Chapter 26

Cora

I t’s been around three months since I found Zack and Kimmy again. Life has been nothing but amazing. Perfect even. I’ve laughed more than I ever have, smile until my face hurts. And the best part is, I’m not alone. They care about me so much and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.

We’ve been having sex like bunnies. Zack is determined to get me pregnant and Kimmy just loves the baby making process. I’m trapped between two sinfully sexy people and having the best sex of my life.

We’re living in this little bubble I’ve created because my heart was just so tired of being alone, being unhappy and feeling like life was never going to get better.

I should have known that at some point, all bubbles pop.

I’m sitting at the kitchen table, Kimmy making me a coffee like she does every morning when we hear Zack talking loud in a very unhappy tone.

Kimmy looks at me with a frown. I’m on my feet, following behind her as we head down the hall to Zack’s study.

“I’m fucking turning it on now,” he growls.

“What's going on?” Kimmy asks Zack, who’s standing there with his cell phone to his ear, a murderous glare on his face.

“This might be one of the biggest moments of the year.” I turn to the TV to see a woman sitting at a desk. It says Celebrity Star at the bottom of the screen. I remember Cora telling me how much she hated that news channel because their whole goal is to try and find dirt on celebrities to exploit and make money off them.

“We’ve got confirmation that millionaire, Zachary Ward, and his wife, famous fashion designer, Kimberly Ward, have opened up their marriage. Yup, you heard that right. They brought in another woman. And here's the kicker!” The woman laughs and my stomach sinks like I’ve swallowed a boulder. “Her name is Cora Davenport, Zachary’s ex-stepsister!”

“What the fuck is this shit!” Zack roars over the phone. “Who the fuck told?”

It’s like I’m standing on a railroad track, just waiting to be crushed by the train as I stand there and watch, tears welling in my eyes as I wrap my arms around my body.

The camera pans over to a young guy sitting next to her . “Can’t help but wonder if Zacky boy was getting a little bored, maybe even convinced his wife they needed a playmate all so he can have his fucked up teenage fantasy come true,” he sighs and shakes his head.

“I feel bad for Kimberly. Does this Cora girl have no shame? She came into a loving, committed marriage.”

“Not so committed now, is it? Cora should be ashamed of herself. Something a home wrecking whore would do,” the man chuckles.

Kimmy goes up to the TV and yanks the cord out of the wall. “Fucking bullshit. God, I hate those two. Always spewing lies just for ratings to make money.”

But are they lying? I did come into their marriage. They were happy and fine before I came into their life.

I don’t realize I’m full on crying now until a sob bubbles out of my throat. “Oh, Cora, baby.” Kimmy rushes over to me and wraps me in her arms. “Don’t you dare listen to anything those horrible trolls said.”

“They called me a home wrecking whore.” I sob into her shoulder, feeling every insecurity bubble to the surface.

“You are not a home wrecker and you sure as hell are not a whore, baby.” Kimmy pats my head. “Please, please, know that we care about you so much. We don’t think any of that. You didn’t ruin our marriage. You made our lives better. We’ve been so happy with you here, in our lives. We can’t imagine our life with you not in it.”

I pull back and wipe at my face. “But is it worth it?” I ask, voice breaking as I look over to Zack. He’s watching me and Kimmy, still talking on the phone. He looks furious, jaw clenched, nostrils flaring. My stomach flips and I turn to Kimmy. “You two have these amazing careers that you’ve built. This could ruin that. You being with me could cost you everything.”

Kimmy blinks back tears. She’s about to say something when Zack says, “We’re on our way.” Then hangs up the phone. He says nothing as he grabs both of our hands and pulls us towards the front door.

“Where are we going?” Kimmy asks.

“Down to the club. My PR manager has set up a press conference,” he growls. “We’re taking care of this now.”

The whole car ride, I sit in the back seat and silently cry. Is this it? Am I about to lose the two people I love most in this world? The only two people who cared about me, who made me feel like I wasn’t alone and that I was wanted.

