Hale

by K. Webster

  “I’m here now,” I murmur, kissing the top of her head. “What do you think Mom and Dad would think about us?”

  Rylie sighs. “I don’t think they’d approve.”

  “Mom wanted me to find real love, though.”

  “True,” she admits. “But she would have beat you in the head with your baseball bat if you’d found that love with her baby girl.”

  Dipping down, I kiss the side of her neck. “The universe dealt us a shitty hand, but we figured out a way to win.”

  She leans back against my chest. “When you finish college next year, let’s move far away where no one knows us.”

  “I like that idea. Definitely not Montana, though.”

  She shudders and I’m not sure if it’s from the cold or from the fact we could go to prison there for the rest of our lives for what we’re doing. That’s so fucked up. I’d pulled open my laptop earlier and showed her just how important it is for us to keep our relationship a secret.

  “Rylie?” I murmur as I slide my hand up to touch the rings on her necklace. “I’m sorry I’m so selfish.”

  Her hand covers mine. “You’re not selfish.”

  “I should have let you date and live your life the normal way.”

  She turns to face me and tilts her head up, her brows furrowed together angrily. “I was never happy, Hudson. Never. The moment things started crackling between us, I found hope. When we crossed the line with touches and kisses, I was terrified you’d think it was a mistake. Now that we’ve made love, I’m truly happy. I don’t want normal. I want you.”

  I kiss her mouth. “You have me. You’ll always have me because I’ll never fucking let you go.”

  “I love this part,” Rylie says, talking about the movie.

  My hand is under her hoodie and I’m palming her breast. I suck on her neck, no doubt bruising her, and laugh. “I love this part too.”

  After visiting our parents’ graves, we changed out of our clothes and decided to watch a movie in the basement since the television is bigger down here. This couch holds fond memories for both of us. Lying beside her, without a care in the world, is the best feeling. Our legs are tangled together. And although we’re both wearing lounge pants, our feet are bare. I like rubbing my big feet against her small, soft ones. Truth is, I could spend the rest of my life just lying here cuddling with her. I’ve never felt so relaxed.

  “Where do you want to go eat after the movie?” I ask, squeezing her tit over her bra. My cock is hard in my sweats, but I don’t press her for more sex. Holding her is good enough for me.

  “You make me eat too much,” she complains with a giggle.

  I slide my palm to her flat stomach and then tickle her ribs. “You’re too damn skinny. I’m going to fatten you up.”

  She turns and blinks lazily at me. Her pouty lips have parted, begging for a kiss. Leaning forward, I kiss her lips softly at first. But the moment I plunge my tongue into her mouth, she becomes ravenous. A moan tumbles from her and she squirms to twist her body toward me. I slide my palm down the back of her yoga pants under her panties and grab a handful of her ass. She lets out a squeal when I run my finger along her ass crack. We’re playfully touching and kissing when we hear it.

  A slam.

  “Rylie! Hudson!” Aunt Becky’s voice is loud as she calls for us upstairs.

  As if electrocuted, we both fly apart. Rylie scrambles to one end of the sofa and straightens her hoodie. I pull a pillow from the floor over my erection and attempt to relax on the sofa.

  “We’re downstairs!” I call out.

  Rylie’s lips are red from kissing. Fuck.

  The door to the basement flies open and footsteps stomp down the stairs. My heart rate is racing, but I manage to stare calmly at the television.

  “We’re watching a movie if you and Uncle Randy want to join us,” I tell her over my shoulder. “It’s just barely started.”

  I can feel Aunt Becky’s heated glare on the back of my head.

  “Did the retreat suck?” Rylie asks. “I thought you were coming back Monday.”

  “The speaker ended up getting sick, so we decided to come home and surprise you. Imagine our surprise when Hudson’s already here. I thought you had a game in Alabama.” Aunt Becky’s voice is curt and I can hear the accusations she’s barely holding back. I know you two are fucking.

  I peel my eyes from the screen and look at our aunt over my shoulder. She’s thin and pretty, her green eyes that look exactly like Mom’s blazing with anger. It hurts to look at her sometimes. “Coach benched me.”

