“Wherever should I start,” she asks, kissing my neck.
“Lower would be a good place,” I tell her as I push her against the wall.
Colby is right. I am sorry sex is awesome. It is totally different from make-up sex. Make up sex is usually both of you apologizing, but when only one of you is sorry, you are the recipient of it all, no give and take. Just taking . . . and she took me there several times.
Chapter 35
Cambree
I get he was pissed off, and I shouldn’t have lied, but we were doing what we thought was right. I want Dustin home. He needs to be home. Max and I are doing well. We pretty much decided he was going to move in officially with me once his lease was over. We basically live together now anyway. I feel like so much is happening and life is moving forward, we all need Dustin home. Then there is the Mitch issue . . . Dustin needs to know. Addison, Brielle, and I talked, and even though our inheritance and businesses came from my grandparents, my mom’s side of the family, that doesn’t matter to us. Mitch is our brother, and we want to include him in the land, the businesses, in every part of our life. To do that we need to run everything by Dustin once he finds out the truth. Going to see my parents wasn’t the smartest decision because I am not really sure my dad listened to us. Time will tell.
The last few weeks after the incident, as Max refers to it, he has been like superglue stuck to my side. He explains it as being cautious. He is afraid if my father actually pulls his support, Brent may get desperate. He told me that just going there to suggest it could push Brent to make a move. No, we didn’t think it through, but my mind doesn’t work like his. I will admit we think emotionally. No shame in that. One area we had tried to avoid together was the gym since that blow-up a few months ago. Now every time I go he makes sure Colby or someone from the force is in there training. I guess I wasn’t so lucky today. It didn’t start off bad when I was coaching the little ones . . . but after my class is over, and I am tumbling and stunting. If he growls, glares, or hollers one more time, I am not responsible for my actions.
I march over to him. “Knock that shit off. You are as bad as Colby was with Brielle, and that got him nowhere.”
“I am not Colby,” he reminds me.
“No shit, because he wised up and isn’t sleeping on the couch anymore. You may want to pay attention.” I glare at him, just daring his ass to say anything.
When he doesn’t, I feel it is safe to continue with my practice. Suddenly I don’t have a stunt partner. Seriously? I holler across the gym, “Your membership has been revoked. Get out.”
He just smiles at me and continues hitting the punching bag. He is about to be my personal punching bag. He is so damn infuriating. I go to the office and sit and wait for him to be done. What else can I do? I sit and stew and hatch a plan. He finally gets done, and I get up “You ready?” He is dripping in sweat and looks delicious.
“You still mad?”
“Nope, one day you won’t be here. I may be old and decrepit and won’t be able to tumble, but I will anyway just to prove a point. Then when I throw my hip out, you will have to visit me in the hospital.”
“Over-exaggerate much?” He chuckles. I just roll my eyes at him and follow him out.
“Let’s go back to my house, shower, and relax tonight.” His grin is about to split his face when I suggest we shower together. No response is needed from him; he drives right to my house.
I walk right in and still not used to the feeling that this is all mine. It is modest just like my sisters, but it is my own space. Tyler, Colby, and Mitch arranged to have all my stuff shipped, and we all unpacked and decorated together. I love it. I splurged on my master bedroom, and it has served me well. A separate standing shower with double shower heads, with enough room to lie down. I found that out myself. The whirlpool tub that sits in the corner is better than any hot tub I have ever been in. I reach up and start the shower and strip off my clothes. Max is watching with unhidden interest, and isn’t far behind me in the stripping. I jump in and stand under the warm spray just watching him. He takes the opposite shower head, never breaking his gaze while admiring my body. Time to work it . . . I wash my hair and moan a bit. I see this working when his dick twitches and hardens more. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop my giggle. Once I have washed and conditioned, I grab my body wash and make a spectacle of washing every inch of my body. I can see him losing control. I grab his body wash and soap up my hands. I start at his chest and gently rub in circles, then move to his abs, around his back, I drop to my knees and he groans. Greedy bastard. I wash up from his ankles to his thighs, around to his low back and ass. I smile up at him and from the look he gives me I know he thinks he is about to get lucky, so I swipe my tongue up the length of him, stand up and walk out of the shower. I throw a look over my shoulder and smirk at him.
