Page 69 of Hard To Stay

My gaze lifted to see Abby resting against the doorjamb with a smirk that stretched all the way across the room. She held up a wine stopper and mouthed, “butt plug.”

I rolled my eyes, and shooed her away with my hands, hating that I had to cut this conversation short. “I have go, the girls had to pause the movie and they’re waiting for me.”

“I’m glad you’re having fun. What movie are you watching by the way?”

There was a long pause on my end of the phone.

“Lexi.” He pressed for an answer as I twisted my ponytail around with my fingers and cringed.

“Umm, Fifty Shades of Grey!”

Brad snorted through the phone and I pictured his warm chocolate eyes dancing with amusement. “I hope you bought the movie so we can watch it together.”

His warm, flirty tone slipped right inside my belly. “Not a chance. I’m not watching that with you.”

“What, you’ll watch porn with your girlfriends, but not your boyfriend? Kind of kinky, I like it.” I should have known he wouldn’t let me off easy. My eyes squinted across the room and I saw the girls laughing on the sofa. As soon as I got near them all I heard were the words, condom, extra-large and Gage. Time to disconnect the call.

“Come on Lexi Lu…” Lily slurred out, motioning me over to the couch. Her wine was tipping sideways as she struggled to bring it to her lips. Abby was parked in the chair with her head twisted to the side studying the remote as if she had forgotten how to use it.

“Is that my sister?” Brad asked, pulling me back to our conversation.

I laughed into the phone while cradling it to my ear. “The one and only.” I confirmed, leaving out the fact that she was half-baked and spilling white wine all over his couch.

“I’ll let you get back to your fun. I miss you.” Those three little words caused my heart to flutter. Separation sucked!

“Miss you too.” I said, feeling my heart grow heavy, hoping this stupid movie would take my mind off of things. I thought talking to him would make me feel better when in fact it only made it worse.

I heard Brad turn the TV on in the background. “If you need me for anything, especially after watching the movie, you call me. I might be able to help you work out that sexual tension.”

I slapped my hand against my forehead and bit back my smile. “You’re never going to let me live this down, are you?”

His throaty laugh worked its way into my bones. “Not a chance. Love you, sweetheart.”

“Love you more.” I said, feeling myself getting worked up. The thought of him not lying next to me tonight was finally sinking in.

“Hang up the damn phone so we can get back to our movie; he’s about to whip her ass fifty ways to Sunday.” Abby yelled, loud enough for Brad to hear. He just laughed.

“I’ll leave you to your movie. Behave and I’ll talk to you later. I’m going to bed. I’m beat.” He sounded exhausted, and I wished I was there to take care of him. Three more days, I reminded myself. I’ve got this.

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