I wiped sweat from my brow, found the thin flowery robe I liked wearing when I got ready and chanced going to the bathroom. I’d brushed my teeth and washed my face before Tanner creaked the door open and gave me a dimpled smile that reminded me of just how good his mouth could be. I smiled and whispered, “Hi.”
He lowered his heated gaze to my legs, groaned and shook his head to refocus himself. “One, that robe is fucking dangerous. Two, happy birthday. But third, and most importantly, don’t you dare count that as one of the twenty. We don’t count the ones that get interrupted.”
“Really, now?”Interesting.
“Yes. Don’t argue.” He grabbed the front of my robe and pulled me to him so our noses touched. He bit my lower lip and pushed me away. “I have at least two more orgasms planned for you today, so be prepared. The second he’s gone, you’re mine.”
He shut the door, leaving me in a puddle of anticipation, and I couldn’t remember having a better birthday morning.
Chapter Fourteen
Tanner
I winced when I lowered myself into Greta’s kitchen chair. Coach had put us through a brutal practice—a combination of conditioning and strength training that had every muscle in my body aching. Nothing sounded better than enjoying chocolate-marbled cake with my friends.
Callie had outdone herself and made three different kinds for Kenzie, putting an odd assortment of candles on each one. I smiled, enjoying everything about the moment, from how Kenzie dipped her head low to avoid the attention as we sang to her to the way Greta and Callie forced her out of her shell, and seeing everyone take care of one another. Zade joked about Aaron’s stats, getting a punch to the arm in return, and laughter rang around Greta and Callie’s small kitchen. The dust had settled from me not sharing my drama with them, and a bit of guilt wedged its way into my thoughts.Should I tell them? What if they don’t handle it like Kenzie?
What if they think it’s stupid?
“Okay, girl, make a wish.” Greta moved around the table to light the candles, bringing me back from my derailing thoughts. The smell of burning wax filled the room and Kenzie met my gaze over the flicker of smoke. Those green eyes held a spark of amusement, as though we shared a secret, and I confirmed my original thought.I only wantherto know.
She blew out the candles, making those plump lips purse into a gorgeousOshape that had me clearing my throat.Not the time to think about her mouth. Nope.
Everyone cheered and Aaron moved to hug his sister. She leaned into it, a bit awkward and messy, but he didn’t let her shoo him away. I called that progress, because the Hills were emotionally challenged. It was understandable, but still painful to watch. Greta began cutting the cake and asked the age-old question, “What did you wish for?”
Kenzie made anare you kidding meface and grinned. “I’m not into wishes, but if I were, I sure as hell wouldn’t tell any of you!”
Greta stuck her tongue out at her and soon enough, we all sat around the table laughing and shoving cake into our mouths. The sweetness hurt my tongue—the healthy food I normally ate did not have sugar—and I appreciated the calories. I was holding the fork inches away from my mouth for my fourth bite when Greta asked, “Now that you’re nineteen, you can start working at the bar with me!”
Kenzie grinned, unaware of the little chocolate frosting on her face, and pushed her glasses up. “It’s probably dorky to say it, but I’m legit excited for it. I like having a schedule and having money. I miss my routine. There’s so much free time and I don’t know what to do with it, honestly.”
“I know what you mean. It’s a dope job, I won’t lie,” Greta assured her. “Damn…when I turned nineteen, I wasn’t planning routines or trying to fill my time with responsibilities. I gotta hand it to you, girl. I was worrying about parties, hooking up with the hottest dudes and not eventhinkingabout working.”
“Greta, please.” Aaron glared at her but she ignored him.
“Calm down. It’s true.” Greta gave him a pointed look before directing her attention back to Kenzie. “So, what’s on your summer-before-college agenda? A boyfriend? A crazy fling? Flirting?”
“Wait, weren’t you dating that dude?” Aaron asked.
“We broke up a month ago, Aaron.” She huffed a little and I swore her cheeks turned pink before she flicked her gaze to me for one split second.
Greta swatted Aaron’s arm, rested her chin on her hands and continued the questioning. It had me on edge, the words Kenzie would say. It mattered, but I couldn’t explain why. “Okay, no boyfriend. Fling though, yeah? They say the best way to get over somebody is to get under someone new.”
“Jesus, no. I don’t want to hear about mysisterhaving a fling, over or under anyone. She doesn’t—she won’t—just, stop.” Aaron looked so goddamn uncomfortable we all laughed.
“Calm down. Act more like Ross and Monica. They were totally cool talking about this stuff,” Greta said, referencingFriends.I shared a look with Zade, both of us grinning.
Aaron shook his head and took a huge bite, preventing him from talking. Kenzie had a look of amusement on her face and had no issues continuing the conversation. I liked a girl who didn’t back down.
“Mom always told me to never start college with a boyfriend. Said it would prevent me from finding myself. I could do a fling though. That would be fun.”
Aaron covered his ears with his hands and made obnoxious sounds as he left the kitchen. Kenzie’s smile grew to cover her whole face. Her joy pleased me, but her words did more.She could do a fling…
“TJ, Carter was going on about trying to be your new wingman until Jeff gets back. You hitting up downtown tonight?” Zade asked me. Before I responded, I found Kenzie twirling her fork in her hands with a curious expression on her face. It wasn’t accusatory or worried, just interested.
For fuck’s sake.It irritated me.
I took another bite and responded with somewhat of the truth. “The workout kicked my ass today. I’m not really feeling it tonight.”
