Chapter 20 - Stan
Stan
The basement smells like damp stone, motor oil, and the vague sense that my family has never emotionally processed anything ever.
They call it the dungeon, which is dramatic, even for my family.
Really, it’s just a long, dim hallway with a bunch of unused rooms and lighting so moody it feels like the house is trying to trick me into buying shirts from Hot Topic.
Here, the lights are low, lining the sides. They’re too far apart though, only giving enough visibility to keep me from eating shit down the stairs.
Classic Song-Smith hospitality.
I shove my hands into my pockets and walk down it anyway, my steps echoing and my head still spinning with so many memories from last night.
Oh, and also from not getting enough sleep.
I haven’t slept as well since kicking Em’s remixed Kys to the curb.
I’ll have to tell her that side effect. Even after fucking fantastic earth-shattering sex, my damn insomnia’s coming back.
By the open double doors into a large garage, the air starts feeling ice cold.
I step through, and the hallway widens into an underground garage that’s as spacious as upstairs.
I blink hard as soon as I flip the light switch on, ‘cause Damon clearly decided this place needed to look like a luxury car commercial for some reason.
Blinding white lights. Floors polished to a mirror shine. Spotlights mounted over some spots.
I scowl. Deliberate lighting choices? Bro.
It’s like I walked into a car dealership staffed with assholes who didn’t even show up to work.
Dead center sits Damon’s Lexus, gleaming like it expects applause. Sterling’s Valkyrie crouches close to it, all sleek lines and unnecessary tech, looking like it could kill someone just by revving.
I snort, rolling my eyes. Can’t have their precious quarterlife crises sitting in a dingy garage like normal people. God forbid a luxury vehicle ever experience humility.
For a few seconds, my sleep-deprived mind considers keying into ‘em. My hand even reaches for my keys in my pockets.
But I sigh and keep walking. They’d know it was me and kick me out of this mansion faster than I can make Em and Lix moan my name.
Speaking of those two, they’re really crossing off my sex fantasy checklist fast. Scratching my chin, I figure I might as well get creative and start adding more to my list.
While thinkin’ about it, I walk to the far end of the garage, past the showroom lights and into a patch where one overhead bulb flickers like it’s thinking about early retirement.
My Ford GT gleams red. Doesn’t even need the spotlight. It knows what it is.
I walk over and run a hand along the hood, checking for dust, scratches, any sign someone’s messed with it.
But it’s still perfect. Kinda like me. I wink at my reflection on the shiny red finish.
A couple of bikes are lined up beside it. My BMW’s closest to me, clean and tuned. Exactly how I left it.
Then there’s Lix’s Harley Davidson. Total cruiser.
She’s still beautiful. Blacked out, solid, and patiently waiting for her man.
I kept her running, cleaned her weekly, started the engine every few days like she might miss the sound of herself if I don’t.
The idea of letting it sit dead felt wrong while Lix was out cold during his coma.
I squat beside it, checking the tires, the chain, the paint. All good. I tighten a bolt that doesn’t need tightening because my hands need something to do.
“Soon,” I murmur to it. “I promise, babe.”
I straighten and glance back toward the garage door, imagining the daylight outside of this estate and out there in Darkhaven.
I imagine Em squinting at the sun through her cute glasses.
And Lix denying he doesn’t love the feel of the breeze, if I could ever convince him to take his helmet off when he rides his hog.
But okay, fine, safety fucking first. I want him intact. Wouldn’t want to take away any more of his nine lives. I’m goddamn lucky he survived that insane cliff jump. I’m never gonna let him fall like that again. Unless it’s to fall in love with me and Em.
She’s never leaving either. They might not know it yet, but they’re mine, and now that I have them, there’s no going back.
And today, I’m taking my two better halves—or thirds—to a day out. We’ve been cooped inside for too long. I sure as hell have. So it’s time to bring my better thirds out for some air.
Pulling out my Razr, I dial my old flip phone’s number, hoping Em picks up. “C’mon, gorgeous,” I mumble, looking around.
A few rings after, and I hear her pretty voice. In the background, Kaye’s cussing, sounding shrill about it.
“Stan…?”
Em saying my name like that reminds me too much of how she moaned it last night. I almost forget to talk, until she checks on me.
“Hello?”
Clearing my throat, I rub at the back of my neck. “Hey, gorgeous, mind coming down to the dungeon? Bring Lix too, would ya?”
“Okay, but…” Em hesitates, then I hear Kaye scream. “Elle and I are trying to convince Kaye that a house spider is harmless, so I may be a while.”
I laugh and ask, “Is she trying to shoot the thing?”
“She’s currently wielding a knife,” Em says. “Butter, to be precise.”
