“You tell me.”
And that was how we spent our afternoon, hot touches and filthy anecdotes. Dark corners of the garage and oil smeared on my skin.
The wheels never made it back onto my hog, and daylight was gone by the time we emerged. Nash and Cam hadn’t come back, but Folk was still here, helping Ivy build something for school with Mateo’s help.
Decoy and Embry chilled on a nearby couch, surrounded by empty beer bottles. I wedged myself between them while Locke stole Hope from Mateo and investigated the big building project.
I threaded my arm through Embry’s, loving the fact that he was healthy and whole and I could exploit him for affection again. “What are they making?”
“An ocean scene.” Embry jabbed a finger at Folk. “He wants to fill it with plastic waste. Mateo’s pushing for something less realistic.”
“Who’s going to win?”
“Folk,” Decoy answered. “Ives likes pretty things, but he’s basically God to her at this point.”
Decoy didn’t sound too sad about it. Kicked back on the couch with a beer, he was as relaxed as I’d ever seen him, and it released something inside me that Locke’s wicked fingers and tongue hadn’t quite shifted.
Smiling, I tucked my feet beneath me and cuddled up to Embry, dumping my head on his shoulder. “Am I hurting you?” I asked out of habit.
He wrapped a fraternal arm around me. “Never.”
“Who’s cooking dinner?”
“Cam said he was, but he’s not back yet.”
“I’ll do it.”
“Nah. Order some pizzas.”
I could live with that. Gave me more time to watch Locke play uncle to Hope and try to ignore the painful flare in my fucked-up ovaries. He was such a natural with tiny people. Such a comfort. He’d have loved any baby Nash and I might’ve had.
Embry nudged me. “Okay down there?”
“Yep.”
“Hungry?”
“Sure. Get me something fat and carby.”
“That’s all you’re giving me?”
On my other side, Decoy chuckled and swiped Embry’s phone. “I’ll do it. I know what she needs.”
Bless his heart. The poor man had spentwaytoo many days trapped at a sales desk with me to not know my every non-sexual whim.
He placed the order and passed Embry’s phone back.
“Did you put extra tomatoes on Locke’s?” I asked absently.
“Of course. I got enough for everyone if they ever come home.”
I shivered. “Don’t say that.”
Decoy winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I know. I’m feeling emotional for no fucking reason.”
Embry took a breath.
