Kelly pats my shoulder. “I should go too. Captain’s probably ready for a walk.”
Before the door has even closed, Jordyn climbs into bed next to me, nuzzling her head into the crook of my neck. I kiss her forehead and lay my head back. My eyes are hot, and now my chest hurts nearly as much as my side. I’m one lucky unlucky shit.
THIRTY-FIVE
Five days later, I’m released from the hospital.
“I’m kind of like your brother now,” I say to Jordyn as we lie on the basement couch watching the fire. Her head rests on the good side of my chest and her hair fans out across my shirt. I run my fingers through it until I find the little red strip.
“Well, you know what they say. Incest is best,” she says, reaching her hand to where a sister should never touch.
“Watch it. I’m not allowed to exert myself for another two weeks.” I curl the red hair around my first two fingers.
“Mmmm,” she moans. “Too bad.”
“Dinner’s about ready,” Henry calls down to us.
“I’m going to need you to stop that or I will be extremely inappropriate at the dinner table.”
Jordyn lifts herself so she’s hovering over me, then she carefully straddles and kisses me. The kiss grows deeper and deeper and my body reacts.
“You’re mean,” I say against her mouth.
She laughs and then hops up, offering me a hand. “Let’s go, brother.”
I glance down at my rather conspicuous erection. “Not. Cool.”
She laughs again and then bounds up the steps.
? ? ?
I’m alone at the studio with Henry, and it’s a fairly busy Saturday. I don’t have to work anymore—Henry and Kelly are taking care of everything—but I like it, so I keep the job. My injuries are almost completely healed. It’s been about a month. Time is flying, especially now that I don’t have to worry about going home to a ticking time bomb. Dad took a plea. He’s still facing a minimum of ten years, though. His sentencing isn’t for another few months. I might not even be here to see his disgraced face as the judge doles out what’s coming to him. It all depends on when football training starts up.
“So . . . the big one-eight.” Henry grins as he dismantles one of the lighting rigs. “Jordyn’s still got till June. You better watch it, or you’ll be in a cell next to your dear ol’ dad.” He laughs, then winces, like maybe he crossed a line.
I barely notice. My face is on fire. I know they know we have sex, but actually talking about it makes me want to die a little. Does he have conversations like this with Jordyn?
“I’m just messing with you. I know you love Jordyn like I love Jordyn.”
“I hope not, otherwise you’ll end up in a cell next to dear old Dad.”
He laughs heartily. “Maybe it’s best we change the subject.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” I set the last of the equipment in the closet and shut the door.
Once the studio is in good shape, Henry and I head home. It’s not even weird to think of it like that anymore—home. I fight the urge to call out “Honey, I’m home!” every time I enter the house and Jordyn’s already there. Like today.
Before the door’s even closed behind me, Jordyn runs up and grabs my hand. She practically pushes me down the stairs.
“What’s going on?”
She lets out a sound that can only be described as a squeal and she pulls me to her room. She heads straight for her desk, where she retrieves a large envelope.
I snatch it from her hands. “You got in?” I pull out the contents to see the confirmation for myself. She got in to her dream school: Rhode Island School of Design.
“I never doubted for a minute. Especially with that weird and oddly terrifying bicycle drawing,” I say, pulling her to me. I cup her face and she leans into my hand. God, I love that. It kills me every time. I brush my lips against hers. She does the same. And then I can’t control myself anymore. I grab her and we tumble to the bed. We’re practically at the point when clothes start to come off when we hear a throat clearing just outside the now-open door.
We jump apart so fast I almost fall off the bed.
Kelly starts laughing. “Trust me, this is just as awkward for me as it is for you.”
I seriously doubt that.
Jordyn’s face is practically glowing. I’m sure mine is a similar shade of fuchsia. I bet Kelly’s also blushing, but I can’t bring myself to look anywhere near her.
“I just wanted to see if you told Tyler the big news, and from all this, I gather you have.” She sounds like she’s trying to hold back another laugh. “Anyway, I’ll just . . .” She turns to leave, closing the door behind her. But just before it’s closed, she stops herself and pushes it back open. “I’m, um, not sure . . . but, uh . . . I think maybe the door should stay open, though.”
I want to die.
Once Kelly’s footsteps have retreated all the way back upstairs, I look at Jordyn. The second we make eye contact, we burst into laughter.