By the time we got in the car and had made it to the condos, the two of them were thick as thieves.
Patience and I had talked about where Dusty would stay, deciding we’d leave it up to her. I’d worried that it would bother my wife if she chose to stay in the condo I was in but fuck if my girl wasn’t the most amazing woman I knew.
Her response, if that was the choice that was made, was, “I trust you.”
That had felt so good, but at the same time, it was eating at me that I couldn’t just be in the same place as my wife. On the drive home, Dusty had heard all about the asshole Chaz, her body vibrating with anger on behalf of Patience. She also learned how the marriage came about, but once again responded by saying it was always meant to be anyway.
When we walked into the building, making our way to Patience's and Griffin’s door, I gave Dusty the option to stay with me or them, I was granted a snarky, verbal scolding once again.
“That’s bullshit. You need to be here with your wife and son.”
Hearing those words from her—wife and your son—I inhaled loudly.It zapped me into reality listening to someone else address them that way. She was right, but…
“It’s not that easy. The nightmares, Dusty.”
My friend may not have all the details on the terror I saw when I closed my eyes at night, but she was aware I was struggling.
Dusty’s face softened then, and she laid her hand on my arm. “I have them too. But I know you, Jett. You won’t hurt her.”
She gestured toward Patience, who had tears swimming in her eyes. And what else did I see?Hope.My wife wanted exactly what Dusty was laying out in front of us. The fuck of it was, I wanted that too.
“Let’s get you settled at the condo, and I’ll grab some of my things to bring back here.” I’d been looking at Dusty, who was looking all too pleased with herself, but then turned to Patience.
That hopeful look was brighter than ever as she bit her lower lip and stared at me, her eyes glassy with her unshed tears.
“If you want me to?” I said in way of question as I held my breath, nervously waiting for her answer. She looked like it was what she wanted, but what if she changed her mind and said no?
Shaking her head, she softly told me, “Yes, I want you here.”
I smiled like a loon as Dusty smacked me on the back. “Great, show me the way so we can get moving to your real home.”
She meant Gramps’s place. Griffin was already therewaiting for us, and everyone was gathering excited to get together to meet Dusty.
“I’m going to do a few things while you get her settled,” Patience said. “Grab me on your way out.”
“Of course I will,” I told her as I took a few steps away from her. It wasn’t as if I was going to make her drive herself.
My friend landed another blow to the back of my head, making me laugh because she would fit right in with our group. The guys were always doing that to one another. It was something my Gramps would do too.
“Sweet Jesus, would you stop being a tool and kiss your wife?”
I turned back to Patience, both our cheeks flaming red at Dusty’s scolding and her stare as she banged her cane against the ground twice.
Making my way back to my wife, I placed one hand on her hip, leaned in, and softly laid my mouth against hers. It was hard not to devour her when I got a taste of her sweet lips, but I could feel Dusty’s eyes on us. Patience sighed, and I felt it down to my bones.
Not quite ready but needing to get away from prying eyes and move before I started making out in the hall with my wife like some horny teenager, I pulled away.
“Much better,” Dusty announced. “Now we can go. Lead the way.” She motioned for me to go so she could follow.
I gave one last quick glance at my wife, whose smile was radiant. “Be back soon.”
Making our way down the hall, Dusty asked, “So who’s gonna be at this little BBQ?”
Behind us, I heard my girl snicker and knew why. There was nothing small about our group and…
“Everyone.”
Dusty stopped in her tracks and looked at me, so I haltedmy steps too. “Everyone? Like you mean your whole group of family and friends, everyone?”
