Page 8 of Nash

I don’t get it. Someone help me understand.

Nash Allen is the kind of man who came to my college graduation because my father didn’t. He and Alena gave me red tulips. They’re my favorite.

He’s the kind of man who made me a cheeseburger for breakfast after the worst night of my life. It’s my happy meal. He had no idea what happened to me, but it’s like, without a word, he knew I needed at least one man to care. To show me they don’t all break your soul.

That’s what drew me to him that night by the pool, but ever since then … Nash is so cold he burns.

But then I look at him, and I’m like…

“He’s really hot.”

“It’s okay; you can admit it.” Alena laughs. “My fiancé is hot-as-fuck.”

Sure, that’s who I was talking about: her fiancé, not her father.

“Okay, yes. I have eyes, and he’s perfect for you. It’s like Fate went to Build-A-Bear, but instead of a cuddly Teddy, it built you a sexy bear named Loch who wears a hot Forest Ranger outfit.” Grinning, I elbow her. “He growls when he comes, doesn’t he? Like an orgasmic grizzly in mating season.”

Alena giggles, “Yeah, he does,” her voice dropping to a giddy whisper. “I did that thing you told me to try. I was riding him so hot and hard until he was about to come, then I started going super slow, and he growled like a wild animal, but I told him it would intensify his orgasm, and it did. I swear he came for over a minute. It was so hot. I thought he was gonna have a heart attack.”

“Did it work for you, too?” I ask. “Because I won’t let you marry a beige flag in bed.”

“Don’t worry. He’s perfect.” Alena’s shy. She was teased a lot in school, but she’s not shy with me. Not about sex. It’s my expertise. “Loch is my first love, and he’ll be my last. We’ll grow old together and?—”

“Yes, but does he curl your toes? Does he make your thighs shake? Does he make you wanna be a dirty ho for him, or do I need to give him coloring books with arrows pointing to the clit?”

“Oh, he’s found it.” She nudges my ribs. “He says it’s his now, that me and my pussy belong to him.”

“Yay! I’m so proud.” I squeeze her. “My sweet slut is marrying a savage.”

“Maybe,” her voice lilts, “at my wedding, one of his brothers will savageyou.” She pauses, leaning away. “Wait. Speaking of siblings, men, and savage sex … Is Blair coming tonight?”

“Nope.” I pop my lips. “She’s home, having a pity-my-pussy party over an NFL quarterback. She can’t stand love right now.”

“And you? What if Loch has a brother who will cure you of hating love, too?”

“Doubtful.” I tease, “Unless they’re like him, all inked up and huge and hot as the devil’s dildo.”

I make her laugh, and she makes me care.

To most, I’m standoffish. I have my reasons, but not with Alena. We’re close. I’m the manager of an exclusive sex shop because I refuse to finish my PhD in Sexuality Studies, and Alena is a forest ranger who geeks out on soil samples. We’re opposites and perfectly paired best friends.

“I don’t know what they’re like,” she replies. “I haven’t met his family yet.”

“Wait. What?” I turn to her. “You’ve been dating Loch for a year, and you’re getting married in like two months, but you haven’t met hisfamilyyet? What are they? Cloistered monks or serial killers? Because anyone else would have the manners to meet you. Hell, they should be here tonight.”

“They’re busy.”

“That’s sketch.”

“Quit being protective. I’m all grown up and carry a sidearm now.”

“You’re trained to shoot dangerous animals in a national park, not inconsiderate assholes at brunch.” I plead to her brown eyes, “Please tell me your dad’s gonna meet them. He’d never let you marry into evil.”

“Well,” she hesitates, “my dad hasn’t met th?—”

“Alena?” A rough voice on the other side of the door jiggles the doorknob. It’s Loch. “Are you okay? Can I come in?”

She scrambles to her feet. “Hang on.” I join her. “We’ll be out in a sec.”

---