Fallen For Three

Chapter 6

SIX

Tessie sits at the table,her fingers tapping away at the keyboard of her laptop. I walk over to the fridge and take out a bunch of strawberries and other fruits, ready to chop them up for our lunch later. I steal a glance at Tessie every now and then, admiring her unwavering focus and dedication. Once I”m done with the fruit, I pack it all neatly into plastic tubs, preparing everything for later.

“What are you up to?” Tessie looks up from her laptop, breaking the silence.

“Just preparing for later,” I reply, smiling.

“It”s strange to see you doing domestic things in the kitchen,” she muses.

I chuckle softly.

I approach the lounge hamper, carefully lifting the lid, and peer inside to see a neatly folded stack of soft blankets. I reach in and feel the plush material, which feels warm and comforting. I select a few of them and cradle them in my arms as I make my way outside towards my car.

Once at the car, I open the trunk and carefully place the blankets inside, ensuring they are arranged neatly so they won”t get wrinkled during the drive.

I walk past Tessie and she throws a little smile at me as if to say hello. I decide to go to her room and help her pick out some clothes for our date this afternoon. After scanning her wardrobe, I carefully select a crisp, white T-shirt, dark, black skinny jeans, and a stylish leather jacket. I lay the outfit on her neatly made bed, ensuring it”s all set and ready for her to wear.

My phone buzzes with a notification from my work friend, Paul. I enter the bathroom, lock the door, and call him, trying to keep my voice down so Tessie can’t hear. “What”s up, Paul?” He tells me that he discovered that Dan had no family or anyone who cared about him apart from college friends. He also revealed that Dan had an essential role on some dodgy websites. However, he had to do some more digging to find out more.

Paul is one of the most gifted computer and technology experts I”ve ever met. He”s based in the office, working on the latest tech advancements or hacking. I can always count on him to have my back and I”ve helped him out of some challenging situations.

I walk back into the kitchen and notice Tessie”s eyes lifting from her laptop. I inform her that I have already selected some clothes for her and everything is set for later. She sharply remarks, “You know, you”re pretty fickle.” I tilt my head in confusion and my eyes glance downwards. “Fickle?” I ask her, seeking an explanation. She closes her laptop and clarifies, “Yeah, one moment, you are all possessive and controlling. The next, all lovely and nice.” I can”t help but chuckle at her comment. “Well, gotta keep you on your toes, right?” I ask with a grin.

She shakes her head with a smile and crosses her arms. “You are so confusing; I can”t work you out,” she utters as she walks to the bedroom.

“Good,” I utter.

Tessieand I hop into my sleek, black Jeep Wrangler. She eases into the seat, finding a cozy position and sinking into the cushion. Despite her petite stature, she manages to peer over the Jeep”s dashboard and gaze through the windshield, taking in the view ahead.

We embark on our journey and I turn on the radio, tuning it to some eighties music. I recall Nate mentioning that this is her favorite music. As the music starts playing, she immediately starts bopping her head to the beat and humming along. The drive takes us up steep hills surrounded by dense forest. The scenery is breathtaking and we both enjoy the peacefulness of the natural world around us.

As we drive through the forest, she gazes out the car window and asks, “So where are we going then?” I smirk and reply, “Just wait and see.” The road ahead becomes increasingly rocky, but fortunately, our 4x4 vehicle is up to the challenge and easily navigates the terrain. Finally, we reach the top of a steep hill that towers over the dense forest below and a magnificent view opens before our eyes. The sight is awe-inspiring and we both find ourselves lost in the beauty of the landscape.

I carefully maneuver the Jeep in reverse, positioning it so that the back of the vehicle overlooks the breathtaking expanse of the forest and the blue sky above. With a sense of satisfaction, I step out of the car and make my way to the rear where I open the door for Tessie. I reach for the trunk and open it, revealing a neatly arranged collection of blankets and a hamper basket filled with delicious food.

“Fancy lunch with a view?” I suggest, smiling and extending an invitation.

We both settle down on the edge of the car’s trunk, taking in the magnificent panorama before us. “This view is breathtaking,” she exclaims, her eyes sparkling with wonder.

