Page 10 of Simply You & Me

He nods with watery eyes, making my stomach swoop at the trust he's giving us just as Wyatt's wet cock bottoms out. We don't use the L word often, nor are we sweet in public. They are mine, and I am theirs. That's all that matters. We are each other’s. Our bond is deep enough that we don't need words. Cuddles are unnecessary a lot of the time, but we are no less a family.

"Oh fuck!"

I bite the inside of my cheek as Wyatt goes fucking feral. His wild thrusts have his thighs slapping against Tate's like a man possessed. Dark, sweaty strands tickle Wyatt's cheek, his dark eyes blowing wide just as Tate's cock jerks in my hand. I lock eyes with Julian, and my lips tingle, needing to claim him. Exhaustion fades, and all I can see are my needy men. My family.

It's going to be a long night.

Chapter Seven

Adelyn

Ihave so many regrets, and they all stem from the freaking birthday party last weekend. I should have used that time to catch up on everything I needed to get done. Things I still need to get done.

Tears burn my eyes as I stare down at the full sink and cluttered counters. I worked a day shift, which was nice since Thursdays aren’t as busy. I prefer the lunch rush to the dinner ones. Most people at the Posh Palate during the daytime are there on business, so they don’t pay much attention to me. I can breathe a little easier when my tables are focused on their important lives.

"Mom, can I have a piece of banana bread, please?"

"Sure, honey. Do you want some milk with it?" Rory nods and goes back to doing homework at the dining room table.

I busy myself cutting, buttering, and heating the slice. I drop the plate and glass of milk in front of her gently so as not to disturb her. Eyeing the math page she's working on, I grimace, knowing that if she asks for help, I won't be of much use.

"Thank you.” She shoots me a little smile, the prominent freckle above her top lip on the left stretching to accommodate her appreciation.

Swallowing back more tears, I kiss the top of her head. "Of course, honey. You doing okay?"

She nods, nibbling on her bread and frowning down at the math problems. I leave her to it, hoping I won't have to get dragged into mathematics. If she wanted fashion advice, I'd be all over that.

With heavy shoulders and a heavier heart, I get started on hand-washing the dishes that have been piling up all week. Our apartment complex is nice, and I have no complaints except for the fact that there's no dishwasher. I've thought about getting one of those mini ones for the counter, but I have no idea where I would fit it. I'm scattered enough as it is, and having an eight-year-old who loves leaving things around doesn’t help.

My fingers are beginning to prune when Rory tells me she's done with her homework. When she asks if she can watch a movie, I say yes, but only after she takes a bath. With only mild grumbling, she does as I ask and gets herself ready for a cozy evening.

I'm draining the sink a short while later when Gabby's shout rings through the apartment, scaring the shit out of me. "Knock, knock!"

"Dammit, Gabby," I gasp, gripping the counter tight. "I regret ever giving you a key!"

Sashaying her way into my space, she plops a kiss on my cheek. "Happy to see you too, babe. So, I've been thinking!" Cue my groan. "We should have a girl's night tomorrow with Rylee!"

Not happening.

"I know what you’re going to say, and I decline your excuse. I’ll help you get some stuff done this weekend. Just please come hang out and get a drink." Her pink bun bobs when she tilts her head at me. "I'm worried about you. You are going to run yourself into exhaustion if you don't take some time to just… you know… be a twenty-four-year-old, sexy as fuck woman."

I sigh, move around her, and walk to my bedroom. She follows on my heels like I knew she would. This woman doesn't know anything about personal space. Being my neighbor makes the boundaries almost nonexistent. She might as well tear down the walls separating our units.

"Please! Rylee said her guys can take Rory for the night, and she can have a sleepover with Layla."

"Oo! Yes! Please, Mom. Can I, can I, can I?!" Rory bounds her way into my room. She looks freaking adorable with her wet waves and matching blue pajama set.

I glare at Gabby. "You knew she could hear you." The sheepish grin my pink-haired friend gives me makes me sigh. "Fine. But you have to help me this weekend. I'm already behind after last weekend."

Both she and my kid squeal like a bunch of girls gossiping about the latest drama.

Just a couple of drinks, then I'll come home and get a good night’s rest before I get some shit done.

"Here, drink this."

"Where the hell did you get that?" I eye the mini bottle with a mixture of revulsion and shock.

Gabby beams and shoves the vodka into my reluctant palm. "Oh, my dress has pockets!"

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