Chapter 13 The drive home was quiet, peaceful even, and I found myself comforted by the weight of Tripp's hand resting on my thigh. His touch was gentle, not demanding, but there was a certain intention in it. A silent reassurance that he still wanted to be close to me. I had told him earlier that I needed time, and I'd meant it. But now, sitting beside him in the darkened car, I felt that same pull. The urge to let him in, to stop holding him at a distance, settled firmly in my chest. I didn't want to keep pushing him away. Not anymore. I decided then that I wanted to let him close. To let him in the way he'd been waiting for. As we pulled into the driveway, I noticed the house was mostly dark. The lights were off, but the soft flicker of the TV glowed through the living room windows. Now that The Old was closed and they didn't have to wake up early to go to work, Dad and Odin stayed up much later. Tripp parked, and the three of us climbed out and made our way up the porch steps and into the house. Dad looked up from the couch as we entered, lifting one brow in mild curiosity. "Party over already?" he asked. "Uh, no," Dash answered, his tone casual. "We just didn't feel like sticking around." Dad nodded slightly, then asked, "What about Rhys and Ash?" "They're still there," Tripp replied. "I'm planning to go back and pick them up later." "Later?" Dad raised an eyebrow. "You think you'll be up for that?" Tripp gave a small shrug. "I told them I would. They won't get home otherwise. They're drinking." "I'll go get them," Dad offered. "I really don't mind, Dad," Tripp said, clearly meaning it. But Dad wasn't budging. "I'll go," he repeated, more firmly this time. There was no arguing after that. Tripp simply nodded in surrender. "Fine." I knew the real reason Dad wanted to be the one to go pick them up. It wasn't just about being helpful. He wanted to check in, to make sure the boys were behaving themselves. Honestly, he would've ended up showing up at the party one way or another. We were just lucky we'd slipped out before he had the chance. Not that he'd have caught me doing anything reckless. I'd kept my head on straight. But Rhys and Ashby? That was another story. They'd been drinking heavily, and now that we were gone, I could only imagine how much worse it had gotten. God, I didn't even want to think about what they might be up to now. Both of them were naturally flirty, and there had been no shortage of girls hanging around, eager for attention. I just hoped those girls understood exactly what kind of boys they were dealing with, and that Ashby and Rhys weren't the type to offer anything real or lasting. They weren't looking for love. They never were. Still, the thought of them with other girls stirred something sharp in me. Something uncomfortable and jealous. I didn't want to feel that way, but I couldn't help it. I didn't want them touching other girls. Didn't want them kissing them or smiling at them like that. I wanted them here with me. With us, where things felt safe and familiar, even if they were complicated. But deep down, I knew that if they were here, it would probably be too much for me. Too much to want and not be able to have. As for what might happen with Dash and Tripp later tonight, I wasn't sure. Everything felt uncertain. But one thing I did know: I wasn't going to bed alone. I could feel Dad's eyes on me then. "Can we talk to you for a second?" he asked. "Just you." That made me pause. My heart gave a single, slow thump. But I nodded. "Okay." Dash and Tripp watched me before they left the living room to head upstairs. I didn't look back at them and kept my eyes on Dad. "Are you doing okay, sweetheart? We've noticed you've been quiet lately," Dad started. "Not just tonight." I blinked, unsure what to say to that. "More distant," Uncle Odin added. "You seem...far away. Somewhere else in your head." I swallowed. "I'm fine." "Are you?" Dad tilted his head slightly, eyes steady. "It's okay if you're not." I looked down at my hands. "I'm just tired. That's all." He didn't push. That was the thing about Dad. He never pushed when he knew I needed space. But I also knew he didn't believe me. Not fully. "You sure nothing's going on?" Odin asked more gently than I expected. I looked up at him with a tight smile, meeting his gaze. "I'm okay. I promise." A long pause followed, but then Dad nodded and sighed. "All right. Just...if you ever want to talk, you know where to find us." "I know." Uncle Odin gave a small nod, then reached out his hand to squeeze mine. "Go on. Get some sleep." "I think I'm going to hang out with Dash and Tripp for a while," I said, not really sure why I even bothered mentioning it. It wasn't like they