Perfectly Toxic (Sterling Shore 9)

“And a baby store exploded in here.”

He grunts something before shaking his head.

“It’s the dreaded adjustment period, and Fall doesn’t like to sleep,” he explains.

“And your wife?” I muse.

“Is taking her turn getting in a nap. I just woke up a few minutes ago and took over so she could get some sleep. We’re both running on empty right now. But Melanie and Ray are coming over tonight to help out.”

I just nod, surveying the home. Once upon a time, Tag was cleaning up parties the way I am. Now he’s juggling two kids on a shift.

I feel sorry for him.

“What’s up? Did you need something?” he asks me.

I shake my head, deciding he has too much on his plate to go golfing or something.

“Nah. Just stopping in to check on things.”

Guilt hits me when he smiles like he appreciates that.

“Thanks, man,” he says, digging that guilt a little deeper into me. “It’s actually not so bad. I think Trip just spoiled us because he’d sleep for hours at a time without waking up. Fall, however, sleeps about thirty minutes at a time. They keep telling us she’ll get better and sleep longer though.”

Trip peers up at me with wide, curious eyes, and his hands tighten on his dad’s leg when his gaze meets mine. Smirking, I look over at Fall, who is sucking a pacifier like it’s the greatest invention ever.

“And she doesn’t like to be put down,” Tag goes on, sighing with exasperation, but then a smile lights up his face when he looks down at her.

“Well, alright then. I’d offer to help you out, but…” I let the words trail off, and we both start laughing.

“Thanks. I get it. I’ve been you before.”

Shrugging, I clap him on the shoulder as we say goodbye, and I let myself out.

All of my friends have lives, and I’m still trying to catch up. I just wish Bella was in the same place I am, because then I wouldn’t have to deal with her being pissed at me while I play catch up.

Chapter 47

BELLA

My phone is dead, and quite frankly, so am I.

Work was brutal, and I almost got into a fight. Almost. Yep, I chastised Ethan for getting drunk and punching someone, yet I almost knocked a girl out while I was sober. Sheesh.

I need a break.

I also need something else… And I’m not calling Ethan to get it. He can grovel for a minute to make up for his assholish texting. This is supposed to be a relationship, not a freaking booty call arrangement.

At least, I think it’s supposed to be a relationship.

Water drips on top of my head, and I curse as I look up, noticing my ceiling has a huge wet spot on it. What the hell? It hasn’t rained in days.

There’s a puddle on my floor, and a wet spot on my roof. It’s a one-story home, so it’s not like there’s an upstairs bathroom.

Groaning, I toss a pan under the drip, deciding I need that release more than ever before I deal with that mess.

Sliding under the covers, I turn on my Magic Wand, picturing Ethan’s body over mine as he takes his time torturing me with his hands and mouth. The second the vibrations hit the right spot, I keep it there, not wasting anytime to hurdle myself toward the finish line as I put that Jacob’s ladder image to work.

But… The fucking thing dies right before I orgasm, and I curse and groan and beg it to work. I haven’t replaced the cord that psychotic cat chewed up, so I can’t charge it.