Page 45 of Tulips and Lost Time

“I’m gonna come back every single weekend,” she repeats. “And we can still see each other. We can text and call and stuff.”

“You’re supposed to be going there single,” I groan. “Independent. Not tethered to Marcus. And sure as shit not tied to me.”

“You don’t want me?”

“With my whole fucking soul.” I bruise her thighs and know she’ll have to wear long pants for the next week, or two, so no one sees. But I don’t stop. And try as I might, I can’t quiet the way my breath races. “I want you, Bear. Like I’ve wanted no one else in my life. But you’re not just a random girl I get to fuck around with and toss aside when I’m done.”

“So don’t toss me aside.”

“Don’t limit yourself to just this.” I drag her bottom lip between my teeth, tempting fate when I know her plump lip will only swell. Soon, she’ll have to go back inside. “Go to college, Beautiful. Get out of this fucking town and meet some people who aren’t us. See the world. Travel! Do something that doesn’t consider Marcus’ codependence and trauma. I want to see that version of you.”

“Kari?” Marcus’ voice booms from inside his house, but from the back door. “Hey, Kar? You okay out there?”

“Shit.” I practically throw her off. Slamming her to the wall in a wholly ungentlemanlike way and instantly regretting it when she stumbles to her feet and frantically searches for air. “I’m sorry!” I whisper my words, pressing my hand to her lips, though she’s not the one talking. “Shit, Bear! I’m sorry.”

She bites my palm and snickers when I tear it back on a hiss. Then she reaches up and brushes loose tendrils of hair behind her ear. Her chest heaving for air, her lips, way too fucking swollen for me to still live beyond the next five minutes. But she’s smooth. Innocent. She clears her throat and sweetens her tone, “Around the side, Marc.” She steps out from between me and the wall and fixes her top, so the slouchy fabric sits exactly right on her shoulder. Then she beams when Marc steps around the corner, his expression not nearly as suspicious as I expected.

“We got caught up checking out this crack in your foundation.”

“What?” Instantly panicked, Marc grabs his phone from his pocket and switches the flashlight on. Then he stalks closer, illuminating the concrete footings hidden neatly under the wood siding. “What crack, Kar?”

“Here.” She crouches, her long, long legs like that of a praying mantis. And everyone knows what happens to the male mantis after he gets his rocks off. Leaning in and pointing, her long hair dangling over her bare shoulder, she draws her brother in and hoodwinks him like she’s been practicing her whole life. “Do you see that crack?”

“That one?” Frowning, he reaches out and touches a hair-line mark on the concrete. Then he drags his thumb across it and grins when the line moves. “It’s mud, Kar.” Exhaling a long, relieved sigh, he pushes up straight and drags his sister up. “Scared the shit out of me, though.”

“I was getting to the touching.” She giggles, so, fucking, innocent, and slides under her brother’s arm. “Swear I was. But then you came outside.”

“I’m glad you told me. It could have been really bad if the foundation was actually cracked.” He presses a noisy kiss to her temple and turns away. Leaving me, his best friend, behind like I don’t even exist. “Did you get what you wanted from the barn?”

“Yeah. I put it in my car. That’s when I noticed the crack. Luc and I were heading back to the house when I looked over and noticed it.” She wraps her arm across his hip and snuggles in. “Did you win your game?”

“No. Jess was a total shit and kicked my ass. It’s your turn now, if you want it.”

“Sure.” Kari glances back as they approach the corner of the house. She meets my eyes, her smile, way too fucking devious to not be pure evil. Then she snickers and continues on. “We should order pizza for dinner. I’m starving.”

“I’ll do you one better,” Marcus counters. “I have bases and toppings in the fridge already. I’ll make you pizza. Way nicer, and a fraction of the price.”

“Marcus often talk shit about my wife?” Kane pulls out a chair at my kitchen table and sits, lazing back so the frame groans, and digging his hands into his pockets. “Does he need a little talking to?”

I cough out a gentle laugh and turn away. “Marcus will talk shit about anyone who doesn’t fit into his life exactly right. He’s not a dick,” I amend. “He’s just wildly unhealed from childhood trauma, and as a result, likes for square pegs to fit into square holes. Jess,” I happily sigh, “has always been a round peg trying to fit into a square hole. And you…” I turn at the counter and meet his fiery eyes. “You’re the grenade, tossed into the room and fucking everything up beyond recognition. It’s just good, I suppose, you fell in love with my sister and not his.”

“You think he’d be a threat to me?”

“I think he’d destroy himself and everyone around him trying to protect her from the unknown.”

“Meanwhile,” he smirks. “You’re out here macking on Kari and fucking her against his house.” He lifts his chin, offering his extended hand and a closed fist. For bumping. “Badass, Lenaghan. I’m proud of you.”

“I wasn’t fucking her.” I leave his hand hanging, and instead, look down at a sleeping Billy. “And this conversation is entirely inappropriate. Don’t listen to the things he says, Sweet Girl. In fact,” I glance up from beneath my brows and eye my brother-in-law. “Don’t listen to anything he says, ever. It’s not safe.”

“Hell it’s not.”

12

LUC

DOING WHAT IS RIGHT… EVEN IF IT’S WRONG

Kari: Why haven’t I seen you since Thursday, Luca?

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