Page 71 of Burnout
I hold off as long as I can, but when I’m seconds from coming down her throat, I pull her off me and finish on my stomach and chest.
My head falls back onto the bed as I catch my breath. Avery gets me a towel and I clean myself up. I’m about to get dressed to go when she flops down beside me.
“Are you staying?” she asks.
“I don’t cuddle, princess.”
“As in you don’t like to cuddle or it’s against your rules for casual hookups?”
I rub the back of my neck. “Both, I guess.”
“Okay, no cuddling.” She thinks for a moment. “What if we lie next to each other and watch TV until we have the energy to make out again?”
I have no idea how that’s different than cuddling, but the thought of going again with her is enough to stop me in my tracks. “Deal.”
“What time is it?” Avery asks, voice groggy with sleep.
“Early. Go back to sleep.” I pull on my jeans and then look for my T-shirt, only to realize Avery is sleeping in it.
She curls up onto her side and yawns. “See you tomorrow?”
“Yeah.” I grab my jacket off the back of her desk chair. I hesitate. I don’t think I’ve ever been so slow to leave a chick before. I don’t chase. I don’t stay over or cuddle. And I don’t linger like some love-sick fool. “See you tomorrow night.”
The ride home wakes me up some. I’m going on barely any sleep, but I promised Flynn I’d take him riding this morning.
The house is still and quiet as I come in through the garage. I come up short when I spot Hendrick standing in the kitchen in sweats and a T-shirt.
“Where have you been?” he asks, one brow raised.
“Waiting up for me? How sweet.” I toss my keys on the counter and rub a hand over my hair. “I was out.”
“With a girl?” His voice dips low in a teasing tone and he grins wide.
The smell of fresh coffee draws me over to the pot. I pour some into a mug, then wince. I hate the taste, but my eyelids burn from lack of sleep. “What are you doing up?”
“I couldn’t sleep anymore and my body hurts from lying in bed all day yesterday.”
“You look like shit, but less so,” I say as I look him over. His hair is sticking up and he’s got the start of a beard going, but he no longer smells like sickness.
“I feel less like it.” He rubs a hand over his face. “I gotta go into the bar today. What are you up to?”
“I promised Flynn I’d take him riding.”
Hendrick’s mouth pulls into a straight line and concern etches his brow. “Be careful. He hasn’t ridden in a long while.”
“I know.” I shoot him a scathing look. I’d rather walk over hot coals than see Flynn get hurt. “I’ve been taking care of him a lot longer than you.”
His parental mask falls and is replaced with a look of guilt. Fuck. I don’t know why I said that. Hendrick feels bad enough about the time he was gone playing football and it isn’t like I resent being the one that stayed back. I just want him to realize I’m not some fuck-up when it comes to Flynn.
“We’re doing an easy trail down by the falls. It’s just the two of us and I’ll let him set the pace,” I reassure him in a less accusatory tone.
Hendrick’s easy smile returns. “I remember riding there. We used to drive out in the early morning, ride for a few hours, drink, swim all day, then load up and come home after dark.”
I nod. I have the same memories. Hendrick and I didn’t hang out much as we got older. He had his popular football friends, and I wasn’t into that scene. Wouldn’t have been wanted even if I had been. But every once in a while, we’d all decide to do the same thing for a day. Archer and Brogan went a few times after Hendrick graduated, but they were more interested in drinking and swimming than riding. Flynn was too young and when he was finally old enough, I didn’t want anyone to come with me. Riding was my escape. I haven’t done it for fun with any of them in a long time.
“I should shower and wake up Flynn.” By the time we load everything up and drive out there it’ll be the perfect time when the sun is low, and the air is still crisp. I unzip my jacket and then laugh.
Hendrick eyes my bare chest with amusement. “Lose a shirt somewhere?”
