Page 46 of Forever in the Country

“Keep that to yourself and I won’t start sending Otto shirt ideas.”

“You got it, boss.”

20

RHEA

“Ineed to talk to you,” I say as I walk into Hank and Isla’s house without knocking. Normally, I’d be a little more composed, but there is nothing normal about this.

Having Sorren in my bed, no matter how briefly, had me all twisted up at work. Ella had practically kicked me out of the bakery before my shift was even over. I need to give that girl a raise. She’s young but she’s loyal and motivated and pretty much runs The Poppy Seed regardless of whether or not I’m there.

My brother looks up, his glass halfway to his mouth. “Hello to you too.”

“Yeah, yeah, hello big brother, now get out so I can talk to your wife.” Hank scowls and Isla snickers as she pats her hand on his chest.

“Don’t worry, honey, I’ll do that thing you like with my tongue later…”

“Knock it off, you two,” I hiss. Isla rolls her eyes.

“Oh, like you’re not here to talk about orgasms.”

“What?” Hank asks before holding up his hand. “I don’t want to know. I’m going to go check on the babies.”

“You’re such a hot dad,” Isla calls after him and his shoulders shake with silent laughter as he disappears around the corner. “Okay, spill,” she says when he’s out of earshot.

Dropping into the nearest chair, I groan. “I’m still sore and he only used his hand.”

“That good, huh?” Isla says, her voice full of glee.

“I thought double orgasms were a myth but he just—” I mime a mind blown expression and Isla laughs. “It was so hot and he’s sogrowlyandgood girland, ugh, I also want to strangle him. And then he gave me another one.”

“That sounds about right.”

“What?” I ask, my gaze snapping to meet hers. Her eyes sparkle with amusement.

“Men like your brother and Sorren are a lot of work. They’re broody and stubborn and downright exhausting sometimes.” Her expression turns wistful. “But they’re also loyal and fiercely passionate and mind-blowingly intense.”

“It’s a lot.”

“It is,” she agrees. “They’ve seen things, Rhea. Things most people can’t ever imagine. They’re not broken, just guarded, and it hurts knowing that you can’t just make it better all at once. But you have to keep trying.”

My heart hurts for my brother and the years he spent in prison for something he didn’t do.

“He’s gone all week and I miss him, but I’m also doubting myself and him and what we’re doing and—”

My phone vibrates with a text and I glance at the screen and then shove it at Isla who just laughs.

SORREN: I heard this song and thought of you

SORREN: (Link to Warren Zeiders “One Hell of an Angel”)

My heart poundsas I listen to the lyrics.Thisis the stuff I’ll never survive. It’s the flower on my windshield and the song I’ll listen to on repeat because it makes me feel closer to him.

I’ve seen so many sides of Sorren in my lifetime and each one is more than the last but never all of him. Those cards he holds so close to his chest are the ones that will break us if we’re not careful. They’re the ones that will destroy any chance at a future.

The song says as much.

RHEA: You think you need to be saved?

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