“Auntie Rae, that’s a bad word,” Xander scolds from the other room.
“Sorry, buddy,” I laugh. “I just need you to keep an open mind, Sutton.”
Her expression softens and she offers me a slight nod, then turns to grab plates from the cupboard. “Boys, dinner is ready.”
“Can we eat in the living room?” Jonah asks quickly. Sutton meets my eyes, checking to see if I’m okay with it. I give her a tight nod. I don’t really care. As much as my sister can’t say no to them, I’m not going to say no, either. “Sure, Jonah. Just pause your game and eat, please. Let’s not do both at the same time and have a repeat of last time.”
We make small talk as she puts plates together and I gather all the necessary silverware. The boys run in and grab their plates and she yells at them to stop running with food in their hands. When she’s sure they’re out of ear shot, we make our own plates and sit opposite each other at my small dining room table.
I tell her about both Hayes and Demetria. She already knew some things, and it wasn’t a surprise that I broke Demetria’s heart because I was still hung up on Hayes. She’s a little pissy at Hayes for being such a ‘bee with an itch’ when it comes to his poor communication skills about his past, but she’s choosing to be supportive of my decision to reconcile even though she doesn’t understand it.It’s going to take him some time to get in her good graces and I’m not really mad about it. He has work to do and it shouldn’t be easy. Nothing worth having ever is.
When I tell her about Demetria and then about being with them both, surprisingly, she doesn’t flinch. I wasn’t aware she noticed how hard my breakup with her was. I’m not even all that shocked she’s fine with me entering into a throuple situation with them both. My sister has always been inclusive and open-minded. I love that about her, but sometimes it causes her to give people too many chances, except for my now ex-husband. She doesn’t seem all that keen on giving him any grace. He’ll earn it though. I have faith in him.
“Does Hayes still talk to his Dad? How do you know something like this won’t happen again?” she asks.
It’s not like I haven’t thought about it, I’ve just been hesitant to bring it up out of fear I’d trigger him. We’ve made progress, but I can’t deny this is a lingering worry that could fester if it isn’t taken care of. The last thing any of us need is to start walking on eggshells.
“I don’t know,” I admit hesitantly. It’s the truth. I neglected to ask this one simple, easy question and I’m mentally cursing myself for it. I shouldn’t have missed this piece. “I don’t know if he ever talks to his father, but I’m assuming not. We seem to have an open line of communication now, though. I need to believe he’ll handle it better next time. If there is a next time.”
“Oh, Rae.” She blows out a slow puff of air and slumps back in her chair. “Do you really want to take that chance?”
I do want to take the chance on him.“I’ll talk to him about it and we’ll figure it out. I need you to trust me.”
“I do trust you, but I also worry.”
“Yeah, same.” I cock my head to the side accusingly. “Wanna tell me when the last time you were home was?”
“About that–”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
“I’m leaving Greg,” she spits.
My eyes widen at her announcement and the sharp right turn in the conversation. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say I can come with you to Chicago.”
My eyes blink rapidly as my brain works to process what I’m hearing. I’ve been trying to convince her to leave her piece of shit husband for longer than I’d like to admit and she’s finally pulling the proverbial trigger. This is a huge deal for her.
“Yes, of course. Come with me. But what’s with the sudden change of heart?”
“There’s a fancy schmancy culinary institute in downtown Chicago. They need someone to teach one of their intro classes. They wantme. So, I guess it just finally feels like the right time.”
“Fuck, yes!” I shout, jumping up to pull my sister into the biggest of bear hugs.
“Auntie Rae!” Xander scolds.
Sutton and I both burst into laughter. I cradle her face with my hands. “I’m so fucking proud of you. Whatever you need, we’ll help you.”
“Okay. I’m so scared,” she admits.
“I know, but you’ve got this. We’ve got this. I can’t believe I get to have you and the boys with me in Chicago. This is better than my news. Way to one up me, as usual,” I snark.
“When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow,” I wince. “Hayes has to get back to Gravity. Apparently, even when you own half of a kink club, you can’t do whatever the fuck you want.”
“Well, he probably could, but then it wouldn’t be a very good club now, would it?”
