Page 55 of Always Been You

I’m not sure what’s going on with Matt and Zoey, although I wouldn’t have any problems as long as I’m not left in a tough position if something happens. I want them both to behappy. I think they would be good together, but I don’t think my brother is ready for a committed relationship quite yet.

“Nothing is happening between Matt and me, but if that changes, I promise to tell you. You’ve already given us permission.”

Liz and Hannah come in right then, hugging both of us before taking the open seats at the table. We all order a drink and a few appetizers to share. As soon as our server leaves, Hannah claps her hands together. “Okay, tell us everything.”

I settle into my chair and turn and face the three of them.

“So, after our Facetime, we went out for dinner and did a small walk around before getting back to the hotel. Then when we went upstairs, he brought candles and a Bluetooth speaker with him, so when I was in the shower, he lit the candles and put music on. He then proceeded to make me come several times. In the morning, he woke me up with his face between my thighs, and he then fucked me until I came twice,” I can feel the blush creeping up my neck and face and I lean in closer to the centre of the table, dropping my voice to whisper, “he made me squirt, I’ve never done that before, and he was so proud of that.”

The girls are looking at me with slack jaws. Hannah is the first to recover. “He made you do something that no other man ever has? Wow, he must be good.”

I nod. “He’s good, but it was not just the sex, it was the dirty talk too, and uhhh… he spanked me too.”

“He really is helping you with your list,” Eliza says with a gleam in her eyes.

“Yup, that’s three things off the list so far. There’s something else though, not Josh-related.” I play with my napkin, deciding how to go into this new topic. “Drew got a new number and has been texting and calling me. He wants totalk. I sent him one text to leave me alone, but otherwise, I’ve ignored him.”

Concern fills their faces as they look at me. “Babe, let us know if you need us to do anything. We are here for you. Maybe you should tell Matt and Josh, though,” Eliza says.

I shake my head and spin my drink on the table. “I don’t want them to worry about it. It’s my problem. I have to deal with it.” I don’t want to be that girl who is always running to her brother or boyfriend because they need help. I already did that right after the breakup, when I needed somewhere to stay. I need to handle this myself.

“You know they won’t view it that way. They will want to know and want to help you,” Hannah says.

“If it gets worse, I promise to say something. Until then, I want to keep it just between us.”

The girls exchange looks before conceding the point.

Our food is delivered, and the girls catch me up on their weekend. I tell them about the small birthday party my parents are throwing for Matt at their place this Saturday, and they all say that they’ll be there. We spend the rest of dinner talking, laughing, and drinking. Around 9:30 p.m., we pay our bills and head out of the restaurant.

We hug goodbye outside the restaurant and the three of them head to the train while I walk back to Josh’s. It’s a warm summer night, warm enough I don’t need a jacket, and the sky is so clear you can see the sliver of moon. I make my way slowly back to the apartment. When I get upstairs Josh is sitting on the couch with a beer, watching sports highlights.

I walk over and kiss him hello. “Were you waiting up for me?” I ask.

“Of course. I needed to know you were home safe. How was dinner with the girls? How are they?”

I settle beside him on the couch, facing him. “They’re good. Zoey is doing an internship at a firm downtown right now. Liz is busy at work, but enjoying it, and Hannah has been busy in the ER. They are going to be at Matt’s birthday party on Saturday. How was dinner with the guys? How are they?”

“Oh, that’s good. They’re good. We have a game tomorrow, and they wanted to know if you’ll be there. I told them I didn’t know, to which they said they hope you are ‘cause they think you’re our new good luck charm.”

I throw my head back and laugh. These big tough guys think I’m their good luck charm.

“Yeah, I’ll be there. Just let me know what time we have to leave. I’m beat. I’m going to head to bed.”

I lean over and give him a kiss before heading down the hallway toward his room. I change into my negligee from the night before, plug my phone in, and settle into bed. Josh follows shortly behind me, pulling me into his chest as he comes and cuddles behind me.

The rest of the week passes as normal. I go to Josh’s game with him, we have dinner after work, watch our show, before climbing into bed together where he worships my body before we cuddle into each other and fall asleep. My phone continues to blow up with texts from Drew, all of which I ignore in the hopes that he’ll get the message and will leave me alone.

On Friday, I call Matt, wishing him a happy birthday and he goes out with Josh, Caleb, and Grayson. On Saturday, Josh and I go shopping to get Matt’s gift; I find an off-season sale on Cyclone jerseys and get him one, while Josh gets him an extravagant bottle of scotch.

When we finish our shopping, we head home for lunch before we get ready for the party at my parents. I still haven’tmoved my clothes into Josh’s room even though I spend every night in there, and he hasn’t pushed me to do it.

I find a casual summer dress and sandals; Josh grabs a pair of shorts and a short-sleeved button-down. Once dressed, we grab the gifts and head downstairs. Hannah and Eliza are meeting us downstairs and getting a ride with us to my parents’ place. Zoey is driving herself after she finishes her plans for the day.

The drive to my parents is easy. They live only a few streets away from Josh’s in the same house that Matt, Gi, and I grew up in. Josh gives me control of the music, so I put on the girls and my collective playlist, and we jam out in the car. The entire time he drives, Josh has his hand on my thigh. I can tell the girls notice, but don’t say anything. When we get to my parents, Josh parks on the street outside their house and opens the car doors for each of us. We make our way up the steps to the front door and my mom opens it before we even have a chance to knock.

“Liv, how are you?” she asks, pulling me into a hug.

“I’m good, Mom.” She releases me and hugs Eliza and Hannah before catching sight of Josh, who was standing at the back of our group.

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