Page 84 of South of The Skyway

“Beats me,” I admitted, stomach squirming at the idea of anyone else touching him. Those gorgeous muscles and full lips. The perfect, solid half-moon of an ass. Nope, I didn’t like that visual one bit.

“Genes like that, you’d think somebody would’ve sought him out for a litter of little gremlins, if nothing else,” Josie said, taking a long drag off our last remaining water bottle before passing it back. My chest ached. Because she was right. And for the first time in my life, I…I wanted that. Forcing a laugh, I occupied my mouth with the water straw.

“Maybe I should call Jake back. He’s such a good guy. I just wish I had more…I don’t know, justmore. But watching Rhyett with them…they deserve a good man in their lives.”

“And you deserve someone who does more than stand in for pictures and show up when convenient. Someone you actually want to drag to bed. Don’t be ridiculous.”

I don’t think I was alone in how my stomach flipped at Noel’s uncharacteristically clipped tone.

“Uh, yeah, I know,” Josie said, vocal cords tiptoeing along the looming ledge of tears.

“So, stop compromising for less than you’re worth. It’s annoying.”

“Noel,” I cautioned, reaching out for Josie’s hand as her face lost its color. “What was that?”

“I’m sorry, I’m just—it’s fucking hot and I’m hungry. Plus, Eric’s been texting me all day, hounding me to get home, so I’ll just go.” She rocketed to her feet, wincing. “Sorry, Josie, it’s not you, honestly. Fuck. I’m an asshole. I love you guys.”

As she marched off without another word, the three of us swapped worried glances, Vallie sitting up and lifting her hand to shield her eyes as she tracked Noel’s retreat. She was rocking a magenta bikini against her rich sepia skin, delicate gold necklaces sinking between generous cleavage.

“Uh…what was that?” She looked to me for an explanation, but I could only shake my head. I should go after her. Figure it out.

“I think…I think she’s having problems with Eric.” I hedged, nervously tiptoeing the line between honesty and unsubstantiated gossip.

“Should I go after her?” Josie offered, her eyes still heavy. “I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s not you, Jos,” I reassured her. “Noel adores you. I’ll go talk to her.” Except when I jumped from my seat to head back, I locked eyes with Rhyett, his hands full of little red cardboard food containers. Two beaming kids running ahead of him. The image knocked the wind out of me. The man was picture freaking perfect.

“Mama, mama! They had fries!”

“Rite ga’ us fwies!” Kyler sang happily, wiggling like he had a tail to wag. The hero of the hour dispersed his loot, before he came up shy, looking in a full circle, brow furrowing.

“Where’s Noel?”

* * *

“I’msorry you didn’t catch her.” Rhyett was quiet after I told him about Noel’s little outburst. Of all people, Josie was the last one that needed any attitude from anyone. Especially not someone she leaned on as much as Noel.

“She’ll talk to me when she’s ready.”

“Yeah,” he agreed as he turned us onto their road. “You hungry, baby?”

I blew out a breath, patting my belly and earning a laugh when I distended it until I looked pregnant.

“Still full?”

“You let us feast all day.” The yawn snuck up on me and I stretched contentedly. Hours of sunshine had soaked into my body, making my joints loose and my eyes sleepy.

“Good lord, the kids can eat.”

I laughed, nodding. “Yeah, tell me about it. I watched them for a weekend over the winter so Josie could go to a conference. It’s like the whole day revolves around mealtimes, snack times, and in-between-snacks snacks.”

“That never stops with boys, just so you’re aware.”

“I’ll be sure to warn Josie.”

“Mom always said we about ate them out of house and home.”

“With twelve?!” I teased, grinning. It still sounded outlandish to me. A dozen kids. A dozen mouths to feed. I had no idea how they’d done it. “No kidding.”

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