Chapter 22
Chicot’s ankle was mostly better when she woke.
It helped that Monty had thought to stick a pillow under it and give her an ibuprofen before they’d gone to sleep.
She’d even remembered to text Elijah where she was, confirming that she had, in fact, talked to Monty and that everything had worked out.
In the light of the early morning sun, Chicot played with Monty’s hair while she snored softly on Chicot’s chest. She had woken early by accident and couldn’t sleep anymore, which meant Chicot got to play on her phone while Monty kept her pinned to the bed.
Chicot certainly wasn’t complaining. Or at least, she wouldn’t until she had to go to the bathroom.
She cleaned up some of her old apps, deleting first Hinge and then Tinder, finally lingering on the dating app just for women who wanted to date other women.
She looked at Monty, confirming that she was completely asleep before she opened it again.
Her finger lingered for a moment over the conversation between them.
After a moment, she clicked on it, watching several messages pop up from Monty, all from the past few months.
First, there was a normal greeting, then after they’d had that first dinner to talk about backstage, more messages had been sent.
FalseCake: Hey, I understand if you haven’t said anything because you don’t want things to be awkward, but I really don’t care if you’re not interested in me. I just want us to have a good faire season.
FalseCake: Listen, I’m not sure why you don’t want to respond, but I wanted to give you an out. I know my sister asked you for help, but if it’s too awkward for you to work with me, I understand. I wouldn’t blame you for backing out.
FalseCake: Thanks for today. I know Brewhilda is a lot to deal with. I try not to let her get to me like that, but she really did. So, thanks.
Chicot blinked as she reread the messages.
They stopped after that, probably because Chicot had informed her that she didn’t have a phone to read them on, but they were so …
mundane. She then scrolled up to find a conversation they’d had about music.
One where Chicot had suggested PUP to Monty after learning she liked Fall Out Boy.
Laughter started to bubble up inside her, her stomach and chest twitching enough that Monty grumbled and rolled off her.
Chicot followed her, wrapping an arm around Monty, spooning her against her chest and kissing her shoulder.
“Chicot, it’s so early,” Monty grumbled. Chicot kissed her neck, a spot she knew Monty had a hard time ignoring.
“Yeah, but some early morning exercise is always good for the body,” Chicot said. Monty’s eyes cracked open, soft and gray as she frowned at Chicot.
“You better mean sex and not actual exercise,” Monty groused. Chicot laughed, locking her phone and tossing it aside.
“Yes, that is what I mean.” She carefully took Monty’s shoulder, getting her to turn so she could kiss her again. Monty slid an arm under her waist as she did it, pulling her closer as they lost themselves to each other for a while.
It was nearly an hour later when the pounding on the door started. Chicot briefly wondered if something was horribly wrong, but she pulled her boxers back on and found her shirt as Monty did the same.
They stepped out into the hallway right as Elvis let Elijah inside.
He barreled toward Chicot, scooping her up in his arms and spinning awkwardly so he didn’t knock her against the walls of the narrow RV hallway.
Chicot braced her hands on his shoulders, preparing to land on one foot if he put her down suddenly, Monty ineffectually waving her hands next to them like they should stop.
“We got in!” Elijah yelled as soon as he stopped spinning.
“We did?” Chicot’s eyes blew huge, her fingers gripping Elijah’s shirt tightly. “We got in?”
They yelled at each other a few more times, much to the chagrin of Elvis, who covered his ears. He was still smiling and Lyza was bouncing in excitement.
“You got in!?” Lyza asked. Chicot’s eyes darted to Monty quickly, Chicot just beamed at her.
A look of shock crossed Monty’s face, her jaw slackened for a moment before an open-mouthed smile crept onto her face as Elijah finally lowered Chicot to the floor. Monty reached for Chicot, pulling her close as she hopped on one foot to try and save her ankle strength for the day.
“Really?” Monty’s voice was low, the two of them tuning out Elvis, Lyza, and Elijah all cheering together behind them. Chicot grinned, her arms going around Monty’s neck as she pressed a kiss on her lips.
Chicot confirmed, “You’re stuck with me for another twelve weeks.”
Monty laughed, cupping Chicot’s face and kissing her again. “I want to be stuck with you for a lot longer than that.”
Chicot grinned, the two of them exchanging little kisses before they joined in the other three’s celebration.
Lyza had procured a bottle of non-alcoholic Champagne from somewhere, saying she’d bought it for exactly an occasion like this.
She poured them each a glass, the five of them clashing the coffee mugs they’d used together.
As Chicot took a sip, Monty’s hand on the small of her back holding her close as she leaned on the counter, she grinned to herself.
Just a little jester, happy to be with her new family.
THE END.