Page 30 of For Puck's Sake

Me: Coming home soon?

Tor: In a week. The camp ends in three weeks. I’ve decided to come up when we get back. I’m bringing Alexis up with me. Just in time for the Lark Bay Summer Festival. Might as well get my funnel cake on before preseason starts.

Me: Haven’t you eaten your weight in croissants yet?

Tor: I have, and I have eaten my weight in Alexis to counteract the effects.

Me: (gag emoji) Oh come on, Tor. TMI, Damn it. TMI.

Tor: (smiley face emoji) Gotta keep the wifey happy.

Me: Again, I didn’t need to know that.

Tor: Oh, so you’re telling me you didn’t spend your night between . . .(winky face emoji)

Me: Bye, Tor.

Tor: Oh come, Rid. I’ve waited years for this type of banter. We are those type of besties now.

Me: What type?

Tor: The type that makes jokes and jabs about our significant others loaded with sexual innuendo.

Me: Nope.

Tor: Nope? Maybe one day.

Me: Still, no. I mean, who are you and what did you do with Tor Bailey? It’s like the Twilight Zone or Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

Tor: Happiness looks good on me, what can I say? Oh yeah, don’t worry, I’m not throwing you out of my house. We will stay in my master suite on the opposite side of the lake house, so we won’t get in your way. Looking forward to seeing you. The wifey says hello. And Ridley?

Me: Yes, Tor.

Tor: Don’t fuck it up before I get there. I really want to see you happy again.

Me: Bye, Tor.

I smile as I slide my phone into my pocket. The reminder of our summer coming to an end makes my stomach churn. I’ve talked a good game to myself these past few days. I’m convinced that no matter what, we will be okay. I have to believe that nomatter the distance, our pull for each other will be too strong to keep us apart forever. Tours and hockey be damned.

The sound of chords being played and the sweet melodic notes of Brea’s voice carry me to her as I round the corner and pause. She sits, cross legged with her back to me, sunlight shines down from the back windows bathing her in a golden glow. Her hair is piled high on top of her head, bare legs peeking out from underneath my shirt. Her head is tilted slightly, as she hums, listens, strums a cord, and hums again.

“Because I do. I do . . . Oh,” she sings drawing out the last note as she fingers a few chords again. I stand, caught in a memory of the past and a vision of my future all at once. Nothing is more beautiful to me than Brea creating, lost in her own world, nothing but her, the notes and lyrics. She can stay this way for hours, uninterrupted until the song is finished.

“I’ll give anything, baby . . . Oh. Because with you, I’m made whole,” she sings the lyrics, head tilted back, swaying to her own beat as I watch her. I watch her for what feels like hours, even though it is only a couple of minutes. Until she pauses, the last chords hang heavy in the air then she places Bessie down beside her.

“I’m about to sound crazy, so don’t judge me. But I can feel your smile from here,” she says, glancing over her shoulder at me.

No longer able to resist myself, hands in my pockets, I cross the living room to be closer to her. Reaching down, I hold out my hand and Brea takes it, interlacing our fingers and allowing me to pull her up. Who knew a simple touch can ease the soul so completely.

“It doesn’t sound crazy at all, Luna. My happiness with you, for you, is its own entity. I want you to feel it when you’re close to me or in a crowded room. I want it to manifest and grow until there’s no room for any other emotions. Besides love, of course.Love, my love, is endless, boundless, circumventing all else for you,” I say, wrapping my arms around her waist, her back to my front. We stand like this, watching the world go by. There are a few people in their boats on the lake. While others lay out on their massive lawns in deck chairs across the water. It’s the height of summer here in Lark Bay. The sun is high without a cloud in the deep blue sky. The view of the mountains is so clear, it’s as if you could reach out and touch the peak. The sight is breathtaking, spectacular and awe inspiring.

“It’s a beautiful day, made better because I have you here with me to witness it.” Kissing her temple, I hold Brea closer. It’s moments like this I thought I would never have again. But here we are, and I will do my best never to take it or her for granted.

“I never appreciated the beauty of this place until I got to see it through your eyes. To me, it was just home, the small town I grew up in. All the picturesque things are overlooked because it just is. You get used to it and you don’t stop to take it all in until someone stops and makes you acknowledge the majesty,” she muses. Tipping her head she brushes a kiss to my jaw and sighs. Blissful. Content. Settled.

Following the long lines of her exposed neck, I plant quick kisses all the way up to her earlobe. Brea squirms as I nuzzle closer. I can smell our combined scents, vanilla and the masculine spice of my cologne, it’s a heady cocktail, and my dick comes alive. Mine.Yep, that’s the primal, hindbrain taking over, wanting nothing more than to mark and claim her.

I bend down and scoop her up in my arms bridal style. Brea squeaks in surprise, wrapping her arms around my neck. Turning I bury my face in her neck and take a deep inhalation of breath. “Mhmm, you smell good. I love my scent on you, Angel,” I mumble as I lick up the side of her neck.

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