and waited for the back slapping and brother-like hugging to end.
Finally, Damon stepped back and caught her gaze, gesturing for her. “Evie, come meet the guys!”
She looked up and into the startling blue stare of Harrison Dare, A-list actor, action movie hero, and eye candy for most women in America. With his jet-black hair and muscled body, he had presence most other guys would envy.
“Hi … I … I’m—” She stuttered like any normal woman would.
“Evie, I take it you recognize Harrison Dare. Am I going to have to beat up my cousin?”
Harrison laughed, dimples framing his mouth. “Nice to meet you, Evie.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” she managed.
“I’m Nick,” another good-looking, dark-haired man said.
Evie shook his hand.
“And this bozo is Asher,” Damon, looking more relaxed than she’d ever seen him, said with a smile.
Asher, also gorgeous, grinned and, without warning, pulled her into a hug. “Hey, pretty lady.” He released her. “Are you why Damon’s been ducking my calls? He’s too busy with a new girlfriend?” He looked her over in what she’d call a respectful way. “I wouldn’t blame him.”
Evie felt a blush rise to her cheeks. “He’s got enough on his plate without worrying about romance, wouldn’t you say?”
“That’s why we’re here.” Asher, who had darker hair, hooked an arm around Damon’s neck. “We’re going to take his mind off his problems. Zach and Emery are sorry they couldn’t make it, by the way.”
“It’s all good.”
Damon ushered them into the house, handed out drinks, and soon they were sitting around the family room. The guys had beers, and Evie, still wiped out after the day she’d had, just kicked back in one of the recliner chairs at the end of the couch.
“How’s your head?” Asher asked Damon. “And don’t fucking lie to me.”
“I got the green light to start light workouts this morning.” Damon took a pull of his beer.
Asher glanced at Evie. “He’s okay?”
She nodded. “He is.”
Damon scowled. “Since when isn’t my word good enough?” he muttered.
“Evie, what’s your story?” Asher cocked his head to the side, those golden eyes focused on her.
She shrugged. “I’m—” She glanced at Damon for permission to tell the truth and he nodded.
“I’m a private investigator. I’m looking into who could have slipped Damon performance-enhancing drugs and caused him to test positive,” she admitted.
Harrison frowned. “Fucking sucks, man.”
“So that means you guys aren’t a real couple?” Asher asked.
“We’re together for now,” Evie said before he could answer.
Asher glanced between them. “Okay.” He grinned, then tipped back his beer bottle and took a sip. “You’re staying here, though?” He looked at Evie. “I mean, you two changed into more casual clothes upstairs.” Asher pressed her for answers. He seemed the closest to Damon, the most invested in his life.
“I’m having some issues Damon’s helping me with.” She had no intention of getting into her personal life and admitting her vulnerabilities.
She glanced at Nick. Obviously the quietest one, he channel surfed while they talked.
“So, Evie. Did Damon ever tell you about the time he came out to Hollywood and he was a walk-on in one of my movies?” Harrison asked.
“Get out of here.” She leaned forward in her seat, crossing her legs.
“Deadly serious.”
“Tell me more.” She rested her chin on her hands, focused on the man who knew how to command attention even in a room full of other hot men, one of whom Evie couldn’t get out of her head.
Damon took a swig of beer. “Can we not go there?”
Harrison grinned. “He told his family and friends he had a walk-on. Got everyone together to watch. But when the director did his thing, all you could see on-screen was the back of Damon’s head.” He, the other two men, and even Evie burst out laughing.
“I can only imagine the shit your family gave you,” she said.
The men continued to tell old stories, kid pranks to adult brotherhood-type tales. Even Nick chimed in. These men had a bond. That much was obvious and they cared about Damon.
“So Damon, we were thinking.” Asher leaned forward in his seat. “You’ve got time to kill while you’re off. Let’s take a couple of days and go down to my place in the Bahamas. Evie, you, too.”
She blinked in surprise. She wouldn’t have expected to be included. “You have a house in the Bahamas?”
“On Windermere Island. It’s connected to Eleuthera and it’s private and secluded. You can really get away and relax there.”
She did her best not to moan at the thought of some time on a