“So what brings you by today?” Cal asks, his cheeks filled with pink when I look up again.
“The other night, things…”—I trail off, my own face heating at the memory—“escalated.”
“Escalated how?” Cal prods, leaning a hip against the counter.
“He got me off…with his mouth.”
The words sound ridiculous as I say them out loud, but neither of them laugh as the doorbell rings.Please let the floor open up and swallow me so I don’t die of embarrassment.
There’s a commotion as Arden’s sister, Ellison, bustles into the house with a baby carrier, diaper bag, water bottle, and purse that she sets on the floor. I watch her fondly, the memories of doing that same shuffle with Fallon whenever we had to bring Briggs anywhere still fresh in my mind.
“What are we talking about?” Ellison says as she hands her daughter to Cal and drops onto the stool next to me. Her dark hair is pulled up into a messy bun, her face free of makeup, and she’s wearing an outfit that could be loungewear or pajamas depending on the day.
“Giving blow jobs,” Blake says, sliding a glass of sweet tea in front of her as I gape at him, my face impossibly redder than it was before she walked in.
“I didn’t say?—”
“But you were going to ask about giving them,” Blake says pointedly as he lifts an eyebrow at me.
Dammit, how did he know that?
“I love giving blow jobs.” Ellison brushes a loose strand of hair from her face and grins. “As a bonus, there’s a ninety percent chance that if I’ve done something Montana hates, he’ll forgive me.”
“You’re kidding,” I respond without thinking.
“Nope.” She pops thepand Blake snorts. “I’ve tripled the number of animals on the farm and instead of just housing goats for Archer and Bea, we have our own.” It sounds like there’s a story there but I don’t think I want to know.
“Montana hates goats,” Cal stage-whispers before going back to coo at Lyric, the sweet little girl settled in his arms. She looks just like her cousin, Salem, from what I’ve seen in the photos Deacon has shown me.
As if she can smell blood in the water, Ellison smirks. “So what are we talking about? Are you trying to hone your technique? Looking for pointers?”
“I’ve never given one before.”
Her eyes light up like this is the best news she’s ever heard. “Oh, this is so fun! You’re going to love it.”
“But it’s okay if it’s not for you.” Blake glares. “It’s not for everyone. You just need to talk to Deacon.”
“Are you sayingyoudon’t like sucking my cock?” Cal deadpans as my eyes widen.
But Blake just laughs. “On the contrary, I definitely like it but I know plenty of people who have been with women who couldn’t get into the blow job thing.”
“Oh, that’s right, I forgot you were married,” Ellison says as she heads to the pantry, rummaging through the contents before coming back with a box of crackers. Blake pulls a plate from the cabinet and a block of cheese from the fridge, slicing a few pieces before sliding the whole thing toward Ellison as she retakes her spot next to me.
“How did you forget he was married to Fallon?” Cal asks, making her roll her eyes.
“Pregnancy brain is a real thing. I can’t do simple math anymore. Montana started laughing when I had to get the calculator on my phone out to count the number of outfits I think Lyric will need when we go away in a couple of weeks.”
“How long will you be gone?” I ask, trying to keep my expression neutral because I remember this all too well.
“Three days,”she whines and this time I snicker.
“It’ll get better.” I don’t addeventuallybecause she looks so hopeful. “And you can never have too many changes of clothes when they’re little.”
“Have I mentioned you’re my favorite?” She sniffles, her eyes full of unshed tears.Oh boy.
“Hey, I got you cheese.” Blake gestures toward the almost empty plate, affronted.
“Yes, but you’re required to dote on me—I brought the baby.” She waves in the direction of Lyric. “Tanner doesn’t haveto be nice.”
