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BROOKE
Ifind myself in the midst of a battleground, where toys lie scattered like fragments of a detonated land mine, filling the narrow entrance, which makes me think of the film Harper, Adalee, and I recently watched about Princess Diana's visit to land mines. Reed was taking a shower, and the others weren’t home. On my left is the kitchen, where pots and pans are strewn about, tainted with food splatters that have sprayed across the countertops and table.
Why did I leave Caleb with Reed? This wasn’t fair to either of them; they’re complete strangers. I hoped to have them meet where we did a planned activity, and I could ease both of them into a relationship. Put out feelers and such.
Apprehensive about what I might find next, I turn the corner into the den, but the only thing I see in addition to the mess is a white spot smeared on the carpet. When I lean down to examine it, it’s white and sticky, which can only mean marshmallows. My shoulders drop in frustration as I sigh. A mother’s work is never done.
There are only two places left to look—the bedrooms. I find Caleb lying on his side in his bed, while holding Reed’s hand. His fingers are loosely curled around Reed’s pointer and middle fingers. My breath catches as a warm feeling courses through me. Hope and anxiety fight for my attention.
Reed’s butt is on the floor, with his long legs stretched out before him. A dozen books are scattered around his body, but his head rests on the mattress beside Caleb. I slip my phone from my pocket, wanting to capture this memory, and lean against the oak dresser, picking up one of his dinosaur stuffed animals, and it conjures up images of a family.
The word family scares me since my family has always been small. I know next to nothing about Reed. He always steers the conversation to me, school, or hockey. But staring at the two of them fast asleep on a weekday afternoon makes every hair on my body stand up and believe—maybe I can have it all.
Caleb squirms around, letting loose of Reed’s hand, but then it flops down, hitting his shoulder. Reed shakes his head and runs his hand through his hair. That’s when I remember he had a Stallions cap on earlier. No telling where it is based on the current situation of the house.
When Reed realizes I’m in the room, a smile breaks across his face. For a moment, we just take each other in. I extend my hand, and he rises to meet me. I hold my finger to my lips, and we tiptoe out of this room, closing the door behind us.
Reed stammers, “I… I know what you’re thinking but after a few meltdowns, we had a good time.”
I snicker, “Now I know you’re not a mind reader.” His facial features all meet in the middle, appearing tired and grumpy. “I was thinking about how hard you must have tried.”
I guide him to the kitchen to get us out of earshot and prying eyes in case Caleb wakes up. I missed Reed so much more than I’ve let on. We’ve said we hated being apart, but I want to show him.
“I appreciate you even more,” he says, sliding his hand behind my neck and drawing me close. “He’s a lovable kid when he’s not crying. But I think that’s when you have to love them the most.”
My heart pinches in a way that’s completely unique. We get lost in each other’s eyes until he finally makes his move. His large fingers squeeze the back of my neck as he takes my mouth into his, exploring the angles like he needs to remind me that I’m wanted. The kiss is greedy, taking my tongue, showing me he’s a man—my man if he sticks around, and I’m beginning to believe he might.
He sits me on the counter, wedging his hips between my legs. Curling his hand around the meaty part of my thigh, his thumb circles my clit through my leggings. Fuck, this feels good. I drop my head into his chest, with his name falling from my lips.
“Why do you have to be so good at this?” The question leaks from my lips accidentally in a raspy tone.
His finger slows, and his knuckle tips my face to his. My eyes linger behind until they collide with his.
“I’ve tried dozens of times to get it right. It was never right before you, Brooke.” He tenderly strokes my cheeks. “It was never fucking right.”
Can he feel my chest beating so hard it may crack my ribs? The lock that guards my heart falls off, and I’m digging at his pants. “Slow down, Cookie,” he says into my mouth. “Now, wiggle your hips so I can get inside you.”
He finger fucks me until my folds are swollen, and I’m on the cusp of being saved. My fingers pinch his shoulder and back as I buck off the countertop, trying to get more friction. “I’m almost… please, please.”
Lifting me, he slides his other hand and rubs the other hole. Before I can tell him to stop, and that hole has a no-entry sign, my legs quake, bursting into a million pieces. Coming for what seems like several minutes because this man wants me, and he thinks me and my mom clothes are sexy.
“God, I love it when you’re dripping wet for me. Catch your breath.” He puts my feet to the floor and spins me around so I can hold my jelly legs up and brace myself on the counter. He licks his fingers. “I wish I could bottle your release. It makes every bad thing that has ever happened to me a distant memory.”
All I can think of is that I want to erase every bad memory he has had and replace them with pleasurable and satisfying ones. Somehow, I need to get Reed to open up to me about his past. His missing years of hockey. His parents being non-existent.
I quickly forget because Reed enters me while kissing my neck. The waistband of our pants cling to our lower thighs, restricting our movements but damn, it feels good. Every way with Reed is a lesson in enjoyment.
“Brooke, I… I…”
A thud breaks the moment startling us. For a few seconds, we don’t move. He jerks himself out of me. “Caleb.” Pulling his pants up and helping me get mine up. I run towards Caleb’s bedroom, but the bathroom door is open, and he’s on the floor.
“Baby, are you okay?” I gently caress his head and carefully examine his body for any signs of injury. "What happened?"
“I was dreaming I had a daddy.”
He raises his head, and I swiftly gather him in my arms. "Oh, my sweet baby." I cradle him, yearning for him to have a father figure in his life. Perhaps it's time to confess to Caleb's father. Maybe he’ll embrace having a son now that he’s older. I didn’t give him the opportunity to be his father. His dad was such an asshole, using me that I didn’t want Caleb to be around a guy like that. It was also the reason I tried valiantly to stay away from hockey players until I unknowingly met one in a hammock at a football bonfire.
Even if Reed and I date, he’s not Caleb’s father and shouldn’t have to be.