cared. Still, something in me felt the need to explain myself lately. Maybe out of guilt, or maybe just caution. Ever since things had turned intimate between me and my brothers and cousins, I'd become hyper-aware of everything around me. The walls of this house felt thinner, the air heavier. Every look, every movement, every sound seemed charged. The idea of sneaking around, of doing something so reckless while other people were nearby, still thrilled me. Just imagining it was enough to make my heart race. But I also knew better. Tempting as it was, I didn't want to risk it. I offered a quiet "Good night" and slipped out of the living room without waiting for a response. Upstairs in my room I changed into my pajama shorts and an oversized T-shirt, pulling my hair up into a loose bun. After quickly brushing my teeth and taking off my makeup, I padded down the stairs quietly and headed straight for the basement door. I hadn't heard the others walk downstairs yet, but Dash was already sitting on one of the couches wearing only his shorts. He smiled at me and casually draped one arm over the back of the couch, wordlessly inviting me to come closer. I took the hint and curled up beside him, tucking my legs underneath me as I turned slightly toward his body. The moment I looked at him, I realized just how close we were. Our eyes met, holding for a beat too long, and then, without a word, he leaned in and kissed me. It was soft and quick, unexpected but I let him. He didn't need to ask. Still, the suddenness of it caught me off guard. When he pulled back, his eyes searched mine with a calm, almost tender curiosity. "You okay?" he asked. I nodded, my heart beating just a little faster in my chest. "Yeah. You?" "Yeah." He gave a small nod. "What did they want to talk to you about?" He was clearly curious, and even if he hadn't been, I probably would've told him anyway. "They just asked if something was going on. Said I've been quieter lately." Dash's expression shifted slightly, his brows pulling together as he tried to work it out. Like he was wondering if he'd missed something or if our dads were just imagining things. "Have you?" "Been quieter?" I asked. He nodded. I gave a small shrug. "I don't think so. I mean...I feel different. But I didn't tell them that. I just said I've been tired." He let out a quiet hum and studied me for a moment before lifting his hand and brushing his thumb gently along my cheek. "I don't want you to worry," he said softly. "And I don't want you to ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable. If there's anything bothering you, you tell me. You're not in this alone." His words made my chest tighten. I pressed my lips together and gave him a small, strained smile, nodding slowly. "I know. Still..." "I get it, Lissy." His voice was warm and low, and he leaned in again, this time placing a kiss at the corner of my mouth. "But I don't want you to be scared. We've got you." I closed my eyes and drew in a slow breath. When his lips found mine again, I didn't hesitate. I leaned into him, letting the softness of the kiss ease me. Our mouths moved gently. He didn't seem the least bit nervous about the fact that Dad and Odin were upstairs. There were no footsteps creaking across the floor above us, and with that kind of silence, he didn't feel the need to hold back. His hand slid to the side of my neck, fingers brushing softly along my hairline before sinking into my hair. He was careful not to mess up the bun I had twisted up earlier. I tilted my head slightly, silently inviting him to deepen the kiss. His tongue moved into my mouth at an achingly slow pace. So slow it made my entire body soften. Dash had always been gentle with me, even long before things between us turned intimate. He was the one who held me when I came home from school overwhelmed or upset. He'd always been the one I could count on, and now, kissing him like this, the feeling only grew stronger. He made me feel safe. Special. It was hard to explain or grasp, but it filled me up completely. Suddenly, footsteps creaked on the wooden stairs leading to the basement. I pulled back quickly, creating a bit of space between us, heart skipping in panic. "Just me," Tripp said calmly, his eyes meeting mine as he reached the bottom step. He didn't look surprise or even mildly annoyed. There wasn't a hint of jealousy in his expression. Just quiet understanding, like he'd expected this and accepted it fully. Dash's hand stayed on my thigh, giving a soft, reassuring squeeze. A silent reminder that he was still here, still with me. Tripp was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. He walked over and settled beside me on the couch, leaning back comfortably