Chapter 30
CHAPTER
THIRTY
“TWISTED SISTERS FOREVER.”
Juniper
Sterling’s hair is adorably fucked up and so is Dash’s as they sit at the kitchen table eating pancakes in silence. They’re exhausted. I’ve been wearing them out at night and I can’t help myself.
I warned them I have energy.
And when you’re in love with a man, all you do is dream of all the delicious ways to take his cock. But being in love with two men? I can’t get enough.
Not to mention, I have baby fever to the extreme. Watching Dolly have babies with her husband hasn’t helped. Plus, I’ve waited. Patiently. For years. I’ve been the single, older sister for my entire damn life. My hormones and instincts are driving me to mother, urging me to the realm of care that is only satiated by being a parent.
“Excited for today?” I ask, since I’m not even sure they know what day it is, that’s how relentless I’ve been.
Dash has been working the midday shifts, so he and Sterling are getting home around the same time each day. And from 4 o’clock until midnight, bless them, they’re mine.
Mine to ride, mine to suck, mine to tease, mine to fuck.
But they’re tired, so I’ll go easy on them today. Sterling sips his coffee and forks another pancake off the stack. “Of course, sweetheart.”
Dash takes another pancake, too, adding, “I am, though I’m still a little cranky about Sterl having that talk with Hudson, without me.”
Sterling reaches over to where Dash sits, taking the edge of the table in his hand, pulling himself nearer. He drops his lips to the back of Dash’s neck, making Dash smirk. He drops private words down his back, kissing his throat, then ear, and finally his cheek. “I will apologize to you in any way you see fit,” he says again, this time taking Dash by the mouth in a hot kiss.
My insides flare with desire watching them love each other. Dash, while he understands, accepts and has no problem with Sterling’s position in our relationship, I know he also loves the apologetic affection he receives when teasing him.
Sterling spoke with Hudson about the three of us, and our future, asking him to speak with my sisters. And he spoke to Dolly that day, too. Dash wanted to be there, but Sterling explained that it was something he needed to do, for himself. I know Dash understood, but again, Sterling’s sweet kisses are something I wouldn’t want to miss out on either.
Little does he know, he’ll have a chance to speak with Ivy, Dolly, Hudson, Honey, Bear—hell, anyone who I love, he will have the chance to speak to. Because I’m surprising them with a family lunch at Goode’s.
“All right already.” Dash grins, pushing back on Sterling as he takes another bite of pancake. “I have to eat and you’re scrambling my brain with your entire existence right now.” He waves up and down, signaling to Sterling.
Sterling chuckles, reaching for the jam in the center of the table. I love that they put my jam on literally anything that they can. I love the way they show me love in passive actions. They always did these little acts before, when we were just friends. He holds up the jar as I tread down memory lane, thinking about how long I’ve been in love with these two men that are now mine.
“It’s empty,” he says, the playfulness draining from his face. Dash reaches for the jar, tipping it in his direction to see the empty insides.
The disappointment on their faces makes me giggle. I think I got these two addicted to my jam. I make my way to them and kiss each of their cheeks. “Don’t worry, there’s more in the garage.” I pop out, a smile on my face, eager to get the case to bring back to them, finally glad to have them at my table and not waiting at their house for a delivery.
Snatching it up, I trudge back inside, heat flaring through my insides at the sight of my guys standing side by side, both shirtless, scratch and bite marks emblazoned along their bodies, my house phone held between them.
“Who is it?” I mouth to Dash, who simply shrugs.
“Hello?” Sterling calls again, but this time, he hangs up. “You know, someone keeps calling here and hanging up,” he says, replacing the phone on the dock before smoothing both hands through his wavy hair. “Do you get a lot of hang-up calls?”
I shrug, thinking back. “I don’t know. It’s probably nothing.” Clapping my hands together in excitement, I steeple my hands beneath my chin, staring at them.
Dash reaches into his basketball shorts. “I think I can go again but… I definitely need a warm-up.”
My arms fall to my sides. “What?”
He looks at Sterling then back to me with a shrug. “Why were you looking at us like that then?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I’m just excited for the day, so go get dressed!”
