Chapter 23

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Lola

I tuck my feet under myself while I wait for Wade and Kali to join me in Wade’s cinema.

Smiling to myself, I love the sound their laughter makes through the house.

It makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I feel happy being here. Weird, given the circumstances I find myself in.

Even after I bumped into Graham earlier, I somehow managed to have a great day.

Between waking up in Jordy’s arms, spending the afternoon with Piper, and now about to watch a movie with Kali and Wade, life feels good. I have a strong circle of caring people around me, and I think I’m going to be just fine.

Pulling the fluffy gray blanket from the back of the seat over my legs, I throw a piece of popcorn into my mouth, missing it completely and chuckle to myself.

My phone dings. I glance at the screen and feel excited when I see Jordy’s name.

Jordy:

How is movie night?

Me:

How do you know about movie night?

Jordy:

Wade told me at training today. He said he wanted to do something to cheer you up.

Me:

Did he?

That’s sweet of him.

Jordy:

He did. Now I have competition, I need to think about better ways to cheer you up. But I think I did a great job last night.

Me:

Explain.

Jordy:

When you sat on my face, I swear that made you happy.

Me:

How could you tell?

Jordy:

Because you asked me to… “Keep doing that, oh, right there, God, yeah, Jordy, that’s so good.”

I blush, embarrassment crawling over my skin.

When I’m with Jordy, he makes me lose all sense of myself. All my inhibitions go out of the window.

Me:

It was okay, I suppose.

Jordy:

Oh, how you lie, Teacup. I bet you’re still thinking about last night.

Me:

You got me. I am.

Jordy:

Knew it.

Me:

Do I cheer you up?

Jordy:

You do. I’d be happier if you were here with me tonight.

Me:

Yeah?

Jordy:

Absolutely. Also, the physio told me today that there are two things that would help strengthen my knee which would also make me happier.

Me:

What are the two things?

Jordy:

Blow jobs and anal.

I erupt into laughter.

Me:

I’m sure your physio would have suggested exercise and ice packs and maybe swimming to help strengthen your knee.

Jordy:

Blow jobs and anal sounds like a much better treatment plan.

Me:

Well, I might be able to help you with those, but not tonight.

Jordy:

Fucking hell, Lola. You make me hard.

And he makes me wet. The way my body reacts to him is like a shot of ginger to my adrenaline. He packs a punch, makes me zing all day, and has increased my sex drive tenfold. Not only that but he makes me feel happy. And safe.

Jordy is someone I could imagine spending more nights… and days with. Everyday with. If only that was possible.

Me:

Are you free tomorrow night?

Jordy:

That’s my line. That’s why I was texting you. What are you doing tomorrow night?

Me:

You.

Jordy:

Aside from that, no plans?

Me:

Nope. Free as a bird.

Jordy:

Meet me at Gold Bar Park, in the visitors' parking lot, at 5 PM.

Me:

That’s late, it’ll be dark. Are you planning to murder me?

Jordy:

Of course I am, and once the police find your body and your phone, they’ll know it was me.

Me:

And the police can arrest you quicker.

Jordy:

Exactly. 5 PM good for you?

Me:

Yes.

Jordy:

Great.

Me:

Can’t wait.

Jordy:

Wrap up warm.

“What are you smiling at?” Kali startles me when she sits in the seat next to me.

I press the sleep button on the side of my phone to hide my screen and lay it face down on the arm of the black leather chair. “Nothing,” I lie, smiling at her. “Just a funny video on social media.” I tuck my lips into my mouth for fear of giving myself away.

“I could waste hours watching animals do stupid things.”

I nod, agreeing with her.

Wade walks into his home cinema with a tray filled with snacks and a bowl full of fries. “What are we watching?” He lays the tray down between Kali and me.

“ Love Actually ,” I say, causing him to groan.

Wade grabs the tub of ice cream he bought me off the tray along with a spoon. “It’s not you that needs the ice cream. I need it to get me through the film.”

“It’s a Christmas classic.” Kali’s mouth drops open in shock.

“It’s a chick flick.” He points at the screen when I press play and the opening credits appear.

I lean forward and look past Kali at Wade. “It’s got Claudia Schiffer in it. I thought you were into supermodels.”

Wade grins wide, looking devilishly cheeky. “I’m only interested in one supermodel. And she has better legs than Claudia.”

“Claudia is actually slightly taller than me.” Kali smiles at him as he puts a giant spoonful of vanilla ice cream into his mouth.

“Yours are the ones I like wrapped around my neck though,” he mumbles around his gelato.

I cover my ears at the same time Kali swats his arm and turns as red as a berry.

“I’m scarred for life,” I mutter, loving how comfortable the pair of them are around me. “No more oversharing.” I uncover my ears. “And please refrain from touching each other until the movie is over.”

“I can’t make that promise.” Wade leans over and kisses Kali on the cheek. “I can’t keep my hands off her.”

At the same time as he leans over, I do too and grab the tub of ice cream out of his hand. “If you can’t be good, you can’t have any ice cream.”

“Now I know how Jordy feels,” he moans, sitting back in his seat and making my spine bristle.

“What do you mean?” He has my full attention.

“He’s always complaining about his sisters and how they steal the food from his fridge. You’re the same.” He points at me, then selects a packet of M&M’s from the tray.

Kali steals a glance my way and I know it’s a look that says, ‘Now would be a perfect opportunity to tell him you’re his sister but we can’t’.

I nod in understanding and turn my attention to what’s on the large screen.

Picking up a handful of fries I dip them into my ice cream. It’s my favorite combo.

“Girls are weird,” Wade pipes up and when I look over, I find him watching me eat.

“Girls are cool.” I take another handful of fries and continue to dip and eat.

“I have two cool girls in my life,” he counters, and I love how well I have seamlessly slotted into his life as if I’ve always been here. For now. That might all change, which I’m terrified about.

“Yes, you do.” Kali grabs my hand quickly and gives it a squeeze.

“I’m a lucky bastard.” He throws an M&M in the air and catches it in his mouth. When he lowers his head, he turns to look at us both to find Kali and I sitting, smiling at him. “Thanks for saving me.”

I swallow louder than I thought humanly possible as I try to hold back the emotions I feel fizzing in my chest. “You were worth saving, Wade.” My voice cracks.

“You’ll never understand how much you both mean to me.” His gaze bounces between Kali and me. “Just don’t break my heart.”

Kali and I both tense because when he finds out Kali knows about me being his half-sister, that’s exactly what we might do.

For all of our sakes, I hope not.