Boyd
He hadn’t seen Queenie in over a week. Work had gotten busy and with her weekend already planned out, they’d had to make do with a few brief phone calls.
Tonight, however, that would end. As he was getting ready to spend his evening with Queenie and her closest friends, his phone rang. It was Luka.
“Hi, son,” he greeted.
“Hi, dad.”
“What’s up?”
“Just checking in. You busy?”
He ran his hand through his freshly styled beard and reached for the comb again. “Getting ready to go out.”
“Oh, cool.”
Boyd’s next words came out in a rush. “I started seeing someone.”
There was a moment of silence before Luka spoke, audibly hesitant. “Something serious?”
“Yes.” More silence, and when Luka couldn’t seem to find the right words, Boyd took it upon himself. “I’m actually meeting her friends tonight.”
“How long have you been seeing her? ”
“Just a few weeks.”
“Thought you were too busy to date,” Luka grumbled.
“Apparently not.”
“Well, have fun. Talk soon.”
Without another word, Luka hung up. Boyd stared at the device, wondering if he should have mentioned Queenie. Though perhaps baby steps would be best. After all, Luka had never really known Boyd to date, so easing him in might be his best choice.
He’d offered to pick Queenie up, and was thrilled to find her waiting for him outside of her building. Again, she hopped into the car before he could move.
“You can open my door when we get there, I promise.” She took him in, lingering on the collar of his V-neck that hinted at his exposed chest. “You look handsome.”
“Thank you.”
She leaned over and stole a quick kiss. “I’m nervous. Are you nervous? I mean not that you have any reason to be, but I’m worried that Mikey will give you a hard time and—”
He silenced her with a finger to her lips. “I’m a grown man who adores you very much and can stand my own ground.” Queenie smiled against his finger. “It’s going to be fine. Now take a deep breath.” Giving her the space to do so, Boyd breathed with her. “Good.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologise for and you know it. You are allowed to feel anxious and express your feelings with me.”
With his hand on her thigh, he drove off, following her directions as they got closer.
Queenie had already given him the basics: Mikey was an engineer and Allison was a university professor.
They lived in a lovely, renovated ranch-style home, complete with two rocking chairs on the porch.
As they pulled up, the curtains fluttered.
It wasn’t long before the front door opened, a woman chasing a laughing, babbling toddler out of the house.
Allison wasn’t much older than Queenie, while Maggie had the cutest smile.
He walked around the truck and helped Queenie out, kissing her hair as a thank you for letting him do so. He knew how old school he was, but appreciated that Queenie accepted him as such. Hand in hand, they approached the porch and Maggie waddled forwards, stretching her arms out to Queenie.
Queenie grabbed her goddaughter, placing the kid on her hip and reaching for Allison. “Hi, sweetbean.”
He stretched his hand out, taking the one Allison offered him. “It’s nice to officially meet you, Allison.”
“Welcome. Come in, I think Jessica is already popping the wine.”
With his hand on Queenie’s lower back, he followed them into the living area where Jessica was busy filling glasses with a deep red wine.
“Ah, the man of the hour.” She set the bottle aside and reached for his hand.
“As good looking as I remembered.” That earned her a chorus of groans from the rest of the guests. “Well, someone has to break the ice!”
“Where are Landon and Laria?” Queenie asked, scanning the room.
“Either begging for scraps off Mikey, or we lost them to the trampoline.”
“They’re really spoiled for choice,” Queenie quipped, wincing against the tiny fist yanking her hair. “How did the meeting with the lawyers go? ”
Jessica’s smile faltered and though she tried to hide it, her eyes flitted to Boyd. As it was, Queenie had already explained that she was going through a messy divorce, so Boyd took the opportunity to give them their space.
“My cue to introduce myself to Mikey,” he offered, kissing Queenie’s cheek.
Jessica crooked her brow. “A man who doesn’t gossip? Where is the fun in that?” Then she shrugged. “Maybe for the better.”
He gave her a polite smile, allowing Allison to lead him through the house. “She’s just a little on edge.”
“Understandably.”
