The Pain We Nurture

Evil Sisters

Over the next several days, Olivia put herself into her own world, refusing to be an ornament in his office. Or like a third limb for him to always carry around with him. Although she appreciated the clothes, and jewelry, she didn’t dream of being a trophy wife.

She wanted to hold her own next to him.

Colin would watch her during his online meetings, how studiously she worked and pushed herself. She brought up paper and tools and spread out on an obscure corner of his office floor to refresh herself on design and measurement. He would cross an ankle over his knee and observe her intently as she practiced designing various structures. From a floor of an apartment building to a small home, eventually working her way up to a medium-sized home.

He did observe that she stayed away from designing mansions, but he didn’t press for more information on why.

His eyes perused her designs thoughtfully, nodding at her and telling her how brilliant she was. Because he truly thought she was.

But deep down, Colin was worried. He noticed exactly how brilliant she was and saw a lucrative career in her future that he wanted desperately to help bring to fruition. Ideas of how to use his influence to network to give her the best possible start flirted with his conscious. Even though he instinctively understood when the time came, she would try to shut down any help. He struggled anew with his irritating fresh wave of insecurity.

He massaged the back of his neck, struggling with the need to have this woman the way his body craved, needing to make sense of her first.

Colin often walked up to Olivia in between meetings. Crouching down to where she was spread out on the floor and kissed her senselessly before heading back to his desk and going over more documents.

A week later on Friday evening Vanessa and Johnathan stopped by the house before they all headed out for some fun. They were going to chill out a bit before going to a karaoke bar. It was Vanessa’s idea, not wanting to go dancing and have Olivia be uncomfortable. She wasn’t ready for that quite yet. Olivia rolled her shoulder, feeling less and less of the twinge the more the days went by. She stood there in the kitchen with Mary as she was cooking up a lamb and rice dish. Mary seemed to be a little short-tempered today and Olivia was sharing a bottle of wine with her while she cooked. She helped her by cutting up onions but that’s all Mary would let her do.

Olivia was wearing another long-sleeved dress, this one cream colored with a beautiful gold necklace that hosted a blue aquamarine at the end. She wanted to ask Colin if it was real, but considering he took it out of the safe, she felt like she didn’t really have to ask. A simple gold bracelet cuffed her right wrist, and Vanessa gasped as she saw it.

“Oh my God, that’s a Tiffany cuff bracelet!” she breathed, turning it this way and that. Olivia scrunched her nose and pulled her hand away, still very uncomfortable with wearing jewelry and real jewels at that. She sipped her wine.

Colin had walked into the room with a bottle of whiskey for him and Johnathan, and she watched as they clasped each other’s back in greeting. Thankful for Colin that whatever he did to smooth over the office fiasco they created last week worked, and there was no tension. Really, the big man was all softy on the inside. She was happy for Vanessa. She said they were dating, and things were going really well, and Allison adored the man.

“Mary,” Olivia said, turning to the woman again. “Can I give them a little to taste? It really looks delicious,” she asked the older lady, who nodded and scooped a few pieces of the dish onto a plate. Olivia was busy trying to grab some forks when Johnathan suddenly spoke and then all hell seemingly broke loose.

“Hey Mary, is that ha-“ he shot across the island to Mary’s back, who suddenly stiffened and pivoted on her feet, facing the people at the island. Everyone jumped when she slapped her hand on the island. Olivia’s hand flew to her breast in surprise.

“HALAL? Is it HALAL? You dense man, I’ve yet to serve you PORK. PAY ATTENTION to something other than yourself for the love of Allah. We don’t even eat pork in this house because of you. I don’t even buy it for my own house either! Did you even bother to notice?” Mary bit out, tears in her eyes.

Johnathan’s eyes rounded in shock as he sat ramrod straight in his chair, shooting a panicked look at Colin. Who was currently slowly setting his whiskey down on the island countertop.

Olivia saw Beth suddenly peek her head around the corner, her eyebrows raised in concern. She’d gotten a nose ring, and her brunette hair was sporting blonde roots. Olivia frowned. Colin turned, seeing Beth too, and shooed her away.

That’s odd. Why would a blonde want to be a brunette? Olivia thought to herself before turning away from Beth and putting her attention back on Mary.

Inhaling on a ragged breath, Mary put a hand to her forehead, shaking. Vanessa’s eyes widened as she leapt off the stool, she was sitting on to hurry around the island. Olivia and Vanessa both surrounded Mary, who was suddenly crying into her hands.

