“Hey.” Konnor squeezes my hand, grounding me, acknowledging me.
“Come dance with your sister!” she yells over to him, her feet and body still swaying like she can’t stop while the music plays. “Let’s finish the song together!”
He shakes his head. “No, Cassidy. Get Dad to practise with you, Pipsqueak.”
“Mum and Dad are away until tomorrow morning! And you owe me for missing my birthday!” Her voice is barely audible over the music. “Come on,” she calls to him again. “You’re a beautiful dancer!”
He nods towards me—a subtle message for her. “No, Cass.”
“Go,” I say.
Konnor drops his head back, eyes to the ceiling, and groans. “Thank God Jax isn’t here.”
He crosses the room and takes her in his arms. Together, without a word, they square their shoulders and lift their chins in mock formality. Then they waltz, both of them already laughing. She is effortless—her feet find each step before his, her body loose with the music and one with it at the same time. Konnor pretends to lead, and she lets him pretend, spinning out from him and back, each step a little theatrical, a little for my benefit and for fun.
She looks up at him the whole time.
He glances my way and pretends to be embarrassed, rolling his eyes, but he is not the slightest bit embarrassed. Not with those undeniable dimples on show.
I watch them cross the floor together and feel warmth move through my chest—because hedidlearn to waltz, because he’s dancing with his little sister and not asking for anything in return, because he is exactly who I thought he would be.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
konnor
The water rushes over my head, soaking my hair and splashing the tiles. I smile. Downstairs, a few short metres away, Cassidy, Elise, and the love of my life are all laughing and getting to know each other. Jax is already in the guest bedroom, having fallen into a food coma after his and Cassidy’s stupid cupcake challenge. Though everyone else had put their bets on Jax, I wasn’t so naïve.
Jaxon: Seven.
Cassidy: Nine.
Where does she put it? We should have her tested.
I smile hard underneath the spray. I never thought a day like this would come. My past and present colliding in the best way. Liz meeting Cassidy… I know that I pushed for this—maybe even forced it on Blesk, but I knew she’d be welcome. Cassidy loves everyone, sees the good in everyone. My parents are tolerant and easy-going—everyone gets a chance, and more often than not, seconds, and thirds. I should know. Think I’m on my hundredth.
I grab the soap and lather up. When Blesk pries herself away from Cassidy and joins me upstairs, the first thing I’m going to do is show her the window I used to jump out of every night just because I could. Second storey, sure, the drop was part of the fun. I run my hands up my face and through my hair, rubbing the suds through my scalp, then washing them out. My mind drifts to the envelope we’ve put off opening.
Is there actually closure waiting for us inside, or is this his last sick joke?
I push that aside and think about my girl. I love how quickly Duch and Cassidy have taken to each other, even though they couldn’t be more different. Cassidy is a sweet soul, but she never had to want for anything. Blesk was neglected, abused, deceived—and has come out the other end resilient and kind all by herself. Standing naked in the shower is not the best time to be thinking about her… I breathe out deeply and look down at my cock.
How much time do I have?
I exhale and wrap my hand around my erection, closing my eyes, envisioning… What does she look like naked? Smooth curves. Soft skin. My shoulder and forehead find the tiles as I pant through the steam.
Fuck.
I lean harder into the tiles as my abdomen tightens. I groan. “Blesk.” I grunt her name between pants. “Blesk.” I rock my hips into my palm, tightening my fist. “Blesk—fuck.” My mouth falls open, mind conjuring images of her breasts, recalling her scent. My left leg buckles, my bicep trembles, and a long hiss passes my lips.
Then the door clicks open, and I freeze. “Blesk?” The sound of her feet crossing the bathroom floor comes through the lapping of the water. I drop my cock.
“Konnor?” Her voice is gentle, hesitant and husky from the wine,and my cock leaks pre-cum. “Do you mind if I brush my teeth?”
Fuck no.
“Yeah, Duch, of course.”
Moments pass. Seconds tick by.
