Page 40 of Twisted Devotion
Daniella finding out was something she had been worried about, and how it all ended up happening was one of the worst ways it could have unfolded, but we have it figured out now. All I want to do is tell Stevie that.
“But she had been doing that before and didn’t look like this. She looks crushed, and I can’t live with being the one who did that to her.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-NINE
BODEN
We’ve given Stevie a week.
A week too long.
Technically, six days because I couldn’t stand forcing Audrey to wait any longer.
But I told Audrey that we would scare her off if we tried to get her back too soon, so I think I’m leading on this one.
We walk up the driveway to the quiet beige house and knock on the door. I try not to think about all the times we’ve dropped her off and picked her up here in high school.
I brush that thought off just in time for the bright-eyed, silver-haired woman to open the door and smile.
“The Taylors…”
I now know where Stevie’s smirk comes from because her grandma is wearing the same exact one as she stares up at us.
Does this elderly woman know what we’ve been up to?
Audrey confirms, “That’s us. Does Stevie happen to be here? We wanted to chat.”
“I’m glad you’re here. She’s been moping around, upset, worse than I’ve ever seen her.” She leans into us, whispering,“Don’t tell her I told you that, she’ll have my ass. She’ll really take my soap opera away, and I don’t want to miss anything.”
I nod my head and whisper back, “Oh, we can’t have you missing your show, we’ll put in a good word.” And then I add a wink for some good luck.
“Stevie! You have two people here for you!”
“Grandma, what did I tell you about answering the door for strangers?” Stevie’s voice gets closer to the door, and I can’t hold back the enjoyment I have when she’s around us.
As Stevie gets to the door, her grandma shoots us a wink over her shoulder and heads back into the house. But not without saying, “These aren’t strangers, Stevie.”
“What are you doing here?” Stevie looks around like we have no reason to be here.
She steps out the door, letting it close behind her, and Audrey finally says, “We’re here to win you back.”
I add, “And to tell you, we still want you to be with us.”
“I’m not coming between the two of you and Daniella. She’s your daughter, I’m just a random bitch.”
Audrey takes Stevie’s hand in hers. “You’re not just a random bitch, Stevie. I know you want to think that and want us to believe it, but you’re so much more than that. Let us show you.”
Tears well in Stevie’s eyes, so I grab up her other hand. “Daniella was just shocked, that’s all. She’s come to terms with what is going on between us.”
Audrey adds, “We raised her to not worry about what others do in their lives and who they love, as long as they’re not endangering anyone. We are all three consenting adults, so we also fall into that category. Unless we’re causing harm to you that we aren’t aware of…”
“No, no harm—besides to my heart this past week,” Stevie whispers, and it does me in. The bridge of my nose stings, and my throat feels like it’s clogged with unshed tears.
I pull her into my chest, letting my head rest on top of hers, as Audrey wraps around us.
“I love you, Stevie,” Audrey says with such certainty that it makes my heart swell.
