Page 39 of Caged Heat

“Wait,” I growled. She paused in the doorway, a smile on her face as she peered over her shoulder.

“Yes, Uncle Gus-Gus?” She batted her eyelashes at me, and I seriously considered parricide. My sister wouldn’t miss her. She had another daughter, after all. “Why do you look like you’re contemplating my murder?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at me, no longer playing.

I lifted a brow and crossed my arms over my chest as I waited her out. Steph loved to tease, but she loved to spill the tea more, so I just had to be patient. If it wasn’t fun for her, she’d give in. Sure enough, a few seconds later, she huffed and turned as she glared at me.

“What happened between you and Ele?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

“Humpf. Doubtful since she called me and asked for help to spice up her wardrobe. If things were okay with you two, she wouldn’t be going out on a Friday night.”

My jaw twitched as I ground my molars. I didn’t like what she said but didn’t know how to change it either. Nora had been ignoring my calls all week. I’d spent every night sitting outside her house, needing to know she made it there safely. I was desperately close to earning myself a restraining order, but I’d finally managed to get her to talk to me last night. But it hadn’t mattered.

“Unless you’ve changed your mind and have accepted I’ll be dating Jackson too, then there’s nothing to discuss.”

It was the first words she’d spoken to me in almost a week, and they weren’t the ones I wanted to hear. Despite it all, I couldn’t stop myself from caring. The primal urge to protect her hadn’t quit because she’d pushed me away.

So I’d continue to drive to her house and watch her through a window, needing those small glimpses in order to make it through the next day like a junkie. I couldn’t ignore how sad she looked or how a pit inside me seemed to open up more each day I watched the light leave her eyes.

“It’s complicated,” I huffed.

“Mmhmm.” She tapped a finger on her chin. “Sounds pretty simple to me, actually.”

I narrowed my eyes. “And what do you know about it?”

“More than you.” She crossed her arms and gave me an arrogant look as she stared at me.

“Pretty sure I don’t pay you for relationship advice,” I muttered when she didn’t say anymore.

“Pretty sure you don’t pay me at all,” she retorted, sticking out her tongue.

“Yeah, well, I’m about to reconsider my agreement to pay for college tuition if you don’t get to the point. I know the perfect place to bury a body.”

She shrieked, covering her mouth in shock. “You wouldn’t!”

“I’ll tell my sister you ran off with a biker. She’ll believe me, and then I’ll give Rachel your college tuition,” I challenged.

“And to think I was rooting for you!” she scoffed, stepping in more and glaring at me.

“Oh my god!” Vicky shouted, poking her head into the office. “You two are too alike. I swear she’s your child most days.” She glared between us, shaking her head in disappointment. “Tell him and hurry it up. Just got a large group of people, and I need your help.” She turned to me, pointing her fingers. “And quit showing your love by threatening people. It’s okay to care for others. Don’t lose Eleanor because you’re too stubborn to be open-minded, Big Bro.”

With those words of wisdom, my sister left us both properly chastised and returned to the front. Steph dropped her arms and stepped forward, her cheeks red from her mother’s words.

“If you’re mad at anyone, be mad at me. I’m the one who encouraged her to go on a date with Jackson. I didn’t think they’d hit it off, but I knew he’d be a good guy and not some skeevy asshole for her first date.” Steph twisted her hands, her eyes contrite as she stared at me. “I figured if she went on one date, then she’d be ready to see how great the two of you would be, too. And yeah, it did work.” She shrugged one shoulder, her smile hitching up on one side.

“Except she also liked Jackson,” I said, stating the obvious.

“Yeah.” She nodded, swallowing. “Can I ask a question?”

I nodded, gesturing for her to get on with it. I didn’t know how I felt knowing she’d been the one to introduce Jackson and Nora.

“Before you knew it was Jackson, you were okay with how things were, right? If you wanted to meet the other guy in her life, you must have been.” When I didn’t answer, she continued. “What was the end goal there? Were you hoping she’d pick you in the end?”

“No. I don’t know.” I gritted my teeth, my brow furrowing as I concentrated on what she said.

“So, here’s how I see it. You were willing to share her with a stranger, and what? Perhaps, have some type of non-traditional relationship?”

“I… I don’t know.” If I was honest with myself, I was intrigued by the prospect. Hearing the stories and how much pleasure it had brought Nora had been erotic as hell for me. And a small part of me felt relieved the entire relationship wasn’t on my shoulders. It had been her choice, but sharing felt like the shortcut I needed to be able to have a relationship.

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