I carefully place a warm blanket over her legs to keep her from getting cold. With a hamper basket in hand, I retrieve some fresh and luscious strawberries that I meticulously cut into exquisite rose shapes. She looks at me with a surprised expression and exclaims, “Wow.” Confused by her reaction, I gaze at her and say, “What? Don”t forget, I have some pretty impressive knife skills.” She raises one eyebrow and chuckles.

She takes the vibrant, red strawberry from my hand and gazes at it, admiring its beauty. “It”s almost too perfect to eat,” she murmurs, her eyes still fixed on the fruit. I can”t help but smile mischievously at her comment and take the strawberry from her hand. Holding it between my fingers, I lean closer to her and whisper, “What if I do this?” With a grin, I slowly place the strawberry halfway into my mouth, beckoning her to come closer. A sense of anticipation builds between us as she leans in, her lips hovering just inches from mine. Then, as we share an intimate moment, she takes a bite of the succulent strawberry, savoring its sweet taste. The radio fills the air with tunes, creating a serene atmosphere. I catch a glimpse of her smile and feel content. I reach for the prepared sandwiches and place them in the car trunk beside her. We relish each bite as we enjoy each other”s company.

Tessie takes a bite of a sandwich and looks at me in disbelief. “I”m shocked you would set up something like this. You don”t seem like the kind of person to do romantic stuff,” she says.

I chuckle nervously and reply, ”Honestly, I”ve never done anything romantic like this. You should be lucky.”

She stares at me, puzzled, and asks, “Wait, what? You”ve never been on a date?”

I avoid her gaze and fixate on the breathtaking view of the forest in front of us. “Nope,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.

Tessie shakes her head in confusion. “Wait, so...” she starts to say, but I cut her off abruptly. “Look,” I interject, my voice serious and frank. “I’ll be honest with you. In the past, I”ve fucked many women. However, I”m not a romantic. I’ve always seen women as nothing.”

Tessie’s gaze shifts to the side. As she speaks up, a question rests on her lips: “I can’t help but notice that you refer to women as nothing. You did that day with Celeste. Why?”

I can”t help but chuckle quietly. “I have my reasons. But let”s save that for another time, shall we?”

Tessie takes the sandwiches in her hands and brings them closer to her lips. Her voice trembles as she asks, “Ok…Well, am I nothing to you?” Her eyes betray a sense of hurt and disappointment, as if she is searching for reassurance in the response.

I lean in closer and whisper in her ear, “When it comes to you, Tessie, I’m so fucking weak.” The words escape my lips and hang in the air.

Tessie stares at me. “You confuse me. One moment, women are nothing to you. Yet you are controlling and all romantic with me. You make no sense,” she says, her voice soft and uncertain.

I let out a sigh and fold my arms across my chest. “Look, I have my reasons. But right now you need to accept that you belong to me, Nate, and Mike. No matter what happens, I”ll always be a part of your life, even if that means watching you from a distance. Yes, I will be possessive, but I will also be anything you need and want. So stop questioning and just enjoy the view.” I pause for a moment before adding, “And kiss me...”

Tessie rolls her eyes in response, a gesture that only seems to irritate me. I reach out and gently grasp her face between my hands. “Don”t you dare roll your eyes at me with that attitude,” I warn. “If you do it again, I”ll make them roll to the back of your head.”

“Maybe that”s what I want...” she breathes.

“Don”t tempt me, Tessie.”

Tessie giggles and leans in. We share a long, passionate kiss. Her lips are soft and taste of sweet strawberries. Slowly, I pull away and tilt my head, looking into her eyes. “Do you like bowling?” I ask, hoping to impress her. She blinks in surprise and a smile spreads across her face. “Yes, actually,” she says. “It”s been years since I went, but I used to love it.”

I can’t help but smirk. “Great,” I say, “because we”re going to the bowling alley after this.”

A bright smile spreads across her face, causing her eyes to sparkle with excitement. She giggles joyfully and exclaims, “Oh, I can”t wait!”

We sit in silence and gaze down at the towering trees. I can”t help but marvel at their majestic greenery. The air is crisp and refreshing up here on this steep hill. Tessie finishes eating and turns to me, and asks, “Did you bring anything to drink?” Without hesitation, I reach into the hamper and pull out a cool water bottle, passing it over to her.

