Page 99 of Outspoken

“Why the grudge?”

She shakes her head but doesn’t say anything. Her body tenses, so I don’t push.

Instead, I ask, “Have you confronted him about it?”

“I asked about my grades. He said I need to do better.”

“I mean the grudge. Does he know that you know he’s treating you unfairly?”

“No,” she says weakly. “I don’t think it’ll change the situation. Some people are just assholes.”

“That’s true,” I say. “But the Amber I know doesn’t tolerate bullshit.”

She laughs, her beautiful voice flowing through my ears. “That’s also true,” she says.

I kiss her shoulder again. “I’m not defending the asshole, but people can change. Make him confront his bullshit and see what happens. At least you’ll feel better after speaking up.”

“I guess.” She lets out another heavy sigh, switching topics. “And I took a temp job today after taking a break. It was awful. I need to find permanent work. I used to cam but I’m no longer into it. I have no other skills.”

She did camming?I want to ask about it because I didn’t know she used to do that, but I know I’ll get heated. She’s not officially my girl, yet I’d still struggle with thinking about other men seeing her naked. It’s in the past, so it doesn’t matter.

Re-focusing, I think of my next words carefully, tightening my grip around her.Gotta keep this playful.“Wanna be a personal trainer? The gym has an opening.”

“Yuck, and work with my brother? No thanks.”

“You’d get to see me.” I brush my lips along her cheek.

I know I shouldn’t get ahead of myself, but this feels too good. Too perfect. I dream about the future constantly, and my hand pressed against Amber’s stomach has me seeing visions of her belly full and round, carrying the child our love will create. Maybe she’d get pregnant with twins. I’ve always wanted twins. One boy. One girl. They’d grow up together and be close, like I am to my siblings.

Amber shrugs. “It would be nice to sneak off for quickies in the locker room. Shower sex is something we haven’t done yet.”

“Let’s try it now.”

She wiggles closer. “I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted. I need to recover. And Jackie will be here soon with Zoey. Then I’m sure Paige will come over because she’s nuts for that baby.”

“What baby?”

“Zoey. She’s Jackie’s granddaughter. She’s been here the past three days crying non-stop.”

I rest my cheek against her soft hair. “Except for the crying, that sounds nice. You’ve got a little baby around to play with. Make goo-goo sounds at.”

Amber scoffs. “Yeah, right. I need a break from the diapers and screaming. Babies arenotmy thing.”

My body stills. “You don’t like babies?”

“Not particularly. They can be cute, but, yeah, not my thing.”

My embrace weakens, and I’m struggling to focus because maybe I’m misunderstanding. “What about a family? Having kids of your own someday.”

“God, no.” She stretches and sits up. “I’m a mess. I amnotfit to be a mother. Plus, it’s not something I’ve ever wanted. I’m happy to be the cool aunt if Paige and Brody have kids. I’ll change diapers and babysit to help Paige out but—” She checks the time on her phone. “Shit. Jackie will be back any minute, then Paige will pop up. Come on. You have to go.”

Though my body is jolted from the sudden cold left from Amber’s absence, my insides are in much worse shape. Blood pounds through my ears, and I’m frozen, unable to move or even blink.

Amber doesn’t want a family?

She slips her dress on, then tosses my jeans and briefs on the bed. Next, she hurries down the hallway to grab my shirt from the living room.

I sit up to touch the jeans, but I can’t stand. I’m not comprehending. Amber and I are soulmates. We have to be. I know we are. I love her. These feelings must be love.

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