dinner, then Ry and Mads, you're in charge of getting the group ideas together and making another suggestion to Theo."

Elle's told me dozens of times what's planned after dinner, but I just can't remember for the life of me. Honestly, I don't even care, happy to just spend time with her.

When no one says anything, I guess they've taken my point, so glancing at my watch, it's six-fifteen now. I turn to Elle and Theo's little shelter. "What time is dinner, you two?"

Theo pokes his head out too, resting his cheek on the top of Elle's head and they both smile up at me, they look ridiculous, but I just shake my head, waiting for an answer.

Elle laughs when Theo whispers in her ear, and I grind my teeth a little, reigning in the totally inappropriate burst of jealousy I feel.

"Dinner is booked for seven-thirty, Greyson." Her eyes twinkle up at me, and she mouths a big thank you, then blows me a kiss.

She can thank me by unwrapping Theo from around her and climbing into my arms instead. She must read my dark, irritable thoughts because she wiggles free from Theo to slide herself under my arm, resting one hand on my chest and snuggling in. Her happy little sigh eases the knot in my belly, and I lean down to kiss her, keeping my eyes and my frown on Theo as I do, but he just rolls his eyes and pulls the blankets back up over his head.

Thankfully, the rest of the evening runs smoothly, and dinner is incredible. I'm able to fade back to the edges of the group where I'm comfortable. Elle finds small casual ways to touch me through the whole evening, and a sense of calm steals over me.

I savor every bite, letting the flavors roll over my deprived taste buds, which have had nothing but grilled meals and junk food for days. I also savour every touch, letting Elle's nearness act as a balm to the restless energy coursing through me.

No matter how tempting the dessert menu is, Elle is adamant no one can order dessert here.

"I promise, you guys, it's worth it. Please, let's go get some BeaverTails. They'll be better for the next part of the evening, too."

Elle wraps one arm around Mads' waist and the other around Sarah's, who also pulls Jules into the chain. They walk, swinging their hips and matching their strides, laughing together as they stumble a few times before finding their rhythm.

I always admire Elle and her effortless affection for others. Glancing over at the boys, I can't help but notice how perfect everyone here is, how in tune with one another they are. I'm the black sheep, always have been. Sometimes, I wonder if I always will be.

Why, when we all grew up together, couldn't I show or enjoy affection from my friends and family as easily as they did? Why couldn't I relax as fully? Why couldn't I enjoy the same sense of peacefulness?

Why do I only feel at peace with Elle?

I can't remember a time in my life when I'd really enjoyed physical intimacy or prolonged proximity to anyone other than her. Sure, I dated, I hooked up, but I didn't feel anything; nothing at all.

I'm popular, or at least the idea of me is popular, I have friends, teammates, but I always keep them at a distance. I can tolerate physical affection from them, but never crave or enjoy it. But with Elle, I want it all.

I just don't know why.

I shake these thoughts away, dropping a few steps behind Hud and Theo to walk alone, but Ry notices and falls back with me. "All good, man?"

I nod, "Just thinking."

"Uh-oh, must be bad then, if you're thinking."

Ry's teasing makes the corner of my lips twitch, and I fight the urge to smile. He and Liam are my only two friends who I really chose for myself. I know Hud and Theo are my friends too, but there's just so much familiarity there, so much shared history, it can be hard to breathe sometimes, hard to be someone different from who you've always been.

I suppose that's part of the reason I let Ry and Liam get so close, why we stay so close. We're all looking for our place in the world, holding a part of ourselves back, even in the tightest of friendships. We've never talked about it, maybe we should.

"Am I a good friend, Ry?"

I can tell my questions shocks him. "Yeah, Grey. You are. You're pretty fucked up sometimes, and I don't always understand the shit you do, but I know you'd be there for me, just like you're trying to be there for Liam, and that's what counts."

When I don't answer, he bumps me with his shoulder, then pulls away. "What makes you ask?"

"No clue. Sometimes, I just wonder where I fit, why I'm here."

"That's an easy one, you ass. You're here right now, if we're being literal, because Elle loves you, probably more than either of you know, certainly more than you deserve sometimes. You're here with us generally speaking, because you're our friend. Hell, even I love you, we all do I guess, for different reasons, probably some of the same. And if you make me start listing them, I'm outta here."

Chuckling under my breath, I shake my head and slap him on the shoulder. "Forget I said anything, I'm going to catch up with my girl." I look over my shoulder at him, "Thanks, man. You're a good friend, too."

Shaking off my strange mood, I catch up with the girls, and Elle drops back to slide under my arm when I tug her loose curls lightly, nuzzling her cheek against my chest. "Mmmm, you smell great. If this shirt goes missing, I definitely did not take it."

She can have all my clothes if she wants them. "Does that mean I can steal something that smells like you?"

She giggles, "You wouldn't be able to fit into anything of mine."

Not what I had in mind, thinking about the blue lace I'd seen peeking out from the robe today, but she's too innocent, too sweet, so I let it drop, cursing myself for letting my mind go there. It's getting harder and harder to resist the temptation of her.

As we walk towards our dessert stop, I can see the outdoor theatre, just as Elle excitedly reveals our next activity: movie night under the stars on Parliament Hill. 

The BeaverTail stand's options are pretty standard, I go for apple pie and wait for Elle to decide. She picks the most basic flavor of the bunch after a ten-minute internal debate, opting finally for cinnamon, sugar, and lemon juice. I roll my eyes, pay, and order her a hot mint tea at the last minute in case the breeze picks up.

I watch in a combination of horror and disgust as Hud and Theo order both Poutine and a BeaverTail each, making my stomach clutch. I thought I had a good metabolism.

Elle's hands are full, and the breeze is whipping her skirt dangerously around her hips. I pull her down quickly between my legs, tugging at her dress, so we don't end up starting a whole different kind of show for the crowd.

We're a bit early, so everyone finishes their snacks before the movie begins, but it's definitely for the best, given how messy everything is. I kiss the sugar crystals from Elle's bottom lip when she takes her final bite of dessert, savoring her taste, mixed with sugar and spice, and just a hint of lemon.

Ry wolf whistles over at Elle and me, so I pull back from the soft, light kisses and grin back at my friend, before flipping him off. The previews roll, and I listen to my friends' fading laughter as they settle into the movie.

It's a showing of the summer classic Meatballs, which I have to have seen a dozen times, but I couldn't care less what's playing as Elle leans back into my arms. I look around, making sure our friends have their attention turned to the movie before tipping Elle's face back to mine for a kiss. I just hadn't had enough before.

It takes all of my control to keep the kiss light, teasing, when all I want to do is sink into her and take more. I slide my hand around her throat, tipping her chin further back with my thumb for just a little more. I slide my tongue through her parted lips and let myself fall for just a moment before pulling myself back and breaking the kiss, grazing my nose up and down her cheek while catching my breath.

Her eyes are a little glazed as she opens them, her lips glistening and slightly swollen from my kiss. No one has ever looked so beautiful to me, and I know I never want to be without her.

Panic squeezes my heart for a moment at the direction my thoughts take, but I shake the initial feeling of fear away, focusing instead on her, this moment, and enjoying the sounds of summer and friendship all around us.

- - -

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Vote and share your feedback in the comments if you did! Hope to see you there. :)

Xx Toria