“What the hell is that?”
“Frustration . . . let’s see how well you wear it,” I tell him. I walk into my room and dress. I hurry downstairs and look what I have to eat. Not five minutes later, he appears and doesn’t look happy.
“Not funny, Cambree. That is evil, and it hurts like hell.”
“Nope, it isn’t funny, Max. You’re controlling my life at the gym was hurtful, too, so I guess we are even.”
He gives me the sad look and actually tries to look remorseful. “I am sorry, Camy. I know I was wrong. I won’t do it again, I will back off.” Does he think I am that stupid?
“Okay, you just have to control that possessive streak, honey.” He reaches for me and pulls me to him.
“Why don’t we finish what you started?” he purrs at me. He even adds a kiss to the forehead to be sweet.
“Oh, we will, as soon as you can prove you won’t act like a jackass at the gym. Until then, we both learned an experience in frustration. The difference is I don’t need rosy palm and her five sisters for relief. I have the B.O.B. Addison bought me.”
“The fuck you do.” He storms off, and a moment later I hear a crash and slam. I go upstairs and he is trying to break my vibrator. I laugh at him, because it isn’t like I use it. I have the real thing anytime I want it. I let him go on with his tantrum and go back to the kitchen to find something to eat.
2 weeks later . . .
Valentine’s Day
Mitch has been over so much lately I think his car drives itself on auto-pilot. I am not complaining, but there have been a lot of conversations between the guys. They think that shit is on the down-low, but it isn’t. Kayleigh knows what is going on, and we don’t pressure her to tell us what it is, as long as she reassures us it is all good, we let it be. I get some things they just won’t share.
What I find odd is none of the guys planned an over the top Valentine’s date . . . they actually suggested we order in, all together. The kids are with Amelia, and Colby’s parents drove in today, so they are covered, and we are having adult time. We are all in Addison and Tyler’s kitchen chatting and laughing when the doorbell rings. I am closest and not drinking, so I holler I will get it, thinking it is the delivery guy. I grab Max’s wallet. I learned my lesson the last time I tried to pay for something, so I won’t make that mistake again.
I open the door and stop breathing. Dustin is standing there grinning at me. I immediately scream and burst into tears as I launch myself in his arms. I can’t let go of him, and before I know it Addison and Brielle are in the mix, too. He is trying to keep his balance as we all have pretty much tackled him. “Okay, let me breathe,” he tells us. The guys gently pull us off of him, and we all start shouting questions at once. “What are you doing here?” “Is everything okay?” “Are you home for good?” “Why didn’t you tell us?”
When the questions seem to stop he asks, “You done talking all at once?” We just laugh at him, and I go to pull him in the house when I notice a tiny girl standing behind him. She may be smaller than Addison, but is so breathtakingly beautiful it is almost not human. Her raven hair is long and thick; it hangs in loose waves down her back, and her e
yes are so blue they are almost midnight in color, but set against her porcelain skin, she looks like a doll. I know it is rude, but I can’t stop staring at her. I hear Brielle gasp beside me. I guess she just saw her, and Addison is as dumbfounded as me, standing there staring at her. I see her press closer behind Dustin and realize we are all making her uncomfortable. I nod at Dustin, giving him a heads-up and when he turns to her and starts talking quietly, I tell Brielle and Addison, “Let them come in when she feels comfortable.” We all go in the living room and wait.
I sit on Max’s lap, and he pulls me down to him, “Happy Valentine’s Day, Camy.” I have to wipe the tears so I can bend down and kiss him, whispering my thank you against his lips. I look around and see my sisters in the same position with their husbands and Kayleigh and Mitch grinning at all of us. This explains the sneakiness lately, but it is a gift I am grateful for. Someone clears his throat, and I look up to see Dustin has walked in, and next to him is Teryn.
