“It’s… everything?” I laugh, “I’m not sure what answer you’re looking for.”
“I’m just looking for the truth,” he shrugs off his husband’s soothing hand on his shoulder, “The reason Bel was so willing to pick up her whole life and move across state lines for two men so suddenly.”
Christ, it’s hot in here.
“Your skepticism is wholly warranted,” Caspian placates, “We are all in a whirlwind here.” Charlie’s gaze meets his, and he proceeds, “All either of us can really say is that when you know, you know. She’s ours, and we are hers.”
“What about each other?” he asks, “You also care for each other that way? Bel said that wasn’t her question to answer, but you must understand that I’d rather her not feel like she comes second to your relationship.”
“Oh. No,” I assure him, “We don’t have a relationship.”
Everyone at the table looks at me in confusion, aside from Caspian and Isla, who are once again looking at me like I’m a dumbass.
“But you twospend timetogether without her, so what would you call that?”
“We’re friends,” I shrug, “We’ve been friends a very long time, but we are not… romantically involved.”
“Then why go on someromanticvacation without her?” Mike chimes in, “If not to… ya know,be togetheralone.”
Oh, fuck. That’s what they’re talking about,“I, ummm, that was… it actually wasn’t romantic or anything. We didn’t hook up. Wedon’thook up. Well, without Bel, anyway and if we ever do, it’s just for fun, not like-”
“Okay, Char,” Bel stands, “I think you’ve thoroughly interrogated them enough. Don’t you agree, Mike?”
“Look,” I interject, grabbing her gently by the arm and easing her back down, “I’m not great with words or labeling thisthingwe’re doing. But I’ve lived my life in isolation for a long time. And that’s how I’ve liked it. I’ve never even brought someone up here for recreational activities.” Bel places a palm over her face at my choice of words, but I continue, “But I met her, arm in arm with my oldest friend, and I knew instantly this was where they belong.
“I ordered her everything she could possibly need, made a room just for her work. Stripped the other room to create a space for her best friend because the two of them are basically a package deal. I’ve supported Caspian in starting a career here because he wants to build a whole life for her, too. I just… I really hope that my actions will speak for themselves, because my words will never do justice what I feel for her.”
“Cheers to that,” Isla holds up her tequila bottle, “What’s that old saying, Charlie? Actions speak…” she taps her chin andhmmm’sin thought.
“Louder than words,” Eamon steals the bottle from her and takes down a few swigs. I almost feel bad for him, being thrown into this situation with no clue what he’s walking into. But he’s egging Isla on, so he deserves the discomfort he’s currently feeling.
With both hands up in surrender, Charlie finally relents, “Alright, alright. I’m not trying to be an ass, I’m just—” he gestures between himself and his husband, “we are very protective of her.”
“Of course you are,” Isla continues, snatching the booze from the burly monster beside her, “We’re family. But I promise, this is the best thing for her. Look at how she’s blossomed being with them. She’s a new woman, glowing and thoroughly sexed up.”
With a round of cackles, the tension bleeds from the room.
“Speaking of family…” Mike grabs Charlie’s hand and interlaces their fingers, “We have an announcement.”
“Now?” Charlie whispers.
“Now,” he nods, “If we wait any longer, Isla might not remember.”
“I heard that, you assholes,” she mumbles. Eamon must agree with the men as he silently blips away the tequila in question. She looks at him, fury rising in her cheeks, and he just shrugs, a taunting grin splitting his face.
“We’re having a baby,” Charlie announces, eyes locked adoringly on his husband.
“What?! No way!” Bel leaps up and runs around to wrap an arm around each of them, “Oh, my God. Congratulations!”
They beam up at her, and Mike replies, “Thank you. We thought about telling you sooner, but it wasn’t totally 100% yet. Now it is.”
She squeezes them again. As she returns to her seat, Charlie adds, “We found a surrogate months ago, but it took a few rounds of IVF for it to take, then we had to wait the 12 weeks to be sure. We’re due the end of May.”
If Bel is exuberant, Isla is the complete opposite. Even with her hunter blood blocking my abilities, I can see the sorrow cemented on her face. I gently tap her foot with my own, though it takes a few tries since I can’t tell where the fuck her leg is. Her eyes meet mine, and I raise my brows, asking silently if she’s okay.
She quickly shakes her head, then wipes the dejected expression from her face, hugging her friends suddenly and gushing about how excited she is for them, what wonderful parents they’ll make, and how she’ll be the best auntie ever for theirlittle nugget.
Eamon looks at me, eyes narrowed in confusion as if I have all the answers. I just shrug back. Even if I did know why this was so upsetting for her, I wouldn’t tell him. She’d fucking kill me.