“Mikey, sweetheart,” Allison said, reaching for her husband who stood at the grill. “This is Boyd.”
Boyd shook the man’s hand, unfazed by the stern gaze. “Ah, yes.”
“Be nice,” Allison warned, biting back a grin. “Should I start setting the table?”
“Yeah, but I think we should eat inside. It’s way too hot out here.”
Boyd’s gaze drifted to a swing set settled in a shady corner of the yard, beyond the fenced-in pool where Jessica’s children were playing. The moment Allison disappeared, Mikey crossed his arms over his chest.
“Let’s get this over with. Don’t mess with Queenie. She doesn’t deserve less than the best. And don’t let me get started on the shit your son did.”
“I can assure you I wasn’t aware of Luka’s behaviour. I’m not here to hurt Queenie and if Luka even thinks about disrespecting my woman, he’s out the door with my boot up his ass.”
“Perfect, we’re on the same page then.” Mikey pulled the last steak off the grill and handed Boyd the platter. “Will ya take this inside?”
Boyd nodded and relieved, he returned inside where Jessica was raging.
“…I sacrificed everything to raise our kids. Not mine, ours . Now he just wants to shove me out the house like I’m nothing more than the nanny.”
“And your lawyers will fix that for you,” Allison assured while Queenie reached for the tissues. “This is just the start. Just promise me you won’t relent. That’s just stooping to his level.”
With a sniffle Jessica laughed darkly. “Oh god no. I will take everything I can from him. Bastard doesn’t even know where his kids go to school.”
“That was fast,” Allison said, now noticing that Boyd had entered the room. “You two didn’t even break out in a brawl.”
“We said everything we needed to.”
“Very ominous. Did you render my husband speechless?”
Boyd offered nothing more than a wink and help to set the table.
During dinner, Landon and Laria were very eager to meet Queenie’s new boyfriend, hardly letting him chew his food between the assault of questions.
But Boyd didn’t mind. At the very least, it gave Jessica—who was still visibly upset—space to breathe.
Once dinner was devoured, Mikey took Maggie to bed while Queenie and Jessica supervised the older two in the pool. Boyd, the only one left, offered to help clear the table.
“You’ll look after her, won’t you?” Allison asked. “Because I would hate to see her get hurt.”
“As long as she lets me, I’m here to have her back. ”
“What about Luka? I mean, I know he’s your son and she’s well aware of that, but she doesn’t deserve what he’s made her go through.”
“He’s got two options where Queenie’s concerned: respect her, or he can leave.”
“She really likes you. I just don’t want her to be burned.”
That first part made his heart leap. Although he’d known that Queenie had feelings for him, hearing it from Allison was the confirmation he hadn’t known he needed.
“I’ve never been so enamoured with a woman.
I’ll do anything for her, even if that means setting boundaries with my son that he may not like. ”
Allison searched his face, looking for any hint of a lie. Boyd only relaxed once she smiled. “Please don’t make her suffer if your feelings ever change.”
“I promise.”
With a pat to his arm, Allison shoved him towards the back door. “Go spend some time with her. I got this.”
The last hour was spent watching the kids splash in the water, and being around them clearly brought joy to Queenie. Her smile never faded, not even when she helped Jessica buckle them into their car seats. “Be good to your mom and go straight to bed without a big fuss.”
“Yes, Auntie Queenie.”
“I love you both.” She gave them a kiss and waved them off before turning back to Allison and Mikey. “I’ll see you Friday. And don’t worry about cooking. I’ll handle it.”
“Of course you will.” Allison hugged her tightly, then gave Boyd the same treatment. “Be safe.”
After Boyd helped Queenie into the truck, he backed out of the driveway as she waved goodbye to her friends. “That was fun. ”
“It was.”
“Whatever you said to Mikey convinced him you’re a good guy.”
“I told him the same I told you. No one disrespects my woman without consequences, not even my son.”
“ Your woman, huh?”
“Yes, Queenie. My woman.”
Queenie’s head lolled in his direction, sleepy eyes sparkling in the fading sun. “Thank you.”
He reached up and ran the back of his hand over her cheek. “You’re mine and I will always take care of you.”