Chapter 39
DERRICK
Now we all know why.
Olivia hightailed it from Scotland to LA, showed up on Axel’s doorstep, and confessed her love for him. Very romantic. Also, the reason no one could contact her was because she was on a plane, and luckily she arrived when she did because Axel was ready to hop on his jet and head to her.
We gave the love birds some time alone, but we were all desperate to see them together. Vanessa and Christian suggested a celebratory dinner at their place, because we are all so happy that things have turned out for the best for them.
“They’re here.” Vanessa squeals, alerting us to action stations as we watch them pull up out the front of her house.
Olivia looks like she is shitting herself and I get it, we are very protective of Axel, and we let her know where our loyalties lie when it came to her choosing Lord Fuck Face over Kinky McHottie Rock Star.
She probably thinks we are still salty with her, but we aren’t, not really.
Not if Axel is happy, and the fact that he has had her holed up in bed at his home since she’s arrived says it all.
“You’re finally here,” Vanessa says excitedly. Olivia relaxes as soon as she hugs her.
“Princess, you finally made the right choice,” I tease, giving Olivia a big hug and kiss.
“I know, it took me a while,” she says, looking up at Axel. You can see the literal heart eyes when she looks at him, and he is looking at her the same way. He’s so knocking her up the moment she says yes to kids. It’s the same way Christian looked at Ness.
“Glad to see you again,” Sienna says, throwing an air kiss amongst the chaos.
“I’m so happy to see you,” Stacey says, pulling Olivia into a hug.
I bet she is. I wonder now that she’s back if the four of them are going to play at the club?
“Hey, move out of the way, I want to see my soon-to-be sister-in-law,” Christian calls out as he grabs Olivia and whirls her around excitedly. “I’ve always wanted a sister.”
Axel and Olivia are stunned by his brother’s remarks. “Hey, I just got her back, Chris. I don’t need you scaring her away, man,” Axel tells his brother.
Dial down the enthusiasm, Chris.
“I’m just happy, that’s all.” He wraps his arm around Vanessa and rubs her expanding belly. Guessing, Chris wants Axel to hurry up and produce some cousins for his little girls to play with.
“Come on inside, grab some drinks and food. I’m starving.” Vanessa chuckles, patting her baby bump.
“Hey, man.” Oscar claps Axel on his back, then kisses Olivia on the cheek. “Good to see you guys together.”
Is it wrong that I am watching this interaction a little more closely than I would normally?
I’m dissecting the way Oscar touches Olivia to see if there is anything there.
Is Axel jealous that Oscar touched his woman?
He looks happy, so no. Olivia is blushing, so I'm wondering if she is thinking about the wicked things Oscar and Stacey have done to her. Wish I was a fly on the wall for that.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Axel tells Oscar as he looks down at Olivia.
I continue to let my mind wander and zone out on what they are talking about until I hear Isla’s name being mentioned by Olivia.
“How’s Isla doing? I didn’t get a chance to see her before she left.”
“She sounds happy, relaxed … I think it was the best thing for her, honestly. But she’s my baby sister, and I miss her,” Oscar answers.
Aw, poor Ragnar missing his baby sister, maybe he shouldn’t have been a protective dick, and she wouldn’t have left.
Stacey wanders over, and Oscar’s face lights up when he sees her.
Now my mind is fully wandering, seeing the four of them together, all we are missing is Jackson.
What a hot foursome they are. Is it weird sitting here and fantasizing about your friends’ sex lives? It is. I know it is.
“I’m so happy for you two. I’m glad it worked out in the end … you two were meant to be,” Stacey adds.
“Me, too. I still feel bad for putting Axel through everything.” You can see the guilt that is etched on Olivia’s face. Eventually, that guilt will disappear, princess.
“I’m happy you came to your senses,” Axel teases before placing a kiss on her forehead. Swoon. But also, Axel Taylor doesn’t joke.
“So, are you two planning on going to The Paradise Club anytime soon?” Stacey asks.
I still. I don’t think they realize I can hear their conversation. I mean, I am a gold medalist eavesdropper as I continue to play on my phone, acting as if all I can hear is the sirens and cars honking, traveling through the Hollywood Hills.
“Maybe, we haven’t had time to think about it,” Olivia whispers as she looks at Axel and then the other two, her cheeks burning pink.
“Oh, okay. Well … Liv, if you ever want to … you know …” Stacey giggles.
Oh my god! Is it hot in here? I can’t believe these filthy beings are talking like this here, but please continue.
“Interesting.” Axel chuckles.
“Yes, it is, isn’t it,” Oscar says in agreement.