Sterling pokes Dash in the ribs as they saunter back down the hall toward my bedroom. Today, while we’re out, I’m having an armoire brought in. It’s a surprise. I also had keys made last week while Sterl and Dash were working—after today, we’ll have nothing left to check off the list.
“You said we’re picking berries for a new jam?” Dash asks as I pull into a parking spot behind the diner, in the alley.
I nod. “Yeah, but I thought we could get some stuff to go. I called ahead, and if we go in through the back we can avoid getting caught in chitchat,” I say, throwing the car into park before unclipping the seat belt at my waist.
“I would have packed us food at home,” Sterl says from the back seat, where his head nearly hits the top of the van roof. I peer at him in the rearview in time to catch his shrug. “But I’ll never pass on Goode’s.”
My nerves skip as their doors shut after mine, the three of us trudging through the back entrance like only lifetime locals do. Dash is an honorary lifetime local since he’s so beloved in the community, and fits right in so well.
Gina and Rex, the line chefs, each lift a hand to say hello as we carefully poke our way through the narrow passage leading from the alley to the restaurant.
Bless them for not hollering over their massive skillets of breakfast food to tell us that my family is waiting in the restaurant. I stop right before the swinging doors, and smile at Sterling and Dash. “Ready?”
Dash nods with a smile. “Sure.”
Sterling studies me, and I’m pretty sure that he now realizes this is a ruse. But before he can say anything, I push through, stepping aside to let them enter. Sitting at three tables pushed together is everyone I love and care for: Ivy, Trace, Dolly, Hudson, Bear, Honey, Deuce, Ev, Ace, and the ones I’m most proud of? Sterling’s brother, Troy, and Dash’s beat partner, Keanu.
Everyone gets to their feet. Dolly rushes over in a pregnant waddle and throws her arms around Sterling’s neck first, then Dash’s. “Surprise,” she greets, grinning ear to ear. I spin to face them, surprise carved into Sterling’s face as he stares at his brother who makes his way toward us.
They don’t see each other too often, but for what I have in store, it felt important that he was here.
“Sterling,” his brother says, as they share a back-pat-heavy man hug, chest to chest, followed by a solid handshake. “It’s so good to see you. You look… different.”
Sterling smooths his hand down the stubble tracing his jaw, then through his soft curls, a little longer than usual but otherwise, normal. He shakes his head. “I’m the same as always.”
Dash digs his elbow into Sterl’s ribs. “You’re happy.”
Squeezing between them, I pull Troy into a hug, faintly remembering him from years ago. “Troy, hi, it’s so good to officially meet you. Thank you so much for taking my call and coming out.”
He smiles, looking between the three of us before he hooks a thumb back toward the table full of people. “They were spitballing the reason we were all brought here,” he says, speaking directly to me. “But I get the sense that maybe you’re the only one that knows.”
He looks at his brother, then over at Dash, both of their focus pointed toward me.
I clear my throat. “You may be onto something.” Linking my arm with Dolly’s, we lead the way to the table, each finding open chairs wherever we can. Once we’re settled and Lucy has come to deliver the crispest, best Cokes to the three of us, everyone falls into a comfortable silence.
I clear my throat, glancing at everyone I love over their plates of partially eaten meals, the comfort of my favorite diner humming all around me in casual conversation, clinking plates and hushed laughter.
“As you all know, I’m a fairly private person.” I chew my lip as nervous energy stains my cheeks, heat radiating around the collar of my hoodie. “But, I thought it would be best to have everyone we love and care about come together at one time, to prevent the telephone game.”
“You created a new jam using four berries,” Trace hollers from the end of the table. Hudson knocks him in the arm with his hat, scolding him with a dirty glare.
“Cute,” I say, “but no.” I clear my throat, hoping to dislodge the rattle lingering. Part of me wonders if I should’ve asked their permission before I did this but as I find their faces among the rest, my worries are assuaged by tender smiles, and a wink from Sterling.