  Her expression softens and her brows furl together. “Why, Huds?”

  “I’ve been playing shitty. He’s pissed.”

  “It’s understandable,” she says. “You lost your parents. You’ll do better next year.”

  “Maybe,” I mutter.

  “Your coach is a dick,” Rylie complains. “He doesn’t know what it feels like. What we went through.”

  Aunt Becky lets out a heavy sigh. “Enough of this sad talk. We came back early to celebrate your birthday and that’s what we’ll do. We’re all here together. What do you want to do, sweetheart?”

  Rylie turns and grins at me. “I want barbeque.”

  “Another mud fight?” I tease.

  She huffs. “No. There will be no outdoor barbeques, thank you, but there’s a place on Main Street I’ve been wanting to try. They have a mechanical bull,” she says with a laugh.

  Aunt Becky flinches at her laugh. Like it caught her off guard. It’s a reminder that Rylie doesn’t normally laugh a lot.

  I did this.

  I made her well.

  We’re doing the right thing.

  Nobody has to know.

  I wink at Rylie. “I smell a challenge.”

  “Your uncle Randy was a competitive bull rider in high school,” Aunt Becky tells us, pride in her tone. “I bet he’ll want to be in on this challenge.”

  “Give me twenty minutes to get ready and it’s on,” Rylie says, beaming.

  I pull the sleeve of my T-shirt up and flex my muscle. “Uncle Randy doesn’t have these guns. I’m not falling off that bull.”

  Aunt Becky laughs. “Oh, please, kid. Randy’s held on to me all these years. Sometimes you need more than muscle. You need determination.”

  I glance over at my sister. “I’m determined, all right.”

  The four of us are seated at a table and are all laughing. Aunt Becky was right. Uncle Randy’s old ass never fell off that bull. I was a close second because muscles do factor in. Rylie fell right off immediately and Aunt Becky never participated. But hearing Rylie’s constant giggles has been the real prize for the night. And not just for me. Aunt Becky’s bitter face has remained bright and smiling. For a little while, we’re able to behave like a family. It reminds me of hanging out with Mom and Dad.

  “I’ve never seen you turn down a margarita,” I say to Aunt Becky, observing she’s drinking water tonight. Usually at dinner, she at least has wine.

  Her smile grows broader and she glances over at Uncle Randy. “Well, we wanted to wait to tell you until we had made it out of the first trimester, but we’re pregnant. Finally.” She swipes at some tears that leak from her eyes.

  “A cousin,” I say with a grin.

  “This is exciting!” Rylie exclaims. She reaches over and squeezes Aunt Becky’s hand. “I’m so happy for you guys.”

  “We’re hoping for a boy,” Uncle Randy tells us.

  “But we’ll be happy with a girl,” Aunt Becky quickly amends.

  “I’m going to get a job soon as school is out just so I can spoil the baby with lots of clothes,” Rylie says.

  Aunt Becky smiles. “You don’t have to get a job. College is difficult enough without—”

  “I’m not going to college,” Rylie interrupts.

  And just like that, the usual tension between her and Aunt Becky is back.

  “Of course you’re going to college.” Aunt Becky straightens her spine and glo
wers at my sister.

  “I want to go to beauty school like Mom. She loved her job.” Rylie fidgets in her seat and I place my palm on her thigh beneath the table, rubbing my thumb across the hem of her dress, letting her know I support whatever she wants to do.

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Rylie,” Aunt Becky snips. “Your mother struggled her entire life to make ends meet. You’ll go to college and get a good paying job like Randy and I did.”

  I want to growl out that Rylie doesn’t have to do anything because I’ll take care of her, but I bite my tongue. Secrets are secrets because you don’t spill them.

  “Now’s not the time to talk about this,” I bite out, cutting this argument short. “It’s Rylie’s birthday. We’re not going to grill her about her future.”

  I challenge my aunt with a firm stare. Her nostrils flare with fury, but she doesn’t say another word.

