Page 68 of Embody

“Um, that’d be a no,” Brynn groans her loud response. “In fact, I may never eat again.” She cuts a glare at me.

“Why? Are you okay? Maybe you should get out of the sun for a while,” her mom suggests, face twisted in worried confusion. “Your brother’s here, come on in and say hello, drink some water at least.”

Jefferson’s here? I look away, hiding the smile I’m already wearing. I wonder if he took a peek outside to check out my bikini?

“JT’s here?” Brynn huffs. “Why?”

Laney, I mean Mrs. Kendrick, rolls her eyes so dramatically I can see it from here. “I’d like to say it’s because he adores his mother and wanted to see me, but I’d lay my money on it being due to the fact that Bellamy’s here, in a bikini. What do you think?”

“Tell him to leave! It’s girl’s day.”

“I will do no such thing, young lady. I don’t care why he’s here any more than I care that you don’t want him here. He’s my son and you know I would never kick one of my babies out of my house. Now get your spoiled little ass in here and hydrate because you obviously have sunstroke!” Her mom stomps back inside, shaking her head as she goes.

“Brynn, I told him it was our day, I promise. Do you wanna go hang out at my place? We can lock him out of there.” I smile, reaching over to rub her arm.

“Yeah,” she perks right up. “Come on, let’s go change and get out of here. Perfect plan. It’ll chap JT’s butt and I still get my time with you.”

We wrap up in towels and I follow her toward the house, more anxious with each step, for several reasons. On one hand, I can’t deny I’m excited to see Jefferson, if only for a moment. On the other hand, I’m dreading any confrontation between siblings because of me. And last, but really, really far from least, my stomach’s uneasy and my hands are twitchy, because I highly suspect, more so dread, that I’ll be put on the spot to choose between them.

I promised Brynn, my best friend, my time today, and I won’t break a promise to her. But if I have to look Jefferson in the eyes and refuse him, that will hurt me as much as it might him.

Brynn slides the glass door open like she means it and marches toward him where he’s propped on a stool at the kitchen island.

I, however, stop short and hide behind the wall between the kitchen and living room.

“Bellamy said she told you this was our day together,” I hear Brynn snip.

“And?” he asks, his deep, rich voice floating its way to my ear, earning my grin.

“And,you’re here, interrupting. Lemme guess, you forgot?”

“Are you sure ‘interrupting’ was the word you meant? I’m no linguistic expert, but I’m pretty sure you used it wrong,” he chuckles, another sound of his I love.

Brynn sighs loudly. “Quit dodging. You know what I meant.”

“No, I really don’t. At all. I didn’tinterrupta damn thing. You. Found. Me. And not to critique too harshly, but I see no Bellamy. Think ya may have lost her all by yourself.”

“What?” There’s a pause, I’m guessing for her to look around. “Swear to God, JT, if she left because she felt uncomfortable, I’m gonna kick you in your other nut.”

“She didn’t leave. She’s hiding right over there, behind the wall. Aren’t ya, babe?” he calls out with an easy laugh. “You can come out, she’s not mad at you.”

I peek my head around the corner, abruptly met by two Kendrick stares.

“Hey there, gorgeous,” he winks at me and I give him a tiny smile and even smaller wave.

“Of course you’d know exactly where she was,” Brynn crosses her arms and glowers at him. “Tell me you didn’t drug her and implant a tracking chip in her! Lord knows I wouldn’t put it past you.”

“No need. I’ve always got at least one eye on Bellamy. And I didn’t interrupt,” he quips smugly, tapping her on the end of her nose.

“And you’re not going to. We’re leaving.” Brynn snarls with a vicious curl to her lip, teeth bared.

“Where ya going?” He looks at me as he asks, but Brynn reaches up and grabs his chin, turning his face to her.

“Wehaven’t decided yet. It’s a toss-up between the male strip club, a frat party and this cool sounding rave we got invited to.”

A warning rumble vibrates from deep in Jefferson’s chest and his brown eyes taper piercingly. “That shit’s not fucking funny, Brynn. And neither of you are old enough to get in a strip club. But nice try, brat.”

“Laney!”Holy shit, Mr. Kendrick pops out of nowhere and shakes the ceiling beams with his shattering bellow.

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