Page 48 of My Mistake To Make

‘How was Grandma?’

Usually, I’d be pissed at a change of subject. I’d want my answer, but I decide it’s safer this way. I do not need to be thinking about Cara getting herself off in that cabin. Unlucky for me, that’s now all I can think about. Grandma… think about Grandma.

‘She was great, so happy to see Bo.’

‘Well, of course she was. That girl is fucking awesome.’

After a few drinks, some food, and a lot of laughs, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. I love these nights. We try to have them as often as we can, but I have to pull out a lot of the time because Jessie drops Bowie on me last minute. She’s up in the city visiting her cousins this weekend, so I’m sleeping over at Bree’s, Zoe too, and we’re catching up. I know I’m a fucking grizzly bear most of the time, grumpy and unmovable becauseI’m pissed off at my life, but I love this time I spend with my sisters.

As I make my way back to the living room, I freeze when I hear her name.

‘I hope Cara’s doing okay,’ Bree says softly, and I know they’ve lowered their voices so I don’t hear them.

‘It’s a lot. I thought she was going to have a panic attack.’ What the fuck happened? I’m about to burst into the room and demand they tell me what they’re talking about when Zoe continues. ‘To be thirty and never have had a single orgasm is fucking mind-blowing.’

What?

‘You think she’s used any of the stuff she got?’

‘I don’t know. I hope so. Can you believe her ex never getting her off?’

‘He’s a dick.’

I shouldn’t be listening to this. Whatever Cara has confided in my sisters was for their ears only, but she’s never had an orgasm in her whole life—what the fuck?

‘If you think we don’t know you’re out there, Douglas. You’re very much mistaken.’ Fuck it.

‘I could tell it was a private conversation, so I hung back.’

‘Or you wanted to hear all about Cara’s personal needs.’

‘Why would I care? She pays me. Her sex life is her business.’

‘You could make it your business. You know she was with her ex for years, and he never made her come, not even once. As soon as he came, sex was over.’ Fucking jackass.

‘And none of the guys she’s been with ever bothered with foreplay.’ I bite down on my tongue to try and keep the rage off my face.

‘I don’t care, stop.’

‘And she doesn’t…’ Zoe waggles her fingers in the air, and I rub my hand down my face.

‘Guys, shut the fuck up.’

I try to pretend I don’t care. I try to make it really seem like it means nothing to me, but my dick is screaming at me,put me in coach. I’ve got this.I could make her scream until there was no sound left. I pinch the bridge of my nose and try to remember my reasons for staying away from her. No matter how much I want to find every man she’s been with and beat the crap out of them for being stupid enough to have her under them and not spend every fucking second trying to make her come over and over, I have got to stay the fuck away.

‘Doug.’

‘Zo, quit it. I told you. I don’t like her. I work for her. That’s all. If you’re so bothered, you have sex with her.’

‘Not that I wouldn’t rock her world, but I am not her type.’

‘Why are we talking about my employer right now? Bree, you’re being a shitty host—none of us have drinks.’

My oldest-by-three minutes-sister nods and stands before heading to the kitchen.

‘One more thing, then I’ll stop,’ Zoe whispers, and I glare at her. ‘She’s beautiful, Doug, and funny, and people are noticing. Tristan, some of his asshole friends, the construction guys. I see the way they’re all looking at her. She’s ready to explore this new part of herself, and if you’re not willing to help her, any one of them will. I just think you need to consider that.’

She raises her fingers to her mouth and makes a locking motion, letting me know she won’t say anything else, but she said enough, and it’s fucked with my head, and the smirk on my sister’s face tells me that’s what she was going for.

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