“Mary, oh my goodness, what’s wrong?” Olivia said softly, running her hands down her arms. Trying to soothe the lady. Vanessa took the spoon out of Mary’s hand and placed it back on the stove before turning back to her, rubbing a hand down her back.

Colin walked to them, pulling Olivia out of the way and wrapping Mary in his arms.

“Ma, what’s wrong? What can I do? Tell me please,” he said, sounding very concerned.

Mary sniffed and wiped her face with a shaky hand, patting his arms gently and stepping away. She turned to Johnathan, who was still sitting there looking quite disconcerted.

“Nothing, I’m so sorry Johnathan. I don’t feel well today. I’m sorry for taking it out on you. But it’s true, we don’t ever serve you pork, so please. The next time you say halal to me, I’ll halal you straight in your throat,” Mary said softly, looking over at Johnathan who had winked at her and was sipping his whiskey. Colin laughed softly, running a hand through his hair.

“Oh Mary, I like it when you talk dirty to me,” Johnathan said, cracking a joke and easing everyone’s tension. He was just too cool.

Boy, he’s really been getting the shit end of the stick lately, Olivia thought, wincing.

Colin stepped away cautiously. “You still didn’t say what’s wrong.”

“It’s woman problems, mijo. I apologize, I shouldn’t have talked to a guest of yours like that. I’m so sorry. I can resign for being so disrespectful.”

Olivia and Vanessa shared a knowing look and cooed in sympathy.

Johnathan and Colin both erupted in outrage at the same time, scaring the women who were sharing a moment. They all jumped back.

“Take that back Mary,” Johnathan said rather loudly, an offended look on his face.

“Ma, that’s so fucked up. You’re like our MOM. What is wrong with you? This sickness better be something serious for you to say what you just said. I’m with Johnathan. Take that shit back now. Like right now,” he growled at the Mary, a thunderous look on his face.

Mary stared at the two men before breaking out into tears again.

“I’m going through menopause and I feel so-so...” she broke off into sobs again, looking like she was about to have a complete meltdown.

Colin and Johnathan both paled, their eyes flickering everywhere, not sure what to say.

“Well, uh,” Colin cleared his throat. “I mean, um…you can’t resign, though. You can have the other guest bedroom if you need to rest, ma. Don’t worry about going home tonight, unless you just need to, then we can take you. And please take a few days off. Do you need one of us to take you to the doctor? We can do all kinds of stuff now with...”

Olivia turned and threw him a very obvious shut up look. He snapped his mouth shut at her expression.

“Mary, what do you need? What can we do to help?” she whispered, pulling her out of the kitchen and into the powder room with Vanessa following.

Mary looked at her with red eyes.

“Thank you Mija, their energy can be a lot, you know?” she sniffled. Vanessa took a small hand towel and wet it before pressing it into the woman’s hand. She smiled her thanks and put it to her neck.

“Oh yeah,” Olivia giggled. “Hey, take off a couple days next week and take a four-day weekend. Don’t worry about money or anything. Colin wouldn’t do that to you, you know that. And besides, we can manage for a little while before we starve to death, I think.”

Vanessa let out a hilarious giggle before looking down sharply and picking at a nail. Olivia tilted her head as she just now noticed a beautiful sapphire on her right hand.

“Vanessa! Oh my gosh, did Johnathan give you that?” Olivia whispered, a smile breaking out on her face.

Vanessa nodded, blushing as she showed Olivia and Mary.

“I’m so glad you two came into my boy’s lives. It’s about time they found some happiness. Thank you,” Mary whispered, leaning over to wrap the girls in a big hug.

They walked her out before helping her grab her things and walked her to the car without letting the men interfere. They waved as they watched her drive down the driveway. Turning to each other, they smiled.

“So. Have you and Johnathan bumped and grinded yet?” she teased her sister as they walked back to the steps leading to the front door.

“Not yet,” Vanessa laughed. “I’m holding out. I just have to live vicariously through you!”

Olivia laughed. “Vanessa, we haven’t had sex yet,” she giggled, bumping her shoulder with her left.

Vanessa turned a disbelieving face to her. “Now I know you’re freaking bullshitting me, sis. I could sort of believe it before, but now? Come on, you’ve been here how long, and then the text I got from Johnathan at the office last week?”

Olivia giggled again, opening the door. “Nope,” I guess I just got the gift of driving men crazy,” she laughed again, walking straight into Colin and Johnathan, who were waiting for them.

“You got that fucking right,” Colin growled, stalking forward, bending down and picking her up. She wrapped her legs around him.

