Chapter 68 Derrick
DERRICK
Tonight, Stacey and Oscar put on a gorgeous BBQ under the stars. Charlie couldn’t believe how dark it was in the bush and how many stars you could see. He said back in Midnight Falls, where it’s really dark at nighttime, you still get some light pollution, but here it’s as if light doesn’t exist.
“Chuck a shrimp on the barbie, Oscar,” Christian calls out to him.
“It’s called a prawn, you dickhead,” Oscar yells back, which has us all in hysterics.
“What’s a prawn?” Charlie asks me.
“It’s what you guys call shrimp. Not sure why you guys call it that or why we call it that. But our prawns are way bigger than yours.”
“Is that so?” Charlie quirks a brow at me.
Which makes me laugh, I lean in, “Don’t worry, babe. I know your cock is huge compared to mine, and I love it.”
“I love your cock, too. It’s perfect for me.” He smirks, leaning in and kissing me.
“They never stop.” Jackson moans to Sienna, who’s come over to me.
“They’re in love. One day you’ll understand,” she tells him.
“Nah, I like my freedom too much,” Jackson states.
“Freedom of choice. This guy has never wanted to settle down. The number of women on base he went through was truly a feat,” Charlie explains.
“Man, why do you play me like that?” Jackson scolds him.
“He’s not saying anything we don’t already know,” I add.
Jackson rolls his eyes. “I like women. And women like me. Not my fault.”
“Anyway, I’ll leave you boys to fight about that but, D, can I grab you for a moment?” Sienna asks.
“Are you okay if I go?” I ask Charlie.
“Yes. I’m hanging out with this dickhead, so I’ll be fine,” he says, kissing me, which earns us scoffing from Jackson.
I get up and join Sienna. “You two are so cute.”
“Are we too much?”
“Never. It’s nice seeing you so happy, and Jackson’s just teasing his friend because you can see he is truly happy for you both.”
“I got to meet Charlie’s mum today on the phone, she is lovely. We’re going shopping together when we get back.”
“That’s awesome. Things are getting serious.”
“They are, he’s literally the best. I’ve had to stop telling myself to prepare for the other shoe to drop because he’s fucking perfect,” I confess to her.
“I was the same with Evan after we got back together. But every day he showed me that he was never leaving me again. Look, Chance messed you up with his mixed feelings, and I’m thankful he isn’t here for the wedding so that you and Charlie can have this experience together.
” I was relieved as well when I found out he wouldn’t be coming.
“I’m so happy that you’re not listening to those thoughts. ”
“Me too. Probably helps that Charlie has had so much therapy that he’s a walking green flag, and is so emotionally intelligent that he talks about every insecurity that I have and calmly listens and explains how he will make sure not to make me feel insecure and vice versa.”
“Aw, that’s beautiful. He’s so nice, D. I’ve never seen you this happy or this relaxed. I think it’s because you’re finally safe.”
“I am. Every day he talks about the future, probably because, as he’s said, he never thought he would have one. How can I not love a man like that?”
Sienna squeezes me. “I’m just so happy for you I could burst. It’s going to be so great when he moves to LA. We can have family meals together, double dates, etcetera.”
“I’m looking forward to all those things, too,” I tell her excitedly.
“Hey,” Vanessa says, walking over with Olivia. Sienna and I greet them.
“This place is so beautiful,” Olivia adds.
“A helluva lot different to your place.” I smirk.
“Complete opposite. And it’s so dry, I feel for everyone here,” Olivia states.
“Is Stacey okay?” Sienna asks as we walk closer to where Isla and Stacey are talking, huddled together. “Hope we’re not interrupting a moment,” Sienna asks.
Stacey shakes off whatever was bothering her and gives us a wide smile.
“Come sit,” Stacey offers, and we do.
“It’s so great being back home. The girls screamed when they saw the kangaroos bounding through the paddocks. They also may have scared the crap out of your chickens chasing them,” Vanessa says, lightening the mood.
Out of nowhere, Stacey looks at Sienna and says, “You’re knocked up again,” as she sips her water.
Sienna looks panicked. “Fucking hell. Is it really that obvious?” I knew already because the signs were there, and I told her to take a test. “Look, we just found out, so we weren’t going to say anything.”
“I found out, too.” Isla squeals and stuns the group.
Wait what? Isla is pregnant too?
“You too?” Sienna asks Isla. They both jump up and hug each other excitedly.
“You guys keep getting knocked up at weddings. It’s like it is some kind of powerful aphrodisiac or something. Damn rock stars and their potent sperm,” I tease.
