Page 15 of Embody

I see now why he felt the need for the announcement. It’s adorable really, how these men love their wives,demonstratively.

I specifically watch Mr. Kendrick, because…I’m sure his son has some of those same characteristics and God, what would it possibly feel like to be wanted, adored, like that?

The Allens leave hand in hand, Sawyer’s already been led to their vehicle, Bennett is riding piggy-back on her blond behemoth and Laney is thrown over her husband’s shoulder. None of them seeming the least bit disappointed that it’s time to go.

Mr. Kendrick stops mid-stride and turns to address those remaining. “If you drank a single drop, I better find your ass asleep here in the morning. Keep the music down and nobody gets hurt. I could look out my window at any time, so behave accordingly. I love and trust you all, don’t abuse that. Understood?”

A round of “yes sirs” goes out as he hitches Laney higher up on his shoulder and hurries toward the house.

Which leaves The Squad, Ryder and me.

“What now?” Presley asks.

“Now,” Brynn swims to the edge right in front of me. “Bellamy finally puts on her bathing suit and gets in the pool with her best friend on her special night.”

“Could you have loaded any more guilt into that?” I laugh.

“I could try. Are you gonna do it?”

Six sets of eyes bore into me, waiting on my answer. If I string it out into a long production, the bigger deal it will be, so I stand and nod. “Be right back.”

What do I have to lose? Skylar and Presley’s suits don’t leave much to the imagination, I’ll fit right in. Not to mention, there’s only three guys here and one’s married, one’s with Brynn, despite her odd behavior tonight, and the last? I don’t much mind ifheenjoys the view.Ifhe enjoys the view. I’m not one of those stick-figure girls, my mama gave me curves.

 

 

BY THE TIMEI return, wearing my new red bikini and hiding as much of myself as I can with my arms, a bottle of champagne left over from the party is being passed around.

I’m pretty sure Brynn and I are the only ones not old enough to drink, and I thought I had already gathered that everyone is way too protective over her to allow her a taste… but apparently not.

“Go ahead, Brynny.” Skylar hands her the bottle. “It’s your night and we’re all here to watch you. Nobody’s going anywhere.”

She starts to take the bottle then stops to look at JT, who has a scowl on his face and just let out a low growl.

“Oh stop,” Skylar gripes at him. “Like you never drank before you were twenty-one. I can remember picking you up from at least two parties just off the top of my head. She’s in her own backyard for God’s sake! Relax, hypocrite. Here Brynny, take it and ignore him. I’d rather you do it when we’re around and if JT doesn’t knock it off, I’ll have Judd kick his ass. Right, honey?”

“Uh, wrong,” Judd laughs and kisses the top of her head. “You Kendrick siblings do just fine duking it out yourselves.”

“Amen,” Ryder adds.

“Bellamy, you in with me?” Brynn asks.

“I…well…”havedrank before and don't think it’s a big deal, but… “I just don’t want to get caught by your parents and have them think badly of me.”

Presley and Skylar both die laughing, taking turns at a gulp from the bottle.

“Bellamy, cool name by the way, lemme let ya in on a little secret.” Presley throws an arm over my shoulder and belches.

“Very classy, P,” Jefferson grumbles.

“Thanks, felt good too.” She flings a sarcastic smile his way. “Anyway, Bellamy, I can assure you, once Uncle Dane carries Aunt Laney to bed on his shoulder, they’re not coming out of their room until morning. They’ll screw themselves into comas.”

“Um, eww. True, but eww,” Brynn’s face scrunches in disgust.

“Oh my God, enough talking about it,” Skylar huffs. “Bottoms up, babies!”

She shoves the bottle in my hands and with a playful shrug and smile at Brynn, I tip it back then pass it to her. Then she drinks and hands off to Judd, and so it goes with everyone in the circle ‘til the bubbly is gone and my head’s a tiny bit fuzzy.

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