“Let me introduce Teryn to everyone, then I need to get her settled somewhere so we can talk. She has had a long day today with the drive.” He goes around and introduces her to everyone, and if I didn’t know what I know about her situation and circumstances, I would think she is aloof. I know it is because she doesn’t know how to engage with others. Brielle offers up her house because all the kids are at the farmhouse, and we are at Addison’s. He doesn’t want her alone, so in the end he takes her upstairs and after about thirty minutes he comes down to start the inquisition.
He tells us that my dad didn’t pull his support from Brent, but instead got indicted last night on federal charges with him, so they are both in jail. I glance at Max, and he looks guilty. I shake my head, knowing there is an explanation. D gives us the run-down on how he met Teryn, which we aren’t happy with, what has happened, and his plans to stay home for good. He wants us to welcome Teryn. We all agree, and Brielle discusses her concerns.
“Dustin, you have to let her go to counseling on her own. I know you think you are protecting her, but you are hindering her progress. Give her some space, so she can get her own legs under her, and not use yours for support.”
“I just want to be there for her, B. You didn’t see what I did.” I see the sadness and pain cross his face, and I can tell he has it bad. Shit. This better work out. Before I can process anything, Max is in my space.
He is on one knee and takes my hand. “Cambree Nikole Parker, I knew you would want everything in order and all your family here before I did this. I know things are still up in the air, but I want to ask you to be my wife . . . we don’t have the longest history, but we have the love of a lifetime. When I see my future, I see you. Nothing else, just you always by my side.” He pulls out the most beautiful, princess cut diamond ring I have ever seen. I don’t say anything for a minute, then I look in his eyes.
“Yes.” It is the only answer my heart will allow. I cannot believe this just happened. My heart is about to pound out of my chest and it is filled, totally complete.
He picks me up and starts to carry me out of the house when Tyler yells, “We still have a lot to talk about.”
Max responds, “It will all be here in the morning, and you don’t need my fiancé to do it.” Oh, I think I just created a monster. Once we get to my house and he sets me down, I can’t stop smiling at him.
“Did this just happen?” I think I am still in shock.
“Yes, sweet girl. It happened. You have my ring, soon my last name, you made me the luckiest man alive tonight.” He bends down to kiss me, and things get heated rather quickly. “I can’t wait to see you in nothing but my ring.” And he succeeds.
After the most memorable night of my life, it was time to face reality. I am only eighteen and Max is twenty-two. Are we too young for this? Brielle was only nineteen when she fell in love with her forever, so I know it can work out. Maybe, it is all the changes around us; Dustin being home, my dad being thrown in jail, Max moving in, finding out Mitch is our brother. I hate that I missed them telling Dustin, but I know my brother, he will be shocked, sure, but he will be really happy and welcome Mitch.
Watching Dustin with Teryn these last few weeks have been disturbing. He won’t let her grow. He treats her like she is a porcelain doll, and no matter what we have said to him, he ignores us, telling us he knows what is best for her. That is where he is wrong. None of us know what is best for her; we aren’t professionals.
April 2019
Dustin’s eighteenth birthday is tomorrow. Things haven’t gone smoothly the last month between Brielle interfering with Dustin and Teryn. While I support Brielle and her goal for Teryn I hate to see Dustin hurt. Brielle is taking Teryn to counseling, and at first she had to sneak her out of the house so Dustin didn’t freak, but now Teryn is strong enough to tell D no. He looks like he lost his best friend.
Max wants to get married yesterday. I am not even nineteen yet, so why rush? He is only twenty two, almost twenty three, but he throws in my face constantly that is how old Brielle was. Frustrating man.
My dad was found innocent of all charges, he threw all the blame on Brent, and that fucker is locked up for a lifetime in a maximum security prison. CJ will turn four later this month, then Riley will be three next month, the twins will be two on the twentieth this month . . . so much happening, I don’t have time to think about a wedding. Brielle and Addison have even gotten in on the planning for it.
