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I enter the kitchen covered in mud. Those puppies are adorable but they sure like to play in the muck. I stride over to the sink and scrub my hands clean. Frankie offered to teach me to make one of Carson’s favorite meals. She says cooking is a great form of therapy and I can admit being here, spending time with her, has really helped. Someone knocks on the back door and my eyebrows raise. I have yet to meet someone that doesn’t just walk in. I dry my hands and shuffle that way.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” I ask Levi, with a big grin on my face. “And why did you knock?”
He rolls his eyes and shoves me out of the way, setting grocery bags on the counter. He turns and starts removing ingredients, then spins in front of the oven and preheats it. I close the door and stride over to see what he is up to.
I reach his side and he leans over and kisses me quickly on the mouth, before moving around me to wash his hands. I’m stunned, but not upset. We've been spending some time together lately and I’ve learned Levi is a very affectionate person.
“I am here to make you dinner. Since you keep declining when I ask you out.” He gives me a raised eyebrow look and I shrug. It’s true. Between Carson and Jase breaking up with me and all the late night talks with Memphis which are starting to become more flirting than friendly, I’ve been blowing him off a bit more lately.
“I know you don’t want anything serious, Layton. I get it, but I’m going to be honest. You are hot as fuck and fresh blood compared to all these cowboys I’ve grown up with. I’m not trying to push you, but I wouldn’t say no if you ever wanted to hang out. And if you wanted to throw in some benefits to the mix, I would take those too, on my knees, back, however you want me to,” he finishes in a whisper to my ear and I bite my lip to keep the moan from slipping out.
Fuck that’s hot. I clear my throat and grip the back of his head pulling his hair tight. I look him straight in his lust filled eyes and yank hard.
“Be careful what you wish for, Lev,” I growl, smashing his lips to mine. I give him ten seconds of a rough kiss, before I yank him back, and move around the counter. He stands there panting for a few seconds, then goes back to making me dinner, as if that hot as hell kiss didn't happen. As if my dick isn’t rock hard in my shorts right now so I have to use the counter to hide.
He chops up onions, mushrooms and peppers, then pulls out a tupperware container full of seasoned steaks. I groan for a different reason and he shoots me a wink, while licking his lips slowly. I watch as it glides and bite my own.I need to cool off.
I glance down at my dirty self and groan. “Give me ten minutes to shower and change. I’ll be back.” I tell him, then rush from the room and up the stairs.
e
We eat steak, potatoes, and salad out on the picnic table by the stream Levi told me about on my first day here, and I find myself having a great time. A pang of guilt hits my chest about Levi not being Jase or Carson, but they have both told me repeatedly that they need space, or that I need to move on…for now. So I take another deep breath in and reach for Levi’s hand. He stops talking about a football game that's on later and gives me a smile.
“I'm not ready for anything serious… but maybe we can do the friends with benefits thing.” He leans over the table and kisses me hard, groaning into my mouth. I pull away with a smile and he licks his lips. We sit down and finish our meal, and it’s nice. Levi is adorable and witty. He has me laughing almost the whole night. I don’t remember the last time I laughed like this.
He has to go to bed early so we call it a night after the apple pie he bought, and I’m grateful. These early mornings and late night calls with Memphis don’t leave much time for sleep. I’m exhausted. I walk him to his truck and give him a goodnight kiss to think about later. I know I will be.
Frankie is sitting on the porch swing with a mug of tea and a blanket over her lap. I pause and blush. She gives me a knowing smile and pats the spot next to her. I hesitate but give in and sit down. She covers my lap with the blanket and passes over the mug. I take a sip and cough.
“That’s not tea,” I choke out and she laughs.
“No, baby, that’s apple moonshine. Good stuff, too.” I hand it back, and she sips it like it’s water. Damn, respect! I sit back and gaze at the night sky.
“Did you know that Cara and Memphis used to have sleepovers in the summer? They would grab all the blankets from both houses and make a huge bed out there in the grass. I once asked why they didn’t get a tent and Cara turned to me and laughed. ‘Then we wouldn’t see the stars.’” She laughs and shakes her head with a fond smile. “The stars are one of my favorite things about living in this town. The sky is always so clear.”
“I think I really like it here. I’m happy, and for the first time I feel safe. Thank you Frankie for taking me in and loving me,” I tell her with tears in my eyes. She pulls me into a hug so fast she splashes her moonshine out the rim of her mug.
“Baby, you always have a place here. This is your home now, always. Do you hear me? You will always be welcome here. No matter what the future holds. We are your family. I know Carson feels the same way. She’s just a little lost right now. And don’t think I don’t know about you and my son.” She gives me a knowing look, and I choke out some weird noise. She pats my hand. “Just know that whatever happens Lay, Memphis and Cara will end up together too.”
“But… They're family!” I sputter, and she laughs so hard I think she’s a little drunk.
“Oh honey. Those two have been in love with each other since the day they met. It’s inevitable. Harry and I know, and though it’s a little taboo, we will figure it out when the time comes.” She kisses my temple, then moves the blanket and stands with a yawn. “You should have some fun, Lay, you deserve someone to hold at night. Levi is a fine man. Even as just a fling. Don’t hold yourself back baby, your heart's too incredible to not share it with the world.” She turns and leaves the porch, going in the side door. Leaving me here to think about what she said.
e
“Hey, how was your day?”Memphis asks me as I get situated in bed. This has become our ritual. We started out texting, then calling, then I’m not sure what we're doing anymore. I sigh and relax into the pillows.
“It was good I went to a bar with Levi. It was nice to get out and do something.” He scoffs but tries to hide it with a cough.
“Do you like Levi?”he asks, and I can’t help but notice the shake in his voice. Is he jealous?
“Yeah, I do. We’ve been hanging out lately. He’s sweet and the total opposite of Jase. I don’t see myself dating again… but the friends with benefits thing works for now.” Shuffling sounds over the line and I know he just sat up.
“Benefits? Have you guys done anything like that yet?”I sigh and think about that; I mean the kisses we share are hot as hell.
“Is this weird for you? I know you’re straight.”
He starts to cough and then he groans.“Okay, so full honesty right. I mean we know a lot about each other already. Things I haven’t even told Cara about.”
