Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
Or maybe that’s just me.
I deal with the avocados and move to the sink to rinse the masher.
Tristan gives me a look.
“What?”
“Dude.”
“You’re going to need to elaborate past a single word.”
“Bro.” The word drips disappointment. “Is Tally suddenly made of glass?”
“What?”
“You’re dating her, be affectionate, man.”
“I’m not going to hump all over her.” Although the dreams in which I do have been pretty fucking relentless lately.
“That’s not—” Tristan shakes his head and looks at the ceiling. “That I’m the one giving advice makes it feel like I’m in a parallel universe.” He sighs. “You’re making it weird, man.”
I rub the back of my neck. “Tally is like everyone’s sister. I’m trying to be respectful.”
Tristan pokes at his cheek with his tongue. “Or you’re being a chickenshit.”
Is that what it is? Am I being too cautious? “I don’t know how to walk the line.”
“Explain.”
This is Tristan. We’ve been friends since we were in diapers. He’s seen the worst of me and we’re still tight. “Beyond hugs from friends and family, I’m used to affection being a precursor to sex. It’s always been all or nothing. I’m struggling with the middle ground. I don’t want to fuck it up and default back to old Flip.”
“That won’t happen. Old Flip doesn’t have the power he used to.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Before you started dating, you hugged Tally all the time, right?”
“Yeah.” But she was in the friend box and now she’s in a new one.
“So keep doing that, but add a kiss on the cheek. Just something to show her and everyone else that you’re hers.”
“Everything okay here?” Rix asks.
“We’re good,” Tristan and I say at the same time.
“Uh-huh.” She gives us a skeptical look. “Flip, can you stir this and a handful of Tally’s tomatoes into the avocado mash?” Rix passes me a small bowl with minced garlic, lime juice, and some spices, her expression expectant.
“For sure.”
Hemi has put down the knife and is now busy bathing the red onions in ice water. It’s a hack to take out the sharpness.
I slip an arm around Tally’s waist from behind as she drains the juice from the tomatoes, brushing my lips over her cheek. “Hi.”
She relaxes into me. “Hi.” Her voice is soft and breathy, exactly like it was when I had to end the kiss the other night before it escalated to criminal proportions. I shut those thoughts down. I’ll let them out later, when I’m alone in the shower.
“Can you drop a handful of tomatoes in here for me?” I murmur against her ear.
“Put that tone away.” Hemi points a spatula at me. At least it’s not a knife.
“What tone?” I glance around. “I asked for tomatoes.”
“Yeah, but it sounds like you’re offering to service her in front of all your friends,” Essie pipes up, unhelpfully.
“You could narrate some spicy audiobooks with that voice,” Dred adds with a smile.
I glance at Tristan, who just shrugs. This is harder than I thought it would be.
“Oooh! You should get Flip to read you Cammie’s fics!” Hammer’s eyes light up.
“I read Dred Cammie’s fics.” Connor smirks.
“You’re so good at it.” Dred pats his cheek.
“I’m good at a lot of things.” Connor’s normally slanted brows tip up.
“Don’t be braggy,” Dred chastises.
“Pretty sure this is their foreplay,” I whisper.
“Oh, it is.” Tally’s sigh seems a little envious as she drops a handful of tomatoes into the avocado mash.
“Thanks.” I kiss her cheek again. I can’t learn if I don’t try.
“Want help stirring them in, too?” she offers.
“Please.” I pass her a spoon, happy to cocoon her against the counter so I can keep huffing her cherry blossom shampoo. “What’s the deal with Cammie’s fics?”
“I’ll tell you more about that when you’re ready.”
“You don’t think I can handle it?”
“Uh no, I don’t think I can.” The flush in her cheeks is revealing.
“Now I’m even more intrigued.”
“Excellent. My nefarious plan is working.”
“I like it when you’re sassy.” I wrap an arm around her waist, hugging her from behind.
Tristan gives me a subtle chin dip in approval.
Once the avocado mash is mixed, I add it to the growing spread at the dining room table.
Quinn and Kellan arrive with beer and street corn, completing the meal. Only Ash and Shilpa couldn’t make it tonight since Pavin is running a fever.
Gathering around the table, we pass bowls as we doctor up our fajitas. There’s a whole carousel of sauces and dips.
“Maybe we need to rotate fajita night locations so you’re not always hosting,” Hemi says to Rix.
“Oh, this is my happy place. I’m totally living my dream, and getting all our friends together for dinner is the icing on the cake.” Rix hugs Tristan’s arm.
Tristan beams as he gazes down at my sister. “You’re made of magic.”
She smiles. “I wouldn’t have this without you.”
Rix went back to school for nutrition and finished her degree last summer. She finally resigned from her accounting firm and now she handles my, Tristan’s, and Dallas’s financial portfolios, and spends the rest of her time creating meal plans for many of the guys on the team. She’s amazing at it, and she loves it.