Page 84 of Mr. Edwards

“Come in, Carlee’s in the kitchen attempting to make a salad.” I hug Emma first, then fist pump Ashton as he passes.

“Attempting?” Emma asks with amusement in her voice. They’re best friends, so I’m sure she’s well aware of my girl’s lack of skills in that department.

“She’s giving it her all,” I reply with a chuckle.

As we make our way across the main room, I hear Carlee say, “Ouch.”

“Are you okay, sunshine?” I ask.

“I cut my finger.”

I round the island and reach for her hand. It’s not bad, but I still don’t like seeing her injured. “Come rinse it under the tap and I’ll get you a Band-Aid.”

Opening the drawer where I keep my first aid kit, I remove what I need. Tearing off a piece of paper towel, I wipe her finger and squeeze a small amount of antiseptic cream onto the cut, covering it with the Band-Aid. When I’m done, I place a soft kiss on the tip of her finger.

“How about you sit your sexy little ass up here,” I say, grasping her hips and lifting her onto the breakfast bar. “It’s safer if you let me finish.”

She pouts, so I lean toward her, sucking her plump bottom lip into my mouth.

I look down at the chopping board and see the mess she’s made of the onion. There are still large patches of skin on the outer edge where she didn’t peel it properly.

Ashton places the pie on the counter right next to the salad. I don’t miss the amused look on his face as he leansin, observing Carlee’s not-so-handy work. His eyes then dart to the pie, and back to me. I know he’s making a comparison between the two. I raise an eyebrow, and he smirks like a smug prick. He doesn’t need to say a word, I can read his mind. If he insults my girl, it’s going to earn him an uppercut.

Thankfully, he doesn’t. And Carlee’s too busy oohing and aahing over the rock on Emma’s finger to notice our exchange. Soon my girl’s going to be sporting one of those rings too. I can’t wait for that day.

When the salad is done, I grab the tray of meat and two beers from the fridge and plant a kiss on Carlee’s lips as I pass. Ashton smacks Emma on the ass and follows me outside onto the back deck, taking the beers out of my hand and opening them. He places mine down beside the meat while I start the grill.

This is what the rest of our lives are going to look like. Him, me and the girls catching up on weekends, watching the game together.

“Who would’ve guessed we’d end up settling down with best friends?” I state.

“At least I got the one who can cook,” Ashton snickers.

I shrug, because I don’t care that Carlee’s culinary skills are lacking, she more than makes up for it in other ways.

“You’re always trying to one-up-me, but I know for a fact I got the better end of the deal.”

“How do you figure that? I just witnessed Carlee in the kitchen, she can’t even cut up a damn salad… did you see the pie Em made…from scratch?”

“Pfft. I can buy an apple pie any day of the week. Does your girl have a zero gag reflex?” I puff out my chest all proud because Carlee’s BJ skills are definitelysomething to write home about. I glance in his direction, just in time to see his eyes slightly widen.Ha, take that, Black. “Carlee deepthroats like a porn star, you can’t get that off the shelf at the store, motherfucker.”

I’m not usually one to brag about my extracurricular activities, but he started it.

“Whatever,” he snipes. “At least I’ll be getting a home-cooked meal at the end of each day.”

“Yeah, and while you’re sitting over there…” I flick my head down the street in the direction of his house. “…getting fat as fuck, I’ll be here living the good life with my girl and her sweet mouth.”

“Talk it up all you want,” he says with a smirk as he brings his beer to his lips. “I’ve seen the size of your dick, Edwards… it wouldn’t be hard to deepthroat that little wiener.”

“It’s not a fucking wiener,” I snap. I know he said that just to goad me, but I can’t help but bite back. It’s what we do.

“Remember who won the measuring contest back in college?” he retorts smugly.

“Only by one-sixteenth of an inch, asshole, and you know I’d been swimming that day.”

He throws back his head and laughs, so I grab him in a headlock and mess up his pretty-boy hair.

Our relationship has always been like this, and that will never change, but it’s so good to see him happy again. I love this guy like a brother.