Fall - A Rocky Lynch Story

Chapter 16

Now that everything was out in the open about Mason, my bouts of random crying had gotten less frequent. This made everyone feel a lot more comfortable. The two older kids had become extra helpful with their younger siblings, using the tips Rocky had given them to prevent any huge fits. Sure, there was still crying -- it was inevitable -- but I could feel myself returning to my old self again.

Ryland called Karlee right away Friday night, apologizing and making his amends. The phone conversation was lengthy, but eventually they hung up and Karlee made her way over to our place to pick him up. They met at the door; the rain wasn't the only reason Karlee was a wet hot mess. Her cheeks were stained with tears that washed away leftover mascara. They kissed, and what happened when they got back to their apartment, I can only imagine.

Before any of us knew it, it was Sunday again. That meant it time for another counseling session. With everything going on, Rocky and I hadn't even planned anything to talk about. It was a bit of a surprise to us when we opened the book and saw that it was a pretty private subject: intimacy. When I hear that word, my mind immediately goes to sex.

So did Ryland's, apparently. "Alright!" he clapped his hands together. "Finally, something that I am good at."

"Don't be gross," Karlee scolded him quietly and knocked her foot against his shin under the table. "Intimacy doesn't just mean sex." She looked over to me with a pleading look. "Back me up, Juli."

"Okay let's not go there just yet," I rolled my eyes and skimmed the page in front of me. "Romance is important and can fizzle out quickly after marriage with all of the added responsibility. We showed you the 'magic book' already, so you have some ideas to keep the romance going. Talk to each other about your romantic needs," I initiated the conversation with a yawn and leaned back in my chair a little bit.

Ryland didn't answer right away. I think after being too quick to speak, he was starting to learn to think first. He obviously was trying to avoid any further fights. Karlee filled the silence. "We need to have a regular date night," she suggested. "It doesn't always have to be going out somewhere fancy, but it should be time focused on each other. My effortless, uninterrupted time with you is the best part of my week. I can't give that up."

"Of course," he agreed. He looked at both of us for further guidance, but we wouldn't budge. "Okay, I'm about to say something embarrassing," he sighed. Rocky leaned forward onto his elbows and raised his eyebrows with a smirk, so I slapped his arm playfully. Ryland rolled his eyes at his brother and faced Karlee. "I've gotten to the point where I can't sleep without you next to me," he said.

"Awwwww," Karlee and I both said at the same time.

"So I guess what's important to me is that physical closeness. That's intimate for me. I've never felt that way about anyone." He took her hand in his and kissed it.

Karlee blushed. "Stop," she giggled. So they definitely had amended whatever was wrong the couple of days before.

"Speaking of physical needs," I transitioned.

"Sex," Ryland nodded with a grin.

"Bro, we're supposed to call it 'love-making' in front of the ladies," Rocky joked and shut the book that was in front of me.

"Trust me, there is a difference between 'love-making' and 'sex'," he continued. "Love-making is slow and passionate, but sex is dirty and fun."

"Making love is fun!" Karlee argued.

There was a cough at the doorway and I saw a figure dart away from the room as fast as it appeared. It was too tall to be Avelyn, so my next best guess was Carter. "Hey Car," I called to him with a chuckle, "did you need something?"