Page 76 of Teach Me How

I nod. “It’s weird how familiar he seems.”

Mitch nods. “He’s like the missing link. Now I understand where our sense of humor comes from. He even has the same laugh as us. It’s uncanny.”

“That’s why I wanted you to meet him. Dad was fucking pissed, but hell, I’m pissed those knuckleheads kept us apart all these years.”

Mitch nods. “Me, too.”

I follow Mitch back out onto the patio, but he stumbles to a stop in front of me. Reese is helping Cliff set up more heaters around the hot tub. Mitch is obviously stunned to see her in a sports bra and a pair of cotton panties.

When you think sports bra, you think of compression bras. What Reese has on is a confection of mesh and straps. The important parts are covered, but it’s definitely a top that warrants a second glance.

For me, not for Mitch. “Keep moving.” I growl, the warning evident in my voice.

He holds up his hands. “I’m going, I’m going.”

Carefully averting his gaze, Mitch plops into the hot tub with a splash. Reese follows right behind, sighing as she sinks up to her neck. I sit right next to her so that I can weave her legs through mine. Cliff and Uncle Don sit across from us.

Mitch leans back, gazing up at the stars. “I’d say you’ve got it pretty good out here, Uncle Don.”

“Thanks. We like to think so.”

Underneath the swirling waters, Reese’s fingers glide over my thigh.

“Silver Bend can’t hold a candle to this place.” Mitch says.

Her hand curves around my lap, sliding slowly in.

Uncle Don takes a drink of his beer and balances on the edge of the hot tub. “That’s comparing apples to oranges. Silver Bend has its own charms. You can’t beat those opens skies. Sometimes, I miss hauling down the highway, windows down, going ninety miles an hour.” He smiles at Cliff. “But at the end of the day, I think they did me a favor, cutting me loose.”

“How so?” Mitch asks.

“I would never have met Cliff.” Don smiles at Cliff again, before giving us a sober look. “I wouldn’t have been able to live in dignity out there.” He shrugs. “I lost my inheritance, that’s true. But I gained my freedom. And that’s worth more to me.”

Mitch leans back. “Tell that to Skyler. I’ve been trying to get him to move out here for years.”

I tilt my head, trying to deflect with an easy grin. “Years? You’ve only been out here for a year and a half.”

“Let go of your demons, kid,” Uncle Don says. “And come join us in colorful Colorado.”

If only it was that easy.

51.

Reese

I can understand why Skyler doesn’t like to talk to his family about his personal life.

Even when they’re skirting the topic, they scrape him raw.

I thought I was the only one being bossed around by well-meaning relatives. Apparently, we both live under our family’s thumb. How anyone can look at Skyler, who has his shit together, and think he needs advice,unsolicited advice, is beyond me.

He’s a grown ass man, and he knows what he’s doing.

Sitting next to him, I’m getting worked up on his behalf.

Or maybe it’s on my own behalf.

Skyler’s hand slides over mine. He bends down to murmur in my ear. “Watch the claws, Kitty.”