by Jerry Cole
“They’re going to be great this year,” I proclaimed as she chuckled on the other end of the phone.
“New faces. Lots of love.”
“Yes. I can’t wait to show them how we do it.” I smiled, and she laughed.
“I’ll make double the food I usually make.”
“Rosa and Taryn will be in there helping you the entire time. I can see that they want to learn, just as everyone does after they taste your cooking.” I thought back to the many meals I’d enjoyed with my family. They were all delicious and full of love, but it didn’t compare to the love that I felt for Peter. It was just a different thing entirely.
We chatted a bit longer, and I told her that I loved her and Dad before ending the call. I dropped back to my pillow, tired from the business of the day already. “
“Should I be jealous of that call?” Peter asked from the doorway, making me jump as I looked over at him.
“If you want to worry about Mom, go for it,” I joked as he laughed. Peter walked across the room, lying beside me as he closed his eyes.
“I think I got up too early. Take a nap with me?” Peter asked as I sighed.
“It has to be quick. I have practice in two hours.” I felt him take my hand, gently squeezing as warmth washed over me.
“Done.”
I knew that Rosa worked late tonight, but she promised to bring home our favorite pizza for dinner. It was located near her office and she did it twice a month or so. I was eager to get back home, walking in to place my hockey bag in my room before returning to them in the living room.
“There’s pizza in the fridge. I ate immediately, and forced Peter to join me,” Rosa explained, laughing as he hit her shoulder.
“That’s totally okay. I just need to eat. We went hard at it tonight.” I grabbed two waters and the box, plating a few slices before popping it into the microwave. “This smells so damn good.”
“Why so hard?” Peter asked as I sat beside him, reaching over to touch my leg.
“There’s a hard game coming up this weekend. We usually lose, but being the competitive bunch that we are, it’s not happening this time.” I smiled wearily. “I make it sound like we’re so much more than some local team that plays together on the weekends, don’t I?”
“It’s important to you. You don’t need to explain yourself to us,” Rosa declared as I smiled at her. “Is it a Sunday game?”
“Yep. Two in the afternoon. Taryn said that she’d make it to watch me, but probably leave afterward.” I explained as I felt a hand in my hair.
“Take care of yourself,” Peter told me, ever the worrier.
“Of course, babe. I don’t do that every time that I play,” I told him, smiling into his handsome face.
“We’ll try to call it an early night on Saturday, but you know your sister,” Rosa said as I groaned.
“It’s not until the afternoon. I’ll be fine,” I said, taking a bite of the pizza that was finally cool. “God, this is good.”
We chatted and watched a movie before it was early to bed for Rosa. I smiled as she disappeared, feeling Peter lean against my shoulder. “Are you tired?” He asked as he yawned.
“I’m looking forward to going to bed with you. I took a shower after the game, so I am all ready.”
“I took one earlier to wake up for work, but I’m tired now,” Peter murmured, kissing my shoulder. “Let’s go to bed.”
We headed into the room, stripping down to nothing before slipping underneath the covers. I pulled him close to me, running my hands over his body as I kissed him. We couldn’t help but make love, making me wonder what we’d be like when we were a few years in.
We fell asleep moments afterward, waking up to the sounds of Rosa leaving the house in the morning. She wasn’t loud, but Peter was accustomed to getting up early to work. “Morning,” he said as he reached over my stomach.
“Hi, babe. Are you going to get up to work?” I asked as he sighed.
“I’ll stay in bed for a little while.” I smiled, kissing his lips as he moved closer. “I love you.”
We got up together, and Peter worked while I went to the bakery to get some pastries that we all enjoyed. Peter rumbled about needing to go to the gym as he ate an eclair, but I could see how much he loved it.
“What time is Taryn getting in on Friday?” Rosa asked later as she enjoyed a cinnamon roll.
“She’ll be here by six. She needs to work the full day with all the time off that she had while we visited Connecticut.” I smiled, excited to have my sister back here.
