“Yeah, and as we got older, we each got to invite a friend along.” Rufus smiles at Jett.
“When our grandparents retired, they spent a lot more time here,” I say. “But Gran passed away six years ago, and now Granddad only comes here to fish some weekends.”
Jett puts his hand on my thigh and squeezes.
“That’s sad,” Halle says.
“Yeah,” Rufus agrees. “It is. But we make use of it, don’t we?”
“Not that much, but yes.”
Halle smiles. “Well, it’s beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“We need to set some ground rules.” Rufus polishes off his second slice of pizza.
“Ground rules?” Jett asks.
“Yes. Based on the show you put on outside, you two are horny as fuck. And that’s fine. But no banging in public spaces. I love you both, but I don’t want to walk in on you, thank you very much. I’ve also put us in rooms at opposite ends of the hall.”
Jett’s face has gone a violent shade of red. Halle covers her mouth with her hand. Her eyes shine, and her shoulders shake.
“Now.” Rufus leans forwards. “Inquiring minds want to know. Did you bring the pink furry handcuffs?”
“Why?” I ask. “Do you and Halle want to borrow them?”
Halle squeaks, and her face turns as red as Jett’s.
Rufus laughs. “They are mine.”
“No. You forfeited them. Remember?” I glare at him, daring him to argue with me.
He waves his hand. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. You and Jett have fun with them. Just keep it to yourselves.”
“Am I ever going to discover the story behind the handcuffs?” Halle asks.
“No,” Rufus says.
“Maybe,” Jett says at the same time.
Rufus gives him a ‘don’t you dare’ stare, and then he grins. “I tell you what. When you and my baby brother get married, I’ll tell the whole story as part of my best man’s speech.”
Jett widens his eyes. I know marriage is something he’s interested in. Or at least, he was before Erica screwed him over and shattered his heart. But even if he could be interested again, it’s too early in our relationship to be thinking about it, and Rufus is an arse for bringing it up. Again. I thought I’d put a stop to marriage jokes the other week when we met them for dinner. Apparently not.
“What are your plans for the weekend?” I change the subject.
Rufus exchanges a glance with Halle and shrugs. “Relax, mostly.”
Halle nods.
“We don’t have to be in each other’s pockets if that’s what you’re worried about.” Rufus waves at the door. “Go be couply. In the privacy of your room.”
“We have board games, cards, and plenty of DVDs,” I tell Halle. “There are some nice walking routes through the forest, and the lake is five minutes away.”
“Thank you. Maybe we could all play cards.” She looks at Rufus. “I like poker.”
Jett grimaces. “I don’t play cards.”
I’d better not remind him that I tried to teach him some card games the last time we were here. “I can coach you if you want to play.”
