“Lainey,” he groans. “Coming…”
And then he does—hot and thick in my mouth—and it is glorious. I swallow him down and a simmer of naughty satisfaction races through me when Dean collapses, face-first, like dead weight on the bed beside me.
I pepper kisses all over his back, his arms—then I lean over and sink my teeth into his fabulous, firm ass.
He rolls over, laughing, and reaching up to nip at my neck.
“I’m keeping track—and you can bet your bitable ass I’m going to pay you back orgasm for orgasm and bite for bite, just as soon as the doctor gives us the okay.”
He shifts up to the pillows and tucks me in against him.
“Is that a promise?” I ask, going in for another kiss.
He smiles against my lips.
“Baby, it’s a guarantee.”
~ ~ ~
Dean
The morning after Lainey tells me she believes me about what went down with Kelly, that we can put it behind us—and then gave me the blow job of a lifetime—I wake up with this new, different sense of confidence settled in my chest. It’s invigorating and peaceful at the same time. The closest I can come to describing it is when you’re just steps from the end-zone, inches from the finish line—when the peak of the mountain is right there in your sight.
And you know—you know—you’re going to make it. That everything is going to be all right. Better than all right. That life is about to get real joyous, real quick and chock-fucking-full of amazing.
Just around the time I’m thinking the day can’t get much better, it does. While I’m in the nursery, putting the crib together. And Jason walks in the room, looking at me in a way he hasn’t looked at me in weeks—like I’m not an asshole, not an enemy. His hazel eyes, the same shade as his Mom’s, are soft and open and a little hesitant.
“Hey.” He lifts his chin, hands shoved in his pockets.
“Hey.” I greet him back from the floor, with a wrench in my hand.
“What’s going on?” Jay asks.
“Nothing. What’s going on with you?”
He shrugs. “Nothing much.”
He points at the pieces of cream, wooden crib sprawled across the floor. “Do you, um, want some help with that? We could do it together . . . if you want.”
My throat squeezes and the backs of my eyes go hot. Because it’s a simple question—but it means so much more than what the words say. We’re guys—we don’t need to talk and analyze every detail and emotion. Shit happened, and it sucked, but now Jason wants to move on. Let it go. He wants us to be friends again.
“I, ah . . .” I clear my throat. “I’d love that, Jay.”
“Cool.”
He sits down next to me and reads over the instruction manual. After a few minutes of tightening bolts, Jason says, “So, I was thinking about asking Quinn to junior prom. Do you think it’s too early?”
“It’s never too early to lock down a date for prom.”
Jay nods thoughtfully.
“Are you asking her as a friend or more than a friend?” I ask, though I’m pretty sure I already know the answer.
“The latter,” Jay confirms. “But I’m not sure if I should tell her that part. I don’t want to lose her as a friend, you know?”
It feels every bit as cool as I imagined talking to Jason like this. Passing on my vast knowledge and skills to such a worthy pupil.
“Would you not want to be friends with her anymore if she’s not into you?” I ask.
“No—I’d still want to be Quinn’s friend.”
I stand and line up the last side of the crib as Jason holds the other piece.
“Quinn doesn’t seem like the type to ditch you because you have feelings for her,” I point out. “Even if she doesn’t return them.”
Jason’s forehead crinkles as he takes this in. “No, she wouldn’t do that.”
I tighten the last bolt, and put my hand on Jay’s shoulder.
“Then go for it. Be bold.” I wink. “Girls dig bravery.”
Jason smiles, happy and sure, and that mixture of contentment and exhilaration slams into me again, even stronger than before. And I know without a doubt, we’re going to be okay.
Chapter Nineteen
Lainey
Spring comes early to Lakeside. I film and post videos on spring cleaning tricks and Dean carries me outside, where I sit in my overalls, in the dirt of the flower beds, and with him and Jaybird plant tulips and hyacinths, daffodils and peonies that are bursting with color all around the house. The cherry blossom trees bloom and scatter the backyard in a shower of soft pink petals every time the wind blows. Grams and the Gray Army refinish the dock—making for some hilarious videos that the Lifers absolutely love. Dean and Garrett build a brick firepit off the back patio—working shirtless—which the Lifers love even more. By the end of March, I have double the subscribers to Life with Lainey than I did when I first signed the contracts with Facebook.