Alexander, Kalissa - Katlynn in Training (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Kalissa Alexander

I wanted to take lessons. We didn’t have a piano. Not something that’s easy to move around the country. Anyway, my father agreed, but his orders were changed and six months later we moved. Once I found out about the change in plans, I applied myself so intensely to the remaining lessons that I was able to play Beethoven’s Lament before we packed up for our next duty station.
    “Very impressive.” Justin grinned. “However, you can’t compare poker to the piano. Poker not only takes skill, it takes a certain amount subterfuge that not everyone can master or at least master well.”
    “We’ll see.” She grinned back. “Let the lessons begin.”

    * * * *

    Once again, Justin had prepared a delicious meal. This time he had made spicy chili with homemade bread that melted in Katlynn’ s mouth. For dessert, they finished the remainder of the chocolate cake. Justin must have primed Jeremiah because there was no mention of the evening before and what had transpired. Katlynn was grateful that they had decided to give her another chance.
    After dinner, Jeremiah set up for their first game of poker together. He patiently explained everything to Katlynn, making her question Justin’s statement that neither brother had patience. She was impressed with his teaching style that was easygoing and encouraged questions no matter how simple.
    Justin dealt the first hand, but they both showed her their cards and explained the thought process behind forcing the first bet and the decision to match or hold. The more they played, the more Katlynn found herself enjoying the game. By the end of the evening, she knew the difference between a straight flush and a royal flush versus a straight or a full house. Before their final hand, she knew that she was going online that night to buy a book on how to play poker. Justin and Jeremiah were very good players, and if she were going to hold their interest as well as beat big brother, she was going to have to become a better player.
    “You know,” Jeremiah said, tipping the cowboy hat he had put on when they started playing, saying it was his lucky hat, “you have a natural poker face. You’re hard to read.”
    “I’ve always held things pretty close to the cuff. I guess, where poker is concerned, that’s not a bad thing.”
    “Keeping your opponent on their toes and guessing your next move, that’s key to holding a winning hand regardless of whether it’s the best hand.” Justin began to put away the cards along with their stash of pennies.
    “I guess Jarred gave you those words of wisdom.”
    “He’s older, and he for sure thinks he’s wiser.” Justin laughed. “Truth is we’d be lost without him. With Dad gone, he keeps us on the right road. I know my mom depends on him a lot, too. With us gone, he gets the brunt of everything. Being that he’s the oldest, my Mom has really been nagging him about settling down. However, he’s not exactly traditional when it comes to lifestyle.”
    “I thank my lucky stars every day that my sister has three kids. It takes some of the pressure off the rest of us. What about you, Katlynn?” Jeremiah asked. “Are you looking for the picket fence and the soccer-mom van?”
    Katlynn knew what they were doing. Indirectly they were answering the question she had asked last night before her tirade of tears. She thought for a moment before she answered. She was still trying to wrap her head around Jeremiah’s lifestyle comment concerning Jarred. Was it possible that Jarred was gay? Realizing she still hadn’t spoken and both sets of eyes were glued to her, she decided to take Justin’s advice and be honest.
    “I’ve haven’t thought a lot about having children. I haven’t been around them all that much, and I’m not really sure I’m cut out for that role. I mean,” she continued, not wanting them to think she was anti-kids, “I like kids, I do. It’s just some women start getting these maternal instincts around my age or before, and