Pretty Remedy

by S. E. Hall

  “You’re absolutely right, I am!” Her head pops up, feisty courage coloring her cheeks.

  Didn’t take long. “That’s my girl.” I tap the end of her nose.

  “So you’re here for good? That was awful fast.” She shoves at my arm with a grin. “And a surprise wonderful enough that I’ve decided to forgive you for the day of worried silence you put me through.”

  “Yeah, sorry about that, but I’m new to the whole surprise thing. I couldn’t quite figure out how to pull it off, avoid outright lying to you, and talk to you at the same time.” I chuckle. “It’s something to work on.”

  “Is Jarrett with you?”

  If only my brother could witness the sincere hopefulness on her face right now—he’d know, as sure as I always have, there’s no “pitiful lil’ brother” or sinister motivation whatsoever inside Reece Kelly. If he could see that, maybe then he’d understand why I’m so uncharacteristically, but unstoppably, drawn to her. The fact that she’s smokin’ fucking hot doesn’t hurt, nor has it evaded him—since he feels free to mention it to me all the time.

  “He is. He’s at the hotel right now. Probably hasn’t stopped bitching to himself about it since I left either.” I laugh, taking added enjoyment from that.

  “Hotel?” she shrieks, scrambling out of my hold to sit up straight. “No, we need to fix that now. What about all your stuff?”

  “I got most of what I’ll need packed before I left. Wasn’t much, I’m pretty low maintenance. JC’s gonna ship anything else I need to me when I tell him where. He’s subletting my place, and I’m letting him keep the furniture; helps him out and it’s easier to just buy new stuff here, so shouldn’t be much.”

  “And Landry? She keeping Jarrett’s place?”

  “Yep, same deal. Furniture stays, she’ll ship the rest when we give her an address.”

  She crosses her arms, the gesture launching the luscious swells of her tits at me, and crinkles her face in a frown. “I can’t believe she didn’t tell me you guys were coming! She’s my best friend! It’s a rule!”

  “Not when Jarrett made her swear not to in trade for the apartment it’s not. A lot happened in one day; you weren’t left out that long, and it was important to me to surprise you.”

  She smiles now. “It was a good surprise.”

  “You mentioned that.” I brush her lips with mine. “So you done people watching, talking to trees, whatever? I could use some help finding an apartment or condo from someone who knows the area. I’d prefer it be a gorgeous girl who keeps me on my toes. Know anybody?”

  “Maybe.” She giggles, and like many times before, I take a moment to reflect on how much I enjoy the sound—only when it comes from her. Very few girls can pull off a non-nauseating giggle. “I just, I can’t believe you’re here, that we’re really gonna do this.” Her whimsical tone complements her eyes, which shine with a belief in things that can’t be seen or touched. “I’m really happy, Rhett.”

  “Come ‘ere,” I say deeper than intended, weighted down with want that’s been neglected far too long.

  She shimmies up to straddle my lap, with no instruction or assistance, and curls her arms around my neck. “Here?”

  My hands glide up her cheeks, and I lean in to kiss her again. She lets out a small, raspy whimper, and I press harder against her mouth, my tongue seeking the entry she readily grants. My fingers get tangled in her hair and angle her head to give me the access I must have. I swallow her breathy moans as she grinds against the hard-on she provoked, and I groan back. My hands dig into her hips and move her faster, increasing the friction that needs to happen without clothes on very fucking soon.

  Seriously, it’s becoming a problem—as of late, I’m more familiar with my right hand that I was the entirety of junior high through high school graduation. I have to know if the images of her I conjure up as I jack off even come close to the real thing.

  And fuck if she’s not testing me beyond reason, pulling my hair and whimpering her frustration because she just can’t wiggle any closer.

  I pop the button on her pants and slide my hand inside, desperate for a touch, a taste, affirmation that she’s warm and wet for me, but she tenses and pulls back. Wearing a feverish blush, she slowly regains control, too aware of our surroundings. Her boobs bounce with each sharp, deep breath, and I’m tempted to rip open her shirt and shove my face between them. Goddamn, she’s sexy.

  “We’re outside,” she says, breathy and nervous.

