Connected by the Tide (19 page)

Sydney had her textbook out, and she was flipping through the pages.

“Shouldn’t you be looking at a wedding magazine?” Nancy asked. “Your wedding is coming up.”

She shrugged. “We have everything planned.”

“What
about the guest list? The cake?”

“Uh, I was going to get to that,” Sydney said hesitantly.

“You’re so obsessed with being diligent with your studies, but you aren’t even preparing for your wedding day.”

Sydney sighed. “I know. I’m just busy.”

“We need to get your cake.”

“I know. When do you want to go?”

“This weekend?”

“That works.” Sydney looked at Henry. “Can you come?”

“You want me to?” he asked in surprise.

“I need a man’s opinion.”

Coen rolled his eyes. “Baby, it’s just cake.”

She ignored him. “I still want you to come—if you want.”

“Yeah, of course,” he said

Sydney looked at Ren. “You’re coming
, too, right?”

Ren stopped eating, staring at her i
n surprise. “You want me to?”

“Of course,” Sydney said. “You’re a part of this family
, too. I would love it if you came.”

Ren looked at Henry, a smile on her face.

He nodded to her, reassuring her.

“I would love to,” she said.

Sydney clapped her hands. “Great!”

“We’ll have champagne and
get fat together. Then we’ll tell Sydney she’s the most beautiful bride ever,” Nancy said.

“You
’d better,” Sydney said with a smile.

“You don’t get tired of me saying it all the time?” Coen asked.

“When you say it so you can keep playing video games, it doesn’t mean much.”

Coen rolled his eyes. “I still mean it.”

“I bet.”

Henry smiled, amused by their conversation. They seemed to bicker often, but be affectionate an instant later. He and Ren were different. They were loving and affectionate almost all the time.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. He looked at the screen.

Coming to Mom’s?

Yeah.

Cool.

Tell her I’m bringing someone.

Really…like
, a girl?

Maybe.

Henry, are you seeing someone?

Stop being annoying and just tell
Mom.

Fine, asshole.
I’ll tell her you’re bringing a lady friend.

Thanks.

Whatever.

He put his phone away and looked at Ren. “
Wanna have dinner with my family tonight?”

“Tonight?”

“Yeah.”

She was hesitant. Her eyes looked down
, and she gripped her hands together.

“You’ll love my family, baby. And they’ll love you. It’s a done deal.”

She seemed to relax. “Yeah. I would love to.”

“Ooh. It’s getting serious,” Derek teased.

“It’s been serious,” Henry said, keeping his gaze glued to Ren’s. “She’s my girl. The light that shines through the window on a summer morning. The dew on a spring flower. The water of the ocean.”

Derek rolled his eyes. “Okay, Romeo.”

Henry kicked him under the table.

“Stop teasing Henry,” Nancy said to him. “He’s sweet. I wish you’d talk to me like that.”

“I’m not a douche.”

She kicked him under the table. “Stop being a jerk.”

“What? How am I being a jerk?”

“Forget it.” She stood up and stormed out of the cafeteria.

He sighed as he watched her go.

“That’s your cue,” Coen said.

Derek rolled his eyes, then chased after her.

“What’s going on between them?” Henry asked.

Sydney sighed. “She doesn’t think Derek is serious about her. He hasn’t said anything meaningful to her. He barely acts like he likes her. The most affection he shows is when they’re fucking. I think Derek cares for her, but he doesn’t know how to express it in the right way.”

Ren grabbed Henry’s hand. “I’m lucky I don’t have that problem.”

Henry looked at her, his adoration evident in his eyes. “That’s because you’re perfect.”

She blushed then looked away.

“Maybe I should give him some tips,” Coen said.

Sydney looked at him. “You were a total ass when we met.”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“Yeah
, you were.”

“Just because I didn’t treat you like a goddess like I do now doesn’t mean I was an ass.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked away.

Henry thought
there was more to this story, but he didn’t ask. It wasn’t his business anyway.