“Your time will come soon,” Olivia tries to reassure me.
“I know, my little ladybug. I’ve started to speak to some agencies about looking into adoption, as an unmarried gay man, it doesn’t look good.
Plus, there’s a part of me that would love to have at least one child who shares my genetics.
Because, let’s be honest, look at me, all this needs to be in the world. ” The girls all laugh.
“What about a surrogate?” Stacey asks.
“That’s my next step. I think that’s going to be the easier option. It’s going to take some time to find the right woman,” I explain.
“Well, this is exciting, D.” Stacey smiles.
“Enough about me. It’s all about you?” I tell her.
“I can’t believe how much Oscar has changed,” Isla comments. “Never knew someone under the age of sixty who loved to garden as much as he does. He was chatting with Dad about buying a farm or something down in Malibu.”
A farm? Wow, Ragnar has really taken to this life.
“Yep, he sure does. He said he wants somewhere outside the city for the kids, but really, it’s for him.” Stacey smirks. “He’s taken on the role of guardian so well with them. Especially the girls, they seem to confide in him way more than me.”
“He’s always so good with Easton.” Isla smiles.
“He is such a good uncle, but he can always give him back. He’s stuck with these ratbags,” Stacey teases.
“He looks like a natural,” Sienna states.
“It’s not at all how we saw our life turning out,” Stacey says, going quiet for a moment as she plays with the label on her beer. “I mean, we never spoke about getting married or even having a family, life has pushed the fast-forward button, and we’re getting married and instantly have five kids.”
“So, no little Vikings in the works then?” I tease.
“Hell, no, Derrick. We have all the family we need. Plus, I have teenagers. Like, I have no idea what they talk about half the time. They make me feel instantly old.” The group chuckles.
“This teen world is so confusing. I mean, it doesn’t feel that long ago that I was one.
Apparently, this is all in my head because I’m very much older. ”
“Well, either way, you and Oscar are doing brilliantly,” Vanessa states. “The fact that everything you have been through has brought the two of you closer together.”
“In a strange way, it has. It’s very much made us re-evaluate things,” Stacey says.
“So, no more play in The Paradise Club?” I ask. Which has Stacey shushing me. “That’s such a mum thing to do.”
“They don’t need to know anything about that life. I can’t imagine we’ll go back there for a while anyway.”
Wow, I’m surprised. “So, you’re going vanilla?” I ask.
“There will never be anything vanilla about us, Derrick. Because we may not go to …” Stacey quickly looks around to make sure no kids are about, “… sex clubs. Doesn’t mean we do missionary all night.”
“Having a family changes things,” Olivia pipes in. “For Axel and me, we have hit pause on The Paradise Club as it doesn’t fit into our life at the moment, but it doesn’t mean we won’t ever enjoy it again.
“Good to see my naughty little princess is still there,” I tease, giving Olivia a high-five.
“Things will eventually settle down for you and Oscar. Don’t worry if things don’t go back to the way they were. You’re both living your new normal,” Olivia explains to her.
“Thanks,” Stacey says to Liv.
This is cause for a celebration as I stand up.
“We’re here celebrating the last Dirty Texas man falling.
” Everyone raises their glasses. “When Sienna and I started this wild journey all those years ago, who knew that good friends would soon become family. I’d not be where I am today if it weren’t for Sienna and Stacey.
You two have helped me launch a career that I only ever dreamed about.
You have helped me set up a business that’s generating an income I never thought was possible.
You two are like sisters to me, and every day I’m thankful you’re both in my life.
” The girls instantly tear up, but I need them to know how much I love them.
“To my Dirty Texas bitches, Ness, Issy, and Liv.” I look over at them.
“Thank you for welcoming me into your lives and becoming my family. I would do anything in the world for all of you. I mean, I’d even sleep with you if you asked, and you all know how much I hate vaginas.
Actually, it would be more like I’d have a threesome with you and your husbands.
I’d stick it in ya. That’s how much I love you girls.
” They all groan and giggle, but that’s just how much I love them.
“I mean it, ladies. Without you all in my life, I honestly don’t know where I’d be.
Before y’all, I was never accepted, I was never loved, and I never fit in.
Then this blonde bombshell over here …” I point to Sienna, “… took a chance on this old queen and saved my life because what she didn’t know was that I had decided to end my life if I didn’t get this job.
Not because it was my dream job, but because I couldn’t take any more rejection.
” Wow. I was going to go to the grave with that confession.