“You ready to go, baby? We got some terrible singing to do,” he teased as he gave her a soft kiss.

Johnathan took Vanessa”s hand and pulled her out the front door.

“Hey!” she yelped, “My purse!”

“The babysitter’s got my number. Stop worrying and let’s have some fun. Trust me?” Johnathan said, looking down into Vanessa’s face as they descended the steps.

Olivia saw Johnathan look at Vanessa tenderly and Olivia’s eyes widened at the look on her sister’s face. Her lips pursed.

No crying tonight, bitch, Olivia thought, turning back to look at Colin, who was still holding her cradled in his arms. They climbed into Johnathan’s car and sped off into the sunset.

***

“OKAY, this is what we’re going to do!” They all leaned in intently to hear Vanessa, who was trying to yell over the noise of the bar. “We’re going to each pick three songs. And make them good, dammit,” Vanessa slammed a shot, waving a hand against her flushed face. Johnathan took the opportunity to run a hand down Vanessa’s hair. She smiled.

Olivia looked at Colin. “I don’t sing, I dance. Vanessa’s the singer. Like she can blow. Seriously. I sound like a strangled cat,” she explained, slightly embarrassed as her cheeks flushed. She finished her half a shot, grimacing and sticking her tongue out before sucking on a lemon.

“Shit, that’s strong!” Olivia gasped, scrunching her nose as Colin leaned back and sipped his whiskey. He’d put on a blue shirt that matched her aquamarine necklace. He looked tasty.

“Vanessa, you want to make our third song a duet,” Colin tossed across the table at her.

Vanessa looked at him in surprise.

“You can sing?” she asked, a look of disbelief on her face. “No offense, but I don’t want to taint one of my turns if you aren’t good,” she laughed at him. Her gray eyes sparkling.

Olivia glanced at him. The man’s just full of surprises huh?

“I guess I’m ok. I need to hear your first song, though, before I decide if you can share a microphone with me,” he threw back, sipping his whiskey again. His own eyes shining with happiness.

They stared each other down.

“What’s the song?” Vanessa asked as she accepted another drink from the waitress.

He wrote it down on a napkin and passed it to her. Watching as her eyes widened before she broke out in a smile. “Yeah…. I can do this one. But it needs to be the second song for us. I have something different in mind for my third song,” she said quietly, folding the napkin and sticking it into her bra. They all raised an eyebrow. Johnathan chuckled before taking another sip of his drink.

“So,” Colin said, “What songs are we doing?”

They wrote all their songs on the cards given to them and took it to the DJ with a hefty tip.

They cheered hard when a woman got up and absolutely slayed a cover of Evanescence’s Bring Me To Life.

Olivia whistled, jumping up and down, clapping. It was Johnathan’s turn next and he sang “Leaving On a Jet Plane” by John Denver. His voice was not professional in the least, but a few women were looking at him enviously.

Olivia was next, and she sang Yellow Kina Grannis’ cover. She was nervous and avoided looking at anyone when she was singing. Her bravery touched him.

Colin was proud. Her voice was sweet, innocent, stroking over him like a balm. Then it was Vanessa’s turn.

She took the microphone and his jaw dropped as she belted out a rendition of Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats, that had him standing up and whistling along with everyone else in the building. Even the servers stopped serving and were staring.

He gaped at Olivia, who was staring at the stage with a proud, albeit watery, expression on her face. He leaned over to whisper in her ear.

“You never said your sister could sing like that,” Colin accused her, taking her hand as Vanessa exited the stage. He gave her a squeeze before he went up to the stage and grabbed the microphone, adjusting the stand and signaling the DJ. The lights went down in the building, surprising everyone before a spot-light shined on him.

Olivia gasped as he began to sing “Gorilla” by Bruno Mars. Her face heated as he watched him basically fuck the damn microphone, his eyes on hers as he took complete control of the stage, his voice coming out growly, strong. She shrugged her shoulders as she felt her nipples hardening, the song and his singing turning her on.

Oh yeah…this man can fuck me any day of the week. This is so hot, Olivia thought, squirming uncomfortably in her seat.

Vanessa’s jaw was on the floor as she turned her head to look at her, giving her a ‘What the hell?’ look. She shook her head as Colin exited the stage, only to be met by four women who had come up to him, fawning over him.

Uh-uh. No.

Olivia’s face settled into a scowl as she got up and stomped over to where he was, taking his hand and jerking him hard behind her. He gave her a chuckle as he walked behind her, not caring how pissed she was.

