Page 21 of Allison

With a smile, Allison replies, “Caveman,” giving him a quick press of their lips.

Russell gazes deep into her eyes. “Youarebeautiful. Don’t ever doubt that, sugar.”

Allison turns back to her melting sundae, smiling big. She focuses on eating the sweet treat Russell had gotten her. It is good but not nearly as good as that kiss.

15

WORM

An hour later, back at the hotel, Worm is lounging in his room, missing Allison already. The day had gone better than he’d expected, despite the incident at the ice cream parlor. He’d gotten caught up in the moment with Allison and kissed her like his life had depended on it. Thankfully, no one had seen them except for Susie Beth and maybe Bull. Allison drives him to distraction which should frighten him, but knowing he’ll only be with her this short time is helping to keep him from freaking out completely.

Speaking of distractions, he needs to check in on his mom and sisters. He pulls up his contacts and calls his mom. The phone rings and rings before going to voicemail. Gritting his teeth, he waits for the pre-recorded message to finish. “Hey, mom. Just calling to see how everyone is doing. Call me when you have a minute.” He ends the call, and wonders why she hadn’t answered.

He hits another contact. It rings twice before a breathy, “Hello, Russ?” Sadie’s voice comes over the line.

“Hey, squirt, how’s it going?” Russell hates that every conversation he has with them begins this way, but it’s just the way it is.

“It’s okay.” Worm can hear the undertone of discontent in her voice, but knows she won’t tell on Amber directly unless she is asked, point blank, about their argument. “Are you having a good time?” Worm smiles. His little sister looks out for everyone else before herself, which is rare in a girl her age.

“As a matter of fact, I am having a great time,” Worm answers. He tells her all about the aquarium and the cool fish and aquatic creatures he’d seen that day. Sadie asks a million questions which he patiently answers for her. She chats away, and he can tell by the end of the conversation she is in a much better mood. “So, how is mom today?”

Sadie pauses, which is telling. “Well, she started out really good,” Sadie finally answers, “but when I came in from school, she was crying in her room.” Worm’s heart breaks for Sadie having to live through this. It’s been so hard for him to watch their mom struggle. He doesn’t want his baby sister to have to do the same.

“I’m sorry I’m not there,” Worm says, clearing his throat to keep his emotions from taking over. “I could come home for a couple days.”

“No, we don’t need you to come home, really,” Sadie insists. “Mom is just having a bad afternoon. Honestly, she’s been getting better lately. Like, a lot better the last couple of weeks, but I think Amber and I set her off this time. We’ve…we’ve not been getting along. I’m sorry, Russ. I know we need to be better. I just get so frustrated. Amber treats me like I’m her servant and that my feelings don’t matter.”

“I understand, Sadie girl. We are all hurting over losing Dad. Amber needs a better outlet for her grief.” Worm sighs. There is so much more he should be doing. “I’m going to talk to her. Maybe she needs to see a therapist. Do you think therapy has helped you?”

“Yes,” Sadie agrees. “I didn’t want to go either, at least not at first, but now I look forward to going. I feel better afterward, even though sometimes it’s tough getting through a session.” Worm’s heart breaks for his little sister. More than ever, he wishes he could be there for her and the rest of them. She is only twelve years old. She’s too young to be going through such an emotional toll and loss, basically on her own.

“I’ll talk to Amber,” Worm says. “I’m sure she’ll see reason.” Sadie snorts a sound indicating she doesn’t have faith in that. “It’ll be fine. You’ll see. I need to go, but if you need anything, Sadie, even if it’s just to talk, I’m here.”

“I know, Russ, but you’ve got so many important things to do,” Sadie answers, sounding defeated. “I’ll be okay.”

“I mean it, squirt. I’m never too busy for you.”

“Alright, thanks, Russ. I love you.”

“I love you, too. I’ll talk to you soon.” Worm ends the call, laying his phone on the bedside table.

Now what to do?The thought barely leaves his mind when there’s a knock at the door. He rises from the bed, strolling to the door. Using the peep hole, he sees Allison standing in the hallway. Her brown locks falling softly around her shoulders. She’s wearing a low-cut sundress, showing a fair amount of cleavage. His heart rate spikes, and his cock jerks. He quickly opens the door. “What’s up, sugar?”

Allison bites her lip, peeking up at him through her lashes. “I wondered if you wanted to hang out for a little while?” She turns her head checking both directions of the hall. “There’s supposed to be a girls’ afternoon by the pool, but I'm not interested. I thought if you weren’t busy we could do something together.”

A huge grin spreads across his face. “What did you have in mind, sugar?” His tone is low and seductive. Allison presses her lips together, shooting a glare at him. Unable to contain it any longer, he laughs at the expression on her adorable face.

“I thought we could watch a movie or something,” Allison grouses. “Of course a Neanderthal like you would have something else in mind.”

“Guilty,” he purrs, reaching out to pull her into his room, a squeak leaving her. “What do you expect me to think about when you look good enough to eat in that dress?” Allison’s face flushes a deep pink.

“You really like it?” Allison spins around. The skirt of her dress flaring out to give him a peek of her milky thighs before dropping down to her knees again. He pulls her body flush to his.

“Yeah, I do,” he says softly, skimming his lips along the side of her neck. She trembles in his arms, a sigh escaping her. He pulls her lips to his, kissing her properly. When he pulls back, “What movie do you want to watch?” Allison’s eyes are glazed over. She blinks a couple times before answering.

“I don’t know. What kind of movies do you like?”

“Anything except a chick flick,” he replies, knowing she’s going to protest. He’s banking on it. If there’s one thing he’s learned in the couple days he’s known the woman, it’s that he loves to banter with her.

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