Page 31 of Love's Hot

“Oh my god, you’ve been hanging around Alesha too much. It’s like you want to know about everything just like the gossip girls do. Since when have we had deep and meaningful chats about our sex lives?” I laugh, starting to stand and walk towards the cliff edge.

“You’re such a clown. As if I want all the little girly details. Like how did she make you feel, did you go all tingly when she kissed you and did you feel the butterflies in your tum tum? Get real. I just want to know if she was a good fuck, that simple.” He’s standing beside me now, laughing loudly.

“Man, you have no idea. Best I’ve ever had. Totally off the charts. Wouldn’t mind some more of the same.”

His laughter stops instantly. “Holy shit. I’ve never heard you say you’d like to meet up with a girl a second time. There must be something about this one. I think you better put a ring on it, as they say. Before she works out you’re a lost cause and not worth her time. I’m sure she’s telling her friends it was the worst sex she ever had.” He smacks my arm and starts jogging towards the trail.

“Yeah, that’s right, you better start running. Saying shit like that can get you beaten to a pulp by most men. Lucky I feel sorry for you,” I call out to him as he disappears into the scrub-covered track.

Our relationship is built on insults and friendship. Not sure which we enjoy more. All I know is I’d be lost without him.

Catching him not far into the shrubs, we start running in sync together, chatting again about just random topics. Mostly sports, his work, Alesha of course and his upcoming wedding. Listening to him curse about the amount of time and money that is being sunk into this affair, I shake my head. If I ever went down that path, which I know I won’t, I’d be doing the whole eloping thing. No fuss, save money and the quicker you have it over with.

Simple.

Not sure Alesha, and by the sounds of it, Sophia, would agree with that. I know Lilly was keen to get out of dinner last night. Does that mean she’s on the same wavelength as me when it comes to weddings? I’m guessing she’s in the middle of getting the full rundown from Alesha now, though.

Why am I even thinking about weddings and Lilly in the same breath? I’m not even interested in it.

Approaching the bottom of the mountain, we slow down to cool off before we reach the car. If I don’t stretch as a cool down, then Xavier just lectures me on how bad it is for me. He’s good at what he does and in some ways is wasted in the gym. His buddy that plays in the NFL is always trying to convince him to apply for a position with his team. It would be so good for him, but his life is here, and he’s happy. At the end of the day, that is far more important than chasing a career.

Leaning on the hood of his truck drinking water, Xavier looks like he’s a little nervous about something. Scuffing his feet in the dirt while he fiddles with the water bottle.

“Man, whatever you need to say, just spit it out.” I put my hand on his shoulder.

“Willyoubemybestman?” His mumble comes out full-speed with no breath and I can’t catch what the hell he said.

“Whoa, buddy, slow down and try that again.”

He runs his hand through his hair. “Will you be my best man for my wedding? You’re the closest thing I have to a brother. You’re my best friend and someone I would die for. You know that, right?” He pauses, looking at me. “So, will you?” I’m taken back. Not by him asking but more the fact he was nervous at what I’ll answer.

“Of course, I will. I’m so honored you asked. But why in god’s name were you worried about asking me? You and Alesha mean the world to me, you know that. At the risk of sounding mushy, I love you both, man. Never forget that, okay? Now come here.” I grab him and give him a man hug which only lasts a few seconds with a good slap on the back. That’s enough feeling for one day.

“Thanks, Kane. There’s no one I want more than you up there with me on the day. Plus, you’re the only one I think Ally trusts to make sure I don’t run off before she arrives. Mind you, if Grant and her dad are standing between me and the door, there’s no chance I’m going anywhere.” We both get a good laugh out of that and start climbing in the truck.

A bad week at work has turned into a fantastic weekend so far. Just the distraction I needed.

13

Lilly

AS I SIT AND LISTEN to Lesh tell me about how wedding crazy Mom has gotten, I can’t stop laughing.

“Well, you know how desperate she was for grandbabies. Now she has a few of those, the next thing on her bucket list is to plan her daughters’ weddings. You just drew the short straw as to who gets punished first.”

“You have no idea. Even Dad told her he had something big and solid to fill her mouth with if she didn’t stop talking about the wedding. I nearly died. Xavier laughed loudly, Mom just swatted his arm and kept going anyway. Dad rolled his eyes like he just gave up and I was seeing visions I still can’t erase. My cheeks were burning, and Mom thought it was so funny. Why do our parents insist on dropping sexy, flirty comments in front of us? There should be some rule against talking about sex in front of your children even when they’re grown adults.”

“No way. I’m going to be like Mom. I’m going to embarrass my kids at every opportunity. Sex is fair game after they hit puberty, I figure. Need to scar them for life just like Mom and Dad have done to us.” Realizing I’ve already drained my coffee, I know I need another one. Virtually no sleep last night has left me one very tired woman.

“Lilly, you are terrible. How can we even be sisters in how different we are in the way we handle sex talk?” Jesus, we aren’t even really talking about anything rude and her cheeks are a pale shade of pink.

“Alesha, for goodness sake. There is nothing wrong with talking about sex. Especially with me. It’s not like I’m going to spread it around the town. I can tell you the sex I had last night was the best I’ve ever had. Hard fucking involving lots of dirty talk then followed by some sweet loving.”

“Lilly!” she screams. “For god’s sake, stop it. I don’t need to know. It makes me have visions of you, and that’s the same as Mom and Dad. How do you feel about me telling you about Xavier tying me up last night and spanking me until I begged him to fuck me? You now have visions of me that’ll haunt you.”

“Holy shit. That is so hot, Lesh. I had no idea you were into games. Good for you. Hope you enjoyed it.” She drops her face into her hands, totally shocked she just blurted that. There’s no way she meant to tell me that. I, on the other hand, think it’s hot as hell, and I’m excited Xavier has got her trying new things, and loving them by the sounds of it.

“Can you forget I said that?” she mumbles through her hands.

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