I cast my gaze once more upon the towering trees ahead of me.

“If those trees down there could speak,” I muse out loud, reaching for a bottle of water from the hamper beside me, “they would have a thousand secrets to tell.” Tessie looks over at me and playfully nudges my shoulder. ”Do they hold your secrets?” she teases, a mischievous glint in her eye.

I bring the water bottle to my lips and feel Tessie”s gaze hovering over me. I sip and whisper, “Everyone has secrets, Tessie…” There”s a moment of silence as we contemplate the weight of those words. Suddenly, Tessie takes a deep breath and says, “I know you have secrets. Mike told me everything that happened with his mom and sister. It was horrible.” My eyes narrow in suspicion as I look at her. “I know it was dreadful and vile. But he told you everything?” I ask as I cough and shuffle my body. Tessie nods up and down vigorously. “Yup, and I know you helped him, Cain.” I clench my jaw and respond, “I did. I would do anything for Mike and Nate.” Before I finish my sentence, Tessie interrupts me, saying, “Ay, I”m not judging you. I totally understand why you helped him.”

“Anyone we have ever killed had it coming to them and deserved it, Tessie,” I state, my voice tinged with conviction.

Visibly taken aback by my statement, Tessie probes further. ”Have you killed a lot of people?” she asks, her eyes fixed on me.

I take a deep breath before responding. “A few, in the past. But I promise you we only killed people who deserved it,” I say. My jaw clenches tightly as I remember the past incidents that led me to form such a belief.

Her hand rests gently on my lap. “I don”t care what you three have done in the past,” she says, her eyes locking onto mine. “I know you won”t hurt me. As long as you only hurt vile people who deserved it, that”s all that matters.” Her words seem to hang in the air, heavy with meaning and conviction. Despite her statement”s gravity, her tone is calm and reassuring.

As soon as she made that statement, I felt a rush of emotions like never before. It was like a bolt of lightning had struck me. I knew right then and there that she was definitely the one for us. What struck me the most was her remarkable ability to overlook mine, Nate, and Mike’s past.

I draw closer to her, my heart pounding with anticipation. I lean in and whisper in her ear, “I can lose everything, but not you. Fuck, not you.” Her perfume fills my nostrils as I feel her breath on my cheek. As she leans in, I see the hint of a smile on her lips and she lovingly wraps a warm blanket around my shoulders. Our bodies nestled under the blanket, we kiss passionately, lost in the moment.

“Afternoon.” The sudden voice makes Tessie and me jump. We turn to see an elderly man and his dog strolling past. The man”s voice is gravelly and weathered, yet friendly. Tessie and I exchange glances and can’t help but burst out laughing at the suddenness of the situation.

“Come on,” I say, extending my hand towards Tessie. “Let”s head over to the bowling alley.” Tessie eagerly takes my hand and we both climb out of the trunk.

I glancedown at Tessie”s feet and I can”t help but chuckle quietly. “I must look like a complete fool with these shoes on,” she says, joining in on the laughter. Her feet are adorned with bowling shoes, making her look like a clown.

“Don”t worry,” I reassure her. “I look like a clown, too.” She giggles and looks down at her feet. “At least your feet are small. Mine are massive,” I joke, making her laugh even more.

I take her hand and lead her to our assigned bowling lane. Sitting, she looks at the screen to see who will bowl first. “Would you like a Cola or anything?” I offer.

“I”ll have a Cola, please,” she responds, grateful for the gesture. As I head to the refreshment counter, I take deep breaths and try to calm my nerves. I feel anxious and apprehensive; this is the first time I have been out in public for a date with a woman. I don’t want to fuck it up.

I stand at the refreshment counter and look back to see Tessie engrossed in sorting out something on the computer.

I hear a familiar voice calling out my name. I turn my head to the right and see Piper, someone I haven”t seen in a long time. She still looks the same with her black hair tied in a ponytail, heavy makeup, and an eyebrow piercing.

