Page 17 of Invisible Scars
Yeah, you earned that one fair and square. The rapid escalation of our banter into too-hot-to-handle territoryismy fault, after all. We never would have been here if I hadn’t gone and acted like she was mine to touch in the parking lot that night at the hospital. But fuck if it didn’t feel like she was. Still does.
I adjust my jeans with a sigh, adding another red line to the long list of things that make our relationship uncomfortable.
Uncomfortable for me, at least. I readjust my jeans again.
We like our silly little banter games. It’s almost like a hobby, and the light teasing is a good way to blow off steam. She’s uptight, serious, and strict, making it an easy task to rile her up. Turning it into a game works for both of us in the way of tamping down anything that might have been.
But occasionally, when I push too hard, this other side of her emerges. One that makes it difficult not to think of herthat way. One that makes it impossible to think of anything but.
“Work it off with laps,” I order myself, collecting the shards of my rationality, putting them back into place, and continuing my initial trek to the pool, hoping the water erases the feel of her smooth skin from the tips of my fingers.
* * *
EFFIE
“Dammit,” I mutter, my back delivering a resounding thud when I slump against the wall and slide to the floor.
What were you thinking, Effie?
That I’ve been stewing in uncertainty and helplessness all week, and Jonah’s dumbass kiss remark played on my last nerve. That I needed something to give me a sense of control. But I know better than to stand so close to Jonah Peak, and I should be wiser than to look up into those dark onyx eyes that swallow me whole.
In my defense, I trusted Jonah’s ability to exercise self-control, so I allowed myself to go big with my retaliation, but I must have gone too far.
The way his eyes darkened to obsidian and his voice became deep and full of promise. The way he touched me like he had already decided I was his for the taking. The feeling of his lips grazing mine. I barely walked away, and I need a new pair of panties.
Gathering myself off the floor, I decide to call it an early weekend and head home for a relaxing bath before Shabbat dinner at Nona’s.
As I sit in the back of the Uber taking me home, my body pulsates with desire, my senses overwhelmed by Jonah’s lingering fresh masculine scent —reminiscent of pine needles and hard, raw fucking— I remind myself that it’s just a matter of perseverance and getting creative with self-gratification.
Fuck. I bite back a moan, stopping short of offering the driver an extra fifty if he hits the gas. I need to get this under control before dinner, whatever it takes.
An hour and some showerhead assistance later, I’m at a stable enough place to handle proximity with Jonah. At his mother’s house. With the entire Peak clan.
The cabby taking me to Shabbat dinner at Nona’s signals right into Ardmore Street, and I’m half in mind to tell him to turn around and head back to the Grove.
No.I clutch onto the container of chicken soup with egg noodles in my lap.I am stronger than this!
With newfound conviction, I step out onto the sidewalk and march up to Nona’s house.
Then I walk through the door, and Jonah’s gaze holds just a few seconds longer than usual, rakes over my body with more heat than teasing intent, and the only conviction I have left is that my bath stint didn’t really do the trick.
“Aunt Effie!” Levi squeals, running to me at top speed, with Micah just barely making it to take the soup before Levi crashes into me with all his forty-five pounds. “Thank God you’re here. Daddy keeps making me lose to Uncle Jonah in Rummikub. Ineedyou.”
“Well, that’s just about the sweetest thing any boy has ever said to me.” I ruffle his hair and take his hand, letting him lead me to the table and squeezing Elijah’s shoulder as I take the empty chair next to him, pulling Levi into my lap.
“Hi, Eff,” Zee greets me, collecting everyone’s cubes and mixing them for a new match. “Apparently, I suck.”
I smile and shrug. “Sorry, Zee.”
“You don’t suck, Daddy. You’re just not as smart as Uncle Jonah and Aunt Effie.”
“Can’t argue with the facts.” Zee chuckles and deals us our blocks. “Now, let’s play.”
By the time Nona calls us for dinner, the game is a close tie with a slight advantage to me and Levi, who is grinning ear to ear.
“I knew Aunt Effie could beat you,” he gloats at Jonah and hops off my lap, taking Zee’s hand and going to wash up forKiddush. Elijah and Micah are already at the dinner table with Milly, leaving Jonah and me alone.
I’m about to join them when I hear Jonah whisper, “Maybe I like it when she does.”
