I just want to get the fuck out of here. I laugh instead, hoping I’m sellingchillbetter than I think I am. “Did your families leave already?” I ask them both at once.
“Yeah,” Lilly answers first. “The littles had a sleepover to get to.”
“Speaking of sleepovers.” Taya draws the group’s attention as she and Seth emerge from the gated area of the ride. “Can Seth stay with us tonight?” Her fingers are laced with his, her smile lazy with intoxication.
Seth releases her hand to swing his arm around her and pull her cheek to his lips. Ever looks up at me for the answer.
It’s weird that it isn’t weird for me. Taya with Seth. Other than a familiar protectiveness, I feel nothing.
“Of course. Whatever you need.”
Ever’s body loosens in my grasp, like an unclenching.
Was she worried I’d be weird? MaybeIwas worried. It’s a strange and soothing relief that Taya being here in my life but not part of my life is okay. Feels good, normal even. She and Ever seem to get along and maybe even like each other, which also makes me happy. “Does that mean we can go now?”
“I second that,” Lilly backs me up. Everyone chimes in with assents, so we work our way toward the car.
I continue to scan the throngs of people, the passing cars once we hit the designated parking lot. No sign of Todd. Once we’re in the vehicle headed home, I finally truly relax.
***
“Is it weird for you that they’re in the next room?” Ever traces my tattoo with her fingernail, her head resting on my shoulder.
“You’d think, right? But no. Is it weird for you?”
Her entire body tenses.
I tuck my chin to my chest to gauge her response.
“Why would it be weird for me?”
“I don’t know. Because she’s my ex, I guess.”
“Not really. I thought it would be, but she kinda blends right in.”
“I agree.” I resume drawing lazy circles on the ball of her shoulder, my post-sex haze drooping my eyelids. “I mean I might be trying a little extra not to picture them having sex, but to be fair, that would be true of anyone.”
“Anyone?” Her fingernail draws a line down my abs to the thin trail of hair that dips below my waistband—when I’m wearing clothes, that is. My body responds automatically. “Even me?” My insatiablegirl knows exactly what she’s doing. Suddenly my sleepy eyes are alert, my body charged instead of tired. When her fingers wrap around me and slide down my length, my eyes roll back and a moan rumbles up my throat to escape my parted lips.
“Never you,” I vow.
She slides the leg draped over me higher until it’s resting just under her hand that moves up and down on me.
My arm she’s not lying on reaches across her, fingertips trailing down her spine, over the swell of her ass until they find her center that is already dripping for me. “My Ever,” I breathe into her ear, rolling us until I’m on top of her. “Always ready for me. Fuck, I love you.” I claim her mouth as I claim her body, sinking into her completely for round two, sleep forgotten.
Chapter 7
Julian
“Thanks, Patrick. Yep, I’ll wait for his call. I know, right? No, I totally get it. Appreciate you, man. Okay, sounds good. Bye.” I tap the phone screen and set it on the island bar next to my coffee mug and close my laptop as she steps into the kitchen. It’s early and our houseguests are still sleeping I assume. “Hi, pretty girl.” I turn my gaze on her sleepy rosy face with her storm-cloud eyes and pouty lips. She never fails to trip my heart. So fucking beautiful.
“Hi, pretty Julie.” Dropping her chin onto my shoulder, she snakes her arms around my torso, fingers finding and fitting into the grooves of my ab muscles through the thin, soft cotton of my T-shirt. “Whatcha working on so early already?” She smells like sunshine and sleep.
“Just some boring paperwork. In fact, I’ve gotta get to the post office and check my box for some documents before my session at Fit. Need anything while I’m out?” I hate the frown that forms between her eyebrows. I don’t fake anything with Ever. She knows me, knows something’s off, but my sweet girl rarely calls me out on my shit. Ormore accurately, I don’t give her any reason to need to call me out. Until now. Fuck Todd and Brandi Keller—parents of the year. I’m not sure what could’ve possibly come to their house for me, but Ashley’s lawyer, now my lawyer, said he’ll ask his associate that handles estate law, have him look into it. Patrick suggesting the estate lawyer got my wheels turning. John Julian McKay, my grandfather, is the only living relative I know of besides my degenerate parents. To my knowledge, Brandi is an only child who told me once that my grandmother, her mom, passed away. I think I was twelve. I didn’t really know her or have any memories of her. My grandfather made core memory status, but I only recall snippets. I mostly remember how it felt being around him, that he had a kind face that sometimes looked sad when he talked to me.
“Remember, after your session today, we’re off until after the new year.” Ever is trying to fix whatever it is she’s sensing in me and I love her for it. I try to let her.
“I’m aware.” Kissing her noisily on the lips, I wrap my arms around her waist and lean into her as she pins me with her smoky stare.