Before I can react, Piper swiftly puts her arms around my waist and hugs me tightly. I glance at Tessie to see if she has noticed, but she is still preoccupied. Thank god. I gently push Piper away and greet her with a blunt, “Hi, Piper.”

Piper smiles back at me, then says something that catches me off guard. “It”s been ages. The last time I saw you I was in handcuffs.” She then gives me a sly wink.

Fuck sake, this is so awkward. I had fucked Piper once before and she has been trying to fuck me again since. To diffuse the situation, I try to excuse myself and say, “Uh, I gotta get going. See you later, Piper.”

As I walk away, I notice Tessie turning around and walking towards us.

Just fuck off, Piper. Fuck off.I hoped Piper would have taken the hint and fucked off. However, before she does, Piper shouts out in a suggestive tone, “Maybe you can use the handcuffs again on me sometime.”

I feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment and frustration. I close my eyes and huff. Tessie must have heard what Piper just shouted. She gives me a closed yet awkward smile.

Tessie”s tone is sarcastic as she says, “I”m guessing handcuffs are your signature thing, then.” I understood precisely what she was getting at. However, the truth is while yes, I fucked Piper, I had never used handcuffs with her. In fact, it wasn”t long after we fucked that I had to arrest her for being drunk and disorderly. I need to explain myself, “I know it sounds bad–”

Tessie interrupts me, saying, “Cain, it”s fine. You don”t have to explain.”

I suddenly realized that I had forgotten the Colas. “Oh, shit. I completely forgot about the drinks!” I exclaim. Tessie and I return to the refreshment counter, hoping that Piper has already left. Thankfully, she is nowhere to be seen. After quickly grabbing some drinks and snacks, we head back toward our bowling lane.

Tessie seems to be in a competitive mood. She claims, “I”m so gonna beat you.” I can’t help but raise my eyebrows at her.

“Oh, really? Well, maybe there should be a prize for the winner?” I suggested in a flirty voice.

I stand there and she confidently approaches me until we are chest-to-chest. With a sultry tone, she leans in close and whispers, “What do you have in mind?”

I bend down, my breath tickling her ear as I whisper, “If I win, I”ll take you back to the hill above the forest and fuck you brutally in the car. No safe words and you don’t get to orgasm.”

I notice a brief pause in her breathing. Her voice quivers slightly as she asks, “What will happen if I win?”

I lean closer to her and whisper, “Well, what prize do you want, princess…?”

Her eyes lock onto mine as she responds, “My birthday is quickly approaching. I wouldn”t mind indulging in a fancy, posh meal at that new restaurant that just opened up in town.”

I quickly straighten my back. “Don”t worry—I”ll be taking you there even if you don”t win,” I assure her. She lets out a hearty laugh, struggles a bit to pick up a bowling ball, and says, “Sounds like I”m winning no matter what happens.”

Tessie steps up to the bowling lane, ball in hand, and takes a deep breath. She swings her arm back and then forward, sending the ball hurtling down the road. It veers off to the side and misses the pins entirely. Tessie looks back at me with a sheepish grin and says, “That was just a practice shot.”

Undeterred, she selects another ball and tries again. This time, she hits three pins, causing them to clatter noisily to the floor. Tessie claps her hands and takes a seat, satisfied with her effort.

I stand up and approach the lane confidently. I snap my fingers, pick up the ball, and take aim. With a smooth motion, I release the ball, which hurtles down the lane with purpose. As I score a perfect strike, the pins explode in a flurry of noise and motion.

Tessie gives me an evil glare and exclaims, “Are you like a pro?” I shrug and reply in a murmur, “Nope. Your turn now.” She stands up with a determined look on her face and walks toward the rack to grab a bowling ball.

With a swift motion, she throws it back down the lane, and to our amazement, she manages to knock all the pins down except for one. “OH, COME ON!” she shouts in frustration. I can’t help but laugh at her reaction. She waits for her ball to come back up on the machine, and as soon as it does, she grabs it and throws it down the lane with all her might. Unfortunately, she misses the last pin and we both burst out laughing. Tessie and I continued our friendly bowling game, and as expected, I win. While Tessie is excellent at fucking, bowling isn’t her forte. I put my arm around her. I can”t help but tease her, “Looks like I win, princess.” She places her hand on my chest and, with a smile, asks, “Is that my new nickname? Princess?” I nod, still grinning from ear to ear.

