Page 81 of Call it Reckless

I smacked Bristol on her ass. “Come on. I told you it was a waste of time to take a shower earlier. Now you need another one.”

She lifted her head with a glare that I was starting to enjoy. It was fun getting a rise out of her.

We were no sooner cleaned up and dressed and ready to finally pick up Lex when Bristol got a call from her brother, insisting the three of us join the family for an impromptu lunch.

Bristol frowned.

I was surprised by her reaction. “Don’t you want to go?”

She texted something back as she answered me. “I’m questioning the motivation for the sudden invitation.”

“Why?”

“Chase was too calm last night after we told him about us. I think this is his way of having time to grill you.”

“I’m okay with that.”

Her head jerked in surprise. “You are? HehitZach.”

I shrugged. “Yeah, but he deserved it. I’m not worried.”

“But he shouldn’t challenge you at all. It’s my life and my decision. He could at least wait until you screw up.”

“Who says I’m going to screw up anything?”

“Every relationship has issues that come up from time to time. I don’t need him or anyone else butting in if and when that happens. I don’t like this. We’re not going.”

“Hey,” I responded, worried there was more going on than just not liking Chase acting like a big brother. “If we don’t go, he’ll think I’m a coward. And I’m not. I can handle myself.”

“But what if—”

I put a finger to her mouth. “We canwhat-ifall day. I want to spend time with your family. They’re fun. Besides, if Chase thinks he can bully me, he forgets I have the entire sheriff’s department who will have my back.”

“Will you give him a ticket? He likes to drive fast, too, you know,” she answered, sounding a little excited by the prospect.

“If I catch him. Same as you.” I bopped her on the nose with my finger. “Although, as pretty as you are, I might be talked into dropping the amount once again.”

She pouted her lips as she cocked her head. “Okay, but if he gives you a hard time, you let me know. I’ll put sugar in his gas tank or something.”

“Wow. Vindictive little thing, aren’t you?”

“Best you remember that, Deputy.”

* * *

Lex had been thrilledwhen we picked her up and Bristol told her where we were going. I listened quietly in my SUV as my daughter and Bristol chattered about the things Bristol wanted to show her and Lex wanted to see, especially the goats.

A feeling of contentment washed over me. It had been a long time since the two of us had been part of any kind of threesome. It felt good. I slid my hand over the console separating us and gripped Bristol’s hand. Her fingers wrapped around mine, but she never broke her attention with Lexi.

Breakfast at Chase’s farm was only slightly quieter than the dinner the night before. If it took me a little getting used to after years of quiet meals, Lexi seemed to soak it up like a dry sponge. It helped that her younger friend, Iain, was there. He’d been going to his uncle’s farm for years.

“Reid. Lexi. How’d you guys like to see more of the farm?” Chase invited after breakfast.

“Yes!” Lexi jumped up right away, while Bristol frowned at her brother.

“Hold on, young lady. You’re to help clear the table,” I reminded her.

“She doesn’t have to,” Chase replied.

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