Page 157 of All This Time

She continues to hold her legs open as I watch my cock sliding in and out of her, glistening from her arousal.

“Fuck. I’m coming!” she screams, twisting her head to the side and gasping for air between each tremor. Pumping just a few more times, I find my release seconds later, collapsing on top of her as we both fight to catch our breath.

“Fletcher… I… That was…”

“I know, baby.” I lift my head, smoothing her hair away from her face. “And it’s only going to get better from here.”

Chapter 29

Laney

Taking Responsibility and a Postcard

The past few days have been some of the most emotional of my life—not just because of Elliot’s wedding that never happened, but because I witnessed Fletcher stand up to his father in a way that I knew he could this entire time. Fifteen-year-old me was so gratified as I listened to him tell his father exactly what he needed and deserved to hear.

And then our trip to Charlotte reminded me that all the bullshit we’ve both gone through to get here has been worth it. However, now it’s time for me to face my brother, and for Fletcher to face his friends.

I’ve been trying to call Rhonan since Saturday, but he won’t pick up the phone. None of the boys are speaking, apparently. Rhonan’s pissed that Henley knew about me and Fletcher, and Elliot is pissed at Rhonan for running a background check on Tori, and Fletcher for not telling him that Tori left the winery. Not to mention, Fletcher knowsthat the cloud hovering over all of them is the stupid pact they made, so there’s a ton of issues to work through.

When I talked to my dad to get an update on my brother, he said that he’s calmed down finally, so I took that as a sign to stop putting off the inevitable.

Fletcher offered to go with me to see him, trying to give me the same support that I showed him. But this is different.

I need my brother to hear my side of the story before he speaks to Fletcher again because he’s not the one who crossed the line—I did. Our entire history came down to the moment that I told Fletcher Adams I had feelings for him. I wouldn’t take that decision back for anything, though, knowing that I would end up where I am today.

All of the hurt, the hate, the agony—it was all worth it, especially now that Fletcher and I are moving forward together.

Joanne opens the front door to the house before I make it up the driveway. “Hi, Laney.”

“Hey there.” I walk past her into the house. “Should I be scared?”

Joanne laughs. “Your brother doesn’t scare me, so I’m not sure how to answer that. But, I will say this…I have an older brother, and their innate need to protect us never goes away. Don’t be too hard on him, but at the same time, stand up for yourself too.”

“Oh, I plan on it.”

Chuckling, she says, “I didn’t doubt you for a second. But just so you know, every woman on the planet is going to hate you now for tying down Fletcher Adams.”

I blow out a breath. “That’s going to take some getting used to, but he’s worth it.”

Joanne squeezes my shoulder. “True love is always worth it.”

I make my way inside the house, heading for the living room. Rhonan and Ellis are sitting on the couch together watching a movie. Butwhen my brother sees me, I can tell that his mind is on anything but Elsa finding out what her ice powers can do.

Ellis sees me a second later, jumping from the couch and running over, wrapping her arms around my legs. “Auntie Laney!”

“Hi, sweetie.”

“Did you come to help make Daddy smile again?” Her brown eyes are so full of hope, it slices my heart in two. “He’s been really grumpy, like a bear.”

“I’m gonna try.”

Rhonan scoffs. “Yeah, good luck with that.”

“Hey, Ellis?” Joanne asks from behind me. “Why don’t we go get some ice cream?”

Her smile is radiant. “I love ice cream!”

“Me too. Go get your shoes.” She races back to her room while Joanne turns to me. “Text me when you two are done talking, okay?”