31. Thalia
Chapter thirty-one
Thalia
My house is buzzing with Alana, Bailey, Addison, Loxley, Taryn, Emma, and Blair.
Alana’s protégé sticks to the corner of the room, drowning us out as she types away on her computer like she’s doing something important.
Wine bottles are being tossed around as the South Branch leader attempts to drown out her man troubles.
At least she’s smiling now. Her cheeks are flushed from the alcohol, and her tears have dried up.
“I just don’t understand,” she slurs a little as her glass tips too far to the left.
“I told him everything from the very beginning. I didn’t keep a single secret from him.
I’ve been open about wanting to rejoin the South Branch, and he seemed okay with it.
Fuck, he even encouraged me to at one point.
Now, all of a sudden, he doesn’t like it anymore. ”
“Probably because Theo and Dom are trying to get in your guts—” Addison stops abruptly as Loxley shoots her a stern glare. “Yeah, I don’t know. That’s fucking weird…” she trails as she takes a long sip of her drink.
I press my fingers to my lips, avoiding eye contact with Addison. It doesn’t work, naturally, and we both lose our shit.
Alana nudges me, fighting her own laughter as her lips twitch and she raises her glass to cover it. “Maybe he’s feeling inadequate?”
Bailey sloshes her drink around. “He wasn’t adequate to begin with—oh my god, I can’t believe I just said that.” She covers her eyes with a hand, embarrassment flaming her cheeks. “Someone sedate me.”
“Wait,” Addison’s head whips around. “He’s not adequate? Like…” She uses her hands to mimic fist-fucking a massive cock. Really, it’s her best charade work.
“He’s a grower, not a shower,” Bailey shrugs before her lips pull over her teeth. “Okay, that’s a lie. He isn’t either.”
“Well,” Loxley says cautiously as she sets her virgin pina colada down, “sometimes the big ones hurt, anyway.”
“Who the fuck are you trying to fool?” Addison quips.
The red-blonde woman deadpans at her. “I’m just trying to help, okay? And it’s true.”
Bailey sighs. “Thanks, Lox, but it isn’t his dick that’s the problem. The sex is fine—”
“Oh, boo!” Addison cups her hands around her mouth. “No one wants ‘just fine’ dick.”
I reach over, pinching my sister-in-law’s lips between my fingers. “Continue.”
“It’s the spark!” Bailey exclaims as she throws her hands up. “We lost it somewhere along the way…”
Taryn shifts on the couch, tossing her arm around Emma’s shoulder. “May I suggest something? Just from a healthcare standpoint.”
Everyone goes quiet.
“Have you tried different things in the bedroom? Sex is one of the most intimate aspects of relationships. Sometimes changing things up can open your eyes and refresh things a little.”
“Like what?” Bailey asks.
Emma smirks. “Roleplay, bondage, maybe a little degradation. Something to get the blood pumping. You can tie him up, or he could tie you up. The possibilities are endless.”
“Reed loves when I tie him up,” I say out loud before I can stop myself.
Taryn’s eyes saucer. “What?”
“It’s definitely worth a shot if it will save my marriage before I even walk the aisle,” Bailey says contemplatively. “Thanks, T.”
“No problem,” the doctor waves.
Loxley sighs before reaching her hands out to me. “Help me up, please.”
“Come on, preggo,” I muse as I pull her up. “I need a refill. Does anyone else need something from the kitchen?”
Addison lifts her hand. “Another martini, please?”
“You got it.”
Loxley waddles in front of me, and it’s hard not to laugh at her.
“I can hear you back there,” she calls.
I roll my lips in as we make it to the kitchen. I begin fixing our drinks when I sense my sister-in-law’s eyes on my back. “What’s up?”
She wraps her arms around me from behind, giving me a squeeze as her belly presses into my spine. “Sorry. Hugs are awkward right now.”
“What’s this for?”
She pulls back, her expression softening. “I’m glad you’re okay. And I’m so happy for you. Reed makes you glow.”
The breath skates past my parted lips as all mirth fades. “I-I really like him.”
She smiles that same smile that’s always reminded me of what another is supposed to be—warm, caring, and gentle.
“It’s okay if you feel a little more strongly than like for him, you know?
” She brushes my hair behind my ear as I swallow.
“I see the way you look at him. It’s the same way I look at your brother. ”
“Eww,” I whisper as my bottom lip wobbles.
She tilts her head knowingly. “Talk to me, Thal.”
Everything sinks—my heart, my shoulders, the strength I thought I had. “I don’t deserve him.”
She shakes her head. “And what makes you think you don’t? He’s completely smitten by you.”
I press the heel of my hand into my eye, banishing my tears the best I can. “Mom. She messed me up so bad…”
Loxley takes me in her arms, crushing me to her as she smooths a hand down my back. “Shhh. I know it’s hard to move past, but Reed doesn’t think for a second that you two don’t deserve each other. You can let yourself have good things, Thalia. You deserve happiness too.”
I sniffle into her hair, burning my face as my eyes screw shut. “I’m so worried about him. I-I can’t let him get hurt.” My voice cracks.
“Then don’t,” she whispers gently. “A lot of us will be staying in a hotel for a few days until this all blows over. We’ve already discussed the plan with Taryn and Emma. We’ll only be three hours away from the compound in Cincinnati.”
I close my eyes, letting everything flow out of me. I already know Reed won’t agree to leave me behind. He’s too good for anything like that. He’s going to want to be together through everything.
But I can’t allow that. Not when it’s possible, he could die because of me.
“Okay,” I say as we pull apart. “I’ll talk to him.”
She nods before grabbing the virgin pina colada mix and pouring herself another glass. “Everything is going to work out, you know? Just wait, and it’ll all fall into place.”
I smile despite the war raging in my head. Something wet splashes my shoes and I frown as I look down at the floor. There’s a massive, clear puddle under Loxley.
“Hey, did you piss yourself—OH, MY GOD!” I shout as realization slaps me.
All the color drains from her face as her head whips down to her feet. She waves her hands at the mess, words evading her as her eyes shift back up to me. Her mouth hangs open, but no sound comes out.
I do the same, my mouth gaping as I wildly motion to the liquid pooling on my kitchen floor. I glance up at her. Then back down. “Say something!” I finally urge.
“Ahhhhh,” she elongates before tucking her lips in. “Well, this is great. Can you call your brother for me before I pass out?”
I nod, fumbling with my phone.
“What’s going on in here?” Addison asks before she notices the womb juice? I don’t know what to call that on the floor. Her eyes widen. “Oh, fuck. Right now?!”
Loxley nods. “Yup. Seems so.”
“Okay,” Addison says calmly as she walks cautiously over to her best friend. She wraps Loxley’s arm around her shoulders before guiding her back towards the living room. “We got this, okay? Don’t panic.”
“What’s going on?” Bailey asks.
“Breathe, Loxley,” Addison coos. “Her water broke.”
“Oh,” Taryn says as if this isn’t a big deal at all. “You probably won’t feel contractions for another few hours.”
“Really?” Loxley asks breathlessly as I dial my brother’s number.
“Lie down so I can see how dilated you are,” Taryn orders.
Whatever the guys are doing, I hope its something they can abandon fast. Come on, pick up.