When we get to the club, we go around to the back because the streets are filled with news reporters. I feel like I’m going to be sick.

“Maybe I should leave.” I say when we all get out of the car. I wrap my arms around myself and look to the ground, afraid to see their faces. “I’m going to be the reason you lose everything. It’s not worth it. I’m not worth it.” I swallow back the sob. “You two had an amazing life before me, you will still have that if I’m gone. You have each other and if I leave, it fixes everything.”

Zack gets in my face, grabbing it between his fingers. I gasp as he yanks it up to look at him. “Like fucking hell you're going anywhere, Cora.”

He lets go and grabs my hand, then he’s tugging me towards the front of the building.

Zack

I’M FUMING RIGHT NOW , filled with so much anger I’m ready to lose my shit. When my lawyer called me and told me to turn on the news, that they’ve been playing the same news bit on TV for the past hour, I didn’t expect to see those lowlifes trashing my marriage and my girls.

I knew that now is the time to settle this once and for all. To let the world know so we can move on and just be together. I want everyone to know how much I love my two best friends and I just don’t fucking care if they approve or not. I don’t live for anyone but myself and the two women beside me.

“Hello, everyone. Thanks for coming out here today. Please make sure your recording devices are on. Because I’m going to make this quick and then I’m fucking done with this bullshit,” I say into the mic in a deep booming tone. “My wife and I are happy, we’re in love. We didn’t bring another woman into our marriage because we needed to spice things up or find something to keep us together.” I’m not telling them about Kimmy’s desire to explore with a woman, it’s none of their damn business. “The fact is, both Kimberly and I have been in love with Cora for most of our lives. Yes, she was my stepsister but she was also my best friend. She was Kimberly’s best friend. She was the girl who made everything in our lives better. Our parents got a divorce and she moved away. That didn’t mean our feelings for her went away.”

I look over at Cora. She’s in the background, out of sight. Her eyes look so sad and it fucking kills me. I will not let her go again.

Turning back to the reporters, I continue. “When we reconnected, my wife and I saw a second chance to be with someone we both loved. We didn’t see the need to choose.”

“And yeah. I like women. So what. And not just any woman. I love Cora Davenport and I love my husband. I don’t care what anyone thinks. This is my life and I will live it how I please. Don’t like it? Tough,” Kimmy shouts and I look over at my wife in awe and amusement.

“You tell em, baby.” I chuckle and grab my wife, kissing her hard. The cameras go crazy, making sure to get it all.

Turning back to Cora, I hold out my hand. Her eyes widen but she walks forward and takes my hand, letting me pull her to my side.

“Cora, I love you. I’m so damn madly in love with you it’s not even funny. And I’m so damn madly in love with my wife, my heart is so fucking full.” Her eyes light up, lips part. Yeah, we haven’t told her those words yet and I hate that it’s on live TV, but I’m tired of hiding.

Kimmy moves to Cora’s other side. “Just because we’re married it doesn’t mean we love each other more than you. I love Zack, but I also love you. Always have, always will. So, don’t you dare think you're going anywhere. You make our lives better, not worse. The idea of losing you again makes my heart shatter, so please don't even think about going anywhere.”

“Like I’d let her go so easily.” I chuckle. And then I kiss Cora, right in front of everyone.

The crowd goes nuts. I break the kiss, Cora dazed and wide eyed. I chuckle as Kimmy grabs her face next and kisses her just as passionately.

“That's all for today, folks. Cora didn’t ruin anything, she made it better. We love her, she loves us. We’re fucking happy, so you can either accept it or move on. Thanks for coming. Bye.”

Kimmy and Cora laugh as I grab their hands and pull them away. We run back to the car. Once we’re inside, we all look at each other and burst out laughing.

“Fuck. I can't believe we just did that.” Kimmy laughs.

“Do you regret it?” Cora asks.

Kimmy looks over at Cora and grins. “Never.”

“You're it for us, Daredevil.” I grin. “Better get used to it. Because it’s youand us for life, we’re never letting you go again.”