leena
I unlock my door.It was hard to part ways with Decker, but I knew myself. Okay, maybe not just myself but him as well. If we went back to his place, this morning would happen again but on a bigger scale. Truth be told, it wouldn’t be Decker who asks for it or even starts it; nope, that would be me, the girl who doesn’t give herself away. Not that I’m a prude, but I am ridiculously selective on that front. Well, let’s say that side of me is gone when it comes to Decker; in fact, my inner slut emerges whenever I’m around him.
“Freaking answer your phone, Montana,” I grumble into my cell, needing to talk to my best friend, even if this is going to cost me a mint in international calling.
“Why the fuck are you calling me while you’re on vacation?” Yep, that’s Montana for you, blunt to a fault. She’s also breathless, and I’m no idiot. I’ve almost walked in on them and their escapades. I looked at the clock before calling them, and since it’s not after five, I’m sure Asa is with her. And if they’re at a jobsite office, there’s no telling what they’re doing right about now.
“Shut up and listen to me, but first, get the hell away from my brother.” She laughs, straight from the gut, pure happiness in the sound.
“Alright, alright. Asa, I’ll meet you at home.” I hear him mumble something about how she better leave within ten minutes or he’s coming back. “Yeah, yeah, I’m just taking this phone call with Leena, and then I’ll be right behind you.” I hear jostling, and then the phone must have been snatched away from Montana.
“Baby sister, why are you bothering my woman when all you’ve been complaining about is not answering or talking on the phone?” Fucking Asa. Yes, I love him, but I am not getting into this with him right now. He’ll be on the next flight out to come and scope Decker out, figure out one insignificant issue and deem him a useless waste of sperm. Yes, those are the words he’s used any time I so much as talk about a guy, even if it’s one from a magazine.
“That’s not your business. Put my best friend on the phone, or I’m going to insist that Tanner make Montana work in the main office with me instead of with you.” I go with something that will make him listen to me.
“You’re not being very nice to your favorite brother.” It’s hard not to laugh at his joke. It’s the epitome of a basic brother joke.
“I love you, but go away. I need Montana, unless you want to hear about Aunt Flo making an appearance and feeling like my vagina is about to fall out between my legs.” Extreme, I know, but I also know it’ll make him leave us alone for the ten minutes I need with his woman.
“Fuck. Gross. I’m thinking you got your point across. Love you, Leena. Here’s Montana.” He doesn’t even allow me to respond before Montana is back on the phone.
“Oh my God, I’ve never seen Asa move that quickly in my life. Remind me what you told him when you’re home. I’m praying to all the gods and goddesses that you’re calling because a man is involved and you’re finally giving up the goods?”
“Of course, that’s why I’m calling you! But if you tell my brother any of this conversation, you’re cut off from any other penis-related news.” I’m sitting on the patio, heels to my ass, head on my knees, taking in the view.
“Sisters before misters, always and forever. Now spill the tea.”
“Montana, I think I’m in trouble, and not in the bad way,” I hurry up to get out, so she doesn’t think the worst and come here herself. “In the way that I’m falling, fast, hard, and totally crazy. I’m worried that it’s one-sided, yet it doesn’t seem that way, so I’m sure that’s me being my normal self and overthinking every single detail to death.” I take a breath, letting her absorb my words .
“Wow, another Hart. Never would have thought it. You know this isn’t a bad thing. Let your hair down, see where things go, and honestly, get laid. It’s been, what, two years since you were with someone? It’s time for you to live your life, and if you fall in love along the way, that’s okay, too.” I listen, knowing she’s right. The same thoughts were in mine, too.
“You’re right. I think I’m going to be bold, not that I didn’t step out of my comfort zone already this morning, but holy shit, Montana. If you could have seen Decker, and yes, I know you’re with my brother, the end-all be-all, but your mouth would have hit the floor, too.” She makes a humming noise.
“Well, I think you need to go into detail, but maybe not too much.” I laugh. She knows Asa would lose his mind if I told her about my sex escapades. For the next fifteen minutes, I tell my best friend, my soul sister, what happened this morning, how much I’m really hoping to take things further, and the advice she gives me is, “Take a leap of faith. If you get hurt, we’ll be here to help you through it, but what if you don’t and you have what your parents have, what Tanner and Marlie, Keller and Alana, and your brother and I have? It’s worth it, Leena. Now, I love you, have fun, call or text me if you need to, but I don’t think you will.”
“You’re right. Love you, Montana.” We hang up the phone. My nerves are calmer than they were before, and I know that when tomorrow comes, I’m going to let whatever happens, happen.