“Good. We can still have dinner that night and go dancing on Saturday night.” Rosa sounded thrilled as we both laughed at her. “What? She’s my sister now, too. Not my best friend.” Rosa reached out to give Peter a one-armed hug as he pretended to pout. “You’ll always be my boo. She’s just an awesome woman in my life.”
“I can agree to that,” I told her as she winked at me.
We talked over the TV about a place to go in two days with Taryn, given the number of places, there were here. It was somewhat limited in Connecticut. My sister loved food and would nearly try anything. I loved that about her.
We went to bed a bit later than Rosa would’ve liked, but we’d sleep more the following night. Friday and Saturday night might involve little sleep for all of us. I hoped for some with the game coming up, but that remained to be seen.
I grinned as Rosa hugged Taryn at the front door Friday night. “Oh, my God. You’re here!”
“Yes, I am.” My sister agreed, smiling.
“What are you up to tonight? Are you tired?” Rosa demanded as Peter rolled his eyes at me.
“Chill. It’ll be fine,” he said as Taryn giggled.
“I know we’re going dancing tomorrow night, so let’s keep it low key tonight. Maybe dinner and just catching up?” Taryn asked, and we all nodded.
“You talk to everyone in this room regularly. What is there to talk about?” Peter dryly asked as everyone stared at him.
“Shut up. Being here in person is an entirely different thing,” Taryn shot back, making us all laugh. “I want a good cheeseburger tonight. Where can we go?”
We took her to a place across town, getting her approval. Taryn enjoyed the greasy mess, washing it down with a sip of water. She ordered a chocolate shake with dinner and assured all of us that we’d be dancing off these calories tomorrow.
We went to the apartment to find a new movie on cable, chatting over it. Taryn said that Matt worked most weekends, but he was hoping to come along soon.
“Are you two okay?” Rosa asked as Taryn frowned for a moment. Girls understood each other that way.
“Well, he’s been offered a promotion.” She let her words sink in, finally looking at all of us. “It’s here in the city. He said he’s willing to commute, but that’s crazy.”
“So, are you moving here?” I asked, and she reached for her shake.
“I’m not sure. On the one hand, it seems as though it’s an easy choice. You guys are here, and we’d have so much fun. On the other, I have my place and a job that I adore. Mom and Dad are there. I don’t know how they’d feel if we both lived away from Connecticut.” Taryn shrugged, showing a rare side of uncertainty.
“Way to make me feel bad,” I murmured as she shot me a regretful gaze.
“I didn’t mean to do that. I was just thinking out loud,” Taryn assured me, throwing herself into my arms. “I think I don’t know if I want to come with Matt. He’s great, and he loves me the way a man should. I just get so filled with doubt.” Her eyes begged me to fix everything.
“See each other on weekends for a bit. Will he be working those days?” I asked as she shrugged.
“There’s a possibility. I guess I could visit on weekends that he works and he can come on weekends that he doesn’t. There’s still my job to consider.” Her eyes grew sad. “I love that bookstore so much.”
“I know. It’s as though it’s your own,” I smiled as she nodded.
&nbs
p; “That’s been brought up. When the owners retire, they want to sell it to me,” Taryn whispered as my mouth fell open.
“Holy shit. That’s incredible,” Rosa beat me to the punch by jumping up to hug Taryn.
I followed. Holding her tight for a long moment, “Follow your heart, sis.”
“I know. I’m trying to do that.” She cuddled with me on the couch as Peter looked on with a smile. She grew tired quickly and excused herself to bed as Rosa bit her lip.
“Will she be okay?” Rosa asked as I considered my answer.
“I think so. It’s just a big decision for her to make. The bookstore… that’s an amazing opportunity.” I shook my head, feeling awful for my sister. I pitied Matt a bit, knowing that he had some stiff competition. Rosa stayed up a little longer before going into the room, and we heard their voices as we secured the apartment to go to bed.
“What do you think she’ll do?” Peter asked me in bed, his voice hardly more than a whisper.
