Page 21 of Buddy System

“I agree that he was noble. He always is. But…shouldn’t he be over all this by now?”

I give a humorless laugh, shaking my head. “Seriously? There aren’t any rules or timelines, Kate. Levi’s doing great.” I knowshe’s concerned, but I wish she’d butt out. “Excuse me for saying this, but he sure doesn’t need any more pressure to hurry up and get back to whatyouthink is ‘normal.’ I know you love your brother, but let him be. Please.”

Levi reaches over and grasps my hand, giving both Kate and me something to look at, and I’m just as startled by it as she is when he says to her, “I was about to explain—just when Skyler showed up—that he knows of a great therapist I can talk to. And now that Brooke and I are sure where we want to settle, I’ll take care of that soon.” His hand slips away, and I miss it.

Kate looks at me and then looks at Levi with a quizzical frown, but her expression clears, and she forces a smile at her brother. “That’s all I can ask, and I’m glad you told me. Are you planning to buy a house?”

Levi squints a little and says, “Hmm, not sure. We haven’t discussed it yet.”

She nods and asks, “Do you think you’re finally going to pursue your music seriously?”

He smiles in my direction, rolling his eyes slightly. “Big sisters. What are you gonna do with ’em?” I shrug because I’m an only child, so what do I know about siblings? He looks back at Kate and says, “We have a lot of decisions to make, sis. I’ve thought about it some, but we’ll see. Please relax.” He’s certainly polite and patient with her. I’m ready to tell her to keep her nose in her own fucking business, but I stay silent. I’ve said enough. The music business is a tough one to break into, and I don’t know how much stress he needs, no matter how talented he is.

With that, a tiny pink-clad tornado comes whooshing out of the house hollering, “Uncle Levi!” She runs to him, followed by her father—who looks a little frazzled—carrying her baby brother. Lulu reaches up to hug Levi, who swings her up carefully onto his lap, and I notice he positions her on his good side. Lulu begins a long-winded and completely one-sidedconversation about the pretty pink tutu she’s going to wear when she becomes a “ballaweena.” Then she hops down, throws her arms over her head and attempts to spin around a few times, only to end up landing on her behind in a fit of giggles. Levi is charmed by the whole thing and has a huge grin on his face.

Brooke also joins us, greeting everyone happily. She looks radiant as she gives Levi a blinding smile. I wonder if things heated up for them last night. Then I chastise myself. It’s none of my business.

We all settle into a conversation about the amazing fireworks show they put on last night, and the pressure seems to be off of Levi for now. I’m relieved for him and promise myself to give him the therapist’s contact information later today after Kate and her family are gone.

A couple of hours later, the extra guests are all packed and ready to get back to Lexington, promising to visit again soon. It was great to have them, but I’m also happy to have Levi and Brooke to myself again. We all wave goodbye, and as their car pulls out of sight, we each look at one another, and the air seems charged. I glance up at the sky, and there is no evidence of a summer thunderstorm, but there is definite electricity in the air.

“So…Skyler…” Levi says, looking me straight in the eye. I wonder what’s on his mind because it seems to be something momentous. “Brooke has an opinion, and when she voiced it to me, it made me think about what you said the other day.” He pauses, but I stay silent. I’m not sure where this is going, but he looks serious and far from angry. When I say nothing, he continues softly, “It’s me, isn’t it?”

“You? What is you?”

He smirks. “The ‘other person.’ The one you’re attracted to the same way you’re attracted to Brooke.”

“I, ah…” Suddenly, it’s hard to look at him, and I feel my cheeks burning.

Levi isn’t finished. “I’m flattered. I’m happy you think Brooke is amazing, and I’ve also come to realize I’m attracted to you.” Brooke’s eyes widen at his admission.

“You are?” I can’t answer above a choked whisper.

“Of course. So is Brooke. You and I are both a couple of hunks, man! Nothing but the best for my gorgeous wife.” All three of us crack up, but it’s that edgy, nervous kind of laughter rather than the “Haha, that was hilarious” kind. It dies out to an awkward silence, and I have no idea what to say.

Apparently, Levi does though. He takes Brooke’s hand as we wander back into the house. He stops and asks, “Anyone up for another coffee…or a beer?” When he gets a “no thanks” from me and a shake of her head from Brooke, he directs her into the living room and sits at one end of the sofa, pulling her down next to him so she’s in the middle. With a jut of his chin and the motion of his eyes, he directs me to sit on her other side. I do so slowly and gently as though I’m sitting on eggs. I’m a nervous wreck.What is he up to? That beer is sounding better and better because my mouth is dry. I try to look nonchalant, but Levi smirks at me and winks.

Without preamble, Levi begins, “Last night, Brooke told me her opinion and then pleasured me, and I was so overcome, I passed out afterward. I think she needs a reward for being so patient with me because I haven’t properly made love to her since before we were deployed. And, Skyler, I think you need special thanks for bringing us here to your home and making us fall in love with Honeybee Hollow and its residents. More than anything, I want to see the two people I care the most about in the whole world enjoy each other in a physical way. I’m getting turned on just thinking about it, and Brooke, your eyes are dilated as I mention this. So, Sky, please kiss Brooke. Kiss her like you mean it. You’re both so perfect. Ineedto see youenjoying each other, and Brooke needs some loving. I’ve been a bad husband.”

“You have not been a bad husband, Levi. I love you with all my heart. I…”

He interrupts her, “You’ve sure been using up a lot of batteries for someone whose husband does a great job of loving you.”

Brooke gasps and looks down. I don’t like the embarrassment on her face, so I tell her, “Hey, when a woman pleasures herself, it’s hot. Don’t be shy about it.” Her eyes look deeply into mine, and suddenly I don’t care if this is the worst idea I’ve ever had in my life. The tension is going to kill me if I don’t taste that mouth I’ve lusted over forever. I lean closer to her.

Brooke doesn’t pull away. Her mouth opens, and she licks her lips. I hear Levi growl, “Yesss, baby, do it.”

I lose the rest of the distance between us and softly touch my lips to hers. Instantly, a soft kiss isn’t enough, so I increase the pressure, and I hear her whimper. But her whimper turns into a sigh. She lets go of Levi’s hand and reaches for my thigh. She lays her hand on me, and it ignites something inside me. I scoot closer to her and try to figure out what to do with my hands.

Levi begins raising her shirt and says to her in a deep voice, “Yes, that’s it. Kiss him like you kiss me. Show him what he means to us.”

What do I mean to them? I wonder. Levi has a hand in her shirt, playing with her tits, and he leans in close so he can kiss her neck. I’ve never been so close to two people at once, and this is a strange sensation. But it’s also a rush—I can’t deny it. Levi’s other hand reaches around behind Brooke and begins to stroke my face and play with my hair.Holy cow! I’ve never been touched in a gentle way like this by a dude. I…uh…like it.

Brooke seems to be relaxing. She starts kissing me back with as much enthusiasm as I’m putting into it. She welcomes my tongue into her mouth and duels with me with her tongue. She feels playful and passionate at the same time. Levi keeps whispering encouragement and tells us how sexy we are. I’m having a hard time believing this is happening, but I’m getting so aroused, it’s uncomfortable, so I have to squirm around a little until my junk isn’t choking in my jeans. Levi chuckles. He knows what’s going on.

All at once, Brooke pulls away from me and turns to Levi with a worried look. “Honey, are you sure this is alright?” she asks. “I know you encouraged it, but are you okay?”

“Never better, babe. I promise. I’m so hard right now I could pound nails with my dick. And I love seeing you all hot and turned on. Sky could make you really happy, I bet. He’s so sexy, and he’s crazy about you too.”

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