Page 45 of The Final Straw

“It means a lot,” I murmur.

“We’re gonna be here no matter what, Olivia, until you tell us to get out.” Kipp smiles.

“I want you to stay. I don’t know what will happen with Van or me or really anything, but I know I don’t wanna be alone,” I admit.

“Then we’ll stay as long as you’ll have us.” Kipp winks.

The doorbell rings, and I look at the guys, confused. Who the heck would be here at this hour? Not bothering to look out the peephole, I open the door, and standing there are Bre and Van. My stomach drops to my asshole, and I feel like I’m going to be sick all over again.

“Thought this was best to happen in person, since we both have some explaining to do.” Bre smiles as she moves past me into the house. “Ohhhh, it’s really gonna be a party now, I see.”

“Hi, Olivia,” Van whispers.

I don’t say a word because I don’t know what to say. I just wrap my arms around him and cry.

Van holds me tightly, his grip almost as desperate as mine. We stand there for what feels like an eternity. Finally, I pull back and look into his eyes. There’s pain there, deep and raw, but also something else—maybe hope?

“I’m so sorry,” I manage to choke out. “I should have been there for you.”

He shakes his head, his expression softening. “You didn’t know, Olivia. None of this is your fault.”

Grady clears his throat, drawing our attention. Both he and Kipp are smiling softly, but I can see the pain in their eyes at my being close to Van.

This is such a fucking mess.

I look back to Van and see anger and sadness swimming in his eyes. “Come inside. Let’s sit down.”

Bre is sitting in the armchair, and as Van follows me inside I hear him murmuring under his breath, but I can’t make out what he’s saying.

“Are they leaving?” he asks, sitting on the loveseat and staring at the two men on the couch.

“Not unless Ollie asks us to,” Kipp grunts.

“This is a private conversation. No need for extra ears,” Van snaps.

“God, I’m glad I came with you,” Bre says and I snap my head her way, glaring.

“Okay.” She puts her hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry, but this is amazing. We come to tell you some news and not only do you seem to already know, but these two are here.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “Bre, this is Kipp and Grady. Guys, this is Bre, my asshole of a best friend.” I look at Van and worry my bottom lip before continuing. “This is Van my—Van. Van, this is Kipp and Grady.”

“So these are the two old guys you’ve been fucking while we were broken up?” Van sneers.

“Van!” I bark. “I know you’re hurting and I’m sorry for that. Truly, I am. But this is my house. And while I’m willing to hear you out, I will not let you disrespect them like that.”

“Van,” Kipps interjects. “I know this is a shock to you, but you need to worry less about us and more about the woman in front of you. About yourself and what this all means for you.”

“And what do you know about anything?” Van growls. “Do you know what happened, Olivia?”

I nod slowly. “Yeah,” I whisper.

“How?”

“Kipp is Barbi’s dad.” I close my eyes and tilt my head up to the ceiling, ready for an explosion.

Van rockets up from the loveseat. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me? So he told you what his fucking daughter did and what? You just push that to the back to get dick!?”

Grady pushes from the couch, grabbing a hold of Van’s shirt and pulling him toward him. “You won’t talk about her like that. Ollie has been torn up since we told her the news. We’re here to support her, that’s it.”

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