Chapter 29
Elle
Ranger had to go out on a job tonight. Some quick thing to catch a thief or something. He wasn’t really open about it. He doesn’t talk about his PI stuff very often. I sometimes forget he does it. But he did take me on a stakeout last week and that was fun. Making out in the truck was even better. And at the end of the night, he had his cheating husband caught red-handed and a soon to be ex-wife vindicated. All in a day’s work, right?
But the former asshole can be a sweet man, too. He didn’t want to leave me alone or dump me at Davis’s or Tiny’s house, so he arranged for Ginny to come hang with me tonight. He called and pre-ordered and paid for the pizza, made sure there was Diet Coke and beer in the fridge, and I think if I look hard enough, I’ll find some of my favorite coconut rum in the cabinet. The man even called Ginny himself to make the arrangements.
Before he left, he asked if I’d be okay here, at the apartment, said he’d cancel the job if I didn’t feel safe. There hasn’t been anything happening. It’s been over two weeks since the studio incident. Joker reported they didn’t find anything and that they still have a man on Stefon, just in case. I’m starting to wonder if it was a big joke from someone I know, or a party guest who got a little too drunk that night.
With all that in mind, I told him I’d be okay at home as long as Ginny is with me. I don’t mind the apartment these days, but Ranger has pretty much been glued to my side for weeks and I’m never here alone. He also knows that the minute Ginny decides to go home, if he isn’t back yet, I’ll sneak over to the studio where I feel safe. I’ve also given him shit about never going to his place. He’s got a whole ass house! His ears get red and he cuffs the back of his neck in the cutest motion and tells me it’s not up to my standards, but he’s working on it. I don’t know what my standards are, or what he thinks they are, but I just roll my eyes at him and move on.
We invited Trish and Lottie, but they are both still firmly in their newlywed phases and declined. I’m not upset, I’ve seen this before. This is the phase of life where friendships either fall apart or become stronger because you cherish the time you get together more. I mean, Trish is about to be a mommy for the first time! I don’t blame her for wanting to spend all her time soaking up the pampering from Davis. And Tiny has Nat to dote on now, and who could ever tell that little girl no? I know I can’t. And now that I’m the official cool aunt? She’s going to be spoiled rotten. I have to believe that Tiny’s paying all the attention to Nat or I get sick to my stomach. I’ve seen what him and Lottie get up to, and I never need to see it again. Ever.
Even Ginny is moving into a different phase of her life. She’s got a ring and is looking at the future. And me? I’m blissfully happy right where things are. I don’t need them to change right now, or anytime soon. Hell, I don’t know that either of us will ever want to get married again. After what Ranger went through, I don’t hold that against him at all. I wouldn’t want to step into a position where I could be hurt like that, even if I’d never be the one to do it. I hope he knows that.
When the doorbell rings, I throw open the door and there’s Ginny with a bottle of rum in hand. She knows the way to my heart. Bonus, I’ll still have mine in the cabinet. Con, she wants something and is using the rum as a bribe.
“Fuck.” I hang my head and sigh. “What do you want to know?”
Laughing, she shakes her head as she walks through the door. “I brought it just in case we need it.”
“Do we? Need it?”
“I might.” She shrugs her shoulders.
There’s definitely something going on with her.
“Well, come on then. How about we start with pizza and beer?”
“And Ranger information,” she adds, pulling plates from my cabinet as I open the pizza boxes.
We load our plates with the cheesy, saucy goodness and I look from her to the table to the couch and back again.
“Couch,” we say at the same time.
“I say it every time I’m here, this is so comfy.” She sighs as she relaxes into the corner.
“Tiny’s never getting his furniture back.” I laugh before taking a big bite of pizza.
“Not even the bed?”
I shake my head, my mouth full, and can feel my cheeks heating. Ginny laughs, but doesn’t say anything else.
We catch up over our dinner. Ginny tells me about the plans for the remaining school year and I tell her about my idea of possibly opening up a storefront in town where I can offer pottery and painting classes. Maybe have one of those wine and paint nights once a month or something for the people of the community. As we finish, I know our lighthearted conversation is over.
Ginny sets her plate on the coffee table and clears her throat.
“Time to spill it. What is going on with you and Ranger?”
“Oh my God, Gin.” I can’t help but laugh.
“Oh you’ve got that look on your face.” She smiles at me while she motions to said face.
“What look?”
“That lovesick look.”
I’m not even going to deny it. I am a little lovesick. “I think Cupid got me.”
“With his hot, long poker?”
We both crack up at the joke, but she grows serious again.
“Are you happy?”
“I really am. I think I’ve found home.”
“Were you missing it?”
“I didn’t think so.”
“Then all the better.” She reaches over and squeezes my arm. “I’m happy for you.”
“Your turn.” I tell her.
“Nope. Still yours. Did you talk to your mom?”
I roll my eyes. “Yes. I did. And more than once. She’s mad and upset. She’s disappointed.”
“Oh, that’s the worst, isn’t it? When they’re disappointed?” she commiserates with me.
“It really is. I’d rather her be mad at me, I swear. But she’ll get over it and we’ll get back to being good again. She just needs some time. And maybe Tiny can distract her with a grandbaby or something.”
We laugh again, and I realize I’ve missed this. I need friends in my life and the last few weeks have been great with Ranger, but there’re some things only friends can relate to you with.
“We both got really lucky in the mom department, didn’t we?”
“So much better than Lottie and what happened to Trish’s mom, that’s for sure.”
“Is your brother mad at you, too?”
“Tiny is upset he missed so much, and Bash is fine. Bash is always fine. He said Mom gave him a stern talking to about keeping secrets about family from family and he’s already ordered her a delivery of her favorite flowers and chocolate. He’ll be forgiven before the delivery driver is out of the driveway.”
