Page 40 of Speechless

Henry, Preston and Jayce are sitting along the pool’s edge, Jayce holding on to Rowan as best he can, claiming him as his own, with his foot lightly balancing on our raft so he can control the direction we float in. I wish Adamma were here but Preston said she has to get up at four am every day this week for work, so she hasn’t been staying over.

“Let’s play a game.” Jayce is rubbing his hands together like he’s about to share his bank robbery plan with us. “Crystal, you know you’re at a house full of professional musicians, right?”

“I think you may have mentioned what you do once or twice.” She flashes a coy smile. I know she’s still a bit uncomfortable with our group, but she’s clearly crushing on Jayce.

Graham leans even closer to me to whisper in my ear, “Get ready, he does this with every girl, and somehow it fuckingworks.”

“So, if you could be any instrument, what would you be? Obviously something beautiful.” Jayce bites at the corner of his lip as his eyes rake over her body. Could he be any more obvious right now? “And, how would I play you?”

Okay, yep, he can.

And Graham’s right, it’s working, because the blush on Crystal’s face is visible in nothing but the pool lights and her smile is wider than the 405. Unbelievable.

“What’s it gonna be, gorgeous?” Jayce almost purrs.

“Umm . . . maybe a piano?” The poor girl looks so embarrassed but Jayce has not taken his eyes off of her. He’s smooth.

“Oh, so you like to be tickled, huh?”

“Maybe this is more of a private conversation for you two?” I hate to ruin the moment but it’s getting a little weird for me. Graham pinches my thigh before telling me Jayce will get me back for that one.

“Actually, Lucy, why don’t you answer the question too. You’ve been here a couple weeks, seen all the instruments in the house. Which one would you be?”

Graham was right, Jayce’s tone makes this question feel accusatory somehow. I don’t love it.

I glare right back at him. “I’m not sure, too many to choose from.”

Graham leans in again so no one else can hear him. “You’d be a flute, darling. I’m sure you’d like to feel Henry’s flutter tonguing.” I elbow him in the ribs as my jaw drops open. What is flutter tonguing? I need to remind myself to google that later. “How about a trumpet? Would you prefer to be sucked or blown?”

“Graham! Oh my God!” I shove him with all my might but he barely moves off the raft. I try pushing harder and we start wrestling with our arms like children. I’m determined to get him off this raft but his body is like a brick wall.

“Lucy, stop flirting and give us an answer. Unless you want me to pick for you—”

“She’d be a harp.” Henry cuts Jayce off, and it’s one of the first things he’s said since we came out here.

I stop pushing at Graham and look toward Henry, his eyes sparkling as he stares at me intensely. I try but I can’t look away. My gaze moves down to his mouth. I cannot stop thinking about whatever flutter tonguing is.

Henry gets up and tells everyone he needs to do some work. He’s always disappearing to the basement. I think about following him, thanking him again for the butter cake—I can still taste it on my lips. Why a harp? I can’t think of any obvious pun.

“Graham, what’s the sexual innuendo for a harp?”

He frowns as his brows pinch together. “I honestly have no idea.”

I tried waitinga reasonable amount of time before saying I was sleepy and following Henry. I’m not sure why, but I didn’t want anyone to think I was going after him, which I am. As I head down the stairs part of me wonders if I’m imposing on his private space by coming down uninvited, though he never seems to mind when I do.

“Hey, Maestro, I hope I’m not intruding.”

His hands stay on the piano but he turns toward me. “Luce, you are never intruding. I love having you down here with me.” He smiles shyly like his own words surprised him.

“I just wanted to thank you again. For dinner, and really dessert. That was so sweet of you.”

“I just hope it wasn’t too sweet. I know you prefer your desserts to be well-balanced.”

I laugh at the pun; he must be remembering my addition of smoked sea salt to our cookies the other day. I take a seat on the futon and he makes a full turn on the bench to face me.

“It was perfect. So gooey!” I make a lip smacking motion and immediately regret it. “So, you kind of left abruptly tonight. Not a fan of pool parties?”

“I’m not really great with new people. I just thought you’d all be more comfortable without me.”

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