A voice cuts through the noise as we are about to leave our bowling lane. “Cain!” I see Commissioner Hanks walking towards us, holding hands with his wife. I keep eye contact with the Commissioner while whispering to Tessie, “That”s my boss.” We greet him respectfully and he offers his hand for a handshake. “Bowling, are you?” he asks with a deep voice. I nod in affirmation. “We just finished a game, sir,” I reply.

Commissioner Hanks adjusts his coat and lets out a hearty laugh. “Oh, Cain, please call me Alastair,” he says warmly.

“Helena, This is Cain, the police sergeant,” Alastair introduces me as he gestures towards Tessie and me. “I believe you”ve met him before at some of our charity events. And this beautiful young lady next to him, I”m guessing, is his new partner,” he adds with a smile.

I remember meeting Helena in the past. She’s a charming woman with dark red hair with hints of grey and a beauty mark just above her lip. Despite the signs of aging, her beauty still shines through. You can tell she was beautiful in her younger years. Helena greets me warmly and turns her attention to Tessie. “May I ask what your name is, dear?” she inquires with a friendly smile.

Tessie extends her arm towards Helena in a friendly gesture, ready to introduce herself. “My name is Tessie,” she says with a warm smile.

Helena reciprocates the gesture by shaking Tessie”s hand and replies, “It”s lovely to meet you, Tessie. I am Helena.” While the women converse, Alastair takes me to the side, away from their conversation. He starts talking about work, but my attention wanders as I only pretend to listen by nodding occasionally. I overhear Helena”s voice, “It”s so nice to see Cain finally settle down.”

Alastair continues to prattle on and I feign interest by occasionally muttering a noncommittal, “Yeah.” Amidst his incessant chatter, I overhear Helena”s voice again, “You are such a pretty little thing, too. You are a perfect match. Are you coming to the benefit we are holding at the weekend?” Her voice is smooth and refined, dripping with an accent that oozes sophistication. Without missing a beat, she turns to Alastair and exclaims, “Darling! Have you invited Cain to the benefit this weekend?”

Alastair”s response is filled with annoyance. “I was about to, Helena.”

“Me and Helena are holding a charity event this weekend and we would be delighted if you and Tessie could come,” he says, Helena approaches me with Tessie in tow.

I let my eyes wander aimlessly for a moment, unsure of how to respond.

“Oh, please come.” Helena implores in her posh voice.

I glance at Tessie and she nods her head. “Yeah, we can make it,” I say, although I am not looking forward to it.

Helena claps her hands together in delight, thrilled that we have accepted her invitation.

Alastair takes Helena”s hand and says, “Brilliant. We will see you at the benefit then. Have a lovely week. It was nice to meet you, Tessie.” After bidding farewell to Alastair, I take Tessie”s hand and step outside to my Jeep.

We get into the car and I ask Tessie if she wants to go to the benefit. I tell her I can always make an excuse if she doesn”t. “I want to go, it will be nice,” she replies as she settles into her seat.

Once inside the car, I lean in and gently kiss her. “Ok, but I think you are forgetting something, though, princess,” I say with a playful smirk.

Confused, Tessie looks at me, waiting for me to explain. “I won the bowling game,” I remind her, raising my eyebrows.

She bites her lip, realizing her mistake. “You did. We better go to that hill then…” she says seductively.

Nate and I make our way into the store and I can”t help but notice the curious glances of a few ladies in the aisle as they whisper and giggle. I catch the eye of one of them, who winks at Nate. With his baseball cap and flannel shirt, Nate looks quite attractive. Despite the attention, we continue through the store, focusing on our task at hand.

Nate and I stand in front of the meat fridge, contemplating what to grab for dinner. We hear the soft hum of the refrigeration unit and the faint buzz of the store”s fluorescent lights. Nate turns to me and asks, “Tessie will like burgers, right?” I ponder for a moment and reply, “I think so. Although, she might not be hungry since she and Cain went out for a picnic.” We grab a pack of burgers and buns, continuing down the aisle.

