For the next couple hours, people pace, get coffee, go for walks.
Allie has to start her shift, so when Fisher becomes responsible for both twins, he says, “We’re out. I have to work in the morning, and if I don’t get these two asleep, they’ll be nightmares tomorrow.”
I stand to walk Fisher out, and Chevelle narrows her eyes at me.
“Well, I’m sitting right here. I’m not going to miss another birth,” Ethel says.
Jed rolls his eyes with Emelia asleep on his lap. Molly holds Joshua and gives Jed a knowing look. He rises from his seat, Emelia draped in his arms. “We’re out too.”
One by one, the siblings leave with their babies, leaving me, Chevelle, Ethel and gang, Hank and Marla.
“You can go,” Chevelle says.
“I’m good.”
“But you don’t have to be here.”
I shrug. “Cade is my friend.”
“Fisher’s your friend.”
I stare at her for a long time and catch Dori and Midge watching us. I put on a smile to not alert them of anything. “Fine.” I stand. “Let me know how it goes. I’ve got an early charter tomorrow.” I stretch. Chevelle doesn’t want me here, so I’m not going to stay where I’m not wanted.
“Hopefully we’ll have some news soon.” Marla rocks Leighton. “You go too, Chevelle. We’ll keep you all posted.”
I look at the clock and see that it’s one in the morning.
“She could be in labor all night,” Hank says.
“I thought your second just fell out?” Chevelle says.
He laughs and looks at Marla. “Laurie ended up having a C-section with Chevelle after the boys flew out.”
“You just never know.” Marla smiles at Chevelle, but Chevelle doesn’t return it.
“Okay, call us when the little one arrives.” Chevelle kisses all the cheeks of her loved ones around the room.
“Oh, I should tell you two now. I booked you for next week’s health and fitness segment.” Ethel points at us.
“What?” Chevelle looks irritated.
“The retirement home thinks it’s important for us to learn how to eat better and do some yoga and light weights and things.” Dori rolls her eyes. “I guess we can’t even enjoy our older years without people making us feel guilty.”
“And I signed you two up for the fitness portion. Teach us how to use the weights. Chevelle’s always been so flexible. You must be good at yoga.” Ethel smiles.
“We’re not personal trainers,” Chevelle says.
“No, dear, but you both spend a lot of time at the gym. We just need the basics,” Ethel says.
“Okay, send me the time. No dirty talk though. I’ve heard rumors.” I eye Midge, who’s a kleptomaniac and sex addict from what I can gather.
She pushes her black glasses up on her nose. “Talk to the men in the group.”
We leave the hospital, and thankfully Chevelle doesn’t say anything about giving me a ride home.
Halfway to the house, I turn in my seat. “Why are you being so dismissive about us?”
For a moment, I don’t think she’s going to say anything. I take a sip of the water I bought at the hospital.
“I’m not being dismissive. We had sex to ease some sexual frustration and I’m fine with it, but it doesn’t mean anything. I’m not looking for a ring or anything.”
I choke on my water, and she raises her eyebrows at me.
“Something scary?” she asks.
“No.”
She pulls into the driveway and gets out of her car. I follow and shut and lock the front door behind us.
“So your mind is made up, huh?” I ask as she’s about to head upstairs.
She turns and throws her hands in the air. “What are you thinking? That you’ll do candlelight dinners for me, and we’ll make out in the square? That people won’t be placing bets on how long we’ll last?”
Her comment throws me, and I look at her, trying to figure out what gossip has to do with us.
“Come on, Cam. We’re one and the same. Both afraid of commitment, never allowing anyone to get too close, and we have meaningless sex all the damn time. I made peace with myself a long time ago.” She turns back around and walks up the stairs. I hear her bedroom door faintly click shut.
I head to the kitchen and grab a beer, let Gunner out, and sit on the back porch with him. The air is much cooler at night than it was even a few weeks ago. Fall is approaching fast. Gunner does his business and sits next to me, so I pet him.
Chevelle’s not wrong. I am afraid of commitment, but for some reason, after we had sex, that immediate fear that usually sets in as I wonder whether the girl is going to think it means something it doesn’t, wasn’t present. I’m ready to go all in on dating Chevelle because something with us just feels right.
But in order to do that, there are a few steps I have to take first. One, talk to her brothers. Two, let her in. Maybe if I do that, she’ll let me in too.
I finish my beer and grab a water on my way to my bedroom.
After I brush my teeth and get ready for bed, I knock on Chevelle’s door.
“What?”
“Just… please wear some pajamas tonight?”
She chuckles softly. “Okay.”
The thought of her naked behind that door is too much to bear, but honestly, I think I knocked because I wanted an invitation into her bed.
One time didn’t quench my thirst for her in the slightest, which means I’m screwed.
Lying in bed, I pull up the text string with all the Greene brothers.
Me: Can we meet this week sometime?
I don’t expect an answer because it’s so late, but surprisingly, a bunch comes through.
Cade: I’m busy getting screamed at while Presley has this baby, man.
Fisher: Boys’ night. I’m in. I’ll get back with Allie’s schedule.
Adam: Only during the day. Nights are reserved for the family.
Xavier: I’m in San Fran, man. Won’t be home for a while. But you can just video conference me in or something.
Jed: Just make it at Truth or Dare anytime I’m working.
So we have a tentative plan for me to talk to the Greene brothers about dating their baby sister. I wonder if I can reserve one of those blowup sumo suits.
17
“WE DON’T HARM ANIMALS.”
Chevelle
A week later, we’re about to enter Northern Lights Retirement Center. Thankfully, Cam has stopped acting as though I’m pregnant and we must marry for him to do right by me. Although it’s awfully hard not to touch him now, knowing exactly what’s under his clothes and knowing he knows how to use it.
“You ready for this?” he asks, parking my car.
I was really tired after work and didn’t want to drive to Lake Starlight, even if it’s not that far away.
We walk into the building, and LeeAnn, the activities coordinator, is behind the counter. “I heard you two got signed up without knowing it.”