Page 108 of Teach Me How

Bo merges into traffic. “Cody and Mitch already told me. I know you two have been screwing around. For a while, from the sounds of it.”

I shake my head. “Those two are the biggest gossips I know.”

Bo glances at me. “Is it serious?”

I consider my response. After a while, I decide to go with the truth. “Yes. Very.”

He nods. “Good. I didn’t want to have to kick your ass.”

I smile at that. “Josh is going to kill me, isn’t he?”

Bo tilts his head. “Not necessarily. He doesn’t like the idea of any man being with his sisters, but he’s also worried about them being alone.” He glances at me. “Wouldn’t that be wild if became your brother-in-law?”

“Who’s talking about getting married?” But the idea suddenly spans out ahead of me. Family Christmases with my best friendandthe love of my life. Our kids would be cousins. Maybe they’d be as close as Bo and I are. My imagination provides me with the image of Reese pregnant with my child. I want it so badly it hurts.

“Earth to Skyler.”

I look up. We’re back at the resort and Bo is looking at me with a funny, knowing smile on his face. Ignoring him, I climb out of the truck, and we hurry back to the apartment.

I find Reese bundled up under the fluffy duvet. Setting a glass of water and her medicine on the nightstand, I crawl into bed next to her.

She gives me a weak smile, snuggling closer.

My hands trace down her arms. “Where’s it hurt?”

“My lower back.”

I run my hand over her soft skin, trying to ease her suffering. My chest fills with a mix of concern and protectiveness. There’s this deep sense of connection and purpose building brick by brick in my chest. I want to take care of her. I want to be there for the highs and the lows. She’s like the sun and without her, everything goes dark.

73.

Reese

I wake up, bundled under a pile of blankets. Skyler must have snuck out at some point. Sitting up, I stretch to the side experimentally. I still feel a little nauseous, but the meds have worked their magic and the shooting pains in my core have eased.

Fucking figures.

The one time the Thomas boys come out for a visit, I’m laid low by my period.

I wish I was one of those women who barely notice their cycle. But unfortunately, I’m one of those women who usually spends the weekend curled up in agony on the couch, cursing Eve, her fucking apple, and anybody I can think of.

I usually avoid people and activities in general. But I am about as high as you can go in the mountains surrounded by a bunch of dudes. Pulling on a pair of sweats and a hoodie, I creep out into the hallway and find all four guys drinking beer by the fireplace.

Their conversation dries up and they all look at me like I’m the walking dead.

Here are four men who didn’t grow up with sisters.

It shows.

Mitch leaps up, offering his seat next to Skyler.

Skyler holds out his arms, pulling me down so that I’m snugged up against him. Guess the secret is out.

Mitch brings me a glass of water and I sip from it, sneaking a look at their faces as I do.

I expected awkwardness, and itisawkward, but I did not expect this level of concern.

It’s pretty damn cute, to be honest.