Nate still seems puzzled. He says, “You know, I”m still shocked. Cain has never done anything like that before he told me he was going to take her bowling.” I smirk and shrug.

We turn the corner and realize we”re in the ladies” aisle, surrounded by period pads and tampons. Suddenly, an idea pops into my head. “Dude, what if we put together a box for Tessie? I”ve seen them online.” Nate looks at me, confused. “What box?” he asks. “A period box. So when her monthly comes along, she will have everything she needs, like pads and chocolate,” I explain.

As we both gaze at the shelves, I can”t help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of period items on display. Nate seems to be feeling the same way as he mouths out an uneasy, “Uhh.” I scan the various boxes labeled with vague phrases like heavy flow and light flow. I can feel my anxiety rising as I try to make a decision. Nate and I exchange a worried glance, both of us unsure of what to choose from the endless options.

“We can get one of everything,” I propose.

Nate stops picking up items and asks, “What are feminine wipes?”

I pause for a moment, then reply, “I”m not sure, but let”s grab them just in case. We”ll also need to get her some chocolate, a hot water bottle, and painkillers.”

We pay for all the items, getting a strange look from the cashier.

Stepping out of the store, our hands are full of every type of period product available on the shelves. We approach Nate”s truck parked right outside. As we settle in, I can”t help but comment on the exorbitant prices of female products in the market. “It”s been ages since I”ve lived with women,” I say, yearning for a sense of familiarity.

Nate takes a deep drag from his cigarette, then rolls down his window to let the smoke out. He nods in agreement, “Yeah, period products are pricey. And honestly, I didn’t grow up with a sister…” Suddenly, Nate”s voice trails off, and he apologizes, “Shit, sorry, dude. I forgot.”

I place my hands on my knees and take a deep breath. The air inside the vehicle is thick with tension and silence. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. After a few moments of awkwardness, I speak up. “It”s cool, dude,” I say.

For a moment, the silence remains unbroken. Nate keeps his eyes fixed on the road ahead, but then he turns to me, his expression softening.

“I told Tessie what happened,” I continue, my voice barely above a whisper.

Nate”s eyes widened in surprise and he quickly looks back at the road. After a moment, he speaks up. “That took a lot of courage, man,” he says, his voice filled with respect. “Speaking about that–”

“I told her about the gardener,” I say, sheepishly looking around the truck. Nate”s expression turns to surprise as he processes what I just said.

“I think we found a good one,” I continue, trying to reassure him. “She seemed unfazed by what I had done to him.”

Nate finishes smoking his cigarette, sending it out the window with a careless flick of his wrist. He takes a deep breath of the crisp air and turns to me with a smirk.

“If she”s stuck around this long, she must be a keeper,” he says, his voice laced with amusement.

I chuckle. “We just need to make sure she never wants to leave.”

Nate nods in agreement, “She”ll be so locked up she won”t even have a chance to think about leaving.” We both share a laugh at the thought.

The dim moonlight cascades over the Jeep as the golden sun dips below the horizon. I find myself nestled onto Cain”s lap in the backseat, our lips kissing passionately as our bodies generate heat and intensity making the car”s windows fog.

Cain whispers in between intense kisses, “I’m going to fuck you so brutally. I will put everything into it and you”ll be screaming my name before the night ends.” His eyes lock with mine and I can feel the heat emanating from his body as he pulls me closer.

Cain starts to unbutton my jeans and the tension in the car becomes palpable. Our breaths begin to quicken when suddenly, my phone starts ringing, breaking the charged atmosphere. I glance at the screen and notice that it”s my brother calling.

I let out an exasperated sigh and mutter, “Ugh...Timmy.”

I jump off Cain”s lap, pick it up, and answer casually, ”What”s up, Timmy?” However, Timmy sounds worried and asks if I can come and help him. I let out a sigh, but I can’t ignore a call for help from my brother. I tell him I am on my way and hang up the phone. I turn to Cain. “Raincheck, I”m sorry. My brother needs me.” Cain understands and jumps up from the backseat, rushing to the driver”s seat of his car.

