Page 53 of Split You Open

Rhett sniffs out a laugh as he pulls his arm away from his face.

“Might be. Wait, Santi—put some clothes on.”

I’m practically out the door when I freeze and look down.

“Oh, right.” I cackle as I turn and scoop up my boxers and then my shirt. When I’m moderately dressed, I look back to find Rhett staring up at the ceiling, his hands behind his head. “You coming?”

“Yeah, I gotta take a leak but I’ll be down in a few.”

I hesitate for a second longer. Is he regretting our reunion last night now that he’s gotten some sleep? Is he lying about being alright with me leaving to go seek out Blair? My chest tightens uncomfortably in my chest.

“I love you, Santi,” Rhett says, his voice gruff but full of sincerity.

I have to grab ahold of the door frame to keep upright. Just hearing Rhett tell me that he loves me makes my knees weak. He doesn’t see it when I beam at him, but I do it just the same. For someone who didn’t want anything to do with me just a couple of weeks ago, he sure knows me pretty fucking well.

“I love you, too!” I call out as I race out of the room.

I peek my head into Blair’s room first only to find the bed untouched. My knuckles rap against Wes’s door and when no answer comes, I open it. The bed is made and empty—letting me know they’re definitely up. As I shut Wes’s door, I drink in the heavy musk of sex in the room.

A twinge of jealousy returns.

What does sex between Wes and Blair look like? I wonder if Wes would be up to letting me watch them sometime. Blair probably wouldn’t care. I’d be good. I’d sit still right there on the edge of the bed and keep my hands, tongue, and dick to myself. I’d be quiet and—hell, who am I kidding? I wouldn’t be able to just sit there. I’d find my way into the mix in no time.

My dick twitches at the idea.

I shut the door and make my way downstairs. There’s a hint of something sweet in the air and when I reach the kitchen I find the source of it. There, on the island, is a pile of French toast, lightly coated in powdered sugar. Beside it is a bowl of strawberries and blueberries, and beside that is a plate of bacon and eggs.

My rumbling stomach is ignored as I frown.

Where are they?

I’m about to head to the family room—maybe I missed them in my eagerness—when I hear the soft sound of conversation. I strain to listen to where it’s coming from and deduce it’s taking place outside.

I head for the back door, fling it open, and step out into the crisp October air. I don’t have to go far. There, leaning on the railing, is Blair. She’s staring out at the woods on the other side of the backyard. Her forearms are braced on the wooden rail and clasped in her hands is a steaming mug of something warm—probably Wes’s famous hot chocolate. Behind her is Wes. His hands are braced beside her forearms, his chest against her back.

They look so good together. A picture of serenity.

Immediately, my jealousy grows. I want to be a part of that too!

“—do nothing.”

“I’m not saying that. I’m just saying we need to think about how best to handle this. We might only get one shot.”

I frown, sensing the heaviness in the air around them. Maybe things aren’t as serene as they seem.

“Hey,” I greet, stepping toward them.

They both turn to look at me. The thoughtful scowl on Blair’s face melts away at the sight of me and a warm smile splits her face. The concern on Wes’s morphs to exasperation.

“Just do me a favor and don’t ask this one. He’s a sucker for chaos,” Wes tells her, shooting me with a warning look.

“Damn right I am. Where’s the fun without it?”

Blair giggles as Wes steps to Blair’s right so I can come stand at her left. I wrap my arm around Blair’s waist and pull her toward me so that I can lean down and kiss her. It’s supposed to be quick but the moment our lips touch, I’m melting into Blair. It’s like we become one on a molecular level. I breathe, she breathes. Blair’s heart beats, mine does too.

When Blair pulls away, I’m breathless and slightly dazed.

Before I can remember how to speak, footsteps behind me draw my attention. We all look back toward the door to find Rhett with a plate of food in his hand. He pauses when he sees us.