“I know how much she loves that store and Connecticut. She has strong feelings for Matt, too. I’m not sure. I just told her to follow her heart.” I pulled him close to me, closing my eyes against his hair. “That will never happen to us.”
“What? Relocating?” Peter asked his voice heavy with exhaustion.
“Being apart. I’d choose you over anything.” He hummed with content before I felt him relax against me.
I woke up first, going for a short run before making coffee. Taryn and Rosa appeared, and I offered to make waffles for breakfast. Taryn used to love them as a kid, and the smile on her face as she met my eyes told me that she remembered that.
Peter woke up in time to eat, sipping coffee as he blinked sleepily at me. We dug into the meal, talking about our day over more coffee.
Taryn wanted to do some shopping. Rosa told her that she’d go with her, leaving Peter and me on our own. I knew that Peter could get a project done if I didn’t talk him into going back to bed with me.
The girls showered, leaving the house in jeans and jackets. The moment the door locked behind them, I pulled Peter by the hand to the bedroom. We stripped off our clothes, getting right to it as he fucked me from behind. It felt so good just to let go and moan his name as I gripped my cock in my hand.
We lay on the bed once he pulled out, completely spent.
We managed a shower, and Peter was typing away on his laptop when the girls returned. They had a few bags, and Taryn seemed much lighter than she did last night. They told us that they found clothes for tonight, and I just grinned as they walked to the bedroom.
“They’re two peas in a pod,” Peter remarked, sipping his water.
“I am sure glad that you and Rosa came as a package deal,” I told him as he laughed.
We took the girls to a Brazilian steakhouse for dinner. It was much earlier than the club, so much so that they wore different clothes for dinner. Everything was amazing, and I ate my weight and then some in the fine meats. I wasn’t even sure about dancing afterward, but there was a reason that we went early in the night.
We headed back to the apartments, taking a car to the club once we dressed. The girls got drinks and hit the dance floor immediately. I laughed as Peter and I each had a shot, the same ones the girls tossed back before running to the dance floor.
We joined them in the crowd once we had a slight buzz. We danced with the girls, laughing as we had fun with it. We also danced with each other, and it got hot and heavy during some songs. My attraction and love for Peter was beyond comprehension, and we made out on the way home in the minivan, not caring who saw us.
Chapter Twelve
Peter
“Should we get a hotel?” Rosa asked as we walked into the apartment.
“Why would you do that?” I asked as she nibbled on her lip.
“You two need some time together.” She admitted blushing. “You were all over each other at the club.”
“We can handle sharing an apartment tonight,” Owen assured her as Taryn arched a perfect eyebrow. “We know how to be quiet.”
“La la la la la,” Rosa sang as she covered her ears with her fingers. “I don’t need to hear that.”
“You’d think they’re kids. I’m pretty sure they know all about sex,” I said as Taryn shook her head.
“I love you, Owen. I support you in every way, but I don’t want to hear about your sex life.” Her tone was honest, and I burst out laughing.
“I don’t want to tell you about it. We’re even.” Owen assured her, grabbing my hand. “We’re tired.”
“Gross!!” The girls called to us as we went to Owen’s bedroom.
“We’re not going to put on a show for them, are we?” I asked in a hushed tone as he shook his head.
“No. I do want you, but we can keep that between ourselves.” He stepped forward to kiss me, making my knees weak as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
He proved to me that he wanted me, slow and sweet. We were quiet, whispering, and breathing each other’s names as the girls laughed in the other room. Taryn seemed happy now, though she hadn’t mentioned her choice to anybody.
When we finished, I rested against his chest. “Do you think she’ll choose the job or Matt?”
“I think there’d be more to it than just that. I think she’s considering my parents, as well as me. She’d be leaving one for the other.” Owen sounded tired, and I knew how torn he must be feeling. “I can’t tell her what to do.”
“Of course not,” I agreed, breathing in the scent of him, and us.
He fell asleep first, and I rested in the bed against his body. I loved the idea of Taryn living here, but she had to choose for herself. It wasn’t far to visit either way, but she likely couldn’t just up and leave every weekend.
