Boyd #2
“Yes. She came over yesterday and we had brunch with her parents this morning.”
“How did that go?”
“Really well.” Archie looked rather surprised, so he added, “They don’t know about Luka. She never told them, and she’d rather keep it that way.”
Archie gave a quick nod before standing and spreading his arms. “Not you, dumbass,” Archie quipped, shoving Oliver away and embracing Queenie. “The woman of the hour.” Their hug was brief, and Archie pulled back to introduce his wife.
“It’s nice to finally meet you two.”
Lee-Ann, always the hugger of the group, pulled Queenie into an even tighter squeeze. “Finally, a woman who can get this man away from his desk.”
“I can’t pride myself on that; he’s been working all afternoon.”
Lee-Ann pulled Queenie into the seat next to her. “Small steps, my dear. ”
A round of drinks later, they talked about the dates they’d gone on with Queenie’s eyes gleaming with excitement.
When Archie and Oliver called her over to take her first swing, Boyd leaned back and watched.
She had lots of fun laughing at herself missing the first few swings before she felt comfortable and connected with the ball.
“I love how she makes you smile,” Lee-Ann softly said and sipped on her drink. “I’ve never seen you like this with anyone.”
“She makes every second I spend with her worth it.”
“Have you had a chance to talk to Luka?”
“He knows I’m seeing someone, but not who. My mom said to tell him her name to start with and go from there.”
“So, she knows?”
Boyd nodded. “I told her Friday night.”
“It’ll all work out; you’ll see.” Lee-Ann squeezed his hand and ushered him to join his woman and friends.
Eventually, the women disappeared to the bathrooms, leaving the men to their own devices.
“He made fun of her because of her arm, didn’t he?” Archie asked positioning himself to hit another ball.
Boyd didn’t have to ask who “he” was. “From what I understand, yes. But Queenie hasn’t talked much about it, nor have I asked.”
“Fucker,” Oliver mumbled, shrugging off Archie’s scolding glare. “I won’t apologize for that. It’s true.”
“I know, but it’s still your friend’s child you’re talking about.”
“And? He’s a dick for picking on the disabled girl.”
“Don’t call her that,” Boyd growled, more of a threat than he intended.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. ”
But then again, was Oliver wrong? Boyd had never considered Queenie disabled but was that word so bad? He sighed and ran his hand over his face, taking Archie’s spot. With all his frustration he swung the club and hit the ball, sending it soaring through the air and flying over the edge.
“Oh, that wasn’t bad at all!”
He turned and saw Queenie skipping towards him, all the turmoil in his head instantly forgotten. “Seems like you’re my lucky charm.”
Queenie stretched onto her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Only if you’re mine too.”
Oliver fake-gagged next to them. “God, you’re giving me the ick.”
“You’re just jealous.” To prove his point, he kissed Queenie again, wrapping his arm tight around her waist and dipping her down. She reached up, her arms locking behind his neck to deepen the embrace.
“Yuck.” Oliver playfully grimaced his disgust, but it was in vain. Boyd noted his friend’s hidden grin when he took his swing.
As they drove home, Boyd laid his hand on her thigh, absentmindedly drawing circles with his thumb. His reaction to Oliver calling Queenie disabled still lingered and he didn’t know how he should feel about it—how she would feel about it.
“What’s on your mind?” she asked, laying her hand over his.
He gave her a quick glance before returning his focus to the road. “If I tell you, I want you to know I don’t mean anything in a harsh way.”
“Are you going to break up with me?”
“No! I just don’t want you to think I’m an insensitive idiot.”
She tilted her head, forehead wrinkling with the furrow of her brows. “You’re scaring me.”
“I don’t mean to, I just don’t know how to voice my thoughts.”
“I won’t take offence; please just say it.”
He let out a long breath and braced himself to pop their dreamy bubble. “How would you feel if someone referred to you as disabled? I mean, I don’t see you as disabled, but maybe I’m just completely blind to it. Are you struggling? Should I be helping you more? Like I—”
Queenie stopped his anxious rambling with a squeeze to his hand. “Stop,” she said softly. “Take a breath and let me answer.”
He did, eyes fixed on the road.
“I don’t feel offended when someone calls me disabled.
At least, not anymore. It used to hurt because all I wanted was to be normal like anyone else, but every teenager feels that way.
No one ever wants to stick out of the crowd.
” She brought his hand to her pillowy soft lips.
“I have struggles, but I also have coping mechanisms. For instance, my car is modified for my needs, though getting the drivers licence was a little more difficult. I have family and friends that back me up, and I have figured out how to do a lot of things to feel normal. I’m just different.
Sometimes the label helps, sometimes it sucks. It really depends on the situation.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What for? Asking questions? I’m not upset nor have you ever treated me as though I’m less than capable. You didn’t question my ability to golf, nor did your friends and that means the world to me.”
“I thought we’d figure it out or you’d tell me if you needed something.”
“And that’s the point. You don’t make me feel inadequate and let’s be honest, if I struggled in any sense, you’d help me.”
“Of course—you’re my woman.”
Queenie’s lips pressed against his knuckles, vibrating with a soft laugh. “I am and I’ve never felt more at home with anyone else.”
“You’re making me tear up,” he admitted, voice thick. “You’re a dream come true, and I never want to have to feel your absence in my life.”
“Boyd…” Queenie’s voice shook, wet cheek pressing into his palm. “I hope you have tissues in here somewhere.”
“Glovebox.” With that, tears crept out of his eyes and dampened his beard.
“We’re such softies,” she laughed, drying his cheeks for him. “Maybe next time we get all emotional, we’ll make sure you’re not driving; seems a little safer.”
He chuckled and took the tissue from her. “I would never let anything happen to you.”
“I know. Even though I’m not as big and strong as you, I’ll never let anything happen to you either.”
God, he didn’t deserve this woman and there was no way he would ever let her go.