  The food comes and we all chat about easy topics while we have our fill of ribs, baked beans, and homemade macaroni and cheese.

  “I’m stuffed,” Rylie groans as she pats her nonexistent belly.

  “Guess you’ll have to dance it off,” I tease. “You know how to two step?”

  She smirks. “With Lauren Hale as our mother? We never had an opportunity not to learn how to two step. I think I was dancing long before I could walk.”

  I rise from my seat and offer my hand. Aunt Becky eyes my palm like it’s the head of a venomous snake but again keeps her mouth shut. I feel like deep down, she knows, but she has no proof my dick has been inside her only niece. Uncle Randy is completely oblivious as he nurses his beer.

  Rylie gives me her hand and flashes me a playful smile despite the heat blazing in her eyes. I lead her away from the table to the dance floor. Neither of us is a fan of country music, but the whole scene reminds me of Mom and Dad. Even with all Dad’s back problems, he’d still get out on the dance floor with her. Lauren and Jerald Hale were made for each other, so much so that they left this world together. Like Romeo and Juliet. I feel like Ry and I are made for each other too. And I’d refuse to live a life without her in it.

  I grab onto Rylie’s dainty right hand with my left one and hold our clasped hands slightly out to our sides. Then, I hold on to her back just behind her armpit. She extends her left slender arm along over my right one with her palm resting on my shoulder. The song is fast-paced and we quickly start moving to the beat. At first it’s uncoordinated, but then we find our rhythm. My eyes never leave her bright brown ones and her smile is all for me. The dance floor is crowded, but we easily maneuver around some older couples doing more complicated routines that require them to stop more. I dance her around the floor over and over, the two of us lost in our own world.

  When a slow song comes on, I pull Rylie to a corner behind several other couples and away from Aunt Becky’s prying eyes. I hug my sister to me, kiss the top of her head, and rock against her. She relaxes in my hold and lets me control the pace of our slow dance. Despite the rain, she chose a pretty black dress with floral patterns that shows off way too much leg. If we weren’t surrounded by people, I’d find a way to work my hands beneath her dress so I could hold on to her ass. Unfortunately, we’re not alone and I have to make do with what I have.

  Rylie tilts her head up and our mouths are just inches apart. I could kiss her and probably not get caught, but it’s too risky. My gaze falls to her lips and I have to ignore the way I want to suck on her bottom one.

  “I love you,” she says just loud enough I can hear her over the music.

  “I love you too, heathen. I wish life were different.” My eyes skate over to a couple making out near us. “I wish we had that. Open, free love.”

  She shakes her head. “I want us. This is enough. What we have is more than enough. I feel lucky we’re even allowed that.”

  I stroke her back. “Now that she’s home, I don’t know how many free moments we’ll get.”

  She frowns and nods. “I know. We’ll find ways. Once I graduate, we’ll figure something out.”

  “I’ll spend the entire summer here. Every minute will be with you.”

  This earns me a beautiful smile. “Come to my room tonight after they go to bed. We can be quiet.”

  I sneak my hand to her ass and give it a quick squeeze. “You usually scream when I have my cock inside your tiny cunt. It sounds like a bad idea.” I wink at her.

  She bites her bottom lip and quirks a brow at me. “You could always put something in my mouth to keep me quiet.” Then, she purposely rubs her body against my aching cock. “I could be quiet for you.”

  Lowering my lips to her ear, I tongue her lobe before whispering, “You’re a bad girl, Rylie Hale.”

  “Your bad girl.”

  For the rest of the night, I can’t get the image of silencing my little sister’s moans with my fat cock out of my head. Bad, bad girl. I love her, especially when she’s bad.

  Rylie

  My mind is a mess. Not the usual dark and confusing mess. This mess makes perfect sense because Hudson and I are at the center of it. Every thought is of him. The way he makes me feel both emotionally and physically.

  “I hope Hudson drives carefully,” Aunt Becky says. “The rain is terrible.”

