A car horn blasts outside, the bass from the music rattling the windows. I open the door as his friends pull up, Willow lifting one of River's bags while I grab another. Together we sling them into the boot, and my arm brushes against hers.
From the front seat comes a whistle. Max leans out, eyes immediately locking on Willow.
“You must be Willow,” he grins wide and a little too hungry. “River never mentioned how pretty you are.”
If he carries on looking at her like that, I don't care how old he is; I’ll beat him to a pulp.
“I would find it rather odd if my brother went round telling everyone that I’m pretty, don't you think?” she replies, hand on her hip.
He looks taken aback for a moment before rubbing his head. “Are you joining us this weekend? I’m sure we could make room in one of our tents.”
This fucker. I know all of his friends, but Max has always irked me. I’m just glad the others aren't getting involved.
Luckily, River intervenes as he smacks Max on the back of his head, saving me from gritting my teeth any harder. “Stop eye fucking my sister, or I’ll swap your shampoo for hair remover.”
Their relationship is something I fought tooth and nail for when they were younger, and seeing them like this made it all worth it.
A flicker of guilt hits me. Not because of what I've started with Willow, I would never regret her. It's that out of all the women I could have fallen for, it had to be his best friend.
His bigsister.
But I’m not an idiot. I’m not walking away from something that makes me feel like the world disappears when she's near, like every nerve in my body is awake just for her.
She's worth it.
I cross my arms as I watch Willow shoot River a sideways grin, arms wrapping around him in a quick hug. “Sorry, I’m leaving you with my dad.” River smirks at me over her head. “He's old; he’ll probably pass out early or have one of his grandad naps.”
The cheek of him. Thirty-eight is not old, and there's nothing wrong with a nap.
I laugh, shaking my head as I pull him into a quick hug, ruffling his hair and giving his back a soft pat. “Have a good time. Don't get into trouble, don't fall in a lake, and if you do break any laws, definitely don't tell me.”
It wouldn't be the first time he's fallen into some form of water or got stuck in a tree.
“That was one time.”
“One time too many,” I call after him as he heads to the other side of the car.
I catch him glancing at Willow, his features softening for a brief moment before he lands on me, silently asking me to look out for her. I don't need him to say a word. I’ll do it for the rest of my life.
The group begins hooting, music blaring as they peel out of the driveway. River deserves this, especially with his final gameapproaching. A short break from training will do him some good.
“So, old man. Do you need one of your old man naps before we head out?” I can hear the teasing tone as she peers up at me, the wind catching her bow and lifting a few strands of hair across her sun-kissed cheeks.
The little minx.
If we weren't outside, she'd be over my knee in a heartbeat as I spank her, then remind her what an ‘old man’ can do.
“Depends,” I drawl, letting my eyes linger over her.
“On what?”
I smirk. “If you'll join me. But only if you're naked.”
Usually, she'd flush, maybe stammer a little, but not this time. She just licks her plump lips, glistening slightly.
“I doubt there'd be much napping involved.”
She has a very good point.