She practically threw him in his seat, though he went willingly. Snatching up his whiskey and downing it before he picked up his fresh glass. He gave her a fiery look, making her stomach do somersaults.

“That song was for you, miss,” he teased, giving Johnathan a high five.

“You can sing like THAT?” Vanessa half screeched at him from across the table. Slamming another shot and sucking a lemon. Johnathan leaned over and placed his lips against Vanessa’s suddenly, surprising them all.

Vanessa’s brows scrunched together as he pulled away. She blushed furiously.

“John,” she said, looking away shyly. It was so unlike her.

Olivia grinned. Scooting out of the booth as it was soon her turn. She horribly belted out Harleys in Hawaii by Katy Perry, picking it because it was the song that Colin played at the diner when they first met. She made up for her amateur singing by moving her body in a seductive rhythm to the song, causing more men than he was comfortable with yelling and cheering for her.

Colin scowled, not happy with that. He finished his whiskey, slightly slamming the glass on the table. He held up his hand for the server to bring him another one, along with a pitcher of water for the table.

“I think we might need to be done drinking after this round till we get back to my place,” he said to Johnathan as Vanessa stood up in the booth.

Her hands were in the air as she cheered Olivia on, who was gyrating into the microphone stand too sexually for his tastes.

Over it, Colin got up, walking to the stage to reach forward to snatch her off. He snagged her calf, pulling her off the front stage, uncaring of what the employees thought. The bar booed as the music came to a stop and announced Johnathan’s song. He got up and rocked to Blow by Ed Sheeran, making up for Olivia’s dancing fiasco. The bar cheered.

Then it was Colin’s turn.

His pick was Work Song by Hozier. Which was a touching cover and several people in the audience came to the stage and began clapping along to the song. Olivia stayed in the booth with Johnathan and Vanessa. Her eyes were wide as she listened to him sing the lyrics as he faced her from the stage. Her heart beat painfully as his eyes trained on her. Only leaving hers to close briefly, as he sang passionately into the microphone.

She sat there blinking back tears as Johnathan reached over to take her hand. The look he gave her made them spill out, and she wiped them away quickly, shooting him an embarrassed glance. Johnathan leaned forward as Colin continued to sing into the microphone. There were several phones out, recording him on social media.

“Do not ever be embarrassed for your emotion, Ollie,” Johnathan said quietly, chucking her slightly under the chin.

The big man’s use of her nickname made her give him a watery smile, and she nodded her understanding. As she took his hand and gave him a slight squeeze as Colin finished his song. The karaoke bar erupted as the DJ”s voice came loud over the speaker. He struggled to regain control over the bar as people began cheering so hard it sounded like the rafters were going to fall down on them. Olivia placed a hand on her throat as her chest swelled with pride.

This man’s mine, she thought, her eyebrows raised, startled by the thought.

She noticed Vanessa had slinked away to join Colin on the stage. It was time for their duet. The bar finally hushed, realizing the two best singers of the night were pairing up for a song together. Everyone’s phone was out and even the kitchen cook was leaning on the wall by the kitchen door with his phone out. Senorita by Camilla Cabello began playing over the speakers.

Johnathan and Olivia looked at each other smiling with excitement and sprang into action.

“Let’s dance,” Olivia said, grabbing Johnathan’s hand and yanking him up laughing.

“They sound amazing!” Johnathan yelled over the noise of the bar. Since their significant others were tearing it up on the stage, they proceeded to tear it up on the dance floor. More couples came up and began dancing as well, the whole building just comfortable with the chaos that was erupting.

“I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun!” she yelled as Johnathan dipped her backwards, making her hair swing wildly. She giggled as he righted her, and then they performed a complicated spin that startled her.

“Johnathan! You never ever said you could dance!” she gasped, rather accusatory.

“It never came up!” he laughed back at her. And he really could dance. The man had rhythm. She swayed in his arms as they looked up at Colin and Vanessa.

“Olivia, I really like her,” Johnathan said quietly as they spun on the dance floor. He turned his dark eyes back to her, and she smiled in return.

“She really likes you too, Johnathan. Nessie”s been alone since her husband walked out on her four years ago,” Olivia said, a sad look coming over her eyes. “It’s just been us for so long that I don’t think either of us had much hope that anything was going to change. Everything just seemed so hopeless, andno one wanted to be with someone with a sick kid…and a busy schedule. And chaotic sister,” she dramatically whispered the last part, looking away. She clenched her jaw.

Johnathan looked at her sharply.