with his hands resting on his thighs. His eyes flicked from me to Dash, then back to me again. "Come on then," he said. I blinked at him, confused. "What?" "Come here, Lissy." He tipped his chin downward, indicating his lap. That's when it clicked, but I didn't move right away. Even though my fingers itched to touch him, even though heat twisted low in my belly, I hesitated. "Still need time?" he asked. There was no edge in his tone, no trace of impatience. He was giving me the space I'd asked for, waiting without pressure. "No, I..." I paused, sucking in my bottom lip. His eyes dropped instantly, focused on it. "Been thinking about those lips since last night," he said, his voice low and rough. "I'd like a taste." Dash continued to stroke my thigh in steady, slow movements. His silent support grounded me. My heart was pounding so fast I could hear it in my ears. Tripp wanted me to straddle him and kiss him, and I wanted that too. I just didn't know why I was so shy about it with him in particular. Maybe it was the amount of respect I had for him. Or maybe I was afraid he wouldn't like me like that. What if I kissed him and he didn't feel the same spark? What if he thought I wasn't good at it? The others had never made me feel that way, so why would he? Still, my mind raced through a hundred anxious thoughts. "Okay," I whispered finally, my voice barely audible as I swallowed hard. I turned toward him and carefully swung one leg over his lap, straddling him slowly. His hands came to rest on my hips, steady and warm, guiding me until I settled fully onto him. His eyes never left my face. He didn't look down at my body, not even once. And somehow, that made me even more nervous. I could feel Dash's gaze on us. Watching, not in judgment, but making sure I was still okay. I was. Just nervous. "I'll be gentle," Tripp said softly, and the low promise sent a pulse of heat straight to my core. "Okay," I breathed again, almost trembling with anticipation. He chuckled under his breath and squeezed my hips a little before pulling me in closer. His touch was subtle but commanding, a nudge rather than a demand. But even as his hands moved, all I could think about was the heavy pressure of his cock beneath me. Holy shit, he was huge. I could feel it pressing up between my thighs, against my aching pussy. The contact made my body shudder. I glanced down, eyes widening slightly at the visible bulge in his shorts. My lips parted as if to say something, but I stayed quiet and looked back up at him with a nervous smile. "Just a kiss, Lissy," he murmured, his voice steady and sure. "That's all I'm asking for." I wasn't afraid of sex. Not really. And this wasn't leading to it. I'd thought about it often, fantasized even. I couldn't wait for it to happen. But I had no idea what it would actually feel like. Would it hurt? Would I even enjoy it? I was a very sexual person, but the truth was, I'd always backed out before things went too far. As soon as clothes started to come off, I ran. Maybe it was because I didn't love those guys. Maybe that's why I was still a virgin. But now...now I was surrounded by the only people I had ever truly loved. Tripp, Rhys, Dash, Ashby. This felt right. It felt like it was supposed to happen this way. "You can always stop," Dash said beside me, his voice calm. He wasn't warning me. It was a reminder that I was still in control. I looked at him and nodded, then turned back to Tripp. "I want this." "Good." He smiled slightly. "Come here then." He tugged me closer, his fingers digging just a little more firmly into my hips. I looked at his mouth, urging myself to focus only on the kiss, not the way his cock throbbed against me. I sucked in a breath and held it, then closed my eyes as I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his. He didn't move at first. He let me lead, let me show him I could do this. I placed my hands on his shoulders and kissed him slowly, letting my lips linger and slide softly over his. He tilted his head back slightly, his body relaxing under mine, and his hands slid from my hips down to my thighs. I pulled back just enough to catch my breath. But instead of waiting, he lifted one hand and gently cupped the back of my head, guiding me back to him. This time, when our lips met, he took control. His mouth parted, and his tongue slid between mine. I opened for him without hesitation, letting him kiss me deeply. His tongue curled around mine, slow and sensual, and I melted into his lap with a low moan. I heard Dash shift beside us, his presence giving me the quiet reassurance I needed. Because of them, I didn't feel self-conscious. I felt wanted. Cherished. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!