Chapter 35 #2
“There’s a point?” Briggs mumbles under his breath.
“There is, actually.” I stretch my legs out, crossing them at the ankle. “The two of us need to put aside our differences, for Andi’s sake. She’s got enough stressors in her life without worrying about her boyfriends killing each other if she isn’t there to mediate.”
“Boyfriends?” he sputters, his eyes wide with shock.
“Do you have a better word to describe what we’re doing? Because we sure as shit aren’t hooking up,” I all but growl. “Like fuck is Andi going to feel cheap and replaceable. So if this isn’t a long-term, forever kind of thing for you, you need to step away and give her a chance to move on.”
“Fuht!” Hudson exclaims, his little voice echoing around the room.
Well, shit. Andi’s gonna be pissed if he repeats that in front of her.
I want to be excited that he’s said another word, or at least attempted to, but I feel like that’d be the wrong response.
It would be counterproductive to improving his speech if I were to scold him, though…
right? Briggs and I glance at one another, then carry on as if nothing happened, silently agreeing to keep this between the two of us.
“I can assure you, I have no plans of going anywhere,” he insists, and though I’m inclined to believe him, I still have reservations based on his past behavior.
“Are you sure about that?” I probe. His dark eyes narrow, lips parting to release a stream of undoubtedly colorful words, but I hold my hand up to cut him off.
“I’m not trying to be difficult, Briggs.
I want to know that when the going gets tough, you’re not going to bail.
She’s a mother of two now. Andi needs rock-solid support, not someone who’s taken a liking to disappearing for days on end.
I don’t know your history, or what has you running scared so often, but that stops here and now if you’re going to be a part of this. ”
“Fuck you,” he spits venomously, leaning close so Hudson doesn’t hear him.
“You have no idea what I’ve been through or why I do the shit I do.
I’ve given you no reason to think I’d leave Andi without an explanation.
In fact, I’ve been on my best goddamn behavior, so excuse me if I don’t appreciate you speaking on things you aren’t the least bit privy to. ”
“And I don’t need to know, Briggs. But what you just said, about not leaving Andi without an explanation, that’s the problem.
You don’t get to leave Andi, period. If you’re serious about this new lease on life you’ve seemingly embraced, then fucking commit.
This is going to be difficult enough, trying to navigate a relationship that consists of five different people, without us having to worry about you flying off the handle. ”
“Jesus, you’re actually considering this, aren’t you?” he stares at me incredulously, but beneath his prudish reaction, I can see the wheels turning, his brain surmising what I’ve already realized: there’s no other way we get to keep her.
“Andi’s been forced into a box of someone else's making for the better part of a decade. Hell, longer than that if we include her parents and their penchant for never putting her needs before their own. No one has ever put her first. I’m not going to make her choose between us, or have her rip her heart apart just to appease societal norms. She didn’t purposely fall for four different men, and it’s obvious to anyone with eyes how distraught it’s making her.
How guilty she feels, when there’s absolutely no reason for her to be tying herself into knots over it.
“You know as well as I do that she’d rather cut us all off or relegate us to the friend zone before she chooses just one of us.
So if the only way for me to keep Andi is to share her with the three of you, then I’d rather have a piece of her than nothing at all.
Can you say the same? Are you willing to set aside your jealousy and put her needs before your own?
” I question bluntly, knowing this isn’t the time for mincing words.
“That’s not what I’m hesitant about,” Briggs responds, his hand scrubbing the back of his neck nervously.
“She’s already a talking point for the entire country.
This case has the internet sleuths out in full force, and they’re picking apart every person involved in hopes of discovering something the FBI has overlooked so they can have their fifteen minutes of fame.
What do you think they’re going to say about her when her romantic relationships are brought into question?
What about when they realize that one of those partners was directly involved in her case, and now she’s living in his home?
It won’t be long before her pregnancy becomes public knowledge as well.
Even if the online community doesn’t turn against her, Ada Stillwater won’t hesitate to use it as a tool to sway the jury’s opinion. ”
I clench my jaw so tightly my teeth ache.
I hate that he’s right. But the alternative is that we wait, for years possibly, until the hype over the case has faded and Andi’s every move isn’t being scrutinized.