“Don’t do that, Behan! It’s bad for your teeth, you’re going to tear small holes in them and then Colin will never shut up about it. He’ll make you rip them all out and put veneers in. You’ll look like those freaks on Instagram,” Johnathan said seriously. His dark brows furrowed over his eyes as he attempted to lecture her.

They stared at each other before erupting in laughter as the song ended. Tears streamed down her face as she fell apart, giggling. Johnathan, as intimidating as he looked, was the perfect mix of humorous and dangerous.

“Johnathan, did you just curse me out? What’s ‘behan’ mean?” Olivia asked, giggling as she wiped a small tear out of her eye. He turned to watch Vanessa and Colin, who were making their way to them. Johnathan tore his eyes away from Vanessa to look back at her.

“It means sister,” he replied, before turning back and meeting Vanessa and Colin halfway. Leaving her standing there, stunned. A warm feeling rushed through her as the man swooped Vanessa up and turned her a few times, causing Vanessa to yell out excitedly.

Colin finally got to her before swooping down to land a juicy kiss on her mouth. Her hands sunk in his hair as he tilted her backwards, deepening the kiss to rather lewd cat calls from nearby people.

He pulled away and assessed her hungrily. She smiled and jerked her head at the couple next to them, lost talking as they began walking back to their table.

“Ohhh they are so knocking boots tonight,” Olivia yelled to him over the rock music that blared over the speakers.

And then it was her turn to share in laughter with Colin, who put his arm around her and began to lead her to their table. They slid across from Johnathan and Vanessa, who were both tearing into the food that the server put in front of them. Everything was backed up as the employees took the time to enjoy the evening, too.

Colin didn’t even mind the lack of professionalism. He really enjoyed singing with Vanessa. The woman’s voice was killer, and he wanted to get her into a studio to record a demo. She was that good.

He took their plates from the server and handed Olivia’s to her, who was busy staring in alarm at the couple across the table. Apparently, they both shared a love of food, a very violent love.

Jesus, his eyebrows raised as Vanessa stuffed a rather large bite into her mouth, making her cheeks stuff out.

“That’s a good sign that she can do that, Johnathan,” Olivia pointed at Vanessa”s full mouth rather suggestively. Colin gave Olivia a shocked look, a bark of laughter rumbling from him at what she just suggested. Olivia cut a piece of boneless chicken in half and put it in her mouth, shrugging her shoulder unashamedly.

“So damn beautiful,” Johnathan complemented rather reverently as he leaned forward to Vanessa and kissed one puffed up cheek, before turning and putting another bite of his vegetarian meal in his mouth. They’d had to deal with the “halal” speech, along with a threat to sue if he got sick from any pork contamination. They’d all followed suit and ordered everything non pork.

“So, Johnathan, where are you from?” Olivia said conversationally.

They’d not had too much time to talk, and she wanted to get to know the man better since he was obviously enamored with her sister. Olivia”s eyes flickered between them in amusement. They were currently looking at each other like they could race down a church altar to say vows. She let out a giggle at the thought. Because they just met each other, and who would be that stupid?

Not her sister. She’d made her ex-husband wait almost three years before they married.

They ate for a while. When a boy came to the stage singing horribly, Olivia stood up in the booth and clapped for him, Colin wrapped his arm around her to steady her. He could tell when she was dancing with Johnathan that her arm still bothered her, and he wasn’t taking any chances that she’d fall.

“It’s my turn,” Vanessa said, putting her phone down. Olivia glanced down as her phone lit up. She picked it up, swiping it unlocked. Vanessa texted me back.

Make sure Johnathan’s ok. I need to get this song out, and I don’t know how he’s going to handle it. -Nessie.

Olivia frowned, not knowing what she was talking about. She glanced up at Vanessa and nodded. Colin looked at her for an explanation, and she lifted her shoulder and reached for her water. She sipped slowly as Vanessa took the stage and took a seat on a stool in front of the microphone.

Olivia’s breath froze in her lungs as the music started, and she stiffened as chills saturated her body. She stared at her sister wide eyed as she began to softly sing I’ll Never Love Again from Lady Gaga.

Olivia started shaking, suddenly understanding why her sister wanted this to be the last song. The emotion she had to expel to get this song out was probably going to ruin them all. She wasn”t ready. She didn”t think any of them were.

Her watery eyes slid to Johnathan, and she realized the man looked absolutely petrified.

