Page 104 of Too Far

Theoretically, the colder air should worsen his arthritic pain. But this cabin is built low enough into the side of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range that the barometric pressure is reduced. Decker has it outfitted with a state-of-the-art dehumidification system, and all the decks and porches feature propane heaters to ward off the cold.

I asked him for a spoon check when we arrived; Decker usually does it, but Decker’s not part of us anymore, so I’ve stepped up in regard to his health and Kendrick’s. I’ve also been keeping watch over Jo’s since the urinary tract infection incident.

Nicky insisted he was on cloud nine, which I surmise to mean he’s in good shape, mentally and physically. No telling what the barometric pressure is on cloud nine, but he’s better than he was, and that makes Jo happy. If Jo is happy, then I’m satisfied.

I sit up and sip my own drink. When I settle, this time on my side, I brush a kiss to the soft skin of Jo’s neck and tease one hand along the elastic of her waistband.

“It feels really good to all be together again,” she whispers.

As if that’s some sort of secret.

She’s right.

We’ve all been hurting. Reeling. Coping in our own ways. All without the support of one another. It’s obvious each of us is carrying a heavy weight, yet I don’t want to burden Jo or either of the guys with my concerns. If that’s the case, then it’s safe to assume they each have a similar mindset. The complexity of our situation and how deeply our day-to-day lives are intertwined with Decker’s only make the emotional pain more acute.

A simple solution to getting off the isle with our girl—all three of us—doesn’t exist. So we stayed. We took turns. We avoided Decker. Now we’ve started making plans for what’s next.

“I know, baby. We’re working on an arrangement that will allow us to be together permanently,” I promise, kissing the warmth below her ear. “I’m sorry it’s taking so long.”

“Kyl.” She grasps my hand. On the other side, she’s already holding Nicky’s. “It’s okay. None of us has had time to formulate a plan. We wereallblindsided.”

That we were.

“Hey. I have an idea. Worst-case scenario, you and I can move back in with our parents,” Nicky says. “K and Joey can take turns going between our houses. I’ve slept on that zero-gravity moon chair you used to have in your room. It’s pretty comfortable, honestly.”

Jo snorts. Damn, is she awful at keeping secrets and maintaining her composure.

“What’s so funny?” Nicky asks, propping himself up with an elbow and eyeing her, then me.

She peers over at me, eyebrows raised. I shrug in response. If she wants to share, then I won’t stop her.

With another snort, she turns her head to Nicky. “Sleep isn’t the only thing that beanbag chair is good for.”

Frowning, Nicky sits up a little higher. “Wait. What am I missing?”

Jo laughs again. She can’t stop laughing. She’s losing it, and now we have Kendrick’s attention, too.

“Don’t worry about it, Emo Boy.” She tries to brush it off, but at the same time, she sits up and clutches her stomach, garnering even more scrutiny from our audience.

“Wait a minute.” Nicky curls up fully and points an accusing finger at us. He keeps his voice low, but it’s cutting, nonetheless. “Did I miss out on beanbag sex? Seriously?” He tugs on Jo’s hand. “When? Was it when your parents had you over for dinner a few weeks ago? Your mom invited me, but I was in too much pain!”

Jo’s doubled over now. I rest a hand on her shoulder to keep her from rolling forward off the hammock.

“Sorry, pal,” I offer with a shrug.

Nicky flops back, groaning. “I fucking hate RA.”

He didn’t keep his voice down that time.

“Nicky said a bad word!” one of the twins shouts from the table.

“That he did,” Kendrick grits out, his jaw locked tight. “Maybe Nicky wants to come over here and help with this long division to make up for it.”

Huffing, Locke lifts up on his elbows so he can see K and the girls. “Dude. I’m a philosophy major. I didn’t understand old math, let alonenewmath.” With that, he reaches over a still-cackling Jo and shoves my shoulder. “I bet Daddy Genius here could help you.”

When Jo dissolves into a fresh round of giggles, he smirks. The twins are both turned our way and wearing perplexed frowns that make them look just like their older brother.

“Kylian is not anyone’s dad!” Emilia sasses.