Page 39 of When It's Us
She laughs softly before shaking her head. “No, it’s a security thing, I think,” she tells me. “Even when it’s not cold, I always have a blanket nearby. By the way, thanks for all the blankets last night. I was worried I’d be cold, but it was so comfortable.”
I chuckle. “And there I was sweating my ass off with a sheet and boxers.”
She glances at me, a slight blush tinting her cheeks. “Must be a Hayes thing, Wren says the same about your brother.”
I nod. “Yeah, Pop and Hudson run hot, too. Hales and Norah as well. I think the only ones that don’t are Nat and Mom.”
“So, where do you fall in the order? I know Hank is the oldest, and then Hudson,” she says. Again, I wonder if we’ll forget about last night, but it does beat arguing.
“Right after Hudson. Then the twins, then Hayley,” I say, forcing my thoughts away from thoughts of her pussy on my tongue.
She shoots me a wide grin and the sight hits me in the chest. “Why am I not surprised? You clearly give off middle child vibes.”
I feign hurt with a hand to my chest and a wounded stare. “That’s cold, California.”
“Hey, if the loner-recluse-living-in-the woods-in-a-crusty-old-van shoe fits.” She laughs.
“You forgot town fuckboy,” I toss out, and she gives me a teasing half-smile.
We sit in comfortable silence for a couple of beats before curiosity gets the better of me.
“What about you? Any siblings?”
She nods, turning slightly toward me. “Yeah, I have a sister, Lexie. She’s two years younger than me. She’s married, has two kids, one boy and one girl, with another on the way.”
“They live near you and the boys?”
“They live in Florida. My sister’s husband, Levi, works on drones; something to do with military bases. He’s overseas right now, so Lex and the kids are staying with my parents.”
I nod, settling into my seat for the drive. “You close with your folks?”
“My dad, I guess. My mom is…a lot.” She pauses, and I glance at her. “As you heard.”
“I know the feeling. My entire family is a lot.”
“But you’re all close, right?” she asks, moving to tuck her feet up underneath her so she’s sitting crisscross on the bucket seat.
I scratch the back of my neck. “I guess. I’m closer to my brothers. Hales and I get along pretty well when she’s not busting my balls.”
Her smile is warm as she gazes over at me. “I haven’t spent much time with her, but I guess that will change since she offered her place to me and the boys while we’re there. That was nice of her.”
“I was surprised to hear you’re not staying with Hank and Wren and the girls.” They have plenty of room. I should know, I built their house.
She glances out the window. “I didn’t want to impose on their honeymoon phase. And with the girls and my two…again, it’s kind of a lot.”
Something like satisfaction coils in my belly knowing she’s staying with Hales. I’ll be working right next door, and seeing more of her makes me feel optimistic. And…slightly puzzled. But I don’t let myself dwell on it.
“Well, Hales loves kids, and her place is small but cozy. I’m sure you’ll be comfortable there.”
“Probably more comfortable than I would have been spending my vacation with my parents, my sister, and her kids.”
“Was that the original plan for the summer?”
“Hell, no.” Her laugh is sardonic. “Although my mother would have loved that.”
I stay quiet, knowing with most people, less is more, and I’m kind of enjoying the easy way she’s talking to me.
She chuckles and goes on, surprising me with her candor. “You should have heard my mother when she found out I was spending the summer in Timber Forge.”
