15. Bridgette #2
I know Liza can’t stand the guy, but he’s all right in my book. Sticking my face back into my phone, I tap out a quick text.
Bridgette : That was very sweet. I might just have to give Blue a free haircut for the assist.
Dutton : I’ll pay for it if you promise to cut off the mullet and shave the stache.
Bridgette : It’s not a mullet. Those are much longer. It’s more of a wolf cut. And they’re very popular right now. And mustaches are making a comeback, too.
Dutton : Something can be popular and still make you look like a douchebag.
Bridgette : True. But Blue seems nice, and I owe him one.
Dutton : He likes you. Not the way I do, obviously, but he said I’ve been less of an asshole lately so that means you get the best friend stamp of approval.
Bridgette : I feel very privileged.
Dutton : I might go inside and make some lunch. Want to come with me? I think the house is empty.
Bridgette : Liza’s in the kitchen getting food right now. Don’t get too excited, though, I think she’s just making a big plate of bleu cheese.
Dutton : That’s cold-hearted. Funny, but ice cold.
Bridgette : What’s up with those two? Do you think they’re…you know…
Dutton : Mortal enemies? Yes.
Bridgette : Haha, yes, but also…
Dutton : Also what? I hate open-ended questions. Can you at least give me multiple choice?
Bridgette : hooking up
Dutton : What? Like, fucking? Are you kidding me right now? The only reason Liza would ever seduce him is so she could shank him once he has his pants down. And do not give her that idea. And if you do, don’t tell her it came from me.
Bridgette : Okay, but you really don’t think there’s chemistry there?
Dutton : Yeah, the kind that makes bombs.
Since I can’t just lie here and text with Dutton all day, I get up and walk over to the umbrella where Maggie and her best friend, Viv, are sitting. They’re both trying their best to soothe Calla, but she’s suddenly fussy, and they look frazzled.
“I’m happy to take her for a bit,” I say, holding my hands out. “If she’s got a hat, I can walk her around, or just stand here and bounce her right here for a little while.”
Maggie opens her mouth to answer, but Viv interrupts her immediately and hands me a tiny, baby-sized floppy hat. “Screw politeness. If you want to take the teething princess for a walk, we are not going to stop you.”
I think Maggie’s going to argue, but then I realize her eyes are drifting shut, so I happily take the baby from Viv’s arms and start patting her bottom as I take a lap around the pool. This route means we’ll pass by Dutton’s chair, but that’s merely coincidence.
I’m taking a wide berth around the waterslide area so the baby doesn’t get soaked when I see JT hop out of the pool. “No chance,” I say, waving him off. “You get her all day and night. I only get her for a little while.”
“Thanks,” he says, hopping back in the water. “I’ll come and get her in a bit. She should go down for a nap soon, if she isn’t too ragey.”
I nod and make my way around the pool a few times, bouncing and shushing as I go.
It’s possible that I put a little extra sway in my hips when I reach a certain section, but that’s merely payback for Dutton’s leaf-clearing stunt.
After a while, Calla’s cries settle, and she starts to gnaw on her fist and close her eyes.
I don’t stop yet, though. That would be a total rookie mistake, and all those babysitting jobs I took in high school trained me better than that.
It takes another five minutes or so until I’m sure she’s sound asleep, and that‘s when I pass her off to her dad. He offers me a grateful, silent smile and ducks inside. I happen to know my brother has a portable crib set up just for visits like this, so Calla and her parents can get a little rest.
As for me? I’m feeling restless. Texting is fun, but I‘d rather be curled up beside Dutton than messaging back and forth. Still, when my phone buzzes, a little thrill races through me.
Dutton : Two things…First off, you look fucking hot holding a baby. I don’t know why that is and I should maybe talk to someone about it, but there it is. Also, do I look like a serial killer?
Bridgette : Thanks and whaaat?
Dutton : Look at me.
Bridgette : I am, but why are you asking me if you look like you’re about to go on a murderous rampage?
Dutton : Dammit, that’s not a no. I’m asking because Blue always tells me that even though I think I’m smiling, I look angry. So, I do look like I’m about to go on a crime spree?
Bridgette : Maybe a little bit. But not in a creepy way. More in a murder-for-hire or motorcycle club kinda way. You don’t look unhinged. Just lethal.
Dutton : If that’s a compliment, I’ll take it.
When Liza comes out with a tray of food, everyone descends on it, but I hang back to get a little more sun.