As we approachmy mother”s house, my eyes catch my brother sitting on a garden chair outside, lost in a cloud of smoke. As our Jeep pulls up, he stands and looks in our direction. I”m about to jump out of the car, but my Cain stops me and says, “Wait, Tessie.”

I don”t listen and I rush towards my brother. “What”s up, Timmy?” My brother seems restless and paces back and forth, his eyes scanning Cain, standing behind me.

“Who”s he?” Timmy asks, his tone is inquisitive and his gaze fixed on Cain.

“Timmy, this is Cain. Anyway, what”s up?” I respond, trying to divert his attention and bring the focus back to our visit”s purpose.

Timmy takes the last drag of his cigarette. Carelessly, he throws it on the ground, crushing it with his shoe. I study him cautiously, noticing his messy brown hair and dirt-stained hoodie and jeans. He looks like a crackhead. I feel ashamed, knowing that Cain is seeing my unkempt brother.

Timmy pulls me aside, away from Cain”s view. “Do you have fifty dollars That I can borrow?” he whispers in a low voice.

I roll my eyes in disbelief. “What? Seriously, Timmy? You said you needed my help,” I reply in a firm tone.

“I do need your help,” he insists. “I need the money to buy some food.”

Without a second thought, I dash into the house with Timmy shouting my name in the background. I head straight to the freezer, where I discover it”s brimming with food.

“YOU LIAR!” I bellow at Timmy, feeling a surge of anger inside me.

Timmy steps into the house as Cain trails behind him and positions himself near the front door. “Uh…uh–” Timmy stutters, clearly nervous about something. Sensing that there may be trouble, I confront him angrily. “You want the money for drugs,” I say in a stern tone. Timmy moves closer to me and I look up at him, trying to gauge his intentions. “It”s only fifty bucks,” he says dismissively. “Stop being a bitch, I”ll pay you back.” I wave my hand in frustration and reply, “I”m not going to feed my little brother”s drug addiction.”

I stand there, my heart racing with anger and frustration. I can see Cain”s expression change as my brother calls me a bitch. Despite this, Cain chooses to remain neutral and doesn”t get involved. Meanwhile, Timmy steps closer to me and speaks in a hostile tone, “It”s not an addiction! You”re a bitch, Tessie.”

I refuse to give Timmy the money and try to walk past him, but he grabs my shoulder tightly. Suddenly, Cain rushes towards us and intervenes, saying, “Whoa, don”t think so, buddy.” Timmy immediately lets go of my shoulder as Cain stands between us. “Tell your dog to back off, Tessie,” Timmy shouts at me, but I am relieved to have Cain there to protect me.

Tears well up in my eyes as I confront Timmy. “Look at you, Timmy. I don”t even know who you are anymore.”

Timmy hesitantly steps forward, but Cain”s presence remains a deterrent. Timmy’s expression is remorseful, but Cain stands between us, his eyebrow cocked in warning.

“Just please lend me fifty dollars,” Timmy begs. His desperation is palpable.

“No, Timmy,” I say firmly, my resolve unwavering. I turn and leave the house, Cain following silently behind me.

Timmy”s hurt turns to anger and he shouts after us, “YOU FUCKING CUNT!” The words are like a knife in my heart, but I know I can”t give in.

Cain and I hop into his Jeep and the engine roars as we drive away. We make our way down the road and I can”t hold back my tears any longer. “I”m so sorry you had to witness that, Cain,” I sob. “He never used to act that way.”

Cain swiftly pulls over to the side of the road and turns off the engine. His eyes fill with compassion as he turns to me and takes me into his arms. “Shhh,” he whispers soothingly. ”It”s ok. Let it out.” He gently kisses my forehead and I feel a sense of comfort wash over me. “Let”s get you home, ok?” he says as he starts the car again, continuing on our way.

I stepinside the house with tears streaming down my face. Mike rushes towards me, his concern etched on his face. “Whoa! Whoa! What happened?” He gently places his hands on my shoulder and glances at Cain, who is standing a few feet away.

Trying to compose myself, I wipe my tears away and reply, “It”s nothing, just a disagreement with my brother.”

Mike pulls me into a warm embrace, resting his chin on my head, as Nate quietly approaches from behind.