Johnathan stared at the stage rather blankly, but his hand was trembling on the table. She reached forward and softly placed her hand on his as she felt the tears fall out of her eyes, dripping onto her dress. His hand unclenched before wrapping around her tightly. They trembled there together. Colin placed his lips against her temple and leaned her against him. Wanting her support too.

This bitch.The man committed suicide at the end of the movie, she sobbed quietly, pressing her free hand against her mouth. Not able to help drawing parallel’s between her situation and the movie. She became nauseated, thinking something might happen to Colin.

She let go of Johnathan’s hand momentarily as she looked over at Colin and leaned forward, pressing her lips hard to his, surprising him.

She moaned as he sank his hand into her hair, holding her still so he could take control.

They pulled away as a woman loudly wailed in the back of the bar, and there was a sudden commotion as a couple of people went to assist. She had collapsed crying and was yelling “Oh my Goodd!” repeatedly. Yet Vanessa still kept singing, lost in the song. Probably couldn’t even tell she was making people absolutely sick in the audience. The woman’s friends escorted her to the bathroom, as she was inconsolable.

She placed her hand back on Johnathan’s and squeezed as Colin began rubbing her shoulder, rocking her slightly, his lips still at her temple. She clung tight to Johnathan, feeling her hand go numb as he squeezed her back hard.

Olivia leaned forward and placed her head down on the table, crying quietly. Just done. She wanted to go up to the stage and smack her sister. Colin’s hand settled on the back of her neck as she felt Johnathan’s hand slide from hers abruptly. Johnathan got up and walked away.

She got up and crawled over Colin”s lap to follow him. Johnathan disappeared in the hallway to the bathroom and was leaning against the wall with his hands on his face. He put them down as she approached. His face was drawn tight, looking tortured, and a tear slipped down his cheek.

She hurriedly walked to him, wrapping her arms around him.

They stood there, crying together, hugging as Vanessa continued to croon into the microphone. Colin walked up to them, staying silent, just watching them.

“I’m so sorry. I think you got the evil sister, bro,” she whispered, smiling as he chuckled through his tears. He pulled back, running a hand down his face, his eyes haunted as he looked at her.

“My wife died eight years ago… heart attack,” Johnathan said simply, his eyes lowering to the ground. “I’ve never been with anyone else since. It just hurts too bad, all those years of planning our life gone to waste,” he said in his deep voice.

“You don’t have to talk about it. I know what it’s like to not want to try. It does hurt, and it doesn’t feel worth it. It hurts too much to let go of the pain,” Olivia whispered, glancing up at him.

Not embarrassed to share this part of herself with this man who just bared himself to her and everyone else in the bar with his emotion.

Colin made sure they were ok before he walked back into the main room, not wanting Vanessa to be completely alone with them gone.

Olivia stayed silent, rubbing his arm sympathetically as Vanessa finally finished the song. The woman who had to leave the room when the song first started walked out of the bathroom, patting her eyes with a tissue. She looked slightly better.

Olivia gave the woman an apologetic smile as she walked past.

“Come on, let”s get back,” Johnathan said to her, leading the way around the corner back to the main room.

Olivia’s eyes widened in surprise as she saw Vanessa hugging the woman who’d broke down crying. She hung back, seeing a crowd of people congregating around her, vying for her attention and congratulating her on busting out a difficult song.

Johnathan let her arm go and made his way through the throng of people, snatching Vanessa to him and kissing her as everyone pressed around them.

Olivia smiled, turning to their table to find Colin. She froze as she found his gaze. He was watching her, a tortured expression of his own on his face.

He jerked his head at her to come to him.

Olivia approached hesitantly. That song meant something different for each one of them, and her and Colin didn’t know the depth of each other’s emotions. Whereas Vanessa and Johnathan were laying themselves bare to each other. She wished they could be that brave.

But she couldn’t. How could she ask for more, if she was unwilling to disclose the hell that had been her reality for the last several years?

Colin held out his hand for Olivia to take. He turned in the booth and pulled her in between his thighs. Looking up at her, he reached around and ran his hand up her thighs and to her back. Pulling her close and resting his head on her stomach, just holding her.

Her fingers caressed his jaw as they swayed like that to the instrumental music the DJ was playing. Who”d paused karaoke performances after Vanessa’s performance, stating they all needed an emotional break before disappearing himself. Probably to cry too.

Vanessa and Johnathan made their way over, looking rather wrecked, but smiling. Vanessa’s song seemed to bond them, and they were holding hands and leaning into each other as they walked. Colin stood up, pressing Olivia to his side as he glanced at the couple next to them.

“I already paid, so we can get going,” Colin stated shortly.

