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I’ve been waiting for an opportune moment. I don’t want to pry myself from Alderchuck, but I need to. It’s for his own good. Instead of forcefully peeling myself from his body, I wait, knowing the fruit punch he’s been pounding has got to run through him at some point. We’re strewn casually on the Meyer’s living room floor, utter chaos swarming around us.
There’s something comfortable about this family’s wildness. Even the boys have settled in, already having befriended the younger Meyer crew—Mercy’s younger siblings. Charles with Dawson and Rachel Meyer, Stevie with Bethany, Lorelei, and Theo Meyer. Stevie hasn’t said much, but follows behind them, wanting to be included.
I’ve got my hands in Casey’s hair, while he holds onto his hat. That thing looks more disgusting than usual. I don’t remember it beingthatdirty the last time I saw it. His gaze is focused on the TV, and his body’s molded against mine, breathing serenity into me. I’m enthralled by the creamy skin between his neck andcollarbone. I want to gnaw on him. Suck, lick, and nibble on him. But there are too many children around.
“Be right back, babe. Gotta take a piss,” he finally says. The man might be a camel for how long he’s been able to hold all that fruit juice in his bladder. He slides his hat into place, suffocating his sexy curls.
I kiss his lips and rub my thumb over the bottom one. This was the moment I’ve been waiting for but, now that it’s here, I don’t want him away from me, even for a second.Fucking, stop it, Sutter. He’s not going off to war.
“Don’t be long, baby.”
He rolls his eyes at me as he should. But my behavior is because of everything that’s happened. I haven’t been able to relax unless he’s near me.
Pull your shit together, Mitchell.
On a mission, I’m up from the floor where I was resting against the couch, wrapped around Casey, and out to the wintry porch where I saw Other Alderchuck go. One of the many house cats tries to escape, but I’m good at keeping cats where they belong. I nudge the furry creature back inside and close the door firmly behind me.
Cold latches deep into my bones, quickly, as if it knows it’s only got a fleeting moment to steal Casey’s warmth from me. I don’t plan to be out here long. Why Other Alderchuck’s out here by himself is beyond me. At least he’s dressed for the winter chill, but that means he planned to come out here and stay awhile.
Crossing my arms, I lean against the porch rails, studying him. He hasn’t looked up, lost to demons somewhere. Not sure he even heard me come out here. I clear my throat; he startles.
“Oh, Sutter. Sorry, you wanna sit here?”
At least he’s friendlier than the last time we spoke one-on-one during the summer at that forsaken nightclub. I’m gonna assume that means he’s given in to the Sutterchuck madness.
“I’m good over here.” The guy looks like he needs a distraction. “You, uh, you got something on your mind?”
I’m not good at commiserating, not so good with advice either—I like to use my hands to solve my problems—but the guy’s going through something heavy. Maybe it’s his resemblance to my Alderchuck that’s inspiring the need to offer an ear, dunno, but I’m compelled. I just know that if something was making my Alderchuck feel like what I see on Stacey’s face, I wouldn’t be here, I’d be hunting it down.
“A lot more than I wanna explain to you. No offense.”
“None taken.” Relief washes over me, actually. I would have done my best, but I’m glad I don’t have to.
“You don’t have to make small talk; you can get to the point.”
Huh, a straight shooter. I like that. And I do have something on my mind.
“I was wondering if your offer to talk about Casey if I’d changed my mind was still open?”
The corners of his lips pull up. Even distraught over whatever the fuck he’s distraught about, his brother’s happiness takes priority.
“It is. I was doing my best to let my brother be a grown-ass man, but I have my limits. I’m fine with you two being unconventional, so long as I know he’s taken care of.”
I nod, the cold nipping at the bare skin on my arms. “He told me about your mom. I’m sorry about that.” I know it’s been years, and I also know that it doesn’t make a lot of difference. Years take the edge off the pain and that’s about it.
“I might have heard through the grapevine that you lost a parent, too. Not the details,” he adds, quickly, before I can planmy revenge on Casey for sharing my shit with the world without my permission. “Only that. He hasn’t betrayed your confidence.”
I nod, not willing to give up the information. Casey can tell him if he wants to. I’ve reached my quota for talking about Dad’s death this year.
He smirks. “You really have changed your mind, eh?”
Once again, I’m reminded that he’s Casey’s brother. He might be the more responsible Alderchuck, but he’s still an Alderchuck and Alderchucks … Alderchuck.
“Are you gonna help me out or not?”
“Okay, I’ll stop fucking with you, but I can see why Casey does it—you’re an easy target.”
I’m not an easy target. Not anything close to. But I have to admit that the Alderchuck brothers seem to have been imbibed with the power to fuck with me.