  “Gimme a couple minutes and you won’t care.” I ease my hand lower and bend to kiss her neck, but she’s pushing off my chest, yanking at my seeking hand.

  “I think we should go get you a place to live. We have plenty of time for this now that you’re here to stay, and I don’t like you having to live out of a hotel.”

  “Reece,” I growl. “My dick is really starting to hate you.”

  “Then I’ll just have to try real hard to make sure he forgives me, in private. Now come on.” She hops up, refastens her button, and holds out her hand. “Let’s get you settled in.”

  “So what song are we thinking of doing for this audition, at the company you own?” Jarrett asks, pressing every button to open every compartment in the back of the car. Ozzie’s chauffeuring us, since I have limited space in my Mustang, which I’m sure is doing wonders for his already high opinion of me.

  “I know it seems crazy—I’m not even sure why I’m doing things this way—but I appreciate you humoring me, Jarrett, truly. Rhett’s already sold them on his lyrics, playing, and voice, so that leaves me and you. I vote we put him on drums, you on lead or bass, whichever you feel is your strongest, and I’ll take what you don’t choose or piano, depending on the song. What’s one we all know or can learn quickly that covers all that?”

  She speaks to only Jarrett, and I don’t interject. They need to connect on not only an artistic level, but on one of camaraderie that confirms for Jarrett he’s as involved and valued as either of us. Not to mention, and I don’t cause they both know this too; any song can be rearranged around the instruments available. They’re still brainstorming when Ozzie stops at our third housing option. Reece, unsurprisingly, managed to wrangle up an over-zealous real estate agent on the spur of the moment, and Cheri’s already waiting on the sidewalk when we get out.

  “All right,” she starts her spiel the second we join her. “These lofts range from seven hundred to a thousand square feet, they’re closer to downtown than the last ones we looked at, and there’s a twenty-four hour gym. The rent starts at twenty-three hundred dollars a month for a two bedroom.”

  I look at Reece. “How far are these from you?”

  Her face spreads into a wide smile. “Very. Probably half an hour, minimum, in optimal traffic. Even farther from the studio.”

  “Then why are you smiling?”

  “’Cause you asked.” Her smile grows impossibly, joined by a blush.

  “No, don’t let me standing here stop you from doing your whole love-poem-out-loud thing. Honestly, I never get sick of hearing it,” Jarrett grumbles, and I laugh before I fully realize I’m happy. “Anyway, I’m not paying twelve hundred a month to share a thousand square feet with my brother. We need something closer to work, and her”—he points at Reece—“or Lord knows the new vagina Rhett’s grown might start weeping, and we either need a lot more space or two units. Can you make that happen?” He sidles closer to the middle-aged brunette realtor, turning up the charm.

  “Let me see,” she says a bit huffily, tapping wildly on her phone.

  “Try Tuscany, that’s my building,” Reece suggests.

  “I got it!” Jarrett’s random thought bursts out as he snaps his fingers and looks at Reece and me. “Rhett, that one you wrote, ‘Lone Worth.’ We can change the guitar intro to piano, I’ll play electric lead, and it’s already got a killer drum solo, imagine that. Reece sings, and I’ll blend back-up.”

  Reece looks at me with a lively spark in her eyes, and I run through it in my he
ad. “I think you nailed it. I also think you have ADHD, but it worked out this time. It’s a great idea, man, if we tweak it out.”

  “Yay!” Reece bounces a little in place and winks at me. Winks at me.

  And. Then. There’s. That.

  Wouldn’t play anything else now.

  “Okay,” Cheri says too snidely and disrupts my reverie. “Tuscany actually has a few units available. Shall I meet you there?”

  “Absolutely, thank you, gorgeous.” Jarrett’s at it again. “How about if I ride with you in case you get lost?”

  Yup, surely she’s forgotten—in the last ten minutes—that he’s apartment shopping because he just moved here and knows his way around for shit.

  She’s already walking away. “I think I can manage. I’ll meet you all there.”

  Three hours later, Jarrett and I have both signed separate leases on our new pads. His is a one bedroom in the building beside Reece’s for eighteen-ninety-five a month. Mine’s a two bedroom with full kitchen, balcony, and twelve-hundred-fifty square feet of space I don’t need or plan to stay in… on the same floor as Reece. Twenty-eight hundred dollars a month and worth every fucking penny. I go ahead and pay for first, last, and four more months’ rent.

