Page 114 of Embody

“Yeah, I got it. Brynn went home safe, sober?” I double-check.

“Yep. What about P? Which one of us is getting that one? Rock, paper, scissors?” he chuckles, getting his hands ready.

“Neither! I only answer to ‘Sugar’ now, from the big, huge, really big guy!” Well, thankfullyher hearingwasn’t affected by the alcohol, since Presley now screams at us too.

“I think she means you,” Judd says to Sutton.

“Oh, she does,” he confirms smugly. “Watch this. Not good enough,Sugar. What’s my name?” he bellows.

“Big Papa!”

At least he has the decency to blush and duck his head.

“Really, fucker? That’s my cousin and I got enough to deal with. Plus, I know heractualPapa wouldn’t take too well to that.” I grimace because…this fucking day already.

“Sorry ‘bout that, not what I meant. Lemme try again. Presley, do you remember my damn name or not?” he yells louder.I wonder if the neighbors are taking roll?

“Sutton Patrick Ellis!”

“I’ll be right back,” he grouses, heading down the hall. “You promised if I told you my middle name, it’d be our secret,” I hear him whining.

“Do not get loud with me, sir. I’m drunk. Very, very drunk. Now take us home.”

Hold right the entire fuck up.Us?

I was gonna wait ‘til everyone cleared out, but if “us” includes Bellamy—we got ourselves a problem. She’s not going a damn place.

I grab the door for Judd, carrying my passed-out sister through it. “You need help with your truck door?”

“Nah, I got it. Go deal with your fall-out,” he laughs.

“Night, and thanks.” I shut the door and head down the hall toward the terror-dome, formerly known as Bellamy’s bedroom.

What the…

“Yo, Patrick! Why the hell are you in my woman’s bed?”

“Not your woman,” she sasses.

“Because Presley asked me to lay down with her,” he says as smooth as if it was Psalms. “Your woman is way over there on the other side, whole, beautiful body between us.”

“Not his woman,” she hisses.

“Here.” I throw my keys at him. “Take my car, and Presley, and go.”

“I’m not leaving Presley! I mean Bellamy!” Presley hurls the keys, aiming for me I’m guessing, that land on the other side of the room, coming nowhere near me. “You left her all alone, crying, and ignored her. You suck. That’s not how you treat your woman, Jefferson!”

“You don’t get to call him ‘Jefferson,’” she whispers. “And, not his woman.”

“Yes you fucking are!” I finally explode, sick of hearing her little,incorrectadd-ins.

“Nope,” she pops the “p,” shaking her head. “No sirree, bob.”

“Baby, look at me,” I plead with her. “You’re drunk, so we’re not gonna do this now. Especially with Goober and Gomer watching. Youaremy woman, I love you and that’s it. I’m putting you to bed and we’ll talk in the morning. Sutton, get those keys, get Presley and get the fuck out. I’m done.”

“Bye.” Bellamy hugs Presley. “Thanks, girlfriend. Still not his woman.”

“Damn right you’re not. Me and you, ‘morrow, man-hunting. Don’t forget!” P rambles from over Sutton’s shoulder, where he’s flopped her like a rag-doll, grabbing the keys off the floor and walking out. “Ow!” she yelps.

“Man-hunting my ass,” I hear Sutton snarl, after spanking her ass. “Night, J. Call me tomorrow to work out the car!”

The front door shuts and I look to Bellamy…who’s already fast asleep.

 

---