Page 84 of The Final Straw

“I don’t have anything scheduled for this weekend since next weekend I’m doing a full two days of family portraits,” I assure him.

I hate that I made him second guess his gift, but Kipp bringing up my work has my mind reeling again.

I’ve been trying to stay local and do things around here instead of destination weddings or traveling.

I think what happened last time still has me nervous that if I leave, shit will fall apart. So I’ve been doing a ton of senior sessions and family photos. I’m stressed about not making as much as I did, but the guys aren’t concerned.

Grady changes the subject and takes the attention off of me. “You say the mountains, but where exactly are we headed?”

“A secluded spot nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains. Supposed to have amazing views and a hot tub. I know our girl loves a good soak.”

“I can't wait to hike those trails,” Grady exclaims, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“And I'm looking forward to just relaxing in the hot tub,” I add, “Naked.”

Van nods, his smile widening. “It's going to be perfect.”

Epilogue

Olivia

It's been three months since our weekend in the Smoky Mountains. We hiked and soaked in the hot tub together and I had so much sex I had to ground them from my pussy for a week after we got home. I needed to let her recover.

Tonight, Van and I are finally going to our old places to terminate our leases. We found a place and have put an offer on it. It's a huge sprawling charcoal gray house; pretty much a mansion, but we needed a room for each of us. And it was important to me that Van has his own space since he's still not always interested in being intimate with the other two present. Plus, after having a whole bedroom as a walk-in closet with a bathroom, a girl can’t go back.

It will fit all of that and have room for us to have kids. I want kids; I don’t know how many or when, but they're in my future.

Meanwhile, Kipp and Grady are heading to meet Kipp's attorney about urgent news regarding Barbi. None of us have any idea of what could have happened.

Kipp has had a few calls with her when he's at work and he makes sure she has enough money in her commissary to get essentials, but he hasn't been to see her. He's not ready. He takes the calls at work or steps outside, not wanting Van to be in earshot, so no one gets hurt or upset. It's what they discussed and worked out.

Van understands that no matter what, she’s Kipp’s child and he wants to make sure she's okay, but he wants nothing to do with it. Kipp agreed.

I hope that whatever has happened isn’t too serious. I’ve accepted a wedding shoot out of state and fly out tomorrow night. It’s a career opportunity I couldn’t pass up and can't cancel. But I don’t want to leave Kipp if he needs me.

I'm nervous as hell, but I'm pushing through. The anxiety will fade and I have to have faith that while I’m gone, my men will be okay and here waiting when I return.

Returning from our landlord meetings, I pop a frozen pizza in the oven and sit at the island with Van, drinking Dr Pepper while we play on our phones.

The front door opens and we both look up, waiting for Grady and Kipp to find us in the kitchen. When they enter the room, their somber expressions instantly raise alarm bells. Kipp is white as a ghost and flops into a chair at the kitchen table while Grady gets him a bottle of water from the fridge.

I jump from my stool, dropping to kneel in front of him. "What happened, Kipp? Is she okay?"

I don’t honestly care, but I care about Kipp, and that’s what I’m worried about.

Kipp takes a deep breath, visibly struggling. "She... she's okay," he manages..

"What did your attorney need to tell you then?" Van prompts, his concern evident.

Kipp takes a sip of water and wipes his mouth. "She's pregnant." He trembles.

My stomach drops and I look at Van, who now also looks like he saw a ghost. I know it can't be his; the timeline of his assault doesn't line up. But I can tell he's not put that together yet.

"The timing isn't right Van, stop panicking." I look at Kipp. "How? Who?"

“There was... an arrangement with a guard. He confessed to everything when the test came back positive and the nurse started asking questions."

"Holy shit," I mutter, struggling to grasp the gravity of the situation.

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