Page 50 of Devoted

“Nice. That didn’t look so hard.”

I shrug like it was nothing, although I’m fairly certain I just used muscles I haven’t in a long time and will probably pay for this tomorrow. Good thing I’m just hanging out with my mom and have nothing strenuous planned.

“Alright, Jess. Let’s see what you’ve got.” I nudge her playfully as she steps to the line, taking her time to get her grip correct. She goes through the movements and then releases the axe a little too late, throwing it into the ground down range.

She pouts when she looks back at me and then throws her hands up in the air. “I tried?”

Fuck. The purse of her lips is making me hard again. I laugh and then make my way back over to her after picking up her axe as my phone dings again. Because I’m a doctor it’s normal for my phone to blow up constantly, so I try to ignore it, but Jess doesn’t miss the sound.

“Do you need to answer your phone?” Her eyes veer down to the pocket of my jeans and then back up at me.

“No. It’s okay,” I grumble, feeling my irritation build as the notifications continue to ping even though I so desperately want to ignore them. I wish I could turn my phone off completely, but between my job and my mother’s state of health, it would be irresponsible of me to do so. “Try it again. I think you released it too late.”

“Alright.” Her sweet smile pulls me back to the moment as I watch her prepare for her next attempt.

Jess takes her time getting into position and uses her entire body, the smooth motion almost hypnotizing as we watch the axe fly, this time sticking it to the target in the second circle from the outside. “Oh, my god! I did it!” She shouts and then launches herself at me, my arms encircling her on instinct. The smell of her body spray hits my nose so I breathe her in deeply as she holds me tight, getting a hit of my new favorite drug.

“You did! Damn, that was hot,” I growl in her ear. “Let’s keep going.” We get a few more practice throws in before I suggest we keep score.

“I don’t know. I don’t like to lose,” she teases as she bites her lip.

“Neither do I. Care to make it interesting?” I pop a brow at her as she grins playfully at me across the table, sipping on her drink.

“Okay. I’m game. What’s the wager?”

“Whoever wins gets an orgasm tonight,” I say without thinking, but by the way her lips curl up, I sense her mind was in the same gutter as mine. I know Jess wants to wait to have sex, but that doesn’t mean we need to be completely celibate in the meantime.

“That’s the best bet I’ve ever heard.” She reaches across the table to shake on it, our palms meeting and exchanging a level of heat between them that fuels the competition. “Deal.”

Jess and I each get a turn, but my throw beats hers by one point. Just that one glimpse of a potential loss has her throwing her game face on, and suddenly I’m regretting this competition because it’s only making it harder for me to stay on my best behavior. I’m filling in the scorecard, assessing my lead, when my phone rings loudly in my pocket. I pull it out and glance down at the screen to see four more text messages from my aunt, and when I see her name flashing on the call, I know my decision undoubtedly that I have to answer. I sigh in frustration but then wonder if something happened, accepting that I can’t ignore her any longer.

“Hey. I need to take this really quick. I’m gonna go outside.” I point to the phone and then start to walk away. “I’m sorry. Hopefully, it won’t take long.”

“Oh. Okay. Take your time. I’ll be right here.” Her eyes fill with concern even though she smiles at me before I turn and dart for the door.

“Aunt Liz—is everything okay?”

“Yes. Sorry to bother you, Brooks. But I realized we’re almost out of a few things in the fridge and thought it’d be easier to call. I want to make sure your mom gets a hefty meal in this week before her next round of treatment. I was wondering if you could go by the store and grab stuff before you come over later? Her medication is almost out too so one of us needs to pick it up….” My aunt works shifts at a department store, stocking shelves sometimes at night. It actually works for me though because both of our schedules are wonky, so we can usually piggy back off of each other so my mom’s not alone for very long. Hence, why I have the overnight shift tonight after my date with Jess.

“Yeah, I can do that. You could have just text me the one time though, you know? I’m out with Jess. We’re on a date.”

“Oh, crap. I forgot. I’m sorry. But you weren’t answering me so I figured I’d call.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose as I pace along the sidewalk. “I get it and I’m sorry, but I just didn’t want any interruptions tonight. Look, I know I’m being selfish, okay? But between my schedule and hers, and taking care of mom and everything else in between, I just wanted one night away from it all with Jess. I just need this time with her. I fucking like her, Aunt Liz, and I don’t want to mess it up…”

“No, you deserve it, Brooks. You do. Again, I’m so sorry. Go. Get back to her. I’ll just text you the final list once I get it together.”

I blow out a frustrated breath and then stare back at the building where she’s waiting for me. “Sounds good and thanks. I don’t want to come off as an ass because you know I appreciate you, Aunt Liz, right? And I’ll make sure to grab everything later, okay? I just need a few hours…”

“I know you do, sweetie. Have a good night. I promise, no more nagging from me.”

Hanging up the phone, I try to shake off my frustration and remember why I’m here—for the woman who makes real life disappear for a while. All I wanted was one night where my mother’s cancer wasn’t a constant reminder in the back of my mind, where the vision of her throwing up and lying weak on the couch wasn’t the image in the front of my brain. I’m not mad at my aunt—lord knows I wouldn’t be managing everything without her help. I just hate that her phone call has now deflated my happiness a bit.

I return to our range where Jess is scrolling through her phone in her seat, sipping her drink, and waiting for me. Her hair is draped over her shoulders in front of her and her pouty lips are pursed as she studies something on her screen. She’s freaking beautiful and I hate that I’m keeping something from her.

“Hey. Everything okay?” She moves to stand and place her hand on my arm.

“Yeah, it’s fine,” I huff.

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