  When I meet Reece’s gaze that I can feel on me, her brows are arched in challenge. “You confident you’re staying that long?”

  “I am. That okay with you?”

  “It is.”

  She throws her arms around my waist and squeezes me tightly as I bend to kiss the top of her head. Then she turns and does the same to Jarrett, hugging him as if she’s known him forever, and he can’t help but grin. He’s starting to understand.

  Time to do this all out. No holding back in fear of the worst.

  I pull out my phone and shoot a text to JC with the details—and faith in the best.

  These two amazing men, faithful and daring, moved to L.A. on my word, willing to knowingly walk into a lion’s den with me. I absolutely refuse to stand by and do nothing while they sleep in a hotel room too. Neither of them can move into their new apartment before Friday morning, which is as quick as cleaning, final credit checks, and furniture delivery can possibly happen, but I’m not too concerned. Actually, I’m looking forward to some company.

  “You guys are staying with me until your apartments are ready. I insist,” I announce while we wait for our dinner.

  I’ve taken them to Chavarin’s, my favorite restaurant in the city, and regardless of what either of them may think, I’m buying. I always sit in April’s section, but she’s especially happy to have my patronage this particular evening—as is every female in the building. Both Foster brothers spiffed up and at the same table is indeed a sight to behold. They could easily pass for twins with their dark hair, steel-blue eyes, and the kind of smile that leaves you guessing as to their secret thoughts. They definitely garner plenty of appreciative attention.

  And the sexiest of the pair, with a more considering edge to his eyes and the permanent hint of a curl at the corner of his fuller lips, is caressing my thigh underneath the table with his talented hand.

  “You won’t get an argument from me. I hate hotels. Thanks.” Jarrett smiles at me from across the table.

  “Reece,” Rhett growls, but I’m prepared.

  I look him dead in the eyes. “Say yes.”

  Oh, that felt good! I’ve been waiting for the chance to reciprocate his bossy catchphrase, and even he grins and chuckles lightly.

  He leans into me and rests his forehead on mine. “Yes. But Friday is further away than it sounds, so if you get sick of us, you say something. I mean it.”

  “Promise,” I whisper.

  “Yeah, okay, the third wheel would like to make a toast,” Jarrett says, holding up his glass. “To…, well shit, what’s our band’s name?”

  Rhett and I bust out in laughter, look at one another, and back to Jarrett.

  “I haven’t thought about it,” I say. “You guys have any ideas?”

  “How ‘bout See You Next Thursday?” Jarrett suggests.

  “How ‘bout… we keep thinking?” Rhett quips.

  So grumpy, so dry… I rub his back and grin.

  “What about something with Foster or fostered?” I propose too loudly, excited by what I’m positive is a flash of brilliance.

  “Hell yeah!” Jarrett toasts the air and takes a big swallow of his drink. “I like it.”

  April arrives with our entrees, so there’s a natural lag in our discussion, but Rhett is silent long after she leaves and Jarrett’s already chewing.

  “You okay?” I ask Rhett. “This is your first time here, hence, I know you didn’t order the same thing as always. I’m not gonna make you switch with me if that’s what you’re waiting for.” I laugh. “Eat up.”

  “That’s not it.” Food literally almost falls out of Jarrett’s full mouth as he chimes in. “I’ll tell ya what he’s doing.”

  “Could that maybe wait until you’ve swallowed?” I smile at him.

  “Or forever,” Rhett grits out.

  I glance at Rhett, who’s already focused on nothing but me, and the gravity in his half-lidded eyes sends a shiver through me.

  “Fusion; coming, melting, together. Blending two or more styles of music. Fostered Fusion could work,” he says in grave monotone, gaze never straying from mine.

  Although you could never tell by his expression or voice—unless you know what he’s making you search for—he’s touched that I suggested incorporating their last name. I know it as sure as my own name. But I won’t mention it, because I’m also sure he doesn’t want me too.

  “Fostered Fusion,” I test it on my tongue and grin. “I like it a lot.”

