47. Josie

47

Josie

" I still think it's unfair that you get to have a sleepover but I don't," Iris grumbles for the millionth time tonight.

"I know, but that's because there's a snow storm and some of the roads are closed. Besides, Kennedie is visiting her grandparents in Chicago. That's way too far for a sleepover. When she gets back, I'll text her mom and we'll have her over. Deal?"

Iris thinks about it. "Deal."

I kiss her goodnight, turn out the light, and walk down the stairs as quietly as possible. The guest room is down here, and it's where my grandparents stay when they visit. But right now, my half-naked boyfriend is in there waiting for me.

I step inside and lock the door.

"How did tuck-in go?"

"Let me make this clear," I say, pulling my top off and shimmying out of my leggings so I'm left in only a thong. "I don't want to talk about the kiddos. In fact, I'm not so sure I want to talk at all."

Van palms his cock through his sweats. "What do you want to do, Josie?"

I open my mouth to answer, then bite my lip. "You."

"I'm all yours, Jos. Always."

I crawl onto the bed with him, but I'm hesitant. "I want to be careful of your knee?—"

"My knee is fine. Ok, it's pretty well fucked right now. But as long as you're on top, it should be fine."

My eyes go wide. "Are those specifications from the doctor?"

He shrugs. "I found it on Reddit. There was this one guy who tore his ACL and he said he only waited four days to have sex."

I give my boyfriend a look. "Because we trust random guys on the internet?"

"Fair," Van concedes. "But I swear to you, it's stable in the brace."

I reach for my leggings and fish my phone out of my pocket.

"What're you doing, Jos?" Van asks, his hands skimming over my body.

"I need to do some research first. I won't feel comfortable if?—"

His hands grip my waist. "Will you feel comfortable if you're nowhere near my knee? Like, what if you're really far away? Like…hmmm…maybe up here, on my face?"

His blue eyes sparkle, and I know that's one of his favorite things to do, but I have a good idea, too. My hands tug at the waistband of his sweats until his cock springs free. It's thick and long and dripping pre-cum. I glance up at Van and his eyes are heavy with desire.

"What if I have a different idea?" I ask.

"Jos, you can do anything you want."

I crawl to a spot next to him, making sure I'm as far away from his knee as possible. I wet my lips and kiss the tip of his cock. I have missed not only the physical sensations of sex, but the connection, too. My hand grips his base and I take him deep into my mouth.

Van's hands grab at the sheets and he mutters a string of curses. "Fuck, Josie, your mouth is so sweet and it's been so damn long."

I block the world out and focus only on his pleasure. I listen for the sounds he makes, the way his fingers thread through my hair, the way his hips thrust upward. I feel powerful and beautiful when I'm in bed with Van.

His responses turn me on and make me bold. I slip my hand between his thighs and cup his balls, loving the weight of them in my hand. Van loves it, too, because he's mumbling things I can't understand. He pushes lightly at my shoulders, a sure sign that he's about to come, but I don't move. Instead, I grip him a little tighter and go at him a little harder.

The whole world stills as he holds my head in his hands and cries out. I swallow him down, loving every drop as he pumps into me. When the waves are over, he reaches for me. I curl up on his good side and let him tuck the blanket in around us.

"Love you, Jos," he whispers.

"Love you, Van."

He reaches for my glasses, gently takes them off my face, and folds them before setting them down on the nightstand.

We lie together and my eyes drift shut to the sound of his heart beating.

Van is in my kitchen. Sitting shirtless at the breakfast nook with his leg elevated and a bag of frozen peas on his knee.

I could get used to this.

The timer dings, so I take muffins out of the oven and slide the frittata in before pouring myself a cup of tea. Van pats his lap and I saunter over, carefully taking a seat.

"I can't believe you're here. That last night wasn't a dream," I say, kissing his cheek.

He waggles his eyebrows and I swat his gloriously bare chest.

"I don't have to be back on campus for two more weeks," he says. "But I don't want to overstay my welcome. Your brothers and sisters are awesome, but somehow I think Levi might frown on the idea of an extended sleepover."

"Levi doesn't give a shit," Levi says, walking into the kitchen scratching his chest. "Thanks for the coffee, Jos. And thanks for whatever smells so delicious." He peers down at the oven. "Damn, is that quiche?"

"Close enough. Keep the door closed and it'll be ready in twenty. And there's bacon, too."

Levi grabs a mug. "You trying to butter me up?"

"Not intentionally," I say, my cheeks heating. "But you always want to talk about next year, and I think I'm finally ready to have that conversation." I take a deep breath. "I want you to go to L.A. permanently, Levi. That's where you can chase your dream. You let me chase mine, and now it's your turn. That was our deal and I'm sticking with it."

My brother leans against the counter. "I'm not going to L.A."

I roll my eyes and reach for a muffin, but they're too hot. "Okay, Nashville."

"Not going there, either. Hell, I'm not even going to Baltimore. I like it here, Josie. This is where I belong, and it's where I'm staying."

"But we made a deal."

Levi looks at me over the rim of his coffee mug. "You realize I was probably high on all kinds of shit when we made that deal, right?"

I crack a smile. "Still counts."

Levi takes another sip. "Then I'm backing out. Believe me, Josie, this is what I want. Yes, I love making music, but I love doing it on my terms. The weeks I spent going back and forth to L.A. were exhausting and not just because of jetlag. I hate going to the grocery store because it forces me to see people, so the West Coast party scene is not for me. But this place," he says, gesturing. "This is where I thrive. I can make music, but still be home with the kids. I can get exposure, but I don't have to expose every part of myself."

I know he's talking about his scars. I hardly notice them, but I'm sure newcomers are curious.

"I'm not just saying this because you and the boyfriend are all lovey-dovey. I'm saying it because it's true. I want you to go live your life, do your thing. My thing is right here." He pauses for a second, then turns to Van. "You graduate in May, too?"

I wince, because we haven't talked much about our future plans. I wanted to talk last night, but we got…sidetracked.

"Yeah," Van says. "I, um, struggle with a learning disability, but as long as I can get the same tutor I had last semester, I should be set to graduate in May. The thing is..."

I hold my breath. I did not set out to have life-altering conversations this morning, but here we are.

"I'm not planning on leaving Bainbridge. At least, not for a while."

That is not what I was expecting him to say.

"Look, Jos, A couple weeks ago, you said my future wasn't over, just different. And, like a dickhead, I went a little apeshit. The thing is, you were right. And when Coach said the exact same thing, well, it made me realize how right you were. My knee is questionable. Doc says I might recover to a place where I can play again, that's the hope. But playing pro? Even if I can get back up to speed, that's a hell of an ask, and a risk. I could easily do permanent damage. So, it's probably gonna be the rec league for me. But that's ok. It turns out, I love the strategy of hockey. And the players. I talked to Coach yesterday—after I decided to come and grovel—and that's when he told me there's a coaching spot that's mine if I want it. I'm actually...excited. I think?—"

I can't help it; I squeeze him tight, tears in my eyes. "That's perfect for you."

"It kind of is, right? Anyway, I'm staying at BU, but I'll move out of the hockey house at the end of May. No way do I want to live with those guys and coach them. But it's not a bad drive out here, so I figure you can stay at my place sometimes and I can?—"

Levi sets down his mug. "Holy shit, are we all gonna be roommates? In that case, I'm soundproofing the walls."

I laugh. I'm not sure exactly what the future will bring, but I know I'll have Van by my side for the adventures that await.