“We never want to see our children hurting,” he said, and though he didn’t say it specifically, it felt like he was referring to me.
I stood on the front porch, watching the trailing brake lights of cars. Alex was still inside helping the girls clean up after dinner. One person still hadn’t left, and I felt his presence on the front porch before he said a word.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I replied, my hands tucked deep in my pockets.
“I… er… I’m sorry to hear about Sasha. She wasn’t always my favorite person, but I hate that she’s sick.”
And dying.
I let those unspoken words hang in the air.
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
“Can I do anything for you? For Molly and Eloise?” he asked as he stepped up beside me. Andrew’s large frame leaned against the railing of the porch as he turned to face me.
“Can you look after her, please? I need to make sure she’s okay.” I didn’t need to say her name for him to figure out who I was referring to. I hated that I was leaving just as she was getting her business started. I wanted to be around for all of that, to help her. And now I was being called back to my ex. Even if it was for reasons out of my control, I knew my retreat was going to hurt her.
“Um… yeah. Of course I can.”
“Thanks.”
His gaze turned back toward the landscape ahead of us. The light summer breeze brushed along the top of the tall grass just beyond the yard, forcing it to sway. “Can I ask you something, Nate?”
His voice turned more serious than before, and as he dropped his head forward, I braced myself for his words. But in true fashion, he surprised me when I grunted my agreement.
“What would have happened had this thing with Sasha not popped up?”
“What do you mean?”
“With Alex. What was your plan with her?”
“I don’t know. Your sister is amazing, and she understands me. I never feel like I need to be someone else when I’m with her. And we both know she couldn’t give two shits about my money. She probably wishes I didn’t have it. But neither of us wanted to share whatever it was we were doing. And I won’t lie to you, Andrew. I have every intention of starting it up again when I get back. I’m hoping that’s sooner rather than later. I… I can’t stay away.”
Andrew’s demeanor changed as he straightened and faced me.
“You’re in love with her,” he said matter-of-factly.
Quickly, I turned my head to make sure there was no one lurking around. “I am not. Don’t kill me, but it’s just sex, man. We enjoy each other.”
“Keep telling yourself that. And yeah, I’ll keep an eye on her. I may stay close for the rest of the summer. Dad needs me to work on a few things.”
“Thanks, Andrew.”
“Travel safe and check in, yeah?” He stepped around me and headed toward his truck.
“Hey!” I called out. “Am I forgiven?”
“Don’t hurt my sister, and we’ll see,” he shouted as he hopped into his seat.
He honked as he reached the end of the driveway. At the same time, Alex walked out onto the porch. She asked if I worked things out with her brother, and I shrugged. Things weren’t back to normal yet, but I hoped they would be soon.
Together, we tucked the twins into their beds. They both lamented the fact they were leaving the bedrooms Autumn decorated for them. Even now, the rooms reflect them with artwork and toys we added since arriving.
Alex leaned over each one of them and whispered in their ears. I couldn’t hear what was said, but both Molly and Eloise threw their arms around her neck and hugged her close. Whatever she said transformed the twins’ scowls and left them grinning as they fell asleep.
The night felt like a finality. She joined me in the shower, and I proceeded to push her up against the cold tile wall as I slid into her pussy. I was ravenous for her, afraid to miss one single second of coming apart with her.
