Page 9
“Why not?” Pops says, spinning to eyeball Blanche and I know he’s about to fuck with her. “Do you prefer I use the word pussy?”
“Who’s a pussy?” Chewy says between sobs.
“Everyone but you, baby,” Rhodie says immediately. “Do you want an ice cream? We can get you and Laney and Chomper a cone, yeah? Would you like that?” Rhodie soothes, gently lifting his woman up from her chair.
“Can I have a sundae? I feel like a sundae. Not salted caramel though because I think that’s making my feet swell.”
“Sure thing, babe.”
“Rhodie?”
“Yeah?”
“This pregnancy is making my eyes leaky and I really don’t like it. Can we go throw axes? I think that’ll make me feel better.”
Rhodie freezes in the doorway, shoulders tense.
“Give the pregnant woman what she wants!” Lovely giggles.
“Why can’t she want pickles with bananas like a normal preggo?” Kaia asks.
“Oh Kaia, you sweet summer child. Chewy, is not, nor will ever be, normal,” Mama Debs says, shaking her head.
A smile tugs at my lips as I watch my boy agree with Chewy’s demands, carrying her out the door I hastily repaired yesterday. I glance down at Willa, a soft look on her face as she watches them walk past the window, and I realize I know jack shit about her other than the way she tastes and what she sounds like when she comes. Does she have kids? A family? Is she a cat person or a dog person? What does she do for work? I stare down at her, dark wavy hair glistening as the sun hits it through the window. She turns her face to look up at me and I’m captivated by her green gaze. I’m so busy staring at Willa that I don’t notice the room has turned deathly silent.
“We should leave,” Mira whispers harshly, but making no moves to.
“Yeah, we should,” Lovely agrees, winking at me, but like Mira, her feet are frozen to the floor.
We all stare at each other awkwardly until Willa throws up her hands.
“Fuck’s sake! We slept together,” she blurts and we all stand in silence staring. “Yes, we had a good time. Actually, a great time.”
I can’t help but puff up at that, even if Pops snorts behind me.
“But I’m not looking for a relationship.”
And I deflate. My gut clenching. Her eyes on mine as her expression softens.
“Mad Dog is …nice.”
“Nice,” Pops coughs.
“Shut up,” I growl.
“I could use more friends in Rose Grove?” She watches me carefully, as if she’s waiting for me to push back.
“Friends,” Pops wheezes and I can’t help it when my hand shoots back and flicks him in the dick.
“Yeah, I mean, I have all these new friends.” She waves at all the Ol Ladies who nod like bobble heads as they watch this shit go down. “But, well, you’re kinda a package deal -”
“Package,” Pops snorts and I don’t have to move a muscle. Instead Willa hits him with a look that shuts him right up.
“So…friends?” I finish for her.
I mean, I’d fucking love to be more, but I also know that we missed a few steps there at the start. Being friends takes away the pressure. More importantly, it’ll make Willa feel safe. Even if this whole thing, her and me, goes nowhere, I’d still want that for her. To live in Rose Grove, to spend time with her friends and to thrive.
“If that’s good with you?” She asks, almost shyly.
