Sailor: But you’re okay, right? You have the right to tell them to mind their business.
Me: I’m good. I also don’t have anything to hide. I have no problem telling anyone who asks I fuck with my wife heavy and I fuck my wife heavy.
Sailor: Please tell me you haven’t discussed fucking me with my brother. There’s so much wrong with that
Me: I wouldn’t do that to you. I don’t do pussy talk with anyone and damn sure not your brother. Now go focus on your emotional shit. I need them to reinforce what I’ve been trying to do.
Sailor: Which is?
Me: Convince you that I’m the perfect husband and we’re in this shit.
Sailor: I don’t need them for that…
Sailor: Have fun and behave
I locked my phone, reading between the lines. My wife appreciated being my wife.
"Yeah, y’all damn sure in this shit. Can’t even have your full attention for one night.” Jairo chuckled, finishing his beer
"Just updating her on TJ's basketball skills.”
"Or lack thereof," Gray added, garnering a middle finger from TJ.
"How's girls' night going?" TJ asked.
"According to Sailor, your wives are analyzing her feelings.”
TJ and Gray exchanged knowing looks. “So she’s ready to bail then? She hates shit like that."
"She needs it though," Gray added. "Sail bottles everything up until she explodes."
"Sounds familiar." Jairo cut his eyes at me. "You two might be more compatible than I thought."
"Alright, enough feelings talk," Gray declared, standing up. "Who's ready for steaks? I didn't bring these prime ribeyes just to look at them."
"I'll fire up the grill."
"Need a hand?" TJ asked, joining me by the grill with a bottle of water and a beer, which he extended to me.
"Nah, I got it," I assured him, accepting the beer which I tipped to him in thanks.
He nodded and leaned against the deck railing. "When Sailor first told me what happened, I thought she’d lost her damn mind and had finally gone too far. I just knew this was going to be a mistake she wouldn't be able to talk her way out of."
"Technically she hasn’t?"
He chuckled. "Regardless, I'm thinking this might be the best mistake she’s ever made. You're good for her, Rival, and I think she might be good for you too."
"She is," I agreed, because truthfully, I needed Sail in my life as much as she needed me in hers.
"Be patient with her," TJ said. "Sailor's never had to be vulnerable with anyone outside the family. She doesn't know how."
"I've noticed," I said dryly.
"With you, she's trying, and that’s a huge fucking deal."
"I know and I'm not going anywhere. No matter how hard she pushes. If this ends, it will be because of her. She’ll have to leave because I won’t."
"Good.” He nodded in understanding. “Welcome to the family, for real this time."