Chapter 50
KARMA IS TWO BOYFRIENDS
Ivy
A week later, I duck behind the front counter of Better With Pockets, where Beatrix studies me intensely as I gather my planner and my purse, ready to take off for the evening. I’ve been in her shop for a few hours, snapping pictures of outfits for her social, some that she wears, some that I wear.
But she’s still staring at me when I sling my purse over my shoulder.
“Is everything okay?” I ask with mild concern.
She taps her chin, then points to my Zoe Slade pants, which she knows are secondhand. “Hear me out. What if we have a thrifting section of the store. A consignment section. But we take in clothes for consignment that I once sold?”
“Don’t get me excited, Beatrix,” I say.
“I thought you might like that idea. I’ll look into it, and we can add it to our marketing and promos.”
“Love it. I’m your girl, whatever you need.”
That’s who I’ve been for her for the last few weeks.
She’s become a regular client of mine, right along with Birdie at Your Runway and a couple other publications that I’ve started writing for again.
But I’m still doing my own thing online for Your Scrappy Little Fashionista, posting fashion rules and suggestions for outfits of the day, as well as tips on recycling clothes.
Somehow, along with my side gig as a fox, I’ve cobbled together enough work from enough places to cover my bills.
The hustle takes up a lot of energy and focus, though, and I don’t want to backslide into relying on only one person, like I did with Simone.
I want to make sure, too, that I can trust my own instincts as I work on my passion.
“Great,” Beatrix says in that no-nonsense tone that I’ve grown accustomed to. She shifts gears, nodding to the planner in my arms. “Got something fun planned for tonight?”
I sure do. Hayes and Stefan are quite proficient at scheduling. “As a matter of fact, I’m going out with my guys.”
I haven’t mentioned them to her before, and for a few seconds, a flurry of nerves races through me, wondering how she’ll react.
She arches a brow. “Two guys?”
I square my shoulders. “I have two boyfriends,” I say, doing my best to own it. To keep telling my own story.
I can see the gears turning in her head as what I’ve said registers. Then, she just shrugs. “Well you know what they say—karma is two boyfriends. I guess you have really good karma.”
I recall the two weeks since we went to game night at Kana’s and Brady’s. Nights and days and dates. Work and play and games. Them traveling, us FaceTiming, all of us texting.
I smile, agreeing wholly. “I do.”
I’ll put that karma in my pocket as I head out with my guys that night.
They played Vancouver at home last night—and lost, which sucks—so they have tonight off before traveling tomorrow.
As per the planner, we’re going to Sticks and Stones with a bunch of friends.
Trina, Ryker, and Chase will be there, and so will Jackson and his boyfriend.
Dev is going, and Ledger is supposed to be there too.
Stefan told me they’re buddies, which doesn’t surprise me since hockey guys hang with their own.
I’ve met Ledger through my brother, but Stefan is close with him, as well, so it’ll be fun to get to know him in that capacity.
Aubrey and the guy she’s been seeing are also coming, so I’ll get to check out the allegedly fabulous hair on Aiden.
When I head home to shower, Roxy greets me at the door with happy yips. She’s wearing a black bandana with oranges on it.
Hmm. I don’t think that’s the one that I gave her this morning.
But she barks so excitedly that now’s not the time to check it out. Now is the time for socks. I remove one and give it to her. “Here you go, girl,” I say, and she snaps it up, then trots off to hide it.
Well, probably to set it on the floor by my bed, but she thinks it’s hidden.
With her daily sock duty done, she returns to slather me in kisses as I harness her up.
As we walk, I peer at her accessory more closely. Is that a QR code on the tag? “Who gave you this bandana, girl?”
But Roxy doesn’t say a word, just waggles her cute little butt.
On a street corner, I scan the code. I walk a few feet more then I come to a full stop on Fillmore Street when I see what the code is for.
Roxy’s Playroom.
I clasp my hand to my mouth. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe they really did this. And I can’t stop the tears from falling down my face.
* * *
I bang on the door to Hayes’s apartment, my makeup streaked, my face a mess. When the door swings open, both guys are there, grinning like they’ve pulled off a heist.
“I’m going to have to redo all my makeup,” I sob, holding my dog and the bandana, evidence of their generosity.
Stefan just shrugs. “Sorry not sorry.”
“Such a shame,” Hayes deadpans.
“You guys are too much,” I say between broken breaths. “I can’t believe you did this. I love it.”
Before we’d even gone to Vegas together, back when we hung out on the rooftop, I told them about my dog and my dream to someday make a big donation to her rescue in Florida. To build a space for other foster dogs who needed homes and call it Roxy’s Playroom.
They did it, then got a bandana, then dressed her in it.
“Now all these other little dogs will have homes because of you,” I say.
“It’s really because of you. It was your idea. We just made it happen,” Hayes says.
I shake my head, denying that. “You guys did this, and I love it so much.”
My heart is in my throat. It’s tight and full of all the emotion I feel for these two men. The more time I spend with them, the more I start to let down my guard. And the clearer I can see beyond the Sportsman of the Year awards.
Maybe I can trust myself. Maybe I don’t have questionable taste. Perhaps I have the best taste of all.
I bring them in for a big, tearful embrace.
“Glad you like it,” Stefan says softly.
Tucked in the crook of my arm, my little critter whimpers, a happy sound of love. She’s not alone in that. “I love it. You guys are really outdoing yourselves.”
When I break the hug, Stefan gives me a look of pure satisfaction. “That’s the plan.”
* * *
At Sticks and Stones that night, they introduce me to Gage, who’s behind the bar. His green eyes twinkle, and after we say hello, he turns to Stefan and Hayes. “It’s the bone structure she likes, right?”
“It sure fucking is,” Hayes says, patting his cheek with a cocky grin.
I roll my eyes. “Yes. That’s it entirely.”
When we head to the poolroom, I greet friends who feel like family. And new ones, too, like Hollis. He’s a recent addition to the team. “It’s the newest new guy,” I say, teasing the guy with the surfer smile and laid-back vibe, who’s had a few good games so far.
“And I don’t mind taking the title away from Hayes,” Hollis says.
“Funny, I don’t mind it either,” Hayes says, and it’s nice to see Hayes so at ease at last. “Just don’t play better than me,” he warns Hollis.
“But do play well,” I add. “We want a cup.”
“Fuck yes,” Hollis says. “That’s the goal.”
“Let’s make it happen,” Hayes adds.
As they chat I join Aubrey and meet her new man. Aubrey hasn’t had the best of luck on the apps, so maybe Aiden will be the change she wants.
Her brother, Garrett, is here as well. I’ve never met him before, but lots of the guys have, since he’s a sports agent and reps both Dev and Ledger. He’s friends with them both, too, so…small world.
Aubrey and Aiden are off in the corner playing a game of Ping-Pong as Garrett rubs chalk on a pool cue and I rack up some balls.
“What do you think about that guy?” Garrett asks Dev, tipping his forehead toward Aiden.
Dev scoffs. “You want me to comment on your sister’s man?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Ask Ledger,” Dev says.
With amusement, I ask Dev, “Are you passing the buck?”
“You bet I am. I’m not stupid.”
“Me, neither,” Ledger says, then taps his pool cue to the felt. “Let’s play a round instead of playing watchdog over your sister.”
Garrett growls but acquiesces, and I file away the fact that Aubrey’s big brother is very protective.
Then, I watch my guys with admiration as they begin a round of pool.
Yes, it’s the bone structure, but it’s really the size of their hearts that’s making me fall in love with them every day.