Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card (Jessie and Luke)

TIME WAITS FOR NOBODY 1 YEAR LATER JOSH

I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand, my muscles aching in that satisfying way after a solid practice session. The locker room smelled like sweat and stale air, but I barely noticed anymore. Football had a way of dulling your senses to the stuff that didn't matter.

What did matter, though, was the message lighting up my phone screen.

Jess: Of course! Asha would love it. It's such a great experience for them! Relief washed over me.

Asha was going on that survival camp trip with her niece and nephew, something that promised to be "an unforgettable adventure in nature," or whatever the hell their marketing had said. No parents allowed-just kids learning how to build fires, navigate trails, and probably complain about bugs for a solid week. Jess had assured me that they'd have trackers and that if anything went wrong, they'd call. I had my doubts about a 3-year-old in nature but they have amazing reviews and it's more like glamping so the parents could have two weeks off.

I trusted Jess. I did.

And that meant I could take Vivien on this damn vacation

0.00%

III

10.05

TIME WAITS FOR NOBODY

288 Vouchers

without worrying about my daughter every second of the day.

I ran a hand through my damp hair and exhaled slowly, shoving my phone back in my locker. It had been a year. A whole damn year of therapy, of learning how to deal with my shit instead of burying it under work, of figuring out how to be a better father and an actual partner instead of a walking storm cloud. Vivien had been patient-so fucking patient-and she deserved this.

Two weeks. Just us. No distractions, no football, no responsibilities. Just time.

I got dressed quickly, pulling on a hoodie and jeans before grabbing my phone again. I hit Vivien's contact and brought it to my ear as I walked toward the parking lot.

She answered on the second ring. "Hey, you."

"Hey," I said, already feeling lighter just hearing her voice. "Good news-I got Asha's trip confirmed. She's going with Jess and the kids."

"That's amazing," Vivien said, and I could hear the smile in her voice. "That means..."

"That means next week, we're gonna be on a beach somewhere."

She let out a happy little sound that made my chest warm. "No cell reception?"

"None," I confirmed, unlocking my car. "Just sand, water, and whatever fruity drinks you force me to try."

"Good," she teased. "You need a vacation more than anyone I

38.42%

10:05

81.59%

TIME WAITS FOR NOBODY

288 Vouchers

know."

I chuckled, but then her voice softened. "Did you think about the other thing?"

My stomach tightened. I hesitated for a second too long.

"Josh?"

Fuck. I hadn't thought about it.

I cleared my throat. "When we get back," I said, my voice gruffer than I intended. "I promise."

She was quiet for a moment, and then she sighed, not pushing me. "Okay."

I exhaled, gripping the steering wheel as I sat down in my car.

I wanted this vacation to be perfect. I wanted it to be everything she deserved.

I just hoped I wouldn't fuck it up.noveldrama

r