  I stare out the front windshield as the wipers swipe back and forth frantically. He left early this morning because he has a class this afternoon. Saturday night was fun dancing with him and then Sunday we spent the day watching movies with our aunt and uncle. It was almost as if Aunt Becky knew we wanted to be alone together because she tried to fill up every second by hanging out with us. Thankfully, Hudson did as promised both nights and snuck into my room. We made love many times and as dawn would peek over the horizon, he’d sneak back down to the basement.

  I miss him already and he only left a few hours ago.

  “He’s a good driver and will call us when he gets back,” I tell her firmly. I won’t allow my mind to get cluttered with images of losing him. He’s mine and he’s not going anywhere.

  As soon as Aunt Becky parks in front of Dr. Livingston’s office, I’m irrationally angry. I don’t want to come here anymore. I would have thrown a fit and told her I wasn’t coming, but Hudson is the one who asked me to go. He was diligent about making me take my medicine all weekend too. I’d like to think I’d be fine, but the way he worries over me melts my heart. I’m doing this for him, not her.

  “What? No sigh today?” Aunt Becky teases when she shuts off the car.

  I shrug. “It is what it is. Just ready to get this over with so I can go to school.”

  “School? Since when?” She laughs.

  “Since there became an end in sight.”

  She reaches over and clutches my hand. “I can’t believe you’re graduating from high school already. Two more weeks and you’ll be all grown up. Rylie?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Just because you don’t want to go to college, you’re still welcome to stay as long as you like. I don’t ever want you to feel like you’re pressured to leave our house. You’ve always got a home with us.”

  I smile at her but don’t tell her my home is with Hudson. “Thanks.”

  She lets go of my hand and we run through the rain into the clinic. Once I’m settled in a room, alone, I pull out my phone.

  Me: I know you’re still driving. Be careful. Love you, big brother.

  We discussed that our texts can’t reveal anything about our relationship in case anyone ever gets a hold of them. It’s hard not to say more than what I want, but I can save that for our phone calls.

  Hudson: I stopped at McDonalds. So far, so good. Wish I didn’t have to go back.

  Me: Me too. Two weeks feels like forever. Are you coming to my graduation?

  Hudson: I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

  I grin as I reply.

  Me: We need to plan our summer vacation now that Mom and Dad are no longer here.

  Hudson: We will. Our traditions don’t die with them.

  Me: The do
ctor is about to come in and then I’ll be off to school. Text me when you get there so I know you made it safely.

  Hudson: Thank you for going. You’re doing the right thing. Love you, little sister.

  The door opens and I’m forced to put my phone away. Dr. Livingston can’t hide his surprise when he sees me.

  “Wow,” he says, grinning. “Eighteen looks good on you. Smiles look good on you. I take it the medication is working?”

  Fucking my brother is helping.

  “Yep, I think so.”

  He sits down in his chair and positions his clipboard on his knee. “I spoke with your aunt. How are things at home?”

  I bristle at his words. “Fine. Everything’s fine.”

  Dr. Livingston lifts a brow. “Last time we spoke, you were upset. You were counting down the days until you could move out. What changed?”

  Hudson.

  “Nothing.”

  He scribbles something down, his eyes never leaving mine. “Your aunt had some concerns about how much time you’ve been spending with your brother. She fears you’re using him as a crutch. This is a safe place in here. I’m bound to keep what you tell me confidential. You can tell me…anything.”

  That I’m sleeping with my brother? That’s what Aunt Becky has most likely expressed to him as a worry.

  He may be bound to secrecy, but I think the area becomes gray when what I say is illegal. I’m not sure he’d keep information like that to himself. It’s not his business.

  No one will ever know.

  “Hudson is my brother and he reminds me I’m not alone in this world. We went to Mom and Dad’s graves. Said a few words. It was nice. For the first time, I didn’t feel like the world was crushing in around me.”

  “I see.” He waits for me to continue, but I don’t. “Besides the medicine, are there certain things or people who make you happy? There’s a definite difference in you, Rylie.”

  He’s fishing. He wants me to say Hudson so he can probe more.