Oh my god!
I’m dying. I can’t believe this is happening right in front of me. Axel then leans forward and whispers something, and I can’t fucking hear him. Wait. This isn’t fair. What is he saying? Whatever it is has Olivia hot under the collar as she takes a sip of her champagne.
“I think that sounds fun,” Stacey says.
What sounds fun? The way the boys are looking at their women and the way their women are looking at each other is blistering.
More mumbling that I can’t hear as Axel whispers into Olivia’s ear and then kisses her.
The sexual tension between this foursome is off the chain.
Fuck me dead. I would turn for those four.
“Something to talk about another day,” Oscar says, clearing his throat as Evan and Christian wander outside again. I guess they forgot about me in the shadows. “We’ll leave you to it.” Oscar drags Stacey away.
“You look flustered.” Axel laughs.
“That’s because I am,” Olivia says, throwing back the rest of her champagne. You and me both, sista. Then I can’t hear anything else the two of them say as they walk off, leaving me in a puddle in the dark.
“Derrick, what are you doing in the dark?” Evan asks.
“Just on my phone,” I say, standing up and shaking it.
“Everything okay?” he asks, sounding concerned.
“Yeah, everything is fucking perfect,” I say, giving him my biggest grin as he walks me back inside where the dining table is set up for us all.
We take our seats, and of course, I’m the single one amongst my loved-up friends.
I look around at everyone taking their seats, the ease they have as they move around their loved one, the smiles on their faces, the subtle glances and touches.
Urgh. I am feeling painfully single. Have faith, Derrick, your time will come.
“I’d like to make a toast,” Christian says, standing up.
“Nooo,” Axel yells at his twin.
“Oh, come on, Ax. I never thought the day would come that you would fall. Welcome to the club, brother.” Christian smirks and holds up his beer.
“Ignore him, he has no filter,” Axel assures Liv.
“I think it’s sweet,” she tells him.
“Don’t encourage him,” Axel warns her with a laugh.
“Who do you think is going to get married next, Axel or Oscar?” I throw out there.
“Derrick!” Stacey squeals, choking on her champagne.
“Yes!” Christian points at me, loving the hijinks I’ve just created.
“We’ve only been back together for a little while,” Axel argues, a panicked look on his face.
“Stace and I are not like that,” Oscar adds.
“You two are living together,” I say, raising a brow at him.
“Living together doesn’t equal more,” Stacey argues.
“It doesn’t?” Sienna turns and asks her.
“We … um … it’s …” Oscar stumbles over his words.
“Oscar and I are not conventional. We have an open relationship at the club, if you must all know. I have no desire to settle down, be married, and pop out babies. No offence, guys,” Stacey answers angrily.
“None taken, I think,” Vanessa adds.
Stacey glares at me, and I hold my hands up.
“We weren’t prying, babe,” Sienna tells her, looking worried.
“Stacey and I are happy the way we are. We aren’t like you guys,” Oscar explains as he looks at his bandmates.
“I could never share my woman,” Evan adds.
“And that works for you. Just because I do doesn’t mean our relationship is any less,” Oscar adds. There’s a bit of steel in his words.
“Guys, I was just teasing, I wasn’t meaning for this to go south,” I say, feeling the tension shimmer across the table.
“Oscar, you’re hardly forthcoming about your relationship with Stacey. It’s only natural we have questions,” Christian states.
“Ask away, we have nothing to hide,” Stacey tells the table.
“Stace, we’re genuinely happy that you have found each other. It’s none of our business what goes on behind closed doors,” Sienna says calmly. Always the voice of reason, my girl.
“I truly was just teasing, I’m sorry I took it too far,” I tell Stacey and Oscar.
“Well, I’ve always been curious,” Christian pipes up.
“Chris,” Axel warns his brother.
“What?”
“It’s none of your business,” Axel adds.
Christian bursts out laughing. “None of my business. Bro, we are the most co-dependent, incestuous, gossipy, friend group known to man. There are no secrets in this group. And I, for one, love that about us. I love you all. You’re my family.
My special family. There are no other people I trust more in my life than you guys, and of course, Finn and Isla who are not here, and Jackson because, let’s be serious, that man has probably hacked into everything we own and seen all our skeletons anyway. ” He chuckles.
“Well, I slept with the topless waiters during my birthday,” I confess to the group, which makes them all groan.
“As if we didn’t know that already. It was your birthday,” Axel says, rolling his eyes.
“Fine, one of the strippers from Ness’ bachelorette party blew me in the bathroom,” I state.
“You told us about that already.” Ness smirks.