Connected: Part 4 of the On The Edge Series

Chapter 31

"Well," Billy sighed as I hugged his chest in an attempt to cling to the sessions ebbing through me. His muscles twitched as he heaved himself to a sitting position while letting a chuckle roll through him at my stubborn refusal to release myself from him. "There's no good transition for this, so... how about we call my ex?"

We both let out laughs at the ridiculousness of it all.

"Maybe we should put clothes on," I suggested.

"It's not a video call," Billy absently pointed out as he scrolled through his cell phone.

"Really? You want a naked, post-sex phone call with your ex-wife?"

The phrase 'post-sex' caught his attention, causing his face to snap up to me. After a moment of letting his gaze focus on me, his rational side returned. "Sweetheart, naked and post-sex is my favorite way to live when you're involved."

"Aw, I'm choosing to hear that as sweet and not super creepy," I teased.

"Super creepy? You know what? I don't even want to know. Let's agree that I'm always sweet and never super creepy?"

"Agreed," I said, pulling myself from his chest and tugging on my clothes. I picked up the button-down I had worn to work, but the effort to re-button it seemed too great, so I pulled on Billy's t-shirt instead.

"Really?" Billy's eyebrow rose as he questioned my choice.

"It looks cuter on me," I challenged with a tiny dance to accent my adorable nature.

"Well, I can't argue with that logic. Do you expect me to wear your shirt into the house?"

"Yes, I'd very much enjoy watching that," I laughed.

"Mmhmm," Billy shot as he pulled on his jeans and plopped down in his desk chair.

He dialed Sarah and, as it rang, pulled me to his lap and absently smoothed my hair, tucking an errant piece behind my ear.

"Billy," Sarah answered the phone rather coolly, but Billy didn't seem to notice.

"Hey, Sarah, sorry to bother you, but I wanted to discuss this Viv and James thing." Billy leaned over me and closer to the phone but kept his arms around me. "Lily's here too, so we can all be on the same page."

"Oh," Sarah seemed slightly surprised, either from the call's point or from my inclusion. "Okay, that sounds like a fair idea."

"Viv wants to have James over tomorrow while I'm at the arena this weekend. I say no because Jackson and Lil are coming with me. What are your thoughts about her being alone with James?" Billy explained.

"Well, I'm torn, to be honest. I'm sure you are as well, given the call. I trust them, and I certainly don't want her to think I don't, but still hormones and all." It was clear that Sarah and Billy were very much aligned. "I think you're making the right decision."

"Okay, so for now, if they want to hang out at home or the Denning's, someone has to be around as well?" Billy confirmed.

"Yeah, I think that's best." Sarah's voice drifted as distraction took hold of her.

"What are you thinking?" I asked.

"Well, I had the talk with her, but maybe we should have a refresher," Sarah mused.

"The talk." Billy's voice went shallow at the mere thought of 'the talk.'

"Billy, she's your daughter too; you need to talk to her about sex," Sarah chided.

"Sex, talk about sex with Viv," Billy stammered as his face when even paler than it usually was.

"Billy, she's your daughter. You want her to come to you to talk about anything, right?" I added.