Shayne glances up at me. “Missed me, huh?”
“You could say that,” I say, pressing my lips to her forehead.
“Shayne, you have to tell me what you did to him. I need to learn the powers of your ways.” Faith links her arm with my girl and leads her into the house. “Our parents aren’t home, so we have some time for you to relax before meeting them.”
“O-kay.” I hear Shayne reply.
“What just happened?” I ask Chad.
“I think your sister just stole your girl.” He laughs.
“Fuck.” I kick at the gravel beneath my feet. “You need to keep Faith occupied. I have a few more days with Shayne before we leave, and I don’t need my sister monopolizing my time.”
“Just so we’re clear. You’re asking me to spend time with your sister, who, by the way, is hot as hell? Am I getting that right?”
I glare at him. “Are you interested in my sister?”
He shrugs. “She’s… yeah, I don’t know.”
“Well, I can’t exactly warn you off her. Not that I would. You’re my best friend and one of the best people I know. Just be sure. If you’re not, then don’t go there. She deserves that.”
“You using my words against me, Gregory?”
“Yep.” I grin.
“I wouldn’t. Not unless I was sure.”
I nod, letting him know I understand.
“How long, you know, until you knew?” he asks.
“I knew there was something about her the minute I met her, but then it just kind of grew from there. It was fast, and I know it sounds crazy, but I couldn’t care less. We have our own timelines. Live our lives for us. Do what feels right, but be sure.”
“Noted.”
“Come on. We need to go rescue Shayne from Faith.” I grab Shayne’s bags from her car, and together we head into the house. Following their voices to the living room, I didn’t expect to see them both curled up on the couch laughing and chatting like they’ve known each other for years.
“You.” I point to my sister, giving her a mock glare. “She’s mine.” Both girls crack up laughing. “Seriously, Faith.” I drop Shayne’s bags and place my hands on my hips.
“Faith, why don’t we take the UTV out for a ride? Give these two some time to talk,” Chad suggests.
“Fine. I’ll give you some time, but you’re not going to hog her while you’re here. We have more girl talk that needs to happen.” Faith winks at Shayne, who beams a smile back at her. “I’m driving,” Faith says as she stands from her spot on the couch.
“Oh, sweetheart, I’m fine with letting you drive.” Chad winks at her, and my sister blushes.
“Did you see that?” I ask Shayne once they are out of the house. “She was blushing. I haven’t seen her do that since we were in middle school.”
“Chad’s a charmer,” she agrees.
“Come here you.” I sit down on the couch and pull her into my lap. “Fuck, Shay, I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” She loops her arms around my neck.
“You feeling better?”
“Yes.”
“You want to talk about it?”
“No. I don’t want to think about anyone other than you for the next four days.”
“Four days.” I smile before kissing her softly. “Not long enough, but better than the alternative.”
“Agreed. Are you sure your parents don’t mind if I stay here?”
“Nope. As soon as we got off the phone last night, I told Chad and Faith that you were coming up for a few days, then told my parents. They’re excited to meet you.”
“Who do they think I am?”
“What do you mean?”
“To you? Who do they think that I am to you?”
“I didn’t say, not really. I mean, I didn’t put a label on it. I told them you were Chad’s cousin and coming up for a few days. I told them that you and I got close, and we wanted to spend more time together.”
“They’re okay with that? I have some savings. I can go to a hotel.”
“Yeah, no. That’s not going to happen. I have three nights with you, and all of them, you will be in my arms.”
“What if we get caught?”
“What do you mean?”
“What if your parents find me in your bed? I don’t want to upset or disrespect them.”
“Shayne, baby, they know you’re rooming with me. I told them you would be.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widen. “Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want them to think—” I place my finger over her lips to stop her.
“They will think that you’re an amazing woman who I want to spend more time with. We’re both consenting adults. Now, if you really don’t want to sleep next to me, I can take the couch. It’s not a big deal.”
“No. I want to be with you. That’s why I’m here.”
“Good. Let’s take your things up to my room, so you know where we’ll be sleeping.” With one more quick kiss, I tap her thigh, and she stands. I grab her bags and motion for her to follow me upstairs. “This is it,” I say, pushing into my room.