“I don’t know what to wear,” Ren whispered to him.

“A dress,” he said quickly.

She gave him the eye. “I want your family to like me, not think I’m a whore.”

“You don’t look like a whore. I like dresses. They look nice.”

“You turn into a different man when I wear one.”

He moved closer to her, his face next to hers. “Do you dislike that man?”

She stared at him, glancing at his lips. “No.”

“Then wear it.”

“It’ll be long.”

“That’s fine.”

“And I’ll wear a jacket.”

“Okay.”

“All the goodies will be hidden.”

“I’ll just see them anyway.”

She smiled then looked away.

He placed his hand on her neck, gently massaging her skin then moved down her back, feeling her shoulders. He stared at her, his heated gaze drilling into her beautiful face. He leaned into her ear. “You’ve changed me into a new man.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

He glanced at Sydney, sharing a look with her. Nothing was said, but he silently communicated with her. For the first time, he saw Sydney as a friend. She was nothing less, nothing more. Everything had changed. The sky above wasn’t the same blue as it had been every other day of his life. The grass had never been so green; the ocean had never been so beautiful. The world was more beautiful than he’d ever imagined. Renee was the light that illuminated everything, making everything glorious and magnificent. “It’s a very good thing. The best thing that ever happened to me.”

28

Henry tried to pull her back into the bedroom. “Come on, baby.”

She moved away. “We’re already late. And I don’t want to mess up my hair or makeup.”

“We’ll do it standing up.”

She walked down the hallway then grabbed her purse from the counter. “It’ll have to wait.”

He stood behind her
then lifted her dress, putting his hands on her ass. “I can’t wait when you look like this.” He kissed the back of her neck, pressing his chest against her.

She turned around then kissed him slowly, opening his lips with her tongue. His dick twitched as soon as they touched. “I’ll make it worth your while,” she whispered.

“Be specific,” he said as he grabbed her hips.

She stared at him for a moment, her mind working. “I’m very flexible.”

“Yeah?”

She nodded.

“Show me.”

“I will—later.”

He growled.

“Come on, babe.”

“Who cares if we’re late?”

“I do. I want them to like me.”

“We’ll blame it on me.”

She opened the door and walked out. “I’m going without you.”

“Damn.” He followed behind her and opened the car door for her. When he got into the driver’s seat, he started the car then placed his hand on her thigh, moving his hand under the dress.

“Do you think of anything else?”

“Not with you. There’s always one thing on my mind.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

He adjusted his erection in his jeans while he drove. It was bent at a wrong angle and was causing some serious discomfort.

“Massive boner?”

“You have no idea.”

She leaned over him then unbuttoned his jeans. “Let’s give him some room.”

He glanced at her, his hands still on the wheel.

She pulled his jeans and boxers down, letting his cock spring forth.

Against his control, his cock twitched and started to leak. He knew what was coming, and he couldn’t hide his excitement.

Ren leaned toward him and started kissing his neck while he kept his eyes on the road. Her hand gripped his base and her thumb moved over the tip, spreading the liquid across the head. He started to leak more
, and a quiet moan escaped his lips. His breathing increased as the anticipation made him more excited.

She leaned between his
legs, her face pressed over his crotch, and took him to the back of her throat.

“Fuck,” he said as he gripped the steering wheel.

She moved up and down quickly, jerking him at the same time.

Henry slowed the car down, actually driving the speed limit for once.
He wasn’t in a hurry to get to the house. When he came to a stoplight, he leaned back in the seat and enjoyed the feel of her lips sucking him. He gripped her by the neck then felt the strands of her hair. Then he moved his hand to her bottom and pulled up her dress, grabbing her ass. She increased his pace, making him gasp. It was the first time he didn’t want a stoplight to turn green.

She licked the tip as she jerked him. That set him off
, and he felt the explosion trigger through his body, pushing through him until he felt himself release. He closed his eyes and gasped, ignoring the sound of the horn coming from behind him. The unbelievable pleasure consumed all his thoughts. Ren continued to move him in her mouth until he was completely finished.

