Page 114 of Pack Me Up

Colton and Cody get in the backseat, oddly quiet for the two of them.

I start the drive back in bliss. Brittney’s got her hand on my thigh, thumb making lazy circles, and every so often she leans her head on my shoulder like she might just fall asleep right here.

I keep the radio on low and try not to think about the mess we made in the car. The air is thick with leftover sex and the sharp, sweet smell of her slick, and if I had to crash and die tonight, I think I’d be fine with it.

I look in the rearview mirror and see Colton grinning from ear to ear, and Cody leaning across the middle seat, whispering to him.

They both do the most dramatic air kiss faces I’ve ever seen, with Colton puckered up, fingers framing his cheeks, Cody just sticking his tongue out and waggling it obscenely. Brittney laughs, bright and sharp, but then immediately ducks her face into my shoulder, blushing so hard her ears go pink.

Cody says, “You two seemed to have fun. Did the guns get you going?”

Colton slaps the headrest, howling. “Bet all that gun talk was just foreplay.”

I flip them off with one hand, the other still on the wheel, and say, “You’re just jealous.”

Brittney giggles, then pulls herself together and flips them off, too, her middle finger elegant and practiced.

We get maybe three blocks before they start up again, trading off.

Colton starts, “Next time let us join.”

Cody laughs. “In a car? We wouldn’t all fit.”

“I guess we have to wait until the nest.”

“But then Saint and Fox will be there.”

“Maybe we should pull over then and try the car.”

“I like the way you think, brother.”

Brittney is rolling her eyes but she can’t hide her amusement from us which is probably why they keep going the whole drive home.

“They’re never going to let us live this down,” she says.

The sky’s dark by the time we hit the tour bus lot. The twins hop out and run up to Fox and Saint who are there waiting for us. I can just imagine what they’re saying.

Brittney sits for a second, breathing in and out, before she looks at me.

“You good?” I ask.

She nods, then says, “I had a great day with you.”

We get out. Colton immediately gives me a slow clap, sarcastic as hell.

Fox sidles over to Brittney, offering her a fist bump. “You survived, huh?”

She bumps him back, eyes shining. “It was easy. Hunter’s a good teacher.”

Colton howls again, bending double. “God, that’s the dirtiest thing I’ve heard all week. I can teach you things too, trouble.”

I grin, but I don’t rise to the bait. Instead, I take Brittney’s hand and lead her toward the bus, past the twins and their endless commentary.

They follow, of course, but this time they stay a few steps behind, giving us room.

At the bottom of the bus steps, I turn to her, and for a second the world stops. The parking lot lights throw a halo around her hair, and her eyes are wide, waiting.

I kiss her, soft and sure, and she melts into me.