Chapter 26
26
[Judd]
“ E nough.” Genie’s soft command pulls me from my head, and I press a kiss to her center. Then I glance up at her from my position on my knees.
What am I doing? I wasted another night. One where I could have had her on my couch, cuddled under my arm, or in my bed, snuggled up against me. We could have had time together, like we’d spent gardening for two days, but as the clock ticked closer to Saturday evening, I felt like a beast inside me wanted to be released.
Then that creature couldn’t be contained in the ring. My thoughts kept drifting to Genie. What was she doing? What was she thinking? Was she worrying? Was she angry?
We hadn’t fought directly, but a shift happened, and I didn’t know how to shift back.
For the moment, all feels right again. Genie staring down at me, those expressive eyes sated. The fire in them more of a smoldering gleam.
Picking her up like I did the other night, she wraps herself around me, like a bear cub in a pine tree.
Then she lifts her head. “Your side.”
“Feels nothing.” It’s a lie. My lower abdomen is screaming. My opponent got me good tonight. I also have a no face policy, not wanting my family to visibly see what I’m doing, and yet tonight, my opposition got me in the cheek.
The blistering punch was a reminder of my father’s from decades ago.
And yet all I could think about was Genie. She wouldn’t like the mark. She’d be concerned for me.
Genie wiggles in my arms, forcing me to set her down.
“Come to bed with me?” She’d been in the guest room, but I don’t want her sleeping in there. I don’t want her sleeping anywhere except with me.
She nods and I take her hand, leading her to my bedroom, envisioning us doing this every night. Going to bed together. Sharing the nights together. Being here for each other.
Which I can’t do if I’m not present. If I’m off fighting. I want to argue that she’s wrong. I do need the fight. The thrill. The relief.
But she’s just drained me in a new way, and I’m reminded once more that I have something good at the tip of my fingers. I don’t want to waste it, and I only have a few days left to convince Genie to stay longer.
My wish? Eternity for Genie and me.
I lead Genie directly to the shower, pulling her in behind me and turning on the spray. She squeals at the initial rush of cold water.
“What are you doing?” Then she laughs. Deep and rich, and full of glee. She’s so bright and vivid. My firefly.
Her spark is leading me out of the darkness, and I need to keep following her lead.
As the water heats, I slip off her night dress and then remove my shirt. I don’t want to fuck her. I just want to hold her. Chest to chest. Cheek to cheek. Bare skin to bare skin.
So once my pants are removed, and we’re both naked, I pull Genie in for a hug, and then just hold her as the shower heats our flesh.
And my heart feels like it’s melting, moving from a cold state of numbness to the low heat of a springtime campfire.
This feels like love.
In the morning, I leave Genie in bed as she slept fitfully. I couldn’t imagine what kept her shifting and rustling within my bed, but I clung to her until she clung to me.
When she rushes into the great room, while I’m preparing a cup of coffee in the kitchen, she startles me. “Hey.”
“Hi.” I smile wider than I think I ever have and adjust my glasses. I don’t typically wear them but today my eye socket is screaming.
Genie looks extra adorable, especially as her hair has a lump on one side. The other side is more limp. She went to bed with wet hair. My bed.
She stills and toys with the hem of the T-shirt I slipped over her head last night. The same Seed & Soil one I continue to put on her, liking how she looks in my things.
“So, today is Mother’s Day.”
“Oh.” In the recesses of my mind, I’m certain I knew the date. Second Sunday in May. This weekend is also officially planting season, and why I’ve had Genie helping me the past two days.
So, yes, on some level I know the date, but I typically try to ignore it. I don’t have a mother to celebrate, and while I could meet my family for an annual remember-Mom celebration, I find them too painful to attend.
“My mom has asked me to meet her for brunch.”
My brows pinch. “Okay.” I pause a beat. “I hadn’t known you were in contact with your mom.” After last weekend’s hang up, I’d hoped Genie hadn’t had any other interaction with her mother.
Genie shrugs. “She left me a message.” She glances to the wall of windows. “More like a demand.”
“All the more reason not to attend.” The instant I say the words, I sense my error.
Genie turns her head back toward me. Her eyes are soft, sad even. “She’s still my mom.”
And Janet Hurley treats her daughter like shit, but I don’t comment. Biting my tongue is hard, though. I know all too well about never speaking up. Never fighting back. Genie has a backbone in every other aspect, but her mother makes her believe that she’s weak.
The similarities to how my father made me feel are all too familiar and the last thing I want for my brave, strong girl. Genie comes across like she knows her own worth, but has this one sliver of hesitation, and I don’t want her to ever doubt herself. She’s beautiful, capable, powerful.
“Okay,” I whisper, acquiescing, understanding again that struggle to appease someone you despise.
“Would you . . .” Genie licks her lips and glances down at the hem of the tee. “Would you come with me?”
My eyes widen as surprise and elation wrap around me. “You want me to be there for you?” Because that’s what she’s essentially asking and I’m all for supporting her. “Heck yes.”
She giggles. “You mean, check yes.”
“That too, firefly.” I set the coffee mug on the countertop and step around the island to pull her to me.
Last night feels like lightyears away, and yet I know I was a bit aggressive with her. Eager to please her.
“You okay today?”
She tips back her head and looks up at me. “Yeah. Think you can wear these glasses later today and we can play dirty accountant and naughty secretary. I could play with your calculator.”
I laugh a little harder, squeezing her tighter. “Fuck. You into role playing?”
“I could be with those glasses on you.”
I shake my head before resting my forehead against hers.
“But seriously, thank you in advance for doing this today.”
“Whatever you wish, Genie.” I kiss the tip of her nose but then she leans up to kiss me, and with that kind of morning greeting, I’ll never deny her anything.
Even brunch with her wicked mother.
Or wearing my glasses while she pretends to be my naughty secretary.
When we arrive at Evergreen Terrace, a sickening sensation in my belly rears, and it isn’t the ache in my lower left abdomen screaming in warning.
Being here has bad idea written all over it, but I’m present for Genie.
The first hit comes when the hostess recognizes me when Genie and I enter the lobby. “Mr. Sylver, great to see you again.”
At the recognition of my name, Genie bristles beside me, perhaps knowing who I’ve been here with before, and I run my hand up her spine, cupping the back of her neck.
“The Remingtons are already seated. May I lead you to their table?” The young girl’s smile is friendly, her intention well-meaning.
“Actually.” Genie clears her throat. “We’re here for brunch with Janet Hurley. My mother.”
“Oh.” The hostess glances between us. “Perfect. She’s seated with the Remingtons.”
“What?” Genie snaps, her mouth falling open.
What the fuck?
“Brunch was supposed to be a party of three,” Genie explains to the high school-aged girl. “My mother, Lester, and me.”
A fourth chair would have been easily added for me.
“She entered at the same time as the Remingtons, and they decided to be seated together. There’s space for another chair.” The hostess glances anxiously between Genie and me.
Everything in me says run. Hike Genie over my shoulder and just get out of here, but the gleam in Genie’s eyes was dim this morning, caught between anxiety and obligation. She wants to do right by a woman who doesn’t deserve her concern, and I remind myself I’m here for Genie.