Page 39 of Vex

“I’m glad Taja’s living a little. Glad it’s with you because you seem like a good guy. We could use a man in our lives but neither of us know how that works since we’ve never had one. Taja’s never wanted one around because she believes all men are like our dad. Prove her wrong, not right. Don’t eff this up. I’m cool with you staying over. Taja’s more uptight about it because of me. My bedroom’s a few rooms away from hers so we’re good there. And I sleep with my earbuds in most nights anyway. So, what I’m saying is that your monkey sex sounds won’t bother my sleep. But here’s some house rules so we all get along. And before you ask, Taja hasn’t discussed or agreed to these, but I think you and I should. Ready?”

“Lay them on me, little one,” I tell her settling a little more comfortably on the couch. This should be good stuff. Little Tessie reminds me a little of Axel. She thinks it—she says it.

“No sex on the couch. It’s a communal couch, and I don’t want to be sitting where some demon child from hell might have been conceived. No running around the house naked. I’m sixteen and my hormones can only take so much on any given day. And frankly, you’re a hotness overload, so be kind to me by keeping your clothes on. Boxers are okay but not boxer briefs. Too tight and um, revealing, you know? I don’t ever want to know what you’re packing because that might make me want to hate my sister. Next, our hot water has a limit and I’m not big on cold showers so take quick ones, please. If I get a cold shower in the morning it sets me up for some mood swings all day, and you won’t like me very much when that happens. Bella’s been telling me how cool her brother is and how lucky she is to have him. I want that too. Taja’s the best at being my sister, and I love her to death. And I never told her this because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but I’ve always wanted a big brother. If you’re with Taja, then that makes you my big-brother-like person. I have high expectations, so you’ll need to step up and meet them. Bella and Axel have set the bar high. Don’t let me down.”

“Is that all?” I ask while fighting a laugh.

“Not quite. This one’s important so listen close. The toilet seat’s to be kept in the down position. I’m not taking a late-night swim because you forget that rule. We’ve always been a house of women, so an up-toilet seat isn’t something we think about.”

“Anything else?” I ask while still fighting a laugh.

“Probably, but that’s all I can think of right now. I’ll get back to you later if I come up with any others,” she answers with a careless flip of her hair.

“I can agree to those,” I tell her solemnly. I’m a little worried about the toilet seat rule, though. I don’t remember the last time I thought to put one back down, and I can see why that’s important to her. I’ll do my best.

“Good chat,” Tessie says with a wide smile as she stands to walk away.

“Tessie,” I say stopping her. “I have no fucking idea what a sixteen-year-old female wants for her birthday, so how about I give you cash and you can buy whatever you want or need?”

“Cash is good,” she says with a wicked smile and an outstretched palm.

I reach into my hip pocket, pull out my wallet and open it. I withdraw several twenties and hold them up to her. She takes them with one hand while snatching my wallet from me with her other. She turns, sits herself on my gut and proceeds to pull out my driver’s license.

“Vex Dagen. Age 29. 6’3” 208 pounds.”

“That’s me,” I say while chuckling at her audacity.

Tessie takes all but two of the twenties I handed her and places them back into my wallet along with my license.

“Forty bucks is plenty for my birthday. It’s more than generous and I appreciate it. Thank you, Vex Dagen,” she says while standing, dropping my wallet on my stomach and walking away.

I like that girl.

I spent the night at Taja’s, and it’s now one of the best nights of my life. Yes, the sex was spectacular, but that wasn’t what made it meaningful. We laid in bed and talked. About ourselves, our families, our hopes, our futures. I’ve never done that before, never wanted to, yet I’m looking forward to more nights like that with Taja. I noticed she said very little about their father, but we have a lot of time to finish that conversation. Waking up next to her, this time without the panic attack, is an experience I plan on getting more of.

We’re both working tonight at Dreams, but before that shift, I promised to help out at the gym since Axel’s off still. We’ve been calling it maternity leave even though he insists it’s paternity leave. It’s the quickest way to get him to hang up on you when he calls to micromanage something to do with the gym. Cash has perfected the technique.

Walking into the gym, I head to the check-in desk where Pooh, Pigeon and Cash are standing. I know I’m about to catch shit from them, but I’m smiling anyway.

“Hi, Brother Vex. Let me help carry that ball and chain you’re dragging behind you,” Cash starts off with a grin.

“Gossip travels fast,” I answer. “Jealous much?”

“Fuck yeah, I am. Taja’s hot as hell,” Pigeon adds. “Tall, great ass, a mouth that…”

“Finish that sentence and I’m gonna have to kill you,” I interject before Pigeon gets himself somewhere he can’t get out of. My smile’s now vanished and my blood pressure is instantly rising.

“I’d shut the fuck up, Pigeon,” Pooh advises with a smirk.

“Gets a woman and loses his sense of humor. How’s that keep happening? What the hell is it with you guys?” Pigeon asks in a confused voice.

“Someday, some unlucky woman will help you figure that out,” Cash answers.

Chapter 17

Taja

I know I should’ve told Vex about Rooster and his money demands. I also know Vex will lose his shit about that. I’m going to have to answer to Rooster soon about not showing for his club party, and I’m dreading it immensely. It seems strange to be so happy with Vex now in my life and yet so displeased at having Rooster back in it. I have no clue how to balance all that. So, I do what most women do, and I call my best friend.

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