Page 34 of Embers in the Dark

“She’s not in book club,” Tucker’s quick to add.

“She lives here,” Abby adds.

“Yeah, I live here,” I tell him, grabbing the pre-made tray, giving him the bird as well.

“I fucking love her,” Kennedy says.

“She hasn’t read the book,” Tucker continues to add.

“Yeah, but I did listen to a little bit between Anton and, who was it again Tucker?” I glance back at him.

He’s squinting at me. “Robin,” he says between gritted teeth.

“That’s right, Robin. I heard that little romp in the sack. They were in a heated labial pounding of their own. She might need filling after that thorough pummeling. Though, she had some filler of her own, didn’t she, Tucker?” I laugh.

Kennedy and Abby laugh and the redness that takes over Tucker’s face is priceless.

“Fine, she can be in book club. But if River or Clay ask to join, I won’t say no. I’ll give them a pass.” He points at Abby and Kennedy.

They both look unfazed. He then goes to grab Ella and shegives him a big toothless smile. He snuggles her, and I think my ovaries explode at the sight of this big teddy bear of a man holding this tiny little baby in his arms. But then I remember my walls are up toward him at the moment. So, I push aside my feelings of lust even though this man in front of me has the ability to melt my insides at every turn without even trying.

CHAPTER 12

Tucker

The longer bookclub goes on, the more I see pieces of the Baylee I used to know shine through. I’d feel relieved if it weren’t for the fact that when she looks over at me, I get a mix of irritation and attraction coming off of her. I’m feeling more uneasy as time drags on.

I’m usually all for these nights because I fucking love book club and teasing Abby to the point of seeing her squirm. She’s always super uncomfortable talking about the sex scenes in these books in front of me. I don’t know why; it’s not like we don’t talk about everything anyway, but this is her limit, I guess.

“Okay, Baylee, as our newest member, you pick out of the jar,” Kennedy says.

Kennedy pulls out the phallic-shaped accessory and it gives Baylee pause.

“Is that a pickle-shaped jar or a dick? I can’t tell.” She’s holding back a laugh.

Kennedy smirks. “Oh, it’s a pickle. And it’s skin-colored because River thought I would be too disgusted to use it when he gave it to me, but I had to double down and use it for book club, obviously. He’s just bitter we won’t let him inthe club now that he has discovered we don’t, in fact, read self-help books.”

“I assume there’s a story behind that?” Baylee asks.

“There is,” I answer as I get up from the couch and hand Ella off to her mother. I start clearing the plates and taking them to the kitchen.

Baylee pulls out a piece of paper and I hear a squeal from the couch and I groan. It’s going to be some sappy romance because it’s an Abby-pick. I just know it.

“Don’t be a party-pooper, Malloy,” Abby says.

“I know the books you pick, Abs. Kennedy picks the darker romances and her book boyfriends are dirty. I like those ones. Anton was hot as fuck in bed. I could get down with what he was getting up to with Robin,” I say as I toss stuff in the trash.

“Oh really, so you’ve done a few of those dirty things before?” Kennedy asks.

“A man never kisses and tells,” I say quickly.

“Oh, fuck off. I bet you’re the dirtiest of the guys in the group,” Kennedy says as she starts to grab her things.

I keep my back to them as I load things in the dishwasher. I don’t need to give them any ammunition. They hound me enough.

Soon, I hear them move on to another topic and it’s safe to turn around. I continue getting things in order around the living room and kitchen.

“Alright, my place next time,” Kennedy says.

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