“Wait! I had one more song,” Olivia teased, smiling at him prettily. Colin’s eyebrows raised as he turned his eyes onto her.

“And you can sing it to me later, baby, I promise,” he smiled back before glancing at Johnathan.

The man nodded at Colin’s unspoken question, clearing his throat.

“Excuse me Miss,” A man’s voice penetrated their group and they all turned. A tall African American man approached them, holding out his hand to Vanessa, who took it tentatively. When she pulled back, a business card was in her hand.

“You can call me Vanessa,” she said softly as she squinted at the card.

Olivia bit her lip, leaning forward, and sniffed. Widening her eyes as she realized the man smelled familiar. She gasped as Colin suddenly yanked her back to him.

“Did you just sniff that man?” he said in her ear incredulously. A tinge of jealousy was in his voice.

She struggled against his hold. “Sir,” she said to the man, trying to get his attention. She let out a pained noise as Colin tightened his hand on hers so hard she felt a knuckle crack.

Oops, I just called this man “Sir” after sniffing him. I must have a death wish, she thought to herself. But she ignored his tight hold and spoke to the man anyway.

“I’m so sorry for interrupting, but what scent are you wearing?” Olivia bit out through the pain in her hand. She threw Colin a filthy look.

The man grinned. “Kingsmen Premium Holy Grail,” he answered. Smiling broadly at her. Vanessa leaned in smelling him herself while Johnathan and Colin looked rather irritatingly at each other.

Vanessa gasped, her hand covering her mouth as she locked eyes with Olivia’s, whose eyes were watering.

“Well,” Olivia said, “I’m sorry to interrupt you, but we’ve been looking for that scent everywhere for years,” hhe said to the man, stepping back and pulling out her phone.

“No, that’s cool. I get mad compliments when I wear it. So, my name is Elijah and I’m with a local band here. Charles called me about two hours ago when you sang your first song. I hope that’s ok. I’m so glad I could catch you before you guys left… I almost killed myself to get here,” the man huffed out a breath.

Olivia looked him over; noticing that he did look rather disheveled, like he’d been in a rush. She turned back to her phone, typing something in.

Colin looked over her shoulder. She was searching for the man’s cologne in her search engine. He frowned.

“I’m sorry, who’s Charles?” Johnathan asked, interjecting himself into the conversation.

“Oh, my bad. Charles is the DJ here, we’re connected. My band performs all over the state and writes songs for some celebrities. We’d love it if you could come to our studio and test a song with us. My information is on the card and our social media is on there too if you want to check our work out before making a decision.”

Vanessa looked rather stunned, staying silent. She hadn’t been able to talk ever since they’d smelled the man.

“I’ll be in touch to let you know what we decide,” Johnathan said smoothly, reaching out and clasping his hand. “Thanks for coming out, man. We appreciate it.”

Colin’s eyebrows raised at how effortlessly Johnathan took over. Especially so soon after being caught up in his emotions.

“No problem, please seriously consider it Vanessa. We’d love to have you with us. You’ve got a , the man nodded at the rest of them before turning and heading to the DJ booth.

“Seriously? What is with you two?” Colin said, turning incredulous eyes to Olivia and Vanessa, who were now staring at each other again. A tear slipped down Vanessa’s cheek.

“He smells just like Dad,” Olivia said, turning her eyes to Colin. Whose eyes narrowed as he tilted his head. She turned back to Vanessa. “Sis, that has to be a sign. You gotta call them. This is like dad’s divine intervention or something!” she said, reaching forward and grasped Vanessa’s arm. Her sister looked shaken.

“Olivia, I can’t take off and join a band. What about Allison?” she said tightly. Her eyes flashed.

Olivia paled, shuffling on her feet, feeling that box of hurt start to shake violently.

“We’ll help Vanessa. Let’s just see what this is all about before we start turning down opportunities, yeah?” Johnathan said smoothly, putting his hand around Vanessa and taking the card from her, slipping it into his pocket. They walked to the vehicle and got in.

“I’m hungry again,” Vanessa suddenly said, making the car erupt in laughter.

They stopped at a local fast-food restaurant and ordered a ton of food, eating in it the car on the way back home. Olivia twisted in her seat and fed Colin bites of his burger and fries, as he wouldn’t eat and drive. She thought it was a little neurotic, how he drove and the rules he’d put on himself, but she figured a way around it. Not mentioning it, but wanting to ask.

There was something he wasn’t sharing, and it bothered her. It nagged at her that, despite the intimacy of the evening, she felt disconnected from him.

