by Layla Frost
I moved in front of her, my arms going to either side of her head as I leaned in close. “I took it to mean you were scared.” I tapped her temple. “Listening to the fear swirling around in there.”
“That’s not—”
“That’s exactly what it is. Go to bed with you every night, ipo. The smell of citrus in my nose, your hot as fuck body sprawled over me.” I lowered my voice. “Roll over and eat you, fuck you, just fuckin’ feel you next to me. I want that without the hauling ass all over. You don’t like the house, wanna move, wanna change it? We’ll do it. I just want you in it.”
“Okay.”
Wait, what?
I did a slow blink, pressing in close. “What?”
“I said okay. What’s been packed—”
Taking her mouth with mine, I cut off her words.
Her ma is in the next room. Don’t fuck her against the wall.
You can’t fuck her against the wall.
She clutched my shirt at my chest, pulling me closer.
Fuck it, fuck her against a wall. Just not right this second.
Before my dick took total control of me, I lifted my head but didn’t back out of her space. “Expected a fight.”
“I’m sorry, did I give in too easily and feed your ego?” She moved her hands up to cup my head. “Is the explosion imminent?”
I barked out a laugh. “I think all the times you shot me down before are keeping me humble.”
It was her turn to laugh. “Right. Humble.” She bit the inside of her cheek, her eyes going to the side for a moment before she looked back at me. “Are you sure about this?”
“Been sure for months, ipo. Only stopped asking ‘cause you looked ready to flee into the night.”
“I wanted to say yes.”
“I know.”
“I was just scared.”
“I know,” I repeated. “And I was cool to wait. Even now, you tell me you aren’t ready, we’ll unpack and then grab some dinner.”
“I’m ready.”
No hesitation, no bullshit, no games.
Closing my eyes, I dropped my forehead to hers. “Good.” I stood up fully and stepped away. “‘Cause I really don’t feel like unpacking.”
“You’re gonna have to when we get it all moved. And, fair warning, I’ve got a lot of giant purses.”
I rubbed my beard, pretending to think. “Hmm, I dunno then.”
“Too late, sucka.” Harlow looked toward the kitchen before shouting, “It’s safe to come out now!”
Helena entered the room, carrying a couple cookies. She handed one to each of us. “Piper has outdone herself. White chocolate and cornflake, can you believe that? Delicious!”
Harlow glared at her. “You think sharing a cookie will distract me from the fact my own mother is pushing me out the door?”
“Uhh, yes?”
She sighed dramatically, her lower lip sticking out. “I think maybe some of that chocolate pie might help, too.”
I worked to keep from smiling. “She gotta bribe you to move in with me?”
“Dude, play it cool. I’m trying to get us some pie.”
“You can have pie later.” Helena picked up a box and handed it to Harlow. “Now that you’re here, you can start on your room.”
Glancing at the stairs, a blush spread across Harlow’s cheeks. “Yeah, what’s been packed?”
“We’ve been working on the stuff from down here. I figured you wouldn’t want Kase to see all the lipstick kiss marked boy band posters and notebooks that say ‘Harlow plus Kase equals forevvvva’.”
Harlow rolled her eyes, but her shoulders suddenly relaxed.
Wondering what private things she had hidden in her room, my dick started to harden as my dirty mind ran wild.
I turned away and started for the door. “I’m gonna pull the moving truck back into the driveway. Be back.”
One minute longer, and I’d have been holding a box in front of my pants.
And definitely not the box I want right now.
*******
Harlow
Don’t try to fuck Kase.
Don’t try to fuck Kase.
Okay, push all the furniture against the door and then fuck him.
“Keep looking at me like that, ipo, we’re gonna be getting sweaty and worn the fuck out in a whole different way,” Kase said without turning around. Kneeling on the floor, his shirt was long gone as he worked to disassemble my bed.
Well, my old one.
Using the broom I held, I started sweeping again. “How’d you know?”