I wondered if she’d work at another bookstore. It seemed to be her passion in life. Was it just that store that held her heart, or just books in general?
I didn’t know, but I figured that Rosa did. They were close, and it would serve Rosa well if Taryn lived here. I’d have to share her, and that bugged me deep in my stomach. What an asshole. She was sharing me with Owen every day, and I was here being as selfish as shit.
I finally fell asleep, looking forward to the game the following day. Taryn planned to watch, and I knew how happy Owen felt about that.
We got up to the girls making breakfast in the kitchen. They handed us coffee, finishing the bacon and eggs as they giggled together. “Is that poisoned or something?” I asked, staring suspiciously into my coffee.
“No. Cooking together is like the blind leading the blind!” Rosa told us, as Taryn burst into laughter.
“I don’t cook a lot. Mom is the one that feeds me, so I am trying my best for you.” Her words were mixed with more laughter.
“I can second that,” Owen told us as I smiled at him. “I appreciate the effort, Tar.”
We sat down to an edible meal, talking about Taryn’s last day here. We just planned to hang out and then go to the game, since that was at three o’clock. After breakfast, Taryn and Owen went outside to talk as I gazed at Rosa. “Did you talk to her?” I asked as she shrugged.
“I listened. It’s her choice at the end of the day.” Rosa answered honestly, and I knew that she was right.
“She loves her brother a lot. I’d say she’s torn between him and her parents, and also Mark and Connecticut.” I frowned and nodded as I lifted my cup to my mouth. “It’s her thing to decide, but I assured her that we’d all see her regardless of that choice.”
“Pretty much. I wonder what they’re talking about,” I murmured, looking at the front door.
“That.” Rosa walked to the couch, sitting down before stretching. “Just hanging out until the game?”
“I think so. We were out late last night.” I joined her, leaning forward.
“Is Owen okay?” Rosa asked cautiously, and I considered my answer.
“He’s worried about her.” I didn’t want to gossip like a teenage girl here, but Rosa
was my best friend.
“They remind me of us,” she said as I smiled.
“You are my sister,” I slipped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her against me. “Now, Taryn is your sister as well as mine, too.”
“I love that,” Rosa told me, and I grinned with a nod.
The other two came in holding hands, and Taryn took the seat beside Rosa. Owen sat beside me, kissing my cheek as the siblings hugged us. “I am remaining in Connecticut for now. I’d like to pursue owning the store,” Taryn said, and I smiled. “We’re all going to visit each other a lot.”
“What about Matt?” I pressed, and she let out a sigh.
“I am going to explain my choice to him. He might want to be long-distance for a while, or he might not.” Taryn spoke slowly, looking down into her lap. “I think that he was waiting for me to decide before making any final decisions.”
“He loves you,” Rosa said, and Taryn sniffled.
“I know. I love him more than I have anyone else in a long time, but I have so much back home. I’m sorry, Ow.” Taryn sounded remorseful, and he chuckled.
“I told you not to think like that. It’s okay.”
We just talked on the couch that day until Owen needed to get ready for the game. He left early to skate with the guys for a bit, and Taryn drove us three in her car packed for her ride home. She was wearing a jersey that he gave her like it was a pro game, beaming with pride.
We took our seats in the bleachers, and the girls went to get us hot chocolate. I watched as the guys gathered by the bench, feeling the warmth wash over me as our eyes met. He looked gorgeous and happy as he grinned at me.
As he skated around the rink with his team, I looked around to see where the girls were. They were halfway between me and the cart, talking to two guys. When one turned, I recognized him as a friend of Rosa’s ex. “Shit,” I muttered, seeing Rosa as she glared at the other man.
Jake was her ex. What the hell was he doing here?
Taryn looked sharply at Rosa and yelled something at Jake. I jumped up, heading to break things up as Owen shot me a curious look. I pointed to the girls, taking off down the hallway as Rosa threw a fist at Jake.