Page 28 of Colton
12
EVIE
For a month, our lives fall into a new rhythm. Of work, play, and friends. Holly and I build a genuine friendship and she spends lots of time in my apartment. Becca’s been joining us lately too, and I love spending time with both of them.
Holly’s different from when I knew her, more sure of herself. And Becca, she’s in your face in a good way. It’s easy to build relationships when you’re all living close together. But I can honestly say I would like these women, anyway.
So I’m more than a little excited when I hear the soft knock on the door. I’ve collected a couple of paychecks and even after paying rent and chipping away a little more at Mia’s medical bills, I still had enough to hit the thrift store for some clothes that fit me. I’m beginning to feel like the old me and I’m excited to host drinks and appys for our first girls’ night.
Holly and Becca are full of smiles and laughter, and immediately my place feels warmer. Mia brings her dolls out of the bedroom, and after collecting hugs and kisses, making sure the ladies properly admire the dolls, heads back to her room to play.
I worried about how much time she spent in her room at first, but it finally dawned on me that while the room and the stuff in it are awesome, this is the first time Mia remembers having her own space. She can spread out and be creative. She’s always been creative, but there was barely room to walk around the bed in our old apartment and the main living area was too small to allow much clutter.
I’m fussing in the kitchen, looking for a pretty bowl to put the tortilla chips in. Becca comes in, laughing at my efforts, and starts opening cupboards, too. She grunts in satisfaction, coming out with a huge stainless steel roasting pan. Before I can say a word, she tears open both bags of chips and dumps them in the roasting pan, then presses the salsa and guac bowls into the chips. Cackling in satisfaction, she runs back to the couch, clutching the roaster to her chest.
Laughing, I follow. “So I guess you don’t give a shit about pretty bowls and fancy napkins?”
“I really don’t. Kade took me to a fancy restaurant on one of our first dates, and I nearly broke out in hives. It was awful.”
“What did you do?”
“We went over to Outback and ate a Bloomin’ Onion. Then I flipped out a bit when I figured out he’s a billionaire. It ended up being awesome.”
“So, you’re a cheap date?”
“Yep,” she says with a grin, shoving a chip into her mouth. “And I put out.”
I choke on my sip of water. “Good to know. Thanks for sharing.”
“You know, it wouldn’t kill you to develop a bit of a filter. Might come in handy down the road.” Holly teases her with an arched brow.
“Fuck filters. I don’t want to waste my life acting all proper and respectable. This is me,“ she says, throwing her arms out wide, “and anyone who doesn’t like it can fuck right off.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re a badass. We got it. Geez.”
Becca sticks out her bottom lip. “You used to be so nice and quiet, Holly. What got into you?”
Holly flushes, but a grin steals over her face. “A solid nine inches attached to a very enthusiastic man.”
I cover my mouth, holding in my giggles. I didn’t know this innuendo-filled version of Holly, but I really like her.
Becca’s mouth drops open. “You filthy girl! It’s amazing how some quality D can change a person.”
“This is not at all how I imagined this night was going to go.” Popping up, I check on Mia, seeing her happily playing. I move to audio controls on the wall, because of course this place is totally wired, and turn on a kid’s podcast for her. I don’t want to shut her door, but the extra noise should drown out anything too inappropriate.
“Fuck, I’m sorry,” Becca mumbles. “Shit, I said fuck. Crap.” She slaps her hand over her eyes and I lose it.
“Oh my god, it’s fine. I’ve cleaned up my language a lot since bringing her home, but I’ve taught her there are kids’ words and grown-up words. She’s a smart cookie, and she’s not dropping f-bombs at daycare, so I think she gets it.”
“I thought you had to stop swearing when you’re a mom, and say things likefooeyandgosh darn it.”
“Maybe some moms do. But I think we all have to figure things out for ourselves. And honestly, I love swearing. There’s nothing like the satisfaction of yellingFUCKwhen you stub your toe.”
“I’m beginning to understand the appeal of swearing,” Holly admits with a blush. “Brent hated it. He didn’t think it was ladylike, but Micah loves it when I order him to…never mind.”
“You are a dirty, dirty girl. Cheers.” Becca says, raising her beer.
Still chuckling, I study my new friends. They’re physically polar opposites. Holly is a tiny five-foot-nothing and Becca has got to be nearly six-feet tall. Both of them are round, but it’s obvious that Becca is quite muscular as well. I know she’s a martial arts instructor, and according to the guys, some sort of ninja, so clearly she’s strong.