The horn honked again
, and Ren sat up. “Drive, Henry.”

“Oh
, yeah,” he said in a daze. He stepped on the gas and drove through the light, the car still honking behind him. He was still catching his breath as he drove down the road.

Ren wiped her mouth with her arm then fixed her hair and makeup
while looking in the pull-down mirror. “That should hold you over for a while.”

Henry butt
oned his jeans while he kept his hand on the wheel. “You would think.”

She smiled at him then looked away.

“You’re so fucking hot,” he blurted.

Her cheeks turned red.

“You give the best head.”

“I like sucking
your dick.”

“Stop talking like
that, or you’re going to get me hard again.” He drove down the road until he pulled into the driveway of the small house where he’d grown up. It was a one-story home with a small front yard and an even smaller backyard. The house was old; a lot of the appliances were always breaking, and it was cramped. Henry was embarrassed that his family was poor, but he wasn’t ashamed to show Ren. He knew she didn’t care about where he came from. She would love him no matter what.

He cut the engine then helped her out of the passenger seat. “Welcome to my abode.”

She looked at the house, a smile on her face. “This is where you grew up?”

“Yep,” he said as he took her hand. He guided her to the front door. A few pots and plants were cluttered on the small stoop. Most of the grass in the front yard was yellow and dead. There was a statue of a frog by the window. Henry knocked on the metal cage that protected the wooden door. “Don’t be nervous,” he whispered.

“I’m not.”

“Good.”

The door opened, and his mother stepped out. She was a thin woman, thinner than she should be. She had blonde hair, which Henry didn’t inherit, and her skin was pale even though she lived in paradise. Henry had the same eyes as she, startling blue.

“Honey,” she said as she hugged him. She grabbed his face and kissed him on the cheek before she looked at him affectionately. “You’re bigger every time I see you.”

“I hit the gym every morning.”

“It shows,” she said as she hugged his waist. She looked at Ren. “And who’s this?” she said with a smile.

“Allow me to introduce my girlfriend, Renee.”

His mom opened her arms and embraced her. “It’s so wonderful to have you here. I’
m Sam.”

“Thanks for having me.”

Sam pulled away. “Such a beautiful girl,” she said as she cupped her face. “My son has good taste.”

Renee blushed then averted her gaze, unsure
of what to say.

“Come in, come in,” his mother said. She turned and walked inside.

Henry grabbed Ren’s hand and pulled her inside. “Told you,” he whispered into her ear.

Sam walked into the kitchen and pulled a pan out of the oven.

“Need any help?” Ren asked.

“Thank you, honey, but I
’ve got it.”

Henry looked at her. “The kitchen is her
forté. Jacklyn and I just stay out of it.”

“Jacklyn?”

“My sister.”

“Oh.”

The kitchen and living room were pushed into one area, so Henry took Ren to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair, helping her sit down. The room was dark and cluttered. His mom didn’t have enough space in that house.

He was grateful that she
’d cleaned up her act for tonight. Normally she was dull and lifeless, but today she looked like she’d taken a shower and made an effort to cook a good meal. Henry wanted to ease into the conversation with Ren, so he thought meeting his family was a good way to break the ice.

“Is Henry here?” a girl said as she walked down the hall.

“Over here, loser,” Henry said.

She rolled her eyes. “It’s nice to see you
, too.” She walked over and looked at Ren. “You’re his girlfriend?” she asked in shock. Her eyebrows were raised, and her mouth was gaping open.

“Uh, yeah,” Ren said uncomfortably.

“You’re going out with him?” she said as she pointed at Henry. “This guy?”

Ren smiled. “Yes.”

She shook her head. “She’s totally out of your league, Brother.”

“That’s the only insult you’ve ever said that’s actually true,” he said as he sat beside Ren. “And I’ll take it as a compliment.”

