Page 34 of Twisted Devotion
But I also want to have the option to open our marriage and allow Stevie in, because I know for a fact we have plenty of love to share.
“Now the elephant in the room… what are we planning for this?” I wave between us. I worry Stevie might go running at the question, but her ass stays planted right beside me.
“I’ve run from anything and anyone that felt like they could become permanent for me. I have mommy issues after all… But I’ve been running for two years from both of you.” She looks down at her now-empty plate, but when her eyes meet mine again, she has a look of determination on her face I’ve only seen a few times. “I’m done running. I’m all in.”
“We’re both in too. Let’s try it out and see what comes of it.” Bo smiles, and I’ve never been more relieved in my life.
Bo heads into the kitchen, and I’m on his heels, ready to send Stevie off to her shift, when Bo pulls some containers out of the fridge. He has my spare lunch box packed with the containers of prepped food, some fruit, water, and an energy drink.
Stevie walks into the kitchen wearing one of my scrub sets since we didn’t want her to leave us any sooner than she needed.
Bo hands her the lunch box. “Here’s some food for your shift. It’s not enough for the three days, but I’m going to send extra with Audrey for you. I don’t like you not being able to have any home-cooked meals while you’re there for three days straight.”
Her eyes immediately fill with tears. “Bo, you didn’t have to do this…”
“Somebody has to make sure you two are fed, and that will happily be me.”
She takes the lunch box and whispers, “Thank you.” And before she leaves, she gives Bo a hug and kisses him on the cheek.
But I grab her face and press my lips to hers in a gentle but claiming kiss, murmuring, “See you in the morning, Baby.”
* Malibu Barbie - Robyn L
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
BODEN
“Come on, both of you in the car.” I shuffle the girls toward the car before they can strip one another out of their clothes again. Stevie opens the back door and hops in, and Audrey is right behind her. “Oh, so now I’m a taxi service too?”
Stevie deadpans, “Yeah, but you can control the music.” She shrugs, buckles her seatbelt, and then snuggles up with my wife. As I watch it all unfold from the rearview mirror, I can’t wipe the smile off my face from the pure joy that’s covering Audrey’s.
I planned a date night since they both just finished their three days at the hospital. Stevie had to go and relieve her grandma’s caregiver last night, but tonight she was able to sneak away once her grandma went to bed.
So, it’s a sports bar and putt-putt tonight.
This is our first outing as a throuple—whatever that is—and I’m more giddy than ever. What we’re doing right now is what always scared Audrey from welcoming someone else in. The fear of other people’s judgment, but I’d like to think Colorado’s relatively progressive, even living in one of the smaller towns.
And when it comes down to it, if they don’t like it, they don’t have to look. It’s not happening in their house or marriage, so why should we let other people’s issues or views stop us from living the life we want?
We’re at a high-top table in the center of the noisy sports bar as the server comes up to the table, taking our drink orders, and luckily only gives a couple of quizzical looks before heading to grab our drinks. She’s older, and we all know an older lady loves to question absolutely everything. I can see Audrey fidgeting, so I place my hand on top of hers on the table to comfort her, and Stevie follows suit.
From seemingly out of nowhere, the server pops up beside the table again, no drinks in hand, and the bad feeling starts to grow in the pit of my stomach.
She looks at where our hands are joined and questions. “Oh, is this your daughter? I see she got the love for the tattoos from?—”
I cut the waitress off, which I normally don’t do, but this is Audrey’s actual worst nightmare, and I won’t stand to watch it happen. “This is actually our date.” Her eyes bounce to our wedding rings, and then her eyes float to Stevie, like she’s her next target.
“But you’re married.” The look of disgust grows immediately.
People’s boldness and their judgments will always shock me.
Stevie tilts her head and questions the server, “How’s your son?”
The server gasps and grabs her chest. “Shedoesn’t talk to me anymore, because she’s?—”
Not her misgendering her own kid.
