Read Online Life After Taylah by Bella Jewel - Free Book Online Page A

have a swim, eat some food and drink.”
    “I plan to.”
    “Avie!”
    I turn at the sound of Macy’s voice, and I see her bounding up the beach towards me. Her long, blond hair flows out behind her. She’s wearing a tiny bikini that’s pink with big blue polka dots. I lift my eyes and see Nate behind her with who is, I imagine, his wife. He’s wet, shirtless and it’s very hard for me to keep my mouth closed.
    Nate has one of those bodies, the one that every woman can’t help but glimpse at because it’s breathtaking. His eyes meet mine, and in the sun the green looks like two stunning crystals. I turn my gaze away quickly, staring at his wife. She’s tall and slim, almost too slim. Her dark, raven hair is down around her shoulders. As they get closer I see she’s got pale skin and big, blue eyes. She seems drawn out—but I can tell even then that she’s a very attractive woman.
    Something thumps into my knees and I tear my eyes away and look down to see Macy grinning up at me.
    “Hello princess,” I say, ruffling her hair.
    “Are you coming swimming, Avie?”
    I nod, smiling. “Soon, I just have to unpack my bag and get a drink.”
    “It’s soooo fun!” she cries, rushing past me.
    I watch her go with a soft expression and then turn back to Nate and his wife. He’s still looking at me, his eyes intense. I find it hard to meet them, so scared I’ll look at something that isn’t mine. I wish he’d put a shirt on.
    “Avery,” he says in a silky, smooth tone when he stops in front of me. “Didn’t know you were coming.”
    I shrug, trying to avoid the daggers being shot into my head from his wife.
    “Kelly is my best friend. Of course I was going to come.”
    He tilts his head, studying me.
    “And who is this?” his wife asks in a sugar-sweet tone.
    “This is Avery, Liam’s sister,” Nate says, his voice seeming to harden just slightly. “Avery this is my wife, Lena.”
    I reach a hand out, and she takes it. She squeezes a little too hard, but I keep my warm smile.
    “Nice to meet you, Lena.”
    “He yours?” Nate says, nodding his head.
    I turn and see Jacob coming down from the car. My cheeks heat and I want to cover my face and die of shame. He’s wearing a straw hat. A straw hat. With his professional get-up. And he’s almost tiptoeing over the sand, hopping because he doesn’t want to get his trousers dirty. Oh. My. God.
    “Um,” I choke out. “Yes.”
    “Oh, he’s your husband, then?” Lena says, her tone lightening. Now I’m not considered a threat, I suppose. Not that I entirely blame her for being protective. If my husband looked like Nate, I’d be the same way.
    “Um, soon-to-be,” I murmur. “I suppose.”
    “Avery!” Jacob barks. “Don’t bother carrying anything, will you?”
    He’s got his hands full and I do feel a little guilty.
    “Excuse me,” I say to Nate and Lena before rushing towards Jacob.
    “Who invited the fuckin’ stiff?” Liam barks.
    I drop my head down with a deep sigh. It’s not news to me that Liam hates Jacob but he doesn’t need to be such an ass about it. I try to keep calm, though. Jacob is a grown man and I need to stop interfering and treating Liam like I’m his mother.
    “Hello Liam,” Jacob says, straightening his back. “It’s nice to see you.”
    Kill me now.
    “Perhaps for you,” Liam snorts. “Ain’t nice for me.”
    I drop my head into my hands.
    “He’s charming.”
    I shiver all over as a voice whispers in my ear. I spin around and see Nate, grinning at me. Damn him. It’s not funny.
    “Don’t even, Nathaniel,” I say, wagging my finger in his face. “I can hurt you.”
    He winks and steps past me, extending his hand. “Nathaniel Alexander, I’m Avery’s BFF.”
    I want to die in shame.
    “BFF?” Jacob asks, taking his hand and shaking it.
    “You know? Best Friends Forever. Or fo’ life—either way works.”
    Jacob narrows his eyes and I want to sink into the ground. “Funny,” he mutters.