“Anything we need to sort out?” Nate inquires, his tone laced with concern.

Cain responds bluntly, “No.”

I pull away from Mike”s embrace and gently kiss his cheek. “I think I”ll go take a bath,” I whisper, my voice shaking slightly.

When I step into my bedroom, I glance around and notice a massive box sitting on my bed. Curiosity strikes and I approach it, wondering what it might contain. As I open it, I”m taken aback by the sight of every period product imaginable: pads, tampons, liners, chocolate, hot water bottles, painkillers—you name it—it”s all there. I can”t help but mutter, ”What the—” in disbelief at the sheer amount of products before me.

I make my way into the lounge, and as I look around, I can see the trio sitting comfortably on the sofa. I can”t help but giggle. “What”s the box about?” I ask curiously.

Without hesitation, Nate stands up and approaches me. “We know that you will get umm…” he trails off, struggling to find the right words.

“Periods,” I finish his sentence for him, not wanting him to feel embarrassed.

“Exactly.” He nods. “We just wanted to make sure that you”re prepared.” I can”t help but feel touched by their thoughtfulness. Seeing them put together a period box for me is heartwarming. Their gestures makes me like them even more.

Cain stands up and walks toward the bedroom. A few moments later, he exclaims loudly, “Jesus, how many period products do you think she needs?” His tone is laced with amusement as he walks back into the lounge, shaking his head and laughing heartily.

I express my gratitude. I wrap my arms around Nate for a quick hug. However, before I can fully embrace him, Nate playfully slaps my ass, making me jolt in surprise. As I turn to walk away, I can feel the gaze of everyone in the room upon me. I retreat to the sanctuary of the bathroom.

I sink into the bathtub, enveloped by the luxurious bubbles that caress my skin. The warm water embraces me, easing away the tension in my muscles. Suddenly, a faint tapping echoes through the bathroom. I turn my head to see Nate peeking in through the partially opened door, his curious eyes fixed on me.

Nate comfortably sits on the tiled floor next to the bathtub. A smile spreads across my face and we exchange a silent greeting. Our eyes lock and a moment of understanding passes between us without either of us needing to say a single word.

He slides his hand into the warm water, creating a mesmerizing swirl. Without a word, he reaches for a nearby jug, fills it with water, and tilts it, letting the water stream down my back. The sensation of the droplets hitting my skin brings a moment of tranquil stillness as we both stare at each other, lost in thought.

He sits on the bathtub”s edge, leans toward me, and kisses my lips. I can feel his warmth and tenderness as I place my wet hand on his face, savoring the moment of intimacy and connection between us. His soft lips and gentle touch make my heart flutter.

He picks up a soft sponge and dips it into the warm bath water. He starts to clean my body with gentle strokes and I can hear the soothing sound of water flowing through the sponge. Occasionally, a drop of water falls from the tap into the sink, creating a rhythmic pattern that blends with the sound of washing.

I gaze up at him, captivated by his piercing blue eyes. I reach out to him and gently brush his tousled hair out of his face, feeling the dampness of my touch on his forehead.

Nate”s hand dips deeper into the water and I open my legs for him. His fingers gently caress my clit. A soft whimper escapes my lips as the relief overwhelms me.

The sound of the water splashing in the background creates a serene atmosphere. Our eyes lock in an intense gaze as if we are communicating a thousand words without saying a single one.

Under the soothing ripples of the water, I can’t help but let out a soft moan as he massages my clit. It”s as if he has a secret touch, a magical ability to make me want to orgasm so quickly.

An orgasm is pending; I feel it is building up.

As he speeds up his motion, water droplets splash onto my face. The way he”s massaging my clit is genuinely amazing; I can feel the tension and stress melting away with every stroke.

His fingers move in a rapid motion over my clit and I throw my head back and bite my lip.

I muster the courage to break the eerie silence that surrounds us. With a hushed voice, I whisper, “I”m coming, baby,” my heart pounding in my chest.

My lungs heave for air as I reach out and clutch Nate”s forearm beneath the water”s surface. The sensation of his fingers rubbing my clit is simply divine, sending shivers up my spine. A soft chuckle escapes his lips as he notices my reaction.