Page 68 of Playing it Country

“Sure thing, but can we limit the vagina talk? I can do girl talk but…” I smile and she glares as she takes another pot from my hand and smashes it onto the ground before her breath hitches and her shoulders shake.

Her eyes are glassy with unshed tears, and she points a finger at me and hisses, “I amnotcrying; it’s these damn hormones.”

“Okay.” I hand her another pot but she just holds it. “What’s going on with Hank?”

She blows out a breath. “All the regular dad things but”—she chews on her bottom lip—“because there’s three babies it’s higher risk. I think after everything he’s been through, he’s worried he’ll lose me or the babies or both, and I don’t know how to reassure him that we’ll be fine.”

“I can ask Dad to talk to him. I mean, Mama had twins and it’s not the same but I’m sure he was feelin’ kind of anxious too. She’d already had three babies by the time she got pregnant with us, and I’m no expert, but I think it gets more complicated with each one.”

“He’s going to be such a good dad; he just needs to relax. I can’t relax if he’s not relaxed.”

“It makes sense. But you’re smart and you’re getting excellent care and listening to your body and avoiding stress that’s not your husband.” I stare at the pot in her hand, and she throws it with a laugh.

“Yes, all of that. But Case,”—Isla grabs me by the shirt with both hands and shakes me—“he won’t have sex with me.”

My mouth opens and then closes. “Umm…”

She releases my shirt and I place the remaining pots on the ground while she pinches the bridge of her nose and taps her foot.

“I need the connection, Case.Heneeds the connection. That’s how we say all the things we don’t know how to say.”

Despite how unprepared I am for this conversation, what she says makes sense. There’s no denying the intensity between them. It’s obvious to anyone within a country mile of those two just how deep their connection runs.

“The doctor says it’s safe, right?” I confirm.

“Yes.”

“And he knows that...” I don’t ask it as a question because she’s still within striking distance and I’d like to keep my limbs intact. “Do you trust me?”

“Of course. That’s why I’m here.”

“Okay, hold on.”

Pulling out my phone, I open an Internet browser and search for articles on pregnancy sex and find one raving about different sensations and things that I’ll probably read later but don’t dare even skim in front of my sister-in-law because—weird.

Not that this would come close to the things we’ve discussed today. I think this is like new level unlocked in the sister-in-law relationship category.

CASE: Hank I have a SERIOUS question I need answered

WAYLON: This is going to be good

SORREN: I actually want to watch this play out

OTTO: (gif of guy eating popcorn)

HANK: I’m going to regret this I just know it

CASE: I’m offended

CASE: (link to pregnancy sex article)

CASE: I need to know—is it like that??

OTTO: That’s a valid question

WAYLON: Dude I’ve heard it’s amazing I can’t wait to find out

SORREN: And…I think I’m going to silence this chat

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