Page 46 of Buddy System

Juni was right. It’s amazing.

Chapter

Thirty-Four

Skyler

I don’t knowwhat I’d do now if I didn’t have Levi and Brooke—probably lose my mind. It’s not just the sex we have—often and enthusiastically—it’s the closeness we share and the unspoken understanding they offer when all this crap gets me down. The other thing that’s keeping me from losing it completely is my painting. It’s even helping me strengthen my arm and use my hand better.

Levi has made it his purpose in life to make it up the stairs once a day to keep me company in the studio, and he plays and sings the most beautiful songs. It makes me love him more and more each day—especially when I see what a toll the trip up there takes on him. On days I have an inkling he’s not going to be able to make it too well, I suggest painting outside might be fun. That usually happens after he’s stayed up late singing with Wildflower Whiskey, and he looks tired.

And speaking of his playing with his new group, the only time I’ve been able to work on the painting of him is when he’s rehearsing or gigging with them. The rest of the time, I’ve had tokeep it stored away so he doesn’t see it. I love the way it’s turning out, and it’s almost done. I need to figure out the best time to show it to him.

That raspy, emotional voice of Levi’s is amazing. And he’s written a couple of songs that he’s perfecting before trying them out on the public. He was worried that I’d find his practicing annoying until I assured him he can’t make a bad sound with either his voice or his guitar, and if he needs to repeat the same line over fifty times to get it just right, I’ll enjoy it fifty times.

Brooke has been trying to find ways to cheer me up. Today she asked, “How would you like to have Jack, Asher, and Juni over for dinner soon?” My first instinct was to say no—I wasn’t ready for more people to deal with. But when I saw the hopeful look in Brooke’s eyes, I decided differently.

“Sure. Ask them to come over, and we’ll have a barbecue.”Maybe it’ll be fun, I tell myself. After all, they’re great company and understand us in ways many folks never will.

Two days later, they show up with several desserts—courtesy of Juni’s bakery—a lovely flowering plant that Asher tells us we can use many ways in cooking, and a case of beer. The plant makes more sense to Brooke than to Levi and me, although I’ve seen them in my parents’ garden center, I think. She seems fascinated by it when Asher tells her it’s a native plant. We like the beer a lot though. The three of them are good people and good friends.

“We’re going to be moving into the house soon,” Jack announces as he pops open six beer bottles. “Next week, in fact.”

This leads to a long conversation about moving and decorating a new place, and the ladies seem anxious to do more shopping together. I’m glad Brooke and Juni have hit it off so well.

The conversation also leads to a discussion of puppies. They want to get at least one dog—possibly two—as soon as they’resettled. I see how Brooke lights up about this, and I made a mental note to talk to Levi about it privately. I think it would be a wonderful surprise, and I know she has a birthday coming up.

We end up having a delicious meal and a terrific time getting to know them all better. It’s well past midnight when everyone starts to yawn.

After they leave, we all fall into bed and have a slow, gentle session of lovemaking unlike our usual frantic, hot pursuit of pleasure. Experiencing our favorite position—the one Brooke calls “two-in-one”—with my lovers, I truly feel surrounded by not just passion but soul-baring affection. We’re quieter than usual until Levi says reverently, “Our love is like those gorgeous fireworks on the Fourth of July. It almost explodes out of us in colors and shapes as if it’s too big to contain.”

I’d bet anything he’s going to write a song about big, bright love.

“Oh, Levi,” Brooke purrs as she kisses his neck and squeezes us both with her inner muscles, making us groan with ecstasy. Soon we’re all succumbing to our individual climaxes, and I see colors behind my eyelids, just as Levi predicted. It’s beyond incredible. We drift off to sleep in each other’s arms.

It feels like only minutes later when my phone goes off. Oh crud. I’m not ready to face anything yet, but Levi reaches for it, unplugs it, and hands it to me. “Mornin’,” he rasps. “Good luck. Maybe it’s good news.” Judging by the light filtering in around the drapes, it’s a lot later in the day than I’d have guessed.

I grumble something at Levi even I can’t understand as I look at the caller ID. It’s Hamilton, my lawyer. I clear my throat and croak, “Hello?”

Chapter

Thirty-Five

Levi

It’sinteresting to watch Skyler’s facial expressions as he listens to the caller. He’s wary, then happy, and finally pissed off in less than a minute.

“Okay. Well at least some of that is good news. Thank you,” he says. “Now what am I supposed to do?”

They have a conversation back and forth for a while, and I finally have to get out of bed because it’s morning, and I need to pee. So I don’t hear all of it. Brooke also follows right behind me into the bathroom and takes her turn. She looks sleep-mussed and beautiful. I love this woman so ferociously. When she finishes, I set down my toothbrush and rinse out my mouth before capturing her in a full-body embrace, kissing the daylights out of her. I want her to know how much I appreciate and adore her.

We’re in the middle of a great make-out session when Skyler barges in. “I thought that guy would never shut up! What is it with lawyers loving to hear themselves talk?” he crabs as he shuts the door to the toilet area.

Brooke snickers, and I can’t help laughing too as we head down the hall.

Finally, Skyler shows up in the kitchen and makes straight for the coffee. He has a funny expression on his face, so I ask, “Well? What did he say?”

Skyler plunks himself down at the table. “Good news and not-so-good news.” He swallows some coffee as we stare at him curiously. “The good part is that the criminal charges were dropped when my lawyer presented the photos he took of my hands to the prosecutor. He also finally has Mrs. Henshaw’s medical report. My hands aren’t bruised or cut up in any way that would indicate I’d slugged anyone. Any evidence they had against me was as insubstantial as smoke.”

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