Read Online Going Down by Shelli Stevens - Free Book Online Page B

the dark hair and eyes. But, unlike the rest of the family, his expression wasn’t quite as animated. He wasn’t scowling, but there definitely wasn’t a big welcoming smile. Lifting his bottle of beer, he took a long, hard draw on it while keeping his gaze on her.
    His lukewarm demeanor was a bit of a jolt and her smile faltered.
    He made no move toward her, but gave a slight nod of his head. “I’m Trevor. It’s good to meet you, Ellie.”
    Well, his words certainly sounded sincere, and some of the tension slipped away. Besides, hadn’t Tyson warned her about him?
    “Likewise.” She brightened her smile again, then turned her attention away in search of her lifeline, the only person she knew here.
    Tyson was just stepping out of the house into the yard. His gaze was on her, the knowing grin on his face a welcome relief.
    He came to stand by her, holding a beer in his outstretched hand. “You meet everyone?”
    “Thank you. I think so.” Ellie took the beer gratefully, even if she rarely drank the stuff. She went to twist the cap off and found he’d already done that for her. “Unless there’s more hiding that I haven’t seen?”
     
    Tyson watched as she tilted the beer bottle back, wrapping her lips around the rim and taking a sip. Jesus, she looked sexy sucking on a Budweiser.
    “No, unfortunately my nephews and nieces couldn’t be here today,” his mom said, moving next to her husband, who promptly draped an arm around her shoulder. “But they send their love to everyone.”
    “Now that’s too bad. I have a serious hankering for some of Ryan’s jambalaya.” Tyson rubbed his belly and winked down at Ellie. “My cousin went to college down in Louisiana. He makes a mean jambalaya.”
    Her eyes light up with amusement. “I swear, you have a hollow leg. You always seem to be thinking about food.”
    His dad chuckled, brushing a kiss across his wife’s forehead. “All the boys are like that. You wouldn’t have believed the grocery bill when they were teens.”
    “I can only imagine,” Ellie said. “You have my sympathy.”
    “Speaking of food, how’s that salmon coming, Pops?” Todd asked, crossing the grass toward the barbeque. “I’m starving. Didn’t quite wake up in time for breakfast this morning.”
    Trevor snorted and glanced at Ellie. “That’s code for he was sleeping off a wild night at some girl’s house.”
    “Why you jealous bastard,” Todd yelled, taking a playful swing at the back of his brother’s head.
    Trevor ducked and countered with a light jab to Todd’s shoulder.
    “Are you guys always like this?” Ellie asked in an amused whisper, leaning into him.
    “What do you mean?” Tyson caught her hand and stroked the inside of her palm, then couldn’t resist teasing, “We’re on our best behavior today.”
    She laughed as her fingers curled around his. “I highly doubt you guys are ever on your best behavior.”
    Tyson smiled at that. She was pretty much dead on.
    When he glanced at his parents, he found his mom watching them with a considering expression, her mouth curved into a tiny smile.
    Don’t get your hopes up, Mom, he warned silently. Ellie wasn’t in town for long, and he wasn’t thinking beyond a summer fling. Even as the thought flickered through his head, the denials came rushing up behind it.
    Well, shit.
    “So, Trevor, I hear Megan’s back in town,” their dad announced suddenly.
    All talking and laughter ceased, leaving a silence that was only disturbed by the occasional cries of seagulls.
    Tyson’s breath held as he took another sip of beer and tried to glance over at his brother inconspicuously.
    Trevor’s expression was unreadable, his gaze shuttered. But Tyson didn’t miss the way his fingers tightened around the bottle in his hand.
    “Is that so?” Trevor finally replied in a voice without inflection. “I hadn’t heard.”
    Their mom cleared her throat. “Maybe you should invite her over to join us? She’s not far from