Even if we wanted to put her reputation above our own desires, I doubt she’d allow it.
Andi’s had enough of people telling her how to act and what she can and can’t do.
“I think if the four of us can agree to give this a try, then we let Andi decide if she’s willing to suffer the possible consequences.
I refuse to be another person in her life who takes her choices away,” I voice passionately.
“We’ve been fortunate that she’s stayed under the radar as well as she has.
And while there might be a lot of online chatter, all we can do is worry about the things that are within our means of controlling. ”
“Agreed.” Briggs nods begrudgingly, dodging an elbow to the face as Hudson uses his body like a jungle gym.
“See,” I jest. “The two of us can get along.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He waves me off. “Just don’t forget all your talking points when you bring your grand idea up to Col and Dayton. They’re going to take a lot more convincing than I did.”
“Oh no,” I jest, climbing to my feet so I can retrieve my shirt. “We’re a team now. We’ll be tackling the two of them together.”
“Are you saying…” he trails off, glancing around conspiratorily. “That you want to tag-team the guys?” His hand clamps around an invisible strand of pearls, pretending to be scandalized.
“It’s good to know that’s where your head went, but sorry to disappoint, I’m only interested in pussy. Specifically, Andi’s pussy,” I retort, shooting him a smirk while buttoning up my shirt.
“Familiar with it, are you?” he drones.
“Unless she decides to tell you herself, that’s none of your business.
But let’s not pretend that you aren’t as well.
Maybe keep the public fucking to a minimum, though, yeah?
” His brow raises in question, but he doesn’t seem too bothered by the fact I know what he and Andi got up to.
“And don’t you dare make her feel bad about what you overheard this morning.
” I hold his gaze, letting my seriousness bleed through while striding to the door.
“I’ll be back this evening. Make sure Andi gets a few more hours of rest. And Briggs?
” I stop at the threshold, making sure I have his full attention.
“Yes, Detective Hardass?” he simpers, batting his lashes at me.
“Whether or not you’re in my bed tonight, I plan to be there as well.” His bark of laughter follows me out the door.
“‘Bout time you stopped playing the role of a cuck! Submissive doesn’t suit you,” he yells after me, loud enough for half the damn street to hear.
Fucking idiot.
After speaking with O’Connor, I shoot Mia a text around lunchtime and ask her to meet me at McKellan’s, a local sandwich shop a couple of blocks from the precinct.
It feels like this day has already lasted a lifetime, and the last thing I want to do is listen to my sister give me the third degree.
Parking my truck, I scan the street for anything that looks out of place.
Chaplain has become a hub of activity ever since news of the case broke.
Wannabe investigative journalists have flooded our tiny southern town, and a few of them have been pushing the boundary of polite inquisition.
The bell over the door chimes when I enter, and I immediately spot Mia at a two-top bistro near the back.
“Little brother,” she greets me, her tone noticeably lacking any warmth.
“Mia,” I sigh, taking the seat across from her. “I’m sorry I haven’t called. It’s been a crazy few months.”
“You could say that again,” she snarks, crossing her arms and bracing them on the tabletop.
It’s her no-nonsense lawyer stance, and I mentally prepare myself for the ass-chewing she’s about to deliver.
When she says nothing at all, choosing to sit there and let me stew in the discomfort, I start to squirm.
Sighing audibly, I begin speaking, belatedly realizing she just used my own tactics against me.
You’d think we were both trained in the art of interrogation, given how adept she is.
“Her name is Andilyn Adams. You’ve probably heard of her.” I let my statement hang between us, watching Mia’s face blanch, her shock and worry bleeding through her expressive features. “It started eight months ago, when Andi and I first met…”
I spend the next hour filling Mia in on everything that’s taken place since that fateful day at the Farmer’s Market.
I explain how Andi and I grew closer with every weekly check-in, how the bond we’ve formed is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
I tell her about the guys and the roles they’ve come to play, all while watching every minute reaction that graces her face.
Without even realizing it, it dawns on me that I’m searching for any sign that Mia will be a threat to Andi. Not physically, but emotionally.