“Think I can’t feel your eyes on me?” He looked over his shoulder and gave me a cocky smirk. “Plus, you’ve been cleaning that same spot for five minutes. I’m surprised there’s any varnish left on the wood.”
I glanced at the door quickly. “Speaking of hardwood…”
“Not fuckin’ you in your ma’s house. I will be fuckin’ you in our bed, in our house tonight, though.”
“Fine.” I forced a sigh when all I felt was warmth and happiness spreading through me. Leaning the broom against the wall, I picked up a box. “I’m gonna bring this out to the truck and see what else I have laying around to pack. You almost done with that?”
“Yeah.” Sitting up, he pushed his hair back as he drained the ice water my mom had brought him. “Your ma asked me to move around the dressers and take some junk out, but that won’t take me long.”
Watching the way his muscles flexed, I didn’t doubt that.
“Harlow,” he warned, his voice low.
“Right. Back to work.”
After dropping the box off in the truck, I made my way through the downstairs, gathering up odds and ends that I needed to pack or throw away. There wasn’t much. I hadn’t realized how much I’d already gotten rid of.
“You doing okay?” Mom asked, handing me another cookie.
“Other than my own mother plotting to kick me out?” I slumped my shoulders. “I guess so.”
“Somehow I think you’ll survive.”
Giving up my attempt to garner sympathy and more cookies, I got back to work. “What do I have packed in the attic?”
“I think that’s mostly childhood and baby stuff that I’d be more attached to. Do you have stuff in the garage still?”
“Yeah, that’s my next stop.”
“You might want to make it quick. Hadley and Abbey should be back soon.”
“Maybe she won’t notice I’m gone.”
“Without your makeup to get into? She’ll notice. Are you sure you don’t want me to talk to her first?”
The first bit of sadness sank in as I shook my head. “No, I will.”
Heading out to the garage, I started opening boxes. Most of it was junk that I added to the growing pile near the curb. Things I’d sworn I couldn’t live without suddenly had no purpose. I couldn’t even remember why I’d kept most of it.
Knowing I was short on time, I looked through things quickly before deciding whether to bring it to inspect at a later time or toss it.
A lot of it was tossed.
If I was that emotionally attached, it wouldn’t be in the stinky garage.
Almost a half hour later, I turned around to see Kase leaning in the doorway with a tall glass of ice water I was about to fight him for. Lucky for him, he handed it over. “It’s a big house. You don’t have to throw everything away; we’ve got the room.”
I nodded, chugging the water and trying not to dribble it down my face.
Well, not much of it.
“Trust me, there’s enough in the truck that you’ll be glad I’m dumping some.”
“Good point. Wanna toss any of those giant ass bags?”
“Sure. And a bunch of my skirts. Oh, and the heels.”
“Point made,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked down at my legs. Seeming to shake himself from his thoughts, his look sobered. “Hadley’s on her way. I’m gonna move the truck a couple houses down. You done in here?”
> Handing him the last two boxes, I nodded. “I’ve gotta wash up and prepare to make a five-year-old cry.”
“Well, that’s a weird hobby to have, but…” Setting the boxes down to the side, Kase pulled me close. “Happy you’re living your life, ipo. But I’m fuckin’ thrilled you’re choosing to live it with me. I love you.”
And that’s exactly what I needed to hear.
I closed my eyes and rested my head on his chest. “I love you, too.”
“That said, I’m not above bribery.”
I pulled back to look at him. “What’s that mean?”
His eyes were bright and twinkling. “You’ll see.” Smacking my ass, he stepped away and grabbed the boxes.
I heard the truck door clatter closed moments before it roared to life, snapping me into action.
Hurrying inside, I washed up and changed into a spare tee I had in my purse.
Ha! See? Giant bags for the win.
I’d just started down the steps when Hadley burst through the door.
“There’s a lot of garbage outside. Did you make Mama mad? Did she make you clean as a punishment?”