They returned to the house when Jonathan suddenly pulled out a joint, making Olivia smile. He and Colin had a long conversation about it, which Olivia and Vanessa thought was cute, before deciding to partake. They all got so trashed that Colin made Johnathan and Vanessa spend the night showing them up to the spare bedrooms and letting them sort it out. Colin carried a giggling Olivia to bed and undressed her.

I’m so thankful she isn’t the paranoid high type. Jesus that’d be awkward, he thought to himself, as he gently maneuvered her dress over her head, smiling at how her hair tumbled wildly around her.

“You feel good, baby?” Colin whispered against her mouth as he laid himself on top of her, only dressed in his pants. He didn”t feel comfortable initiating sex when they were like this, especially their first time.

Olivia was drunk, high, and her arm was still bothering her. He didn’t feel like she could consent to any sexual act and didn’t even feel right asking her to. He did have morals, though loose, but they were there.

Colin breathed deeply, loving the feel of her breasts squished against his chest.

“Yes,” she giggled as he kissed and nibbled her neck. “Colin!” she said, shaking him to get his attention.

“What baby?” he said, groaning as he sucked the skin at her collarbone into his mouth.

“Vanessa’s going to be famous,” she cackled with glee as if it was the funniest thing in the world.

“You are adorable when you’re inebriated,” Colin whispered, bringing his lips back to hers and kissing her-cutting off her laughter.

“Do you think they’re screwing?” Olivia moaned into his mouth, the words coming out garbled.

“You can’t hear them?” he said, pulling back and catching her eye as she panted for air. Her nipples pressed into his chest as she turned her head. Her eyes widened as she reddened.

There was muted screaming coming through the door of their bedroom. She put her fingers to her lips. “Jesus Christ, what is he doing to her that makes her sound like thaaaat?” she said through the fingers over her mouth.

Colin rested his head on her shoulder as he shook with silent laughter. Because knowing Johnathan’s background he could only imagine what was happening right now.

He probably has her strung from the ceiling fan or something stupid, he thought.

Paired with his celibacy since his wife died, he was actually feeling really sorry for Vanessa, to be honest.

He suddenly became quiet, thinking about what they could be doing to his bedroom. Eyes screwing shut, he threw himself down onto his back next to her, groaning.

“Man, my fucking bedrooooom. FUCK!” he lamented, placing his hands on his face and rubbing.

Olivia placed an arm across her chest and bit her lip. She’d come to find how much he loved his home, his assets, and didn’t like a thing out of order. The fact they were probably indeed tearing up his room made her heart tug for him.

“Come on, it can’t be that bad... can it?” Olivia said, looking at him with a teasing look in her eye.

Getting up with a groan, he turned on their fireplace and disappeared into the closet.

“What are you doing?” she called out, pulling the sheets back and getting under the covers, snuggling down deep and sighing. He reappeared a second later in pajama pants. She licked her lips and purred at the sight of his tattoos.

Colin stopped in his tracks, his pajama pants tenting at the sound coming from her.

“No,” he said roughly, standing still on the other side of the room. “You stay on that side of the bed, and I’m staying on the other side. I’m not fucking you tonight,” he bit out.

Wish I could, wish I could, wish I could, he chanted.

An offended look passed over her face. “Colin!” she whined, sitting up, her hair falling over her shoulders and breasts. “You mean to tell me my sister gets laid before I do? And I’ve known you longer!” she almost hissed at him, her green eyes flashing.

She recoiled as he rounded the bed and fisted his hand in her hair, tilting her head back to look at him.

“What did I say?” he growled down at her, his eyes narrowing at her wild ones. They stared each other down for a tense heartbeat.

Olivia felt her cheeks redden at the look on his face. “You said no. Sir,” she said between tight lips.

He nodded at her. “That’s right. You don’t dictate anything right now. Stay on your side. You’re in no state for what I have in mind for you,” he said matter-of-factly before letting her go.

She moaned and threw herself back on the pillows before rolling over away from him.

Colin got in on his side of the bed and turned away from her as well, covering his head with the pillow to drown out the sounds of Vanessa’s cries from down the hall.

Vanessa and Johnathan were both gone the next morning before they woke up and Olivia had to comfort Colin when he saw the state of the room they’d left. Olivia stood in the room with him, and her eyes roamed the snapped post of the four-poster bed, the drywall was broken in pieces out of the wall behind the headboard and the nightstand was fucked.

She rolled her lips, staying silent. Praying Vanessa was ok. She giggled and led him out the door.