Page 69 of Hollyhocks

“I love you too, Sis.”

Ending the call, I lean back onto the bench and stare up at the sky, releasing a giant breath until there isn’t any air left in my lungs.

“Everything okay?” Rhett calls out from the middle of the lake, rubbing Mickey’s stomach.

Life is wild.

All the emotions and ups and downs this invisible force brings are exhausted. Some days, I’m not sure how to ride this rollercoaster anymore. Some days, surrender seems so much sweeter than dying to survive. However, if I kept that mindset, I’d miss out on the good parts of life.

Like watching Storm light Creed’s face on fire. It doesn’t hurt Creed but it sure does make me feel so much better.

“I’m going to go. Let me know if those babies make an appearance,” I shout to Rhett.

Rhett kisses Mickey on the cheek, whispering something in her ear that makes her smile and nod.

What I’d give to have a love like that.

Mickey continues to float on her back while Rhett swims to shore to see me off. He’s naked when he steps onto shore. I can’t help it. I stare at his cock because it’s a fucking jellyfish and never in my entire life have I seen anything like that before.

He snaps his fingers. “My eyes are up here, Fitz.”

“Yeah, but your jellyfish cock glows neon blue and it’s down there.” I point. “You expect me not to look? How can I not look? It’s like telling somebody not to turn around when they see someone they don’t like. It only makes me want to look more.”

Rhett’s laughter bellows, snagging a folded-up towel lying peacefully on the grass. “I guess that’s understandable. Want to touch it?”

I rear back, wide-eyed, and excited but not sexually. Who else gets to touch a jellyfish peen? “For science?” I ask, maintaining the humor.

“Anything for Science.”

He stares at me.

I stare at him.

A quick second of me thinking about if I want to touch it has my hand twitching. We both toss our heads back with laughter.

“I’m not touching that damn thing. You’re out of your mind. Like I want to get shocked?”

“I’d kill you if you did!” Mickey shouts from the lake.

“Storm, don’t make me muzzle you. No biting!” Creed continues to battle with his son.

Rhett wraps his towel around his waist, tucking the corner in so it doesn’t fall off. “You need to tell me what else is going on with you, Fitz. I know when you’re hiding something.”

I rip off my baseball cap, thinking about what to say to him, and run my fingers through my hair, debating on the truth.

“Well, my nephew just got out of surgery—”

“—Not that.” He lifts his hand to stop me from talking. “I heard that conversation between you two when I was in the lake. I’m glad he is okay, but there is something else you aren’t being honest about. What is it?”

I sigh, raising my shirt to show him what I’ve been dealing with.

He’s silenced.

I lower my shirt, clearing my throat. The silence expands until it becomes heavy and awkward.

“That’s why you fucking stink,” he says as it dawns on him. “You have a stalker.”

I correct him. “No, no,” I shake my finger. “I have a monster who is nervous to reveal herself. There’s a difference.”

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