38. Flynn
38
FLYNN
My relationship—for lack of a better word—with Abi settles into a sort-of rhythm quickly.
We work, we hang out like we always have, and occasionally, when time and circumstances permit, we get each other off.
Unfortunately even when circumstances allow it, the timing isn’t usually great, so our orgasms have been quick handies and blowjobs and I haven’t had the chance to curl around her and sleep next to her again.
Or have actual sex, even though I really, really want to.
Mind you, I’m not complaining about any time I get with her either.
Even if we aren’t getting time to get naked with each other, Abi is a heap of fun to hang out with. Now that she’s settling in and realising the people here are on her side, not against her, she’s proving to be a lot of fun.
Especially when she nags me to take her riding. We’ve spent several evenings down at the beach, Abi in control of the bike, or perched on behind me, an arm stretched out to embrace the wind while she whoops and hollers in my ear.
Watching her let go in those moments is my favourite thing to do.
Abi’s relationship with Sadie has evolved in leaps and bounds too, from Katie leaving Sadie with her that day, to Abi collecting Sadie from school the next afternoon.
I’m not sure how keen Dallas was with Katie’s meddling in the situation, but those two seem as rock solid as ever, so he can’t have been too put out by it. Or if he was, she managed to bring him around. I don’t want to know how she did it.
There are some things I don’t need to know about my best friend.
Since that day, Abi has spent more and more time with Sadie, including having her at her house for a couple of hours. When Sadie came home she was fizzing with excitement about the afternoon they spent together and while Abi watched on I could swear I saw tears in her eyes.
I’m so glad I was around when she dropped Sadie back out to the farm.
Abi’s anxiety around being with Sadie is lessening as Sadie’s level of excitement of having her mum back in her life grows.
I slow my bike to a stop and kick down the stand, already looking forward to the afternoon Abi and I have planned. First port of call is a quick dinner at Violet’s, then I’m finally giving her a decent tour of the farm from the back of my bike. I know it’s likely that at least one of the others will want to join us, and despite me constantly wanting time alone with Abi, I don’t mind if our friends want to hang out with us either .
I stride into the function centre and stop dead. It’s like déjà vu of the day of the roses.
Flowers everywhere and in the middle of it all, Abi, looking like she’s going to burst into tears.
“I’m so sorry,” she says the moment she sees me. Her voice wobbles and she clamps her teeth down on her lower lip. “I obviously can’t go anywhere tonight.”
“Hey.” I stride across the room towards her. As soon as I’m within reach I stroke my thumb across her mouth, gently tugging her lip free of her teeth. “Take a breath, Rosie. What happened?”
“Same florist, didn’t follow the order again. Now I have all these flowers to arrange. I’m going to be here for hours.”
“What else do you need to do tonight?”
“Nothing, thankfully. Pretty much everything else is taken care of.”
“Okay.” I slide my phone out of my pocket and check the time. “First things first, dinner.”
She opens her mouth to argue but I grasp her chin gently.
“You’ve got to eat, Rosie. Then we’ll deal with the rest.”
She exhales a heavy breath and I feel it wash over my skin. “Okay,” she whispers and the next argument I had on my lips dies. I wasn’t expecting her to give in that easily.
She follows me outside and climbs onto the bike, automatically sliding her body close to mine and wrapping her arms around my waist.
Her lack of hesitation hits me right in the chest as I release the clutch and twist the throttle, heading for the main house .
It’s already loud and chaotic when we step inside, forever the last to arrive.
Dallas, Katie, Sadie, Olivia and Violet all greet us in various ways from simple greetings to a running hug from Sadie, as per usual.
Violet serves us massive plates of sweet and sour meatballs, rice and vegetables and we all dig in, conversation sliding into its usual easy banter.
“You two off somewhere after this?” Olivia asks Abi and I pause shovelling food into my mouth to see how she’s going to respond.
“Ah, I have a little more I have to do before we’re ready for this wedding tomorrow,” Abi says, eyes not leaving her plate.
“I thought it was all sorted?” Olivia asks, her eyes narrowing. “What happened since lunchtime when I was down there?”
“Um, well, the flowers arrived and the florist got it wrong again.”
“Wrong how?” Olivia asks, voice steely and Abi’s cheeks turn pink. “And what do you mean again?”