“As all of you know, Sterling and I have been very close friends for many years,” I say, finding Ivy’s eyes for comfort. She smiles, and I continue. “And Dash moved in with Sterling after Troy moved out, and they became as close, and in turn, Dash and I became as close, too.”
“Four berry jam, I’m tellin’ ya,” Trace mumbles. Ivy tweaks his nipple through his flannel. “It’s because you already knew, so shhh or else,” she hisses, turning back to give me a million-dollar smile lined in black lipstick.
“Anyway, recently I think we all realized that… Well, we care about each other more than just friends.” After studying the butter on the porcelain dish on the table, I lift my eyes, working my way around.
No one looks surprised. No mouths are agape. No one is whispering.
“In the last month or so, we’ve explored that and… well, last week, we decided to begin living together.”
Again, I peer around, finding everyone waiting as if the hook hasn’t come. “And I just thought it would be good to let everyone we love know all at one time that, yes, it is a little different but… we’re together, all three of us.”
Trace clears his throat and raises his hand, which Ivy tries to pull down but can’t. “Is it time for questions?”
I chew the inside of my cheek and peer at Dash, sitting next to Keanu, and Sterling, sandwiched between his brother and Deuce. Their responsive smiles give me another rush of relief, knowing they aren’t upset that I hosted this lunch and delivered the news this way. I glare at Trace. “I don’t feel like you have any questions that aren’t an overstep.”
Ivy smirks.
“Psh, you’ll tell her and she’ll tell me anyway, so there,” he says, waving his inked hand down dismissively.
Dolly holds her belly and leans into the table, over her plate. “That works both ways, Trace,” she says, dancing her eyebrows playfully.
Trace’s head whips down to Ivy. “You don’t tell them, like, what we do, do you?”
She pats his chest. “Oh no, babe, that’s just between us,” she answers sweetly and sardonically, making Hudson and Deuce erupt in laughter.
“Well, anyway, I just thought we could all have this meal and maybe plan on a family meal once a month?” I say, reaching for Keanu’s hand. “You’re family to Dash, so you’re family to us now, too.”
Keanu bobs his head. “Right on.”
Hudson gets to his feet with a beer in his hand. “To Juniper, Sterling and Dash.”
Everyone grabs their drink and we share a collective toast to the three of us. We eat and chat, and the entire time I keep thinking how wrong I was about love. How I thought I’d find it at a candlelit table or from swiping right on some app.
But it was with me all along, singing “Stayin’ Alive” at seventies night at the bowling alley, helping me carry jam jars, rubbing my feet after a long day in the garden, bringing pizza to my place with the toppings divided in thirds for each of us to have our favorite, at the market in my booth helping me run it all.
They were always there but my secret held me back from loving them in the way I wanted to. Only when I trusted them enough to share my darkness were we able to become more. I’ve done so many bad things, I’ve been such a bad girl, and yet, they love me still, through it, regardless. It’s hard to not look back and wish the time we’ve spent together as friends could’ve been time we spent together as lovers, to not feel like we missed out. But by and large, I believe in fate, and everything finally feels just right. It’s hard to feel like we missed a step when it feels so perfect.
After lots of catching up, another round of food and some more drinks, Sterling pays the bill and I get to my feet, so pleased with how this went that the guilt of lying to them this morning fades away easily.
Sterl catches me by the elbow. “Thank you for this. I know Dash felt like I excluded him from a moment when I spoke with Hudson and Dolly. He needed this. We all did,” he says quietly before fanning kisses along my cheek and lips.
I sling my purse over my shoulder, ready to say my goodbyes, but Sterling presses his hand to my shoulder, nudging me back into my seat. Trace approaches.
My brow furrows as I stare at Trace, who has clearly been summoned by Sterling and Dash. Looking around the table, I see that no one else has made a move to leave even though the plates have been cleared and the check has been paid.
Dash comes to my other side, bringing his lips to my ear. “We want to have a ceremony today, but before that, rings. Permanent rings.”
Ivy approaches, linking her arm through Trace’s as he lifts his hand in a silent wave, and it occurs to me that they made a plan with my sister and her husband to get us tattooed wedding rings.
