Page 61 of Power Play

“Fine, I’ll go shower.” Stella stands and walks off to the spare room she stays in when she’s here.

Grabbing the ingredients for pancakes, I start measuring everything out when Rory comes walking back into the kitchen. She’s in an oversized chef’s hat and an apron, with the biggest smile ever gracing her face. She loves her chef outfit.

“Ready to help me?” I ask, just loving how happy she gets when we cook together, even though we do it so often.

“Yes, daddy. Chef Rory is here to help,” she announces.

Fifteen minutes later, we’ve mixed, poured, and flipped all the pancakes—well, I flipped, she poured. We’ve even put butter, syrup, and, of course, chocolate chips on them so everyone can be in a sugar coma by noon. By the time Rory was all set up in the living room with cartoons and her breakfast, Stella is back and practically frothing at the mouth for information.

“Here, grab a plate and dish up,” I say.

“Whatever, just start talking,” she demands.

“There’s not much to say. Yeah, it bothered me that she was her dance teacher because I do have to think about what would happen if things ended. I, uh, I don’t know exactly what changed, but after seeing her with Rory a couple times at the studio, it just kind of stuck with me. She is so good with her, and that’s my main priority, but she’s also so good with me,” I admit.

“What do you mean?” Stella asks curiously. “I mean, I understand what you’re saying, but what stuck with you?”

Before I can respond, my phone vibrates. When I see it’s from Sawyer, it takes all my effort not to smile because Stella would love it too fucking much.

Sawyer

Good morning, Rex. I know I’m supposed to wait like three days, and let you text me first or some bullshit, but I just wanted to say that I had fun. Thanks for crashing my work... again ;)

Jesus Christ. It’s hot as fuck that she doesn’t feel the need to play games or like she has to follow certain social rules and is just doing what she wants. It makes me like her even more, and it also makes me believe that she’s just as different as she seems.

Nah, no need for all that nonsense. But you’re right, it was fun.

Maybe next time we can plan something instead. Bet your boss would prefer that.

Stella just sits there smiling, waiting for me to continue. “I guess I’m just realizing that maybe she’s different. She puts up with me a lot better than most people I know. We all know I can be a grumpy motherfucker sometimes.” I ignore her side eyeing me at my word choice, and just continue on, “I have fun with her, and she doesn’t take offense to the fact that I don’t wear my emotions on my sleeve. Plus, she also does so well with Rory and has gotten her to open up.”

“I know. We could all see it. You’ve been different ever since you met her. Which, of course, is why we planned last night. We’ve all noticed a change in you, you’re happier, or you were until you decided to be a dumb shit a couple weeks ago. So, spill, tell me how it went,” she says with a broad grin.

“Uh, well, I didn’t get home until six this morning,” I say, rubbing my hand on the back of my neck nervously.

Stella smiles immediately. “I thought I heard something this morning! That has to be a good sign, right? You weren’t in jail or anything?” she asks, narrowing her eyes.

“Yeah, it’s a good sign, you goof. We ended up at her work, I’m not sure what all you know...” I trail off, waiting for her to fill me in.

“I know about Atlantis and that you tried to shame her for working there when, in reality, she was just doing what she had to do,” Stella says in between bites. Her eyes say everything her mouth doesn’t, which means I feel her anger, even if she isn’t yelling at me.

The woman’s pissed, and I deserve it.

Sawyer pointed all of this out last night. How I was a dick that day and how misogynistic I am if I believed there was anything wrong with her working at Atlantis. She pointed out repeatedly how fucked up it was for me to judge her for a job that she does, especially when that’s how we met. She said if it was such a horrible and tasteless job, then I’m just as bad for being a customer. I shut her up by apologizing, then eating her out on the patio while having ice cream. There was something about hearing her scream my name outside with the cars driving past below us that turned me on.

I ended up fucking her against the patio railing in the morning while we both watched everyone below us. Secretly, I think she loved the idea of someone catching us, but that’s a conversation for a different day.

“Yeah, I was a dick. But I apologized,” I say.

“How did you apologize?”

Raising my eyebrows in question, I almost lose it when she blushes. “You sure you want me to answer that, baby sis? I can go into explicit detail if you’d like, a little step-by-step guide to apologizing?” I tease.

“You’re disgusting, Rex. No thanks. But I guess that means you probably went home with her, right? And please, for the love of God, give me the PG version. I just want to know if you two are good,” Stella says, and, of course, she’s attempting her “serious face,” but it’s failing as her happiness is showing through. Stella has a difficult time being mean, but she puts on a good show sometimes.

“Yes, we’re good. Really good, actually. I’m not quite ready to let Rory know about it, though. I want to give it some time and let it happen naturally. Maybe if it happens naturally, she won’t completely hate the idea. It’s only ever been her and I, so I don’t want her freaking out by the idea of sharing me,” I explain.

“Look, Rex. She’s your daughter, I get that it’s scary. But give her more credit; she’s a smart girl. She wants what’s best for you, and if Sawyer makes you happy, that little girl will be happy too. You have to trust yourself that you’re doing things right. You always put her first. But you deserve to be happy too, don’t completely forget about that.”

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