Page 49 of The Brooklyn Way
“What does that mean?”
“It means that we’ll be able to get clarity on if our feelings are legitimate or caused by the fact that we’re always together.” She stood from her chair, joining me in mine. She made herself comfortable on my lap and placed her back against my chest. “Sometimes, I feel like you might be my person. Space will give me the opportunity to figure out if you’re my person or if…”
“I’m your dick?” I queried.
She slapped my chest softly while whining my name. “Cameron.”
“Do you need space, Brooklyn?”
“Right now, no. Right now, I want you all up on me all of the time. But we’re having a summer fling. We should be all up on each other while it’s summer. In the fall, you’re gonna leave me.”
I hated to even think about it, but what she said was true. I was going to leave her-- not willingly but out of necessity. My job was in another part of the country. I couldn’t stay on Jackson Island forever. It was only supposed to be for the summer. And summer was going to come to an end.
Friday morning, while Brooklyn still slumbered, Carrington joined me in the master closet. She pawed through Brooklyn’s colorful wardrobe with a cheery grin on her face.
“Brooklyn’s been sewing her ass off. She must be in a good place.”
I didn’t respond. I just stood there leaning against the closet island, watching my twin sister.
“You’re good for her, twin. All of the attention… and sex you’re giving her is doing wonders for her confidence. Did you see how she handled Tiara? Knocked her cocky ass right off her feet.” She cut her eyes at me. “Being well-loved always does wonders for a woman. Does she know that you love her?”
I scoffed lightly. “It’s only been a couple of months.”
“Uh huh.” She twisted her lips to the side. “I know you, brother. You have… lover boy tendencies. You tend to fall for women, especially women in… situations.”
“She’s not in a situation.” My protest fell on deaf ears.
“She was when she first got here.”
“I wasn’t here when she first got here.”
“Then, it’s not the savior thing, huh?” She studied me. “It’s not the savior thing. Okay. Okay. Well, Brooklyn is gorgeous, and she does have a body built by the gawds. Did you see how every man except for Bryce was ogling her at the party in that colorful swimsuit?”
“Yeah, I saw that shit.”
Her laughter was tinkly and filled with mirth. “Touchy. Touchy, big brother. Don’t worry. Brooklyn only has eyes for you. You might’ve noticed those other guys checking her out, but I promise you, she didn’t notice. She only noticed you.”
I glanced down at my watch. “Yo, you’ve gotta get to the airport. You got this?”
“I’ve got it, twin.” She pulled out a tiered yellow sundress that looked both dainty and feminine to me. “Tell Brooklyn to wear this. And have her there by seven.”
I gave her a quick side-hug before watching her leave the closet. I quickly selected something for myself—a short-sleeved white button-up and camel-colored linen slacks. Then I went and sat on the side of the bed, rubbing my fingers across Brooklyn’s cheek. Her skin was soft as hell. It was cliché, but her skin really was like silk.
“Brook,” I called softly.
I knew she was out of it because she’d taken about five painkillers the night before to ward off the menstrual cramps that were kicking her ass.
“Brook.”
Her eyes fluttered open slowly. When I came into view, she smiled. “Good morning.”
“Good morning. How do you feel? You still cramping?”
She seemed to take a minute to assess herself. “A little. I’ll re-up on meds after I eat breakfast.”
“We have to run an errand today.”
She stretched and gave a small yawn. “Can we please do it tomorrow? Today is my mom’s birthday. All I wanna do is lay low. I’m not even going to the community center today.”