Jacklyn sat next to Ren. She was thin. Her hair and eye color matched Henry’s. It was obvious they were related and shared genetic material. Her shoulders were bony, like her mother’s. Henry was the only person who had any meat on him. His arms were thick with muscles, and his chest was protected with his strength.

“Is my brother paying you?” she asked.

Ren looked at her. “For what?”

“To bring you here.”

“No. I wanted to come.”

“Wow.”

“Why’s that surprising?”

She shrugged. “He’s just never brought a girl around before.”

“Really?” she asked as she looked at him.

“You’re the only one, baby.”

She looked back at Jacklyn. “How old are you?”

“Fifteen
.”

“Are you starting high school
?”

“Yep.
This is my first year. Now I’ll see my brother more often because the high school is next to the university,” she said as she rolled her eyes.

He shook his head. “You know you love me.”

“Only because I have to.”

Henry looked at Ren. “Ignore her. She’s just a brat.”

“Ignore him. He’s just an ass,” she snapped.

Ren glanced between them, unsure
whether they were having friendly banter or if they really hated each other.

Their mother placed the food on the table then sat down. She served ch
icken, rice, and beans.

Henry prepared Ren’s plate then made his own before they started to eat.

“You go to school with Henry?” Sam asked.

“Yes, that’s where we met.”

“Henry told me he changed his major to English. Are you an English major as well?”

“Yes,” she said.

“Wow. Both of you are so smart. You make me proud.”

Henry nodded. “I get it from you.”

She smiled then continued to eat. “Are you excited about school, Jacklyn?”

She shrugged. “It’s
a nice change.”

“You’ll love it
,” Ren said. “Give it time.”

Jacklyn poked
her food and stopped eating.

Henry noticed her unease. “You’ll do well, Jacklyn. You’re smarter than I am.”

She looked at him for a moment before she looked away.

His mother glanced at Ren. “I’m so glad you brought a girl home. I was getting worried for a moment.”

Henry placed his hand on Ren’s thigh. “I was just waiting for the right one.”

“I’m glad it wasn’t Sydney,” Jacklyn said. She started to imitate Sydney. “I love everything and everyone. Oh
, no! A worm dried in the sun, and now it’s dead. I think I’m going to cry. Oh, no! I only got an A on my exam, not an A plus!” She rolled her eyes and started eating again.

Henry chuckled
, even though he knew he shouldn’t. His sister was dead-on about Sydney. That described her perfectly. Ren didn’t laugh, but he knew it was because she didn’t know Sydney well enough to make fun of her.

“You were too good for her,” Jacklyn said.

Henry smiled at her. “I knew you loved me—deep down inside.”

“Damn. You caught me.”

Ren glanced at them but said nothing.

“And I don’t think I’m too good for
Syd,” Henry explained. “Renee is just better.” He squeezed her thigh while he scooped the beans into his mouth.

Jacklyn looked at Ren. “I already like you a lot more.”

“You shouldn’t compare her because I never dated Sydney,” Henry said.

“Whatever. You were practically dating.”

Henry glared at her. “No, we weren’t. We were just friends. That’s how it’s always been.”

Jacklyn took a bite of her roll but said nothing.

“Well, I love Sydney,” Sam said. “She’s a wonderful girl. But I also love Renee. I’m glad you brought her to us.”

Ren smiled then wiped her face with
a napkin.

Henry glanced at her plate
and was happy to see it was empty. She’d finished all of her food just to be polite.

Jacklyn pushed her food away. “I’m done.” She got up and walked down the hallway, disappearing into her bedroom.

Her mom watched her but said nothing.

Henry he
ard Jacklyn’s bedroom door slam shut. He knew he needed to talk to her. He didn’t think he should leave Ren alone with his mother since she was nervous, but it would be a good opportunity for them to talk. “Excuse me,” he said as he left the table.

Ren looked up at him but said nothing.

He walked down the hallway then knocked on Jacklyn’s bedroom door.

“What?” she snapped.

“Let me in.”

“What do you want?”

“To talk.”

“About?”