Page 34 of Embody

“Oh son,” my father shakes his head. “You’re a Kendrick man. You don’t do the pushing, therefore keeping Brynn happy, and just be yourself. Turn on that natural charm you have in your DNA and Bellamy will come to you. If she’s meant to. Letherbe the one to tell your sister to mind her own business.”

“I agree,” my mom nods. “Play to win, honey. Brynn needs a wake-up call, and if Bellamy is interested enough,or deserving of you, she’ll give it to her.”

“But shouldn’t I be the man, take a stand to prove to Bellamy I’m worth it and will fight our battles?”

“Usually, yes. But not when your baby sister is your opponent,” Mom advises. “Trust me. Has to be donethisway, this time. Now go put your trunks on and get your handsome ass back there!”

 

 

SHE’S WEARING THEbikini I got her, dancing around the edge of the pool, toHypnotizeby Biggie.

It’s working—I’m hypnotized alright.

Even Ryder is watching, which is about to cost him his fucking eyesight when I punch both his eyes swollen shut.

“Jefferson, hey!” Bellamy waves as if she just realized I was here, watching…which she didn’t. She knew the second I walked out here.

“Hey bro, where ya been?” Ryder tears his eyes away from what’s mine and grins.

“Around,” I shrug. “Brynn,” I nod to my sister who has yet to greet me, simply scowling like a petulant three-year-old.

“JT,” she grits out. “Didn’t know you were coming over today.”

“And I didn’t know you were having a get together or that I needed permission to visit my parents,” I quip right back.

“We have four now,” Bellamy chirps. Bellamy has never that I’ve witnessed, and doesn’t if I’m betting,chirp.She’s up to something.“We can play some games!”

Oh, I think it’s safe to say that at least three people in this yard are all playing their own games.

I am my mama’s son…I will play to win, if pushed.

“What do you suggest?” I give her an improved, upgraded just for her, version of my cocky smirk. A tad lopsided, with a flash of teeth, and an intrigued tilt of my head.

“I’m not the one with a pool,” she sasses, a mischievous spark that I’ve seen before in her eyes, more jade than emerald today. “Brynn, anything particular sound fun to you?”

“Not really,” my sis frumps. “I thought you said you wanted to lounge around, just us? Now we’ve got two rowdy guys here and we’re gonna play games.”

“Damn Brynn,” Ryder says. “If you want me to leave, I can make that happen.”

“No,” she gives him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, that came out wrong. I’m glad you’re here. In fact, you pick the game.”

“I pick ‘pairs,’” he answers without thought, waggling his eyebrows at her.

“Of course you do,” she rolls her eyes and giggles. “Pairs it is. I’ll be JT’s partner.”

 

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