  “Here, here.” Jarrett’s glass is back up… and his food is swallowed. “To Fostered Fusion, Los Angeles, and new adventures!”

  Beneath the table, Rhett squeezes my thigh and skims his thumb along my prickled flesh, raising his glass in the other hand.

  The boys flipped a coin. Jarrett won my guest bedroom, and Rhett got stuck with the couch. As I get ready for bed, I hear Jarrett through the wall, talking to Landry on speakerphone.

  Sounds like she loves her new job, the fact that the girl who messed up both their lives quit hers and most importantly, she needs to know how to relight the pilot on the furnace because she has no hot water. I make a mental note to call her soon, then another invigorating one—I finally have my own excitement going on and haven’t depended on hers vicariously.

  Finished changing and brushing my teeth, I go check on poor Rhett in the living room. He’s been doing more than his fair share of sofa surfing since he met me.

  I sneak up from the side and sit beside him on the couch. “I’d offer you my bed, but I know you’ll refuse.”

  “You’re right.” He glances over then snaps his neck for a double-take. “What the hell are you wearing?”

  “Pajamas?” I look down at my tank and shorts, not seeing the catastrophe.

  “Reece, the only reason I’m refusing your bed, with you, is because my brother’s here. The exact same reason you can’t walk around in that outfit.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I don’t want to have to kill my little brother, Teaspoon.”

  I shove at him playfully. “Oh, please. He’s not even out here, and these pajamas aren’t indecent. They cover a lot more than a bikini!”

  “Irrelevant.” He scoops me up in one quick move and plops me in his lap. “He’s not going to see you in a bikini either.” He pulls down the blanket from over the top of the couch, fluffs it out, then wraps it around me. “There, much better, and now you’re warm.”

  “I wasn’t cold.”

  “You sure? ‘Cause your nipples thought you were.” He almost smirks but more snarls. “By the way,” he dips his head to tickle my ear with his breath, “I wasn’t kidding about not stopping next time, so keep it covered ‘til I can have it.”

  My whole body quivers, and he’s all smirk now. “I’m glad you’re here, Rhet
t. I missed you.” I snuggle my face in his neck.

  “Did you?”

  “Yes, you know I did. Can’t you just admit you missed me too?”

  “Figured you already knew.”

  “Maybe, but it’s still nice to hear.”

  “Hey, Teaspoon?” His voice is gravely in my ear. “I’m gonna need you to make up some of the pretty words in your head while I get the hang of the stuff I don’t know, and take care of all the stuff I do.”

  “Like what?” I breathe with a slight hitch.

  “Like when I’ve got your legs spread open as far as they’ll go and my tongue and fingers have you begging me to let you come all over my face. Maybe I’ll stop to tell you just how sweet your little pussy tastes before I drive my dick inside you, but maybe I won’t. So the ‘nice to hear,’ you might need to improvise. Can you do that for me?” he growls, nipping my earlobe.

  “I-I can do that,” I say breathlessly, shifting in his lap to feel, and torment, his erection the way he’s tormenting me.

  I’ve heard his lyrics, he’s excellent at “pretty words,” but I’m willing to pick up his slack during certain times. No problem. He’s every bit as good at the dirty words that make me come alive—fast, hot, and pulsing—as he is the pretty. As my heart threatens to beat out of my chest, I can’t decide which I like better.

  “Good girl.” He slides his tongue down my neck, kissing and sucking my skin expertly, then works his way up to ravage my mouth.

  “Who wants to practice?” Jarrett comes bounding, and screaming, down the hall.

  Having his hearing checked really wouldn’t hurt.

  Rhett cusses his brother under his breath as I scoot off his lap, hopefully pulling off nonchalant versus volcanic. And hopefully pulling off “I’m wrapped up in this blanket tighter than a burrito because I’m cold” versus “Your brother thinks you wanna see my boobies.”

  “Crazy, I know, but I don’t have any drums handy and couldn’t bang ‘em at midnight anyway,” Rhett tells him, not nicely.

  “Just keep the beat on the table or something. Reece and I need to work on our parts.” He hands me the keyboard he obviously found in the spare bedroom closet where I store it, then runs back down the hall, presumably to grab one of the guitars.