“I know we are doing things out of order, and that we aren't traditional in anything we do,” Dash adds, his lips curving into a smile. He takes my hand and passes it to Sterling, who traces my finger where a wedding band would rest.
“No matter what, we’re committed. But some ink here would be good, wouldn’t it?” Dash asks. “Better than a ring that could get lost in the jam.”
“We don’t want to contaminate the jam,” Sterling says with a wink.
I blink up at Trace and Ivy, who are smiling at me. “C’mon. Ink Time is ready.”
Sterling and Dash both place their hands over mine. “We have choices. You can legally marry one of us, and our future children can bear whoever’s last name we decide on. But for now, we were hoping you’d join us in ink and later, a commitment ceremony. To proudly share our devotion with our families.”
My heart skips as I glance back to the table of loved ones, smirking and grinning at me. I look back to Dash and Sterling. “What—” I stop myself, realizing now that Hudson is wearing a sport coat. Dolly, six months pregnant, is wearing a nice dress, and Everly, who is due to give birth any second, is also wearing a dress. “Right now?”
Sterling grins. “Glad you had that berry picking outing planned. That gave us some time to get things set up near the creek.”
Dash drops his arm around Sterling’s waist, linking his fingers with mine. “And yes, right now, near the creek.”
Ivy kneels at my side, producing a garment bag she kept hidden. “This was Mom’s. I got it from storage last week, when they called me and told me what they were planning.” She pulls me into a hug. “I know you were nervous about sharing your relationship with us. But don’t be, okay? Anyone who gives you side-eye, you tell me and I’ll cut them,” she says, smiling, sticking out her booted foot where we all know a knife is hiding. “You’re gonna look so beautiful in Mom’s dress.”
“I thought I was surprising them and now they’ve surprised me with a commitment ceremony and ink—” I shake my head, my entire world snapping into place in the matter of weeks. I almost can’t believe it.
“If you don’t want to do this,” Dash says, lowering his voice. “If you’d rather have a big ceremony or if you want to wait?—”
I cup my hand to his face. “I want this.” I look between them, not caring that my sister is standing there. “I just don’t feel like I deserve it.”
“You do,” Sterling says, “and we’re gonna spend our lives making you see that you deserve the sun, moon and stars, sweetheart.”
“And two dicks,” Trace says, walking up, stealing my sister’s hand with his.
“Trace, I swear, if you don’t stop—” Ivy warns, but I laugh at his joke because he’s not wrong. My heart is tied to two, and that means I get two of everything. “C’mon. We’re gonna take you three across the street for some ink, then I’ll take you back to your house to get ready. We’ll meet everyone else at the tents by the creek in an hour.”
Arm in arm with Dolly and Ivy, we step out, heading toward Ink Time, the men in tow.
We stop with the sun pouring through gauzy clouds, warming our shoulders and cheeks. “We did it,” I say to them as we stand together, embracing the moment. “We all found the only thing we’ve ever wanted—love.”
“I wouldn’t have my life with Hudson and the kids if it weren’t for all of your support,” Dolly says to us, her eyes watery.
“Same,” Ivy says. “You guys both helped me realize how I feel about Trace, and supported me every step of the way, with every dream I ever had.”
Dolly’s bump nudges us as we hug on the sidewalk, right in front of our favorite place in Bluebell.
“The best part is, we all found love in Bluebell,” I whisper. “We can stay together.”
“Ellington sisters forever,” Dolly whispers.
“Twisted sisters forever,” Ivy says.
I giggle. “Twisted, what?”
She lifts a shoulder and lets it fall. “Twisted sisters. I mean, we’re a little twisted, right? Dolly was obsessed with Huddy, I put Trace in a chastity cage while he wasn’t even awake, and you found a way to get not one but two extremely handsome guys to fall for you by feeding them jam.” She shakes her head with a grin. “We may be a little twisted, but we’re in it together.”
Little do they know just how twisted I really am. But now, because of Sterling and Dash, it doesn’t matter. That part of my life is in the past, with nothing but kinky sex and jam in the future.
“Twisted sisters forever.”