Chapter 4 #2
“Wanna talk about it?” I wasn’t stupid. I knew the likely cause of his sleepless nights.
It had been years since Bodhi saw action, but he was still military.
Even when he’d been promoted to drill instructor and assigned to Parris Island, that didn’t mean any of the trauma he experienced went away.
And then there was the reason he’d decided to resign his commission last year and come home.
He never talked about it, though I was pretty sure at least Dad knew, and even after all this time, he’d never told the rest of us.
But I knew my brother, even though I’d only been fourteen when he’d joined up. I knew something big had to have happened for him to suddenly leave. Bodhi had all the makings of a lifer, and yet he’d only served fifteen years.
“Not really. It’s nothing new.”
“Okay.” I pulled out a chair and sat beside him, trying to look relaxed even if I didn’t feel it. Still, I couldn’t help but ask, “You’re still in therapy, right?”
He scowled then, but I could tell he didn’t really mean it. It was his “I’m the big brother, I’m in charge” scowl. He’d been deploying it on us younger siblings our whole lives.
“Yes, Dr. Harrington. I still speak to my therapist on a monthly basis.”
I laughed then, keeping it soft and quiet. I grabbed his arm and squeezed. “I can’t help but worry, Bode. You’re my big brother. We all know something happened. As long as you’re talking to someone, I don’t care who it is.”
“Speaking of being a big brother,” he said, clearly changing the subject. “What are you doing with Ville?”
I leveled him with a look. “And how is that any of your business?”
“It’s not. As long as you’re being careful.” His look was pointed. Then he shook his head. “I don’t know. There’s something about that guy. The way he looks at me… like he’s pissed at me for some reason. I barely even know him.”
“Which is a shame when you think about it really. He’s the head of security for your best friend. He and Wren are close. You’d think you’d know him better.” I hesitated a second, wondering if I should bring it up, then decided to dive in. “Have you talked to Wren lately?”
“We text.”
“Mhmm. And have you told him you’re out and home?”
Bodhi focused his gaze on the middle distance and didn’t answer. Which was an answer in and of itself.
I sighed. “Bodhi, you should tell him. He’d want to know.”
“He’s writing a new album. Then he has the tour. He doesn’t need to worry about me.”
It was said with such finality that I knew it was pointless to try and argue.
When Wren showed up for the wedding at the end of June, he was going to be pissed that Bodhi hadn’t told him.
There was going to be an explosion of epic proportions.
One of the reasons Wren was so good at what he did, why he had millions of fans and sold-out concerts, was because of his passion.
Unless Ville told him first. Which, come to think of it, had probably already happened.
Ville wouldn’t have kept the info from Wren.
Which meant our country music star would have weeks to plan his revenge.
I shook my head. Revenge wasn’t the right word.
Wren wasn’t like that. But he’d have plenty of time to stew and he was going to make Bodhi sorry he’d ever kept the secret.
That thought was enough to ease my worries. They’d work it out in the end. I stood, then pushed my chair in.
“I’m going to try to sleep for a couple more hours before the family descends for breakfast.”
Bodhi scrunched up his nose. “Take a shower first. You smell like sex.”
I flipped him off, which made both of us laugh. Then I leaned over and kissed the side of his head. “You going to try to sleep more, too?”
Bodhi blew out a breath. “Nah. I’m up now.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to offer to prescribe him a sleeping aid, even though that skirted the line of what was ethical.
I could be objective and level-headed when it came to my family, but it was better all around if they saw a different provider.
Since I knew Bodhi wouldn’t, I decided to leave it for now.
He was doing the best he could, given his circumstances, even though I didn’t agree with his choice when it came to Wren. Bodhi could make his own decisions and I had to let him do it.
Upstairs in my room, I tossed my briefs in the trash, then darted naked across the hall into the bathroom.
I hated to wash Ville away, but I’d be crusty if I didn’t.
My breath hitched as I stepped into the shower, my ass reminding me exactly of what we had done.
Hopefully a hot shower and a few more hours of rest would mitigate most of that.
If I was walking with a limp, people were going to notice.
And it’s not like I could blame it on a horse.
Everyone would know that hadn’t been what I’d ridden.
I smirked and washed myself carefully. I was definitely tender and a little puffy, but that wouldn’t last long. It wouldn’t be long until I was used to taking Ville’s thick cock on the regular. My body was already craving next time.
I was going to miss him when he was gone again.