I warred with myself over pretending it never happened versus telling Kline the truth. But then I started remembering the many conversations I’d had with Ruck. My openness. My flirtation. Questions and commentary about anal.
Jesus. I cringed in embarrassment. The mere idea of talking to Kline about it had my stomach clenching in discomfort.
I just wanted to leave the whole Ruck and Rose debacle in the past. Truth be told, if I could’ve paid someone to bury it in a shallow grave somewhere in the depths of the Pinelands along with my stay at Masturbation Camp, I sure as fuck would’ve done it. Not that I knew anything about that sort of thing.
I sighed. “Could this be any weirder of a situation?”
“Well,” she said, deadpan. “Considering he had foreskin, Wally sure put a weird spin on the old phrase ‘Taking ol’ one-eye to the optometrist.’”
“Old phrase?” I snorted. “I didn’t even know that was a phrase.”
“Savannah would be so ashamed of you right now,” she teased.
That spurred a few giggles from my lips.
“Hey, I hate to do this, but I gotta scoot or I’m going to be late for my shoot,” she updated. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks, Cass. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Probably live a horribly miserable life trying to find your own way out of your crazy-ass situations.”
“So true,” I agreed, smiling.
After we hung up, I was so damn exhausted from the roller coaster of emotions that I stayed in the bathtub until I drifted off to sleep.
A throat being cleared startled me awake.
“Fully clothed, bathtub nap?” Kline asked, squatting down beside the tub.
“Would you like to join me?” I grinned and scooted over.
He didn’t hesitate, squishing his large frame beside me and wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“Fix my dad’s car?” I asked, resting my head on his chest.
“Yeah. Pretty sure your dad thinks I’m a mechanic now, but honestly, it was an easy fix.” His fingers found their way into my hair, running through the strands so softly I nearly purred.
“I think my dad is falling in love with you. He might propose marriage before we leave.”
“Don’t worry, baby. I won’t let your dad steal me from you.”
I laughed. “I’m not sure we’re going to be able to fit that giant head of yours out of this house.”
He wrapped both arms tightly around my body and slid farther into the middle of the tub, forcing me to lie on top of him. “There, that’s much better.”
“You’re too damn big.” I nodded toward his feet that were hanging over the edge.
“I thought we already figured this out, Benny. I might be Big-dicked Brooks, but your perfect, tight—”
I clamped my hand over his mouth, laughing.
He licked my palm, waggling his eyebrows.
“Gross,” I scoffed, feigning disgust and wiping his spit on his own shirt.
He chuckled a few times and then his eyes turned soft and he brushed a few strands of hair out of my face. “I’m glad you brought me this weekend. I had fun meeting your parents.”
I rubbed my nose against his. “Thanks for coming with me and being such a good sport. My mom and dad can be a little overwhelming.”
“Your dad is a riot.”
“He really likes you.” I grinned. “That’s huge, by the way. Dick doesn’t like anyone.”
“After you left the garage, your dad and I had an interesting conversation.”
“What was it about?”
“I’ll tell you, but you have to promise not to freak out or get embarrassed.”
“I’m not sure I like where this is headed.” My nose scrunched up in skepticism.
His index finger tapped my nose. “Just promise.”
“Fine. I promise.”
“Your dad asked me for a few tips.”
“Car tips?”
Kline shook his head.
“I don’t get it. What kind of tips?”
His eyes creased with amusement.
My jaw dropped to his chest. “Oh God,” I whined. “Please tell me what I’m thinking you’re about to say is not what happened.”
“Apparently, your mother encouraged him to talk to me about sex, particularly two-minute orgasms. I’ll be honest, I have no idea why your mom thought I knew anything about that.”
I shut my eyes and buried my face in his chest. “She heard us last night.”
“What?”
“Well, she heard me last night.”
“Oh, shit,” he said before quiet laughter started vibrating his body.
I rested my chin on his chest, glaring at him. “Thanks a lot, asshole. You and your Jedi sex tricks had me screaming like a lunatic while my parents were two doors down.”