Abi opens her mouth, but no words come out. She lifts her chin, her gaze crashing into mine across the table.
“Hey,” I say to Olivia. “It was the florist’s fuck up, not Abi’s. They sent the flowers, but they aren’t arranged. And she means again because this isn’t the first time it’s happened.”
Olivia instantly turns sheepish. “Sorry, Abi,” she says. “I wasn’t meaning to sound pissed at you. You’re right about it not being the first time either. I think we need to find a new one.” She pauses, moving her food around her plate with her fork. “Why didn’t you tell me about the first time? ”
“Ah, I didn’t want to let you down,” Abi mutters, her cheeks turning even redder as she realises everyone in the room is paying attention to her.
“Well, we’re all here to help you,” Katie says. “I’m not sure flower arranging is really in my skillset but I can give it a go. You can find a new florist next week.”
Abi glances at Katie, shooting her a small smile, then looks back to Olivia.
“What she said,” Olivia agrees, gesturing to Katie. “Sorry about your evening though.”
“It’s fine.” Abi shrugs. “Was only going to be hanging out with Flynn anyway.” She shoots me a smirk.
“Rude,” I exclaim. “I’m excellent company.”
Katie pats my arm. “Sure thing, sweetheart. We all know Livvie and I are better.”
Sweetheart.
The name registers in my brain, but coming from Katie it doesn’t mean a damn thing, except that she’s an annoying little shit.
When Abi calls me that though … then it means everything.
I scoff, then glance back across the table at Abi. Her mouth curls into a smile and she quickly glances around the table before sending an air kiss in my direction.
Conversation resumes around me, with Abi explaining how the flowers need to be arranged and as soon as the meal is done, everyone, including Violet, Dallas and Sadie, pile into vehicles to head back to the function centre. I expect Abi to get in one of the utes, but she follows me straight to my bike and slides on behind me .
As we pull in the driveway, a little red hatchback is coming along the road from the opposite direction. It rolls to a stop and I smile as the driver’s window lowers to reveal Tilly Sheridan.
“Everything okay?” Tilly asks.
“Hey, Tilly,” Abi says, surprising me. They must know each other from Sugar, because I can’t think where else they would have crossed paths. “Just a mishap with the flowers for a wedding tomorrow. It’s apparently all hands on deck to get it sorted.”
Tilly lifts both her hands from the steering wheel of her car. “Want another set?”
“Oh, no. It’s okay. You must already have plans.”
“Nope. Nothing important. Was just going to see the family. But it’s fine. I can see them anytime.”
“Well, we’d appreciate the help,” I say, then head up the driveway, with Tilly following close behind. As we pull to a stop and I wait while Abi climbs off the bike I ask her how she knows Tilly.
“She makes those amazing cupcakes at Sugar.” Abi smooths her hair down. “I thought about asking her if she wants to do cakes for some of the weddings here, but …”
“But?” I prompt.
“She’s a Sheridan isn’t she? Aren’t I supposed to stay away from them?”
“No. Max is the only one who isn’t welcome around here. Tilly and her parents are fine.”
“I appreciate that,” Tilly says from behind us. She turns to Abi. “Please don’t lump me in with my idiot brother. I’ve been meaning to ask actually if you need more bar staff? ”
Abi’s smile grows. “Yes. Always. Please. Can you start tomorrow?”
Tilly laughs. “Sure can, but you said something about flowers?”
Abi leads us inside, where the rest of the team are already waiting.
“Woah,” Tilly breathes, then turns to everyone else in the room to say a quick hello.
“What do you need us to do?” Olivia asks Abi and after the tiniest hesitation, Abi takes a deep breath and explains what needs doing. Everyone picks up a task and before I know it, the flower arrangements are coming together, surrounded by chatter and laughter.
I pause as I pass Abi carrying a finished arrangement to a table across the room.
“You don’t need to say I told you so,” she mutters and I let out a low laugh.
“I would never, Rosie. I just wanted to say how proud I am of you. Look at you, complete and total boss babe, emphasis on the babe.”
Her cheeks flush. “Shut up, Flynn,” she mutters, but as I move away her fingertips on my wrist make me pause. “But thank you, for everything.”
It’s my turn to fire an air kiss in her direction. “Any time, Rosie. Whatever you need.”