I seek out Dustin for sanity, once I explain everything he looks at me. “C, what are you waiting for? You love him?” I nod yes. “Then why wait if you are sure you want to spend your life with him. You don’t always get the promise of tomorrow with the one you love; you don’t always get second chances. Grab onto it and cherish it every second you have it. Look at all the crazy shit we have been through, now we have a new brother, a sister we will never meet, all because people took choices out of our hands because they are assholes. This is your choice, make it.”
“You love her, don’t you?”
“So much it hurts. I see her slipping away, I feel her pulling away, and I don’t know what to do to stop it.”
“Maybe you need to let her fly. I know it isn’t what you want, but maybe it needs to happen.”
“These are the times I wish we had Granddad and Grandmother. I feel so fucking robbed out of advice I need, and I am so confused.” I don’t say anything to him. There is nothing to say; he knows what he needs to do, he just doesn’t want to do it. I give him a hug and go find Max.
Chapter 36
Max
I hear the front door slam and she calls my name. I rush to the front room and see her standing there with the biggest smile on her face. “Let’s do it, tomorrow, next week, whenever. Let’s get married.” I think I could fall over.
“Did you just say that?” I am stunned. I don’t think I have fallen and hit my head to be imagining things.
She just runs into my arms and says, “Yes,” over and over. Holy shit, I never thought she would agree, and now it can’t happen soon enough.
“What changed your mind?” I want her to be sure.
“Dustin. He said something that struck home with me, and I have no doubts you are my one and only, so why wait?” Perfect fucking answer. I tell her to figure out what she wants, get working on it, and tell me what to do.
We call her sisters and Kayleigh over. Once they are all there, we lay it out for them. Immediately, Kayleigh and Addy try to make a big deal, but Cambree shuts that shit down. “I want simple. Us, just family, I want Cooper and Melanie here, and that is it.”
I love her more and more. Brielle agrees with her. I see something is going on in her eyes.
“What is it, Camy? This is all your day, what is bothering you?”
“Who is walking me down the aisle? I want Dustin, Colby, Tyler, and Mitch to give me away, how do I choose?” She is near tears.
Kayleigh to the rescue. “Max, I assume all of them will stand up with you?” I nod yes, because I guess she will have all her
sisters, and maybe Teryn, although that will be a bit odd. “So, you have Mitch walk you down first, then he can go stand next to Max, continue that with Colby and Tyler, then let Dustin finish walking you down. Sure, it is unconventional, but then again, so are we.” That is perfect, I hope Cambree agrees. By the tears streaming down her face, I can see it works for her.
“I want to talk to Dustin about maybe not being in the wedding. It would be odd for me to ask Teryn right now. We are all in the beginning stages with her, and I don’t want to overwhelm her, so if he is okay with it, I don’t want him standing up with you. He can just give me away and sit with her.” She thinks of everyone and everything. I agree with her.
Brielle says she will call Cooper and Melanie, and Addison and Kayleigh agree to get the catering from the restaurant, the cake from the bakery, and everything is set. We discuss dates and decide on May 16, 2019. It is after all the birthdays, including hers. It can’t come soon enough.
May 16, 2019
I didn’t think this day would ever get here. It almost didn’t happen with all the drama that ensued. Brielle got Teryn a job at the bar, and Dustin freaked. Teryn is in extensive counseling and finally found her voice, but she isn’t sharing with Dustin, just pushing him away. I know he is drinking heavily, and his sisters are worried. Brielle won’t back down about the Teryn situation, and I have to agree with her. Hell, everyone agrees with her, but we all hate that Dustin is having such a hard time with it. I get it. He wants her safe and protected and feels he is losing that control. It isn’t a good feeling, I know. I remember what it was like seeing Cambree hurt and battered.
Cooper and Melanie Reed arrived a few days ago. Melanie is a psychologist and very close with the family. Brielle had been talking to her before they got here, trying to find the best treatments for Teryn. Melanie asked Mitch and I what we witnessed the first time with Teryn and after sharing all of this with her, I could tell she didn’t like where the situation has ended up. She pulled me aside, “Don’t let anything ruin this time for Cambree. When you get back, I have a feeling she may need these good memories to deal with the turmoil that will come. Just be the husband she deserves.”
Parker Sibling Series Box Set Page 51