Crouching down, I blinked away tears that’d already started to form. “No, Freckle Face.”
“That’s not my name. And I’m glad I was gone. Abbey took me to the park and the movies and to eat!”
“Sounds like a good day!” Scooping her up, I blew raspberries in her neck. “How about we go sit outside?”
“Can we sit on the hamper?”
“You mean the hammock?”
She giggled. “Yeah. That.”
“Deal.” Carrying her out, I set her down and carefully sat next to her. Using my toe, I rocked us back and forth.
“You and I have to talk, Freckle Face.”
“Is this about the lipstick? ‘Cause I got five dollars from the Tooth Fairy and you can have it. I just thought it would look pretty on my doll.” Her nose crinkled. “But she looked awful. I think ‘cause she can’t do this.” She rubbed her lips together before make a popping noise.
“What lipstick?” I shook my head. “Never mind, I don’t think I wanna know. It’s not about that.”
“What then?”
“Kase and I are moving in together.”
She gave me a huge grin, showing off her missing teeth and chubby cheeks. “Hooray! That’s the best news ever!”
“Really?”
I mean, I’m glad she’s not crying, but at least a little sadness would’ve been nice.
But that’s cool. Whatever.
“Now we can all watch movies and play Barbies and have breakfast together and everything!”
Realization dawned, breaking my heart and making me regret my goofball thoughts. “No, baby. I’m moving in with Kase. Into his house.”
Tears immediately filled her eyes, spilling over and down her cheeks. “You’re not gonna be my sister anymore?”
“Always,” I whispered fiercely through the lump in my throat. “I’ll always be your sister. I’m just not going to live here. But you can—”
Launching herself over, Hadley’s body hit mine. The hammock spun and we toppled to the ground, me on my back. Not seeming to notice or care, she just wrapped her arms around me tighter.
“I’m sorry about the lipstick. And the shadow colors. And the macara. I’ll give them back.”
Shadow colors? Macara?
Figuring out she was talking about more of my makeup she’d pilfered without me noticing, I tried to reassure her. “It’s okay, that doesn’t—”
“I don’t want you to leave. I won’t take your lipstick anymore. I’m sorry, Low Low. Please don’t go. I’m sorry,” she cried.
Knowing nothing I said would sink in, I made soothing noises as I rubbed her back.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Kase said from above us. “Your ma saw you guys hit the ground and wanted me to check on you.” Reaching down, he lifted Hadley.
Loosening her grip on me, she wiggled around and latched onto him. “I don’t want Low Low to go. I don’t want to lose my sister.”
“You’re not,” I swore, wiping the dirt off my back the best I could.
“Definitely not.” Kase patted her back. “You’re getting a brother.”
Still hiccupping, her tears slowed as she pulled away to look at Kase. “A brother?”
“Yeah. That’s how it works.”
She looked thoughtful, muttering, “I always wanted a brother.”
“And now you’ve got one.”
“Can I come to your house?”
He nodded.
“Tonight?” she pushed.
“Do you wanna help carry in all the boxes and unpack?”
She looked horrified. “No.”
“Then not tonight. How about next weekend? You can come see the toads now that it’s warm.”
Her face lit up with amphibian happiness. “Toads? Yes!”
“I’ve got another surprise,” Kase told Hadley as he started back to the house.
I followed along behind them, my interest piqued.
Once upstairs, he set her down outside my closed door and crouched in front of her. “Other than getting a brother, you know what else is cool about Low Low moving out?”
Her face fell, her bottom lip jutting out. She shook her head.
Kase jerked his chin up. “Open the door.”
Hesitantly, Hadley reached out and turned the handle. Tears brimmed her pretty eyes as her face grew red with her effort to not cry.
“My toys!” Running through the room, Hadley threw open bins and boxes. “I’ve got a toy room now!” Coming over, she grabbed Kase’s hand and pulled him around, showing off her stuff.
“Told ya,” Mom said as she moved into the hallway with me. Her hair was still dripping from a shower, her dusty clothes replaced by clean ones.
