Chapter 29
CHAPTER
TWENTY-NINE
BODEN
We’ve given Stevie a week.
A week too long.
Technically, six days because I couldn’t stand forcing Audrey to wait any longer.
But I told Audrey that we would scare her off if we tried to get her back too soon, so I think I’m leading on this one.
We walk up the driveway to the quiet beige house and knock on the door. I try not to think about all the times we’ve dropped her off and picked her up here in high school.
I brush that thought off just in time for the bright-eyed, silver-haired woman to open the door and smile.
“The Taylors…”
I now know where Stevie’s smirk comes from because her grandma is wearing the same exact one as she stares up at us.
Does this elderly woman know what we’ve been up to?
Audrey confirms, “That’s us. Does Stevie happen to be here? We wanted to chat.”
“I’m glad you’re here. She’s been moping around, upset, worse than I’ve ever seen her.” She leans into us, whispering, “Don’t tell her I told you that, she’ll have my ass. She’ll really take my soap opera away, and I don’t want to miss anything.”
I nod my head and whisper back, “Oh, we can’t have you missing your show, we’ll put in a good word.” And then I add a wink for some good luck.
“Stevie! You have two people here for you!”
“Grandma, what did I tell you about answering the door for strangers?” Stevie’s voice gets closer to the door, and I can’t hold back the enjoyment I have when she’s around us.
As Stevie gets to the door, her grandma shoots us a wink over her shoulder and heads back into the house. But not without saying, “These aren’t strangers, Stevie.”
“What are you doing here?” Stevie looks around like we have no reason to be here.
She steps out the door, letting it close behind her, and Audrey finally says, “We’re here to win you back.”
I add, “And to tell you, we still want you to be with us.”
“I’m not coming between the two of you and Daniella. She’s your daughter, I’m just a random bitch.”
Audrey takes Stevie’s hand in hers. “You’re not just a random bitch, Stevie. I know you want to think that and want us to believe it, but you’re so much more than that. Let us show you.”
Tears well in Stevie’s eyes, so I grab up her other hand. “Daniella was just shocked, that’s all. She’s come to terms with what is going on between us.”
Audrey adds, “We raised her to not worry about what others do in their lives and who they love, as long as they’re not endangering anyone. We are all three consenting adults, so we also fall into that category. Unless we’re causing harm to you that we aren’t aware of…”
“No, no harm—besides to my heart this past week,” Stevie whispers, and it does me in. The bridge of my nose stings, and my throat feels like it’s clogged with unshed tears.
I pull her into my chest, letting my head rest on top of hers, as Audrey wraps around us.
“I love you, Stevie,” Audrey says with such certainty that it makes my heart swell.
At Audrey’s confession, I follow suit. “And I love you too. Both of you, dearly.”
With her cheek still pressed against my chest and tears dampening my shirt, Stevie murmurs, “Why you two want me in the middle of your marriage, I’ll never know, but for what it’s worth, I love you both too…”
It feels quick but, at the same time, slower than I want it to be.
We’ve waited so long to finally have someone be with both of us and love us for who we are as people, separately and, more importantly, together.
It might be some kind of twisted devotion, but I know all my devotion is to these two beautiful souls in my arms.
We’ll figure the rest out later.
“I’m gonna have to fill my grandma in on the new tea… She’s not ever going to drop this. Especially showing up on our doorstep.” Stevie chuckles, and the light-heartedness of it makes me beyond happy.
Audrey steps to the side, and I hold Stevie out from our hug by the top of her arms. “We’ll be at the house if and when you’re ready to come back over.” Audrey and I both place kisses on her lips and smack her ass as she heads back to take care of her grandma.
I swear I hear Stevie telling her grandma not to listen to our conversation, but once the door shuts, we’re met with silence.
As Audrey and I make our way back to the car, my phone vibrates like crazy in my pocket, and when I pull it out, I wish I hadn’t done so. Sometimes working with men is the equivalent of working with feral toddlers—actually, that’s the majority of the time.
The Greasy Rhino Group Chat
Rowley
That Piper lady just texted me asking if I can look at her car… she said it won’t start and it’s at her house.
What do I do?
That’s not allowed, right?
Nico
Breathe, buddy
Corbin
She probably wants to get a hold of that tight ass of yours
Me
Can we not sexually harass in the group chat for fuck’s sake
Anyways, Rowley, that’s up to you, bud
If you want, you can have her just pay you, but if you’re not comfortable, we can have her car towed in
Rowley
I don’t mind going over there. She was really nice when she picked up her car the last time
But I didn’t want to step on the shop’s toes
Me
That Audrey’s best friend, you can help her if you have time
I know she’ll make sure you’re paid too
Corbin
The cougar likes the fresh meat
Rowley
You like the fresh meat too, fuckwad
Nico
Corbin, you’re just mad because you’re not the fresh meat anymore
Me
Out of the group chat for the love of god
I set my phone in the cupholder and let my head hit the headrest.
“What’s going on?”
*I fill Audrey in. “Has Piper said anything about her car being messed up again?”
“I’m going to see her next week for my hair, but not since the last time.” Her brows pull together in confusion.
“I think Piper might have her eyes on Rowley.” I side-eye her to see her reaction.
She chuckles. “She probably does. She’s newly divorced, let the woman live. Unless Rowley has a partner, then I’ll tell her to back down.”
“He doesn’t.”
Her smile should scare me, but I know Piper is a good person. A good person that’s been stuck with a horrible man for one too many years.
What’s a little fun?
* New Me - Yelawolf