“If only it were always that easy,” she chuckles.
“Right? Why do the boys always seem to have it easier than us?”
“It’s the wiener effect,” Ginny deadpans. “Having that appendage gives them the power over their moms to get their way, earn quick forgiveness, and move on to the next fuck up. I watched Davis get away with it for years. It’s why you have momma’s boys and daddy’s girls. The wiener effect,” she spreads her hands as she says it, showing perfect jazz hands.
“Can we talk about you now?” I ask when we’ve stopped laughing again. God, it just feels so fucking good to laugh.
“Do we have to?”
“Yes. Yes, we do.”
She sighs. “What do you want to know?”
“I want to know what happened before you all got to the wedding.”
“Oh.” She looks at me, shocked. “I didn’t think anyone noticed anything.”
“I did.”
“He, uh, he told me I had to pick a date for our wedding. After he asked if I just wanted to make it a triple wedding kind of day.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I ask, my jaw dropping
“Nope, I’m not kidding. He said it would be more efficient that way since the preacher was already paid for. That we might as well use them.”
“Oh my God, my brother would’ve fucking killed him.”
“Right? Mine, too.”
“It’s crazy to think our brothers are married.”
“I never thought Davis and Trish would finally get their heads out of their asses, but they did.” She smiles.
“And I never thought Tiny would man up enough to actually admit he liked her, but he did.”
She’s quiet, I’m sure thinking about the wedding day and how perfect it was.
“What are you going to do?” I demand.
She blows out a breath before answering. “I told him June first. Of this year”
“That’s only three months away!”
“I know.”
“Gin,” I get her attention as calmly as I can. “What are you gonna do?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know?”
“I mean, he’s right.”
“I don’t believe that, but what do you think he’s right about?”
“There isn’t anyone out there who’s gonna accept all of this.” She waves a hand up and down her body. “And the fact that I can’t give them a kid? No one wants that. Except him.”
“Bullshit!” I exclaim so loudly she snaps her face up to me. “Look, I’m really on a call people out for the better jag, so deal with me here. And I’ve been waiting for this. I’ve watched Trish and Lottie struggle with how to talk to you about all of it and giving up when you shut down on them, but you’re going to listen to me right now, okay?”
“Okay,” she whispers.
“You deserve love. You deserve the whole fucking package. And if you want kids, you have kids! Who cares if they don’t come out of your vagina? There are a lot of babies out there looking for the love of a mom and you have all the love in your heart to give.”
“But—” she starts, but I quickly interrupt her.
“You are a fucking beautiful goddess, and you have no idea. You don’t see what I see. You didn’t see all the hippie, artsy guys at the gallery staring you up and down, wanting nothing more than to love every inch of your body and curves. You do not have to put up with the bullshit. You do not have to put up with him alienating you from your friends. I’m honestly amazed he let you come here tonight without giving you shit.”
“Well,” she cringes, “he gave me a little before smiling and telling me to have fun.”
“That’s bullshit, Gin. You deserve the fucking world,” I tell her again. “And I hate to sit here and watch you settle. It’s not fair to you. And one day when he raises his hand at you because you pissed him off over something stupid—if he hasn’t already,” I quickly add when I see her eyes flare wide, “what will you do then? Because he will hurt you, one way or another. Will you have anyone to turn to? Will you be able to walk away? Because walking away now is so much easier than after he fully cuts you off from those of us who love you.”
She sits there, tears running down her face. I seem to be good at making people cry these days, and I scoot over on the couch, pulling her into my arms.
“I only do this because I love you. You have become like a sister to me and the thought of you getting hurt breaks my heart. I don’t want to watch you settle because some idiot has gotten into your head and told you that’s all your worth. No man—or woman—dictates your worth other than yourself. And your worth? Priceless.”
“And what if I marry him?” she asks through her tears.
“Then I’ll be there with you. I’ll be there at your side, supporting you. And I can promise, no matter what he does and no matter how bad he treats me, no matter how much he talks about me, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be there when you need me. Whenever you need me. And so will Trish and Lottie. They haven’t deserted you, either. I know they worry about you, just like I do.”
“I’m so glad you dated a shithead and left the city,” she wails, hugging me back.
I laugh. “I’m so glad I dated a shithead, too.”
“Shitheads are so much worse than assholes.”
“I am kind of fond of assholes these days.”
“I don’t have an asshole, do I? He’s a shithead,” she cries.
“He really is. But he’s your shithead until you decide he’s not.”
“I think I’m ready for the rum now,” she laughs on a sob.
“Sure thing. You want it mixed or solo?” I laugh with her, tears running down my own face.
“Shots,” we say at the same time.
I pull her up off the couch and we’re walking to the kitchen when the lights go out.
“What’s happening?” Ginny asks, no longer sad, but panicking. “Why’s it dark? Elle? Why are the lights out?”
“I don’t know Ginny. But we’re okay.” I tell her this even when the pit of my stomach has bottomed out.
“No. We need to get out of here, Elle. We need to get out of here. Now.”
She runs to the front window and looks at her place across the street. She’s shaking and has fresh tears in her eyes.
“There’s no light on over there, either. There’s no power on the street. We need to go somewhere with lights.”
“Okay. Okay.” I go to her, pulling her into a hug. “Let’s go to the studio. I know the back way on foot. Does that work for you?”
“Yeah. Let’s go. Bring the rum?” she tries to laugh.
“I got you.”
I grab her hand and make sure my phone is in my pocket, grabbing the bottle of booze on my way out the back door. The studio is my safe place. It can be hers, too.