And to flirt via text with Dutton. It’s wrong, but I just can’t help it.
He’s right here and impossible to ignore.
What’s scarier is the fact that I don’t want to ignore him.
I’m actively choosing him over my brother, even if I am hiding it, and that’s not something I’m used to.
Bran’s been my best friend since birth. Yes, we have our own separate lives, but how separate are they, really?
When I could no longer tolerate living at home, I finally gave in to Bran’s pleading and moved here.
Our lives are intertwined, and I don’t know what’s going to happen when he finds out about my relationship with Dutton.
And yes, that’s when, not if. I’m not in any hurry to break the news, but I’m also hoping that things with Dutton stay as wonderful as they are right now.
But I can’t have both. It’s impossible to think of a world where my brother knows who I’m dating and is actually okay with it.
Will I have to choose between them? How could I ever make that choice?
Luckily, before I can go too far down the doom spiral, my phone chimes. Dutton jumped in the pool earlier to cool off, but now he’s gathered with the rest of the guys, chowing down on snacks. I can see his phone in his hand and his thumb moving across the screen.
Dutton : I’ve got bad news.
That one sentence is enough to send me right back to the doom spiral.
Bridgette : Oh my God... Does my brother know about us? Did he say something?
Dutton : No. But I’ll tell him right now if you say the word. I’ll tap him on the shoulder and claim you the way I’ve been dying to. The way you deserve.
Bridgette : You can’t do that. He’ll lose his shit.
Dutton: And then he’ll get over it.
Bridgette: You don’t know him like I do. I’m serious. He can’t know. Not yet. Are you still okay with that? And Blue won’t say anything?
Dutton : No, I’m not okay with it. It pisses me off. But if it’s what you need, it’s fine. For now. And our secret’s safe with Blue. I’d trust him with my life.
Bridgette: Thank you. I know I’m asking a lot, so thank you. Okay, what’s this bad news you were about to tell me?
Dutton : It’s about your bikini.
Bridgette : The bikini you were salivating over earlier?
Dutton : That’s the one.
Bridgette : I thought you liked it. In fact, this text thread shows that less than an hour ago you told me I looked “good enough to fucking eat.”.
Dutton : Oh, that’s still true. It’s a scientific fact that you look hot as fuck in everything. And five minutes ago, I’d have given the bikini a score of ninety-nine out of ten. But now I know better.
Bridgette : 99/10? Why’d I lose a point?!
Dutton : Too much fabric
Bridgette : It’s a bikini! There’s hardly any!
Dutton : It’s still too much. I don’t make the rules, Bridgette.
Bridgette : Well, I’m not getting scissors and turning it into a thong just to make you happy, so you’ll have to deal with it.
Dutton : You’re no fun. There’s another issue, though. When you were holding JT’s baby earlier, I think she drooled on you, maybe? There’s a mark on your left tit.
Bridgette : How can you see that from all the way at the other end of the pool??
Dutton : I have a lot of practice spotting things from a distance. It’s kinda my job.
Bridgette : You said my left boob? I don’t see it.
Dutton : Trust me, it’s there.
Bridgette : I’m doing a thorough search and I really don’t see it.
Dutton : You’re too close to it.
Bridgette : Seriously? You expect me to believe that?
Dutton : Would I lie or tease about something as serious as a drool stain?
Bridgette : One that only you can see…
Dutton : Not my fault I’ve got great vision.
Bridgette : So, what should I do about this terrible mark that is invisible to all eyes but yours?
Dutton : There’s only one thing to do. Take your bikini off.
Bridgette : You want me to strip naked right now? In front of everyone?
Dutton : Hell no. Unless you want everybody here to watch me kneel in front of you and put my mouth on that sweet pussy. That would definitely let the cat out of the bag…
Dutton : Damn, I think I just made a joke.
Bridgette: So proud of you. And I think it’s a very good idea for you to put your mouth on me, but it’s also an inside activity.
Dutton: Great. Let’s go inside
Bridgette: We can't. They’ll see us!
Dutton : No they won’t. I’ll go in now. Nobody will notice.
I made actual conversation for five minutes, so I’ve hit my quota for the day.
They’ll expect me to disappear. Your brother and Leo are going to pick up food.
We devoured Liza’s cheese and crackers and now everyone is talking about firing up the grill.
Wait a couple minutes after they leave, and then come in. Meet me up on the third floor.