“Nothing at all?”
“The only thing I wanted to change was returning to the lifestyle and Trixie was receptive.”
“Eager, Brock,” Mitch said. “She was receptive.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, you’re right. The vixen practically slapped the handcuffs over her own wrists.”
Rory released a pleased sigh and slumped to the chair next to Mitch.
“And look at you,” Mitch said. “Who would’ve thought?”
“I’m not hard-core but I’ll be everything Trixie needs and if she wants to explore the lifestyle, I’ll be there by her side.”
“Spoken like a pussy-whipped lover.”
“I’m Trixie-whipped,” Rory said. “I have been since she bounced into our lives and left all three of us with drool on our chins and stars in our eyes.”
“Speak for yourself,” Mitch said. “I wasn’t drooling. I was scheming.”
“Scheming?” Rory asked.
“You’d better believe it. Soon after our introduction, I stocked up on lubes and condoms.”
“Nice,” Rory said.
“And a complete waste of money,” Mitch reminded him. “Trixie was only in my bed a few times before Pratchert screwed up our summer and our lives.”
“That’s just it,” Brock said. “Pratchert didn’t screw up our lives, Mitch, and you need to know that. While you were in prison, we weren’t out here on the outside counting down the days until you were released. In fact, there were days when you didn’t cross our minds at all.”
“Thanks,” Mitch grumbled. “Rory already filled me in on a few details.”
“You should know the truth,” Brock said. “And that’s something you need to fully understand if you choose Cow Camp over moving to Fletcher with us.
“We’re a family. If we decide to leave for the weekend and take the kids to the beach on short notice, we go. We don’t plan ahead for an outing with Trixie. If we want to take her away for a romantic getaway, we drop the children off at her parents’ place and we’re on the road within a few hours.
“We aren’t changing our lives for you. If you find a way to make it work by living in Abingdon and commuting back and forth, that’s fine. We welcome you into our family because it’s clear Trixie wants you there, but, Mitch, you need to understand something, too. If you choose to stay in Abingdon and live separately from the rest of us—you’ll always feel like an outsider looking in.”
“I already do,” he admitted.
“It’s all about choices,” Rory reminded him. “Your choices placed you on the outside. When you decided to take responsibility for Jordie Anne, you put distance between yourself and us. That was your choice. I’m afraid now you’re using this business idea of yours to place even more distance between yourself and Trixie.
“At some point, you may put up too many barriers and she won’t try to take them down. You need to prepare yourself for that possibility.”
“So what are you saying, Rory?” Mitch turned on him. “I’m supposed to give up my family’s business, the only home I’ve ever known and move to Cartwell country? No thank you! I won’t be Kane Cartwell’s puppet.”
“Kane’s puppet?” Brock asked, leaning forward. “You think that’s what we are?”
“I don’t know what you are,” Mitch snapped.
“We’re men,” Brock assured him. “We have our own careers, our own lives, and we don’t live off family money or Trixie’s family. We make our own way.”
“And that’s what I’m doing,” Mitch said, steadfast in his decision. “I’ve come up with a brilliant business plan and I’m following through with it. If I don’t, I’ll never forgive myself for abandoning the plans I have for the camp.”
“That’s probably true,” Brock said, trying to understand. “But Trixie needs to come to terms with your reasons. She needs to accept the fact that you won’t be living with us. And I think it’s important for you to reassure her of your love and devotion.”
“He can’t be devoted to her living several hundred miles away,” Rory said.
“That’s bullshit,” Mitch said. “I could live on another continent and my heart would still belong to Trixie.”
“Then tell her,” Brock said. “And make sure she doesn’t view the sex retreat as an obstacle. It’s a business. More than anything else, Trixie needs to know she can trust you. Trust means everything to her and after everything she’s been through, Trixie doesn’t give trust away as freely as she gives her love. You have to earn it.”