Once we got inside and Travis conked out on his bed, I all but shoved her into the shower.
“Sheesh, Jude,” Kendall teased.“You’re in a hurry.”
“I am.”Once we were bare naked, I took her from behind in the shower, her skin pink from the steam.
I loved how her fingers flexed against the wall as she cried out when I reached around and teased my fingers over her plump clit.I savored the sound of my name when her pussy clenched around my cock, drawing my own release to a piercing tension before it snapped.Electricity sizzled like fiery bolts through me as I poured myself into her.I dipped my head against her neck.We rinsed off together, and I dried her with a towel before we lounged in bed.
I loved how she liked to talk about anything and nothing before she drifted into sleep.We fell into a rhythm, and the days blurred into the nights.
Meanwhile, Lincoln slipped back into being here with us.Although so much had changed since he’d been away, it just felt right to have him home.
For the first time since we’d all been crammed in the apartment above the barn after the wildfire, even our mom fell quiet about Bree.She had taken the approach before of being open about her grief, which had helped all of us.Except now, we didn’t want to shatter the peace of Lincoln being home.We didn’t want to chase him away.
I was coming up on a stretch where I’d be gone for five days for a multi-night winter camping trip with another group of college students.Lincoln was going with me.I actually loved these trips.Except, for the first time, I was going to miss being away.Because I was going to miss Kendall.
ChapterForty
Kendall
“What?I don’t understand, Blake.”
The sound of my brother’s sigh was loud enough through the phone that I had to pull it away from my ear for a second.
“I need a place to crash.Just for a few nights, please?”
“Blake, you have an apartment at Mom and Dad’s place.Why do you need to stay with me?”I felt that old familiar weariness rise inside with a cold sense of dread balled in my stomach.
“It’s not Mom and Dad.”
“Well then, what the hell is it?”
“I let Cheryl stay.”
I groaned.“Are you kidding me?”
“Sorry to say I’m not.”My brother sounded sheepish.
“You let your ex-girlfriend who is a wild partier stay with you.I’m not saying that to be all judgy.I understand that she also has problems with addiction.But why is she staying with you?”
“She needed a place to crash.”
“Let me guess, Cheryl also lied and told you she was sober, and she’s not,” I said flatly.This was not his first rodeo with his ex.
He cleared his throat, his voice was hushed when he replied, “Yeah.I gave her three days.I called her brother, and he’s gonna come get her.I just…” He let out a heavy breath.“Kendall, I’m actually doing okay, and I want to keep it that way.”
“Blake…” I paused before I went and did something stupid.So much for keeping boundaries with my family.“You can stay.But only three days,” I said firmly, as if setting that line was going to be the magic one.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, Kendall.I owe you.”
All I could do was let out a bitter laugh.Everything I’d done over the years trying to help my brother added up to a lot.I didn’t do anything because I expected something in return.I genuinely didn’t.But I was tired, and I’d been so proud of myself for actually calling my parents out on their bullshit.
After I finished that call, Tommy came over, happily cleaning the stalls with his boundless energy and getting everything ready for the evening feedings.Just as he was finishing up, Jude came in where I was in the storage room, checking on supplies.
I felt Jude’s presence before I heard him and turned to see him leaning inside the doorway.My belly felt all tingly, and my heart kicked a little faster in my chest.
“Hey,” I managed.
“Hey.What’s the plan for tonight?”
