“Right,” I said. “You actually deserve the credit for this one.” She shot me a confused frown and I smiled. “I was stuck in that elevator—the one at Comm Ave.—with her when you bailed on me.”
“You’re very welcome,” she said. “So what’s her story?”
“She’s incredible, Shannon. Like, really fucking incredible.” I told her about Tiel’s YouTube following and her conservatory background, and I mentioned the loopy family issues because that was one thing Shannon could commiserate with, and how Tiel was reasonably cautious in family settings.
Somewhere in the middle of dumping all these details on Shannon, her skeptical expression softened. She started smiling, her eyes crinkling as I told stories about our adventures in Boston’s music scene and lazy movie nights.
“When she’s not around, it’s like I’m missing an organ,” I said. “She was in New Jersey for two and a half days, and I didn’t know what the hell to do with myself.”
“Okay, so you’re not going to clubs or the cool parties anymore? You’re not screwing lots of random chicks and drinking your weight every night?” I shook my head. “Don’t you miss it? Those are your nuts and bolts.”
“We go out a lot,” I said. “It’s different from my old scene, but I have a lot more fun with Tiel.”
“You’re all going to get married,” Shannon sighed. “And I will be that crazy cat lady.”
“I don’t think she’s interested in talking about marriage,” I said. “Her first was absolute shit, and the guy was a douche, and I don’t see that in the near future.”
Though it was rather antiquated of me, I didn’t like the idea of bringing a child into the world without marrying his mother first, but I didn’t see Tiel going for that anytime soon. I could be fine with it so long as we lived together.
“Oh so you’ve thought about it,” she said.
I lifted a shoulder and tried to wipe away all hint of my true desires. Shannon was an effective negotiator because she could read people as well as I read bluelines, but I wasn’t in a spot to be fully transparent with her yet.
“I’ve thought about a lot of things,” I said.
“Sure,” she said. “Of course.” She glanced to her phone and then back at me. “I’m meeting Lauren soon, but . . . promise you’ll talk to me. I have to do a better job, you have to do a better job, and we have to stick together.”
Nodding, I stood to hug her. “I’ll work on it, but promise me you’ll love her. No matter what, I need you to love her.”
“Always,” she said.
The drive back to the firehouse was quick, and I’d never been so excited to get home as I was knowing Tiel was there. I also felt better about things with Shannon, and that eased an entire lump of tension in my neck. We were in a better place—not great, but getting there—and we’d figure this out. We always did.
Arriving home, I watched from the doorway as Tiel and Riley laughed together at the kitchen table. He was telling stories that probably shouldn’t see the light of day, and she was giggling, her whole body rocking with the force. She looked damned adorable in those little running shorts and one of my long-sleeved t-shirts, and the baby anxiety wasn’t weighing on her like it did yesterday.
“Would it kill you to put on some clothes?” I asked, gesturing to Riley’s boxers. If history was any predictor, we’d be seeing his junk very soon.
They turned toward me, and Riley mumbled something about his bits and bobs needing room to breathe while he lumbered up the stairs.
“Don’t believe anything he told you,” I said, leaning down to kiss Tiel. She shifted, wrapping her arms around my neck. I heard Riley coming back down the stairs, still muttering, but I ignored him.
“It is no fun getting up without you,” she said. “You spoiled me this week. Your wake-up calls are the best.”
“It’s interesting that you mention that now,” I said. Grabbing her around the waist, I set her on the table and stepped between her legs. “What do you say we fix up the showers and get you a decent practice space? Or build a real bedroom for us?”
“Mmmhmm.” She fisted my sweater and brought me closer until I was lowering her to the table. “As long as you don’t put Riley on the street. He’s kind of growing on me.”
“Yeah, he’s got a lot in common with foot fungus.” I pinned her, squeezing both hands around the globes of her ass. “You’re not wearing any underwear.”
“Nope,” she said, grinning.
“Hey,” Riley called. He refilled his cereal bowl and threw an annoyed glance at us. “Could you not make any babies while I eat breakfast?”
“It might be too late for that,” I said, gathering Tiel in my arms and hauling her off the table.
“What?” he yelled, his bowl clattering to the countertop and sending milk sloshing out the sides.
“Nothing, Riley. Nothing at all,” Tiel said.
