Left (Left 1)

“Daddy? Livy?” Echo’s voice cries out. We jump apart.

“Take a minute, I got it.” I adjust my cock in my pants and go to see my daughter. Round one goes to me.

***

In a black bikini top and black shorts that hung low on her hips, Liv looks downright edible. I take a long draw of my bottleneck to quench the fire raging inside me. She’s my drug of choice. Tasting her lips and coaxing one orgasm from her, will never be enough. My sister, Neve pops a bottle of wine across the table, and they continue to chat.

My parents have the kids tonight, which gives me the incredibly rare evening solo.

“Do you have something you want to tell me, bro?” my brother, Braden asks.

“Like what?” I lean back in the lawn chair we’ve set out in the back. We don’t get together as much as I like. With Neve working a job as a pharmaceutical rep, and Braden in the Marines, it’s special when we can sync our schedules.

“That fact that you’re aware of the sexual tension that exists between you and your sexy as fuck best friend.”

I snicker. “Still harboring that crush, Brae?”

“Crush nothing. I have good taste. I’m relieved to find you do too. I wasn’t starting to worry about you there. It’s been a long time since you showed interest in the fairer sex.”

“You surprised about that?”

“No, but I do think it’s time you get back on the horse. And I approve of your choice. Only reason I never tried with her was because I knew you’d break my neck.”

“Damn straight I would. She’s been through enough. Last thing she needs is a pretty boy who’s only interested in getting into her panties.”

“And you're a choir boy?” he asks.

I scowl.

“Wow, the protectiveness has gone up too. Is this official?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I refuse to speak to my baby brother about things we’ve yet to work out between us.

“You sure about that. I don’t think you’ve taken your eyes off her all day.”

“Nothing to tell.”

“Yet you mean. The way she’s sneaking glances of her own, I’d say it’s just a matter of time.” Braden asks.

I shrug, feigning nonchalance, I don’t feel. We haven’t had a chance to talk about what happened last night. I’m not sure where she stands. She’s not giving me the cold shoulder, which is a plus. But she’s hard to read.

“It’s about time you saw what was right in front of you, old man.” Braeden bangs the side of his fist on my shoulder.

“Old man? You’re only three years younger than me,” I say.

“You’re the one turning forty in a few days.”

“Rub it in asshole,” I say.

“Why was the catalyst to this awareness?”

Next to Ollie, Braeden is my closest friend. I cave and decide to spill my guts.

“The kids came back home asking questions about families, moms, and why Liv couldn’t be their mom. It made me think, and her panic.”

“Why? She loves them like a mother would,” Braden says.

“She’s worried it’s detrimental to them.”