It’s a visceral feeling of pressure and joy knowing that I’m the reason he feels that way.
“So, we should probably sneak off back to the beach and fuck all day,” Gavin suggests.
I splash him, and he avoids my assault, scoop me into his arms. Ben floats right next to us.
“So, we’re all in?” he asks.
“We’re all in,” I repeat, and kiss him too, not caring who’s watching. “Now, how do we get back to the condo to show you just how all in I want to be?” I ask, feeling like a sex-crazed delinquent with how bad I need both of them constantly.
It wasa long day on the water, a joyous one, but a tiring one nonetheless. We didn’t even bother using the condo Gavin rented; we stayed at their family’s place and I just pray we’ve been quiet enough with our extracurricular activities no one noticed how often we snuck away.
I showered and got dressed for dinner. We have plans to go to their favorite island bar tonight, so the lightweight floral dress works for both occasions. I know when we fly home tomorrow night I’m going to be exhausted to teach on Tuesday, but it feels worth it, so fucking worth it.
Ben’s in the shower and Gavin’s helping his dad with something around the house, so I wander into the living room. Maggie is there, brushing Brynn’s hair and I almost back out of the room and hope she doesn’t see me as Brynn holds up her hand.
“Hi, Kate!”
She’s lucky she’s cute, because she totally just blew my cover.
“Come take a seat, dinner should be ready soon,” Maggie says, and I do, taking a seat on the opposite couch, shoving my hands between my thighs and doing my best to not bounce my legs or play with my hair. “You don’t have to be nervous.”
I fail at not letting my nerves get the best of me, my leg bouncing frantically and I’m a little lost for words.
Maggie continues to do Brynn’s hair as she speaks, putting it in two little braids. Brynn is watching a kid’s show on her tablet, zoned out as Maggie’s soft eyes meet mine.
“We raised our boys to not let anything ever hold them back. We taught them they could be anything they wanted to be. I pride myself on raising them right in knowing that the worldisn’t black and white and to not always adhere to what society tells you is right or wrong.”
“You’ve raised great sons,” I say, wondering where the conversation is going. Ben told me they would be accepting, but I thought it would be like Will’s family where people gossip behind your back, but in the end, deal with whatever fractures there are in the family.
“Gavin and Benjamin were the easiest and toughest in a way. They were always together, literally inseparable. They tried to put them in different classrooms and they would act out until one of them got switched. I didn’t have to worry about them as much, because they, no matter what, always had each other to fall back on. Similar and different in so many ways.”
“I can definitely see that,” I say with a nod and a smile.
“The one thing any mother wants for her children is for them to be happy. While I always knew they had each other, I worried that they wouldn’t have more. That their codependency would stop them from ever seeking something beyond their tight sibling companionship. I may not fully understand your relationship, but you make them happy and that’s all I care about. You’re not being judged here. Who am I to judge the woman who has my sons so happy? You’re welcome here, and you’re family if you want to be,” she says.
I realize then I’m holding back tears. She’s finished with Brynn’s hair, the little girl scurrying away as Maggie and I stand. She surprises me by taking a few steps and opening her arms to me. I accept her hug and take a deep breath.
I try to remember the last time I’ve been hugged like this and I think of Aunt Helene. I know she’s smiling at me wherever she is, as I hug this woman back.
Acceptance, happiness, and family were all I ever wanted and in a blink of an eye I have it all.
The beach baris a bit of a hole in the wall, but it’s cozy and the margaritas are fantastic. There’s a man in the corner playing acoustic guitar and singing while people dance and drink.
I feel so fucking light.
I’m sipping on the straw, letting the tequila hit my bloodstream. Gavin’s hand is on the back of my chair and Ben’s side is glued to mine as the siblings tell all the stories of what exactly has gone down in this bar.
“I don’t think I have to tell you what whores these two used to be,” Penny jokes, pointing to the twins.
“Nope, you don’t,” Gavin says with a glare.
“Gosh, it feels so good being able to dish it back, doesn’t it, honey?” Lincoln says, and Ben groans next to me.
“Can we maybe make a truce?” Ben suggests.
“Hell no,” Lincoln says.
“It’s really difficult to be the most normal person in this family,” Aiden says with a smirk.