“Your idea?” I asked.
“I was tempted to keep it as a shrine to you, but I figured the toy room would be more practical. It’ll be worth it to not step on Legos and Barbie shoes downstairs.” She glanced into the room to see the mess that was already being created. “Okay, not as many. But that’s not what I’m talking about.”
“What then?”
“I know a good person when I see them. And him?” She tilted her head toward where Kase was sitting on the floor near Hadley, the sound of the ridiculous voices he was making barely audible over her laughter. “It’d be easy to judge. To just see the tattoos, his size, and even that darkness in his eyes. But he’s a good person.”
Seeing that darkness and knowing the pain that put it there, I was constantly amazed by just how easy he made it look. To move on, to be happy.
To live.
“And he loves you.” Her voice lowered, her gaze going beyond me. “It’s like—”
“Yippeeeeee!” Hadley interrupted, breaking the mood as she bounced around. “Mama, Kase is gonna come over next weekend and paint the room any color I want!”
My brows shot up at the idea of him being used as a decorating service. “He is?”
“I hope you don’t mind I asked him to help. He did such a good job at Piper’s bakery. I thought Hadley and I could come see your new place and give him time to work.”
Hadley danced, excitement wiping away her earlier heartbreak.
“That sounds good. Just no airbrushed dragons… or other things,” I joked.
Kase looked up at me, trying to hide the heat behind a smile. “Getting late. We should head home.”
Home.
When I left Mom’s house, I would be ending a visit and going home. I should’ve been freakin’ the fuck out. Plotting my escape or coming up with a million reasons why I needed to stay.
But I wasn’t because I needed to move on.
I wanted to.
Instead of fear, all I felt was excitement over what was to come.
And come it will.
Perv, not in front of your family.
Unfortunately, where Kase’s words had filled me with peace and an
inappropriate excitement, they’d reminded Hadley how her new toy room came to be.
Launching herself like a rocket, she wrapped her arms around my thigh. Her chubby dimpled hands clutched onto me. “Please don’t go. I’ll miss you. You can just go visit Kase still.”
I dropped to my butt, pulling her into my lap. “Where will I sleep? In the dolly bed?”
“In my room.” Her words became muffled as she shoved her face into my neck. “It’ll be a sleepover all the time!”
“But that sleepover won’t involve toads. Or dogs. Or sandcastles.”
Leaning back, she sniffled as she wiped her face. “Sandcastles?”
“There’s lots of sand. And no one else around, so you can use as much as you want.”
“Are there buckets?”
“I’ll go to Target and get some.”
She nodded and started to stand, but I pulled her back into a tight hug.
“I love you, baby.” Trying to lighten the mood, I continued. “No matter where I am, you’ll always be my Hadley Freckle Face.”
“And you’ll always be my Low Low.”
Closing my burning eyes, I released my hold on her. “I’ll see you next weekend for toads and sandcastles.”
Hadley climbed out of my lap and trudged into the toy room.
“I’m not saying goodbye,” Mom said as she turned from me. “I’ll start crying and I don’t think I can be bought off with promises of sandcastles and toads.”
“How about homemade margaritas?”
She looked over her shoulder and smiled, though it was weak. “Sugar rim?”
I scrunched my face. “Salt. Always salt.”
“I’ll just bring my own sugar,” she muttered with a shrug. “Go before we start crying.”
“Good idea,” I said, though I didn’t move.
Turning back away, her voice was thick. “You better hurry before I break out the home movies to show Kase. Remember the butterfly hairclip phase? Or the goth one?”
“I wasn’t goth.” I shifted to face Kase. “See, this is why I don’t wear black or gray. I’m so pale already, I end up looking like Pippy Longstocking and Wednesday Addams had a love child.”
Kase’s lips curved as he stroked across his bearded chin. “Looking forward to movie night sometime soon.” Chuckling at my scowl, he reached for my hand.
