Page 36 of Embody

WE SPEND THEafternoon playing every pool game ever invented, Ryder cooperating beautifully by suggesting games with maximum physical contact. I think he may have caught on to my wavelength.

Jefferson has adjusted his erection at least once an hour all day, and Brynn hasn’t been able to control her scowls and blatant comments for longer than fifteen minutes at a time.

Ryder and I are having a blast though—my perhaps not at all unaware co-conspirator doing an excellent job.

As the sun starts thinking about descending, Mrs. Kendrick steps outside. “Dinner’s ready. You all get dried off and come eat.”

“Mom, I’m sure Ryder and Bellamy need to get going,” Brynn calls to her.

“Do you?” Laney asks us both.

“I don’t,” Ryder smiles in antagonistic amusement.

“Me either,” I stifle my snicker. “Thank you, Mrs. Kendrick. I’d love to stay.”

“See?” Her mother looks at Brynn in a peculiar way…one I can’t quite decipher. “You shouldn’t speak for others, Brynn Alivia Kendrick. It’s rude, and more often than not, you’ll find that you’re wrong. Now get your butts in here. I ordered plenty, and I have Pictionary ready for afterwards!” She claps and sing-songs the last part.

“Oh God,” Jefferson and Brynn both grouse in unison while Ryder laughs.

“What am I missing?” I ask, five seconds before I remember Emmett’s warning about playing board games with this bunch.

“Nothing, ignore them. Now come on,” their mom skips back in the house.

“Mom takes games…um…a little serious,” Jefferson explains, handing me a towel.

“Yeah, I recalled a warning I got right after I asked,” I say, tickled.

“Just don’t show any fear,” Brynn grimaces. “She feeds off of it. Come on up to my room, I’ll get you some dry clothes to wear.”

“That’s okay, but thank you. I have some in my bag. I’ll just run and change in the bathroom.”

I do my best to detangle my hair and put it up in a ponytail, then pull out the sundress I now know Jefferson bought me. I finagle the girls, pushing them up and together, slip on my sandals and go join everyone in the dining room.

I instantly smell Italian—my favorite. My stomach growls from the aroma alone and Mr. Kendrick chuckles. “Are you hungry there, Bellamy?”

“Starving, sir. Thank you for having me.”

“It’s our pleasure. Any friend of Brynn’s is family and we treat them as such. Right, Brynny?”

“Yep,” she clips and nods.

We all make our plates and drinks at the kitchen island then go have a seat at the table. I sit next to Brynn and directly across from Jefferson, giving him a bird’s eye view.

“Your dress is adorable, Bellamy.” Mrs. Kendrick compliments me. “Where’d you get it?”

Her son fidgets in his chair while her daughter “accidently” drops her fork, clanging loudly against her plate.

“This will sound crazy, but it just showed up in a package at my door one day,” I answer with a straight face.

“Is that so?” She smiles, glancing over to her husband, who’s wearing a knowing grin. “Well, it’s lovely. And how thoughtful of someone. A secret admirer, how exciting. You know, back in the day, Dane did all sorts of special little things for me.” She leans over and kisses his cheek. “Swept me right off my feet.”

“I still do special things for you,” he frowns. “Just last night, I…”

“Honey,” Laney rushes to interrupt, “no. Just no.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, I’d love to hear some of the stories you are willing to share,” I say sincerely. I love romantic gestures. I love how in love they still are after all these years. And I’d love a glimpse into what I may be able to look forward to if things work out the way I’m hoping.

“Well, let’s see,” she lights up. “There was the surprise birthday party where he played the piano and sang to me, then whisked me away on a trip to Disney World,” she sighs dreamily. “We have to go again soon, it’s been too long.”

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