I bite down my smile, even if no one can see me completely smitten by this super cute scientist and the way she talks. “Why don’t you ask Lix to take the spider outside?”
“Unfortunately, a house spider may not survive well in the wild, especially during winter.”
Sitting on my bike, I’m all ears for one of her sexy lectures, but I want her and Lix down here soon. “Oh, yeah?” I chuckle. “Well, d’you wanna let the little guy live with us in our room?”
“Our room?” she repeats, sounding surprised.
I comb my fingers through my short hair. “Yeah, I mean, we christened the sheets.” My next chuckle comes out a bit breathless. “You sure did. That’s why we set down towels before you…came.”
“Clever play on words.” She scoffs. God, I love her. “Oh, here’s Lix. I’ll go talk to him.” Right before she hangs up, I hear her say, “Kaye, please put the knife down.”
Laughing to myself, I stay seated and hold my phone in both hands. Ever since last night, it feels like finally finding that one missing piece. And now that she’s part of me and Lix…
I don’t know how I can go back to not having Em like this.
So, even though I have major respect for Idris—I wouldn’t have met Em without him—he can absolutely move on with his life, knowing I gave him fair warning.
Em’s mine. And Lix’s too. She’s all ours.
My phone buzzes before it rings. Well, it doesn’t really ring. The sound it makes is the sloppy makeout Lix and Em had in front of me, while I was sneakily recording them. What they don’t know won’t hurt ‘em.
I pick it up after hearing their moans harmonize. But it’s too quiet for my tastes. Needs to be way louder than that.
“Hey there, gorgeous.”
“My apologies,” Em says. “I didn’t mean to leave the call abruptly.”
“No problem, Em.”
“Lix and I are on our way down.”
“Great.” I grin, rubbing my abs through my skintight shirt. “Bring any snacks for your big guy?”
“Yes, I have a basketful.” She sounds a bit out of breath. “You said we’d have a picnic?”
“Yup…” I try to hide how worried I am. Idris warned us about what Em’s going through, but we have to be tight-lipped and subtle about taking care of her around it. Doctor’s strict orders.
“Elle filled a basket with food and drinks.” I can hear Kaye complain in the background. “Kaye says she’s not upset about us not including her. But I would guess that she’s speaking passive aggressively.”
“Yeah, that’s a Knight in a nutshell.”
I can pick up on Sterling’s voice. “Heard that, asshole.”
“Heard that too, you halfie!” I shout back before hanging up when I realize I might’ve just shouted into my girl’s ear.
My hand pats my keys again. I could key that emo fucker’s Valkyrie right now, and we’d see who gets the last word in.
***
Footsteps echo down the stairs, then the hallway.
I glance up from the Ford in time to catch Em, basket looped over her arm, glasses slightly crooked like it’s not obvious they sneaked a kiss, or more, on the way down here.
Lix follows a step behind her, a tad slower, still getting used to trusting his balance again. He probably doesn’t think anyone notices, but I’m sure Em insisted she carry the picnic basket, because of course she could tell too.
And now, my feet are moving real fast to them, just to make sure I can catch Lix in case he pushes himself too hard.
Without Kys in his system, moving upright’s looking tougher on him. I always have the pills somewhere on me, unless I’m naked in bed with him. Pretty sure I can keep him happy horizontal.
I greet ‘em, kissing Em on the cheek, fixing her glasses, and taking the basket from her. But Lix’s eyes go past me, ignoring my smooch-mode lips for what’s behind me. Rude, but fair ‘cause the second his eyes land on his cruiser, he stops.
“Holy shit,” he whispers.
He crosses the space and reaches for the handlebar. His smile breaks wide, eyes shining, and shoulders trembling like he’s holding back a laugh or a breakdown or both. God, I hope it’s not a breakdown. I might cry with him.
“She’s perfect, Stan,” he says, shocked in a good way. “You kept her for me?”
“Yeah,” I reply. “Figured she deserved better than collecting dust someplace else.”
Lix laughs under his breath, hands on his hog. “Fuck. Thank you, Stan.”
I shrug, even though I can’t fight back my grin. “Someone’s gotta be the responsible one around here.”
Em steps closer to me, so I slide my arm around her shoulders. She leans in nice and easy, and we stand together watching Lix reunite with his ride.
Bending down to whisper in her ear, I ask, “How ya holdin’ up? Been nauseous lately?”
She turns to look at me, brows knitting. “How could you have known that?”
Shit. I shrug too fast, too casual. “Sue me for noticing you, gorgeous.”
Her gaze stays on me, and for a moment, I’m sure she’s about to connect the dots I don’t want her connecting yet.