Chapter 30

CHAPTER THIRTY

QUINCY

I was instructed to get Ripley out of the house so Arizona and crew could set up for the party. I made an appointment with a pediatrician to check on Kaya and attend to whatever was needed.

When we return, we walk out back to a sea of cheers and congratulations. The whole back of the house is open to the pool area, which Arizona has decorated in true Arizona fashion. It's a nice spring day. I'm excited to see everyone and have them at my new house, which far exceeded any expectations I had.

I see all of our teammates, plus Blanche, the Daultons, Collin, and Jade.

Kam takes one look at me and crosses her arms. "Holy shit, Quincy, you look like Charles Manson."

Arizona smiles. "I think he looks like a vagina in need of a Brazilian wax. "

Cheetah chuckles and asks, "Q, if you cut your lip, do you prefer a tampon or maxi pad to stop the bleeding?"

Everyone laughs…at my expense. As always. I walked in less than sixty seconds ago, and it's already begun.

I narrow my eyes at all of them. "I was last to arrive. How about a random fact?"

They all nod.

"Does anyone know where the term beard came from?"

They all look around, no one having any idea.

"It's actually an acronym. B.E.A.R.D. stands for Being Exceptional Among Regular Dudes."

Cheetah shakes his head. "No fucking way."

I nod. "Yep. Look it up."

Kam sighs. "Honestly, Q, it's kind of hot. Frankly, I wouldn't mind riding that beard."

I catch Ripley mumble to herself, "Me too."

I smile down at her, and she widens her eyes as if she didn't intend to say that out loud.

Reagan Daulton interrupts, "As someone whose husband has a beard, I can tell you that the ride is worth the price of admission."

Reagan is basically the boss of almost everyone here. We don't normally see that side of her, though she's always been friendly and casual around us.

The girls all completely and obviously check out her husband, Carter. Reagan gives a knowing smile.

Everyone then spends the next twenty minutes oohing and ahhing over Kaya. I look around. Arizona did a nice job enhancing the natural beauty of my backyard, and Ripley seems happy. That makes me happy.

I lean over to Collin. "Thanks again, man. This place is amazing. And sorry about the last-minute changes. I did them for Ripley."

He smiles. "I know. I get it." He stares at Jade. "The right woman is worth making a few changes for, right?" He winks at her, and she gives him the universal sign for a blow job.

He laughs.

"I think you're right. Now if I could only get that woman on board, it would be great."

He slaps my back. "The great ones are worth fighting for. Trust me, I know. Be patient."

I nod. "That's the plan."

We sit around all afternoon talking, laughing, and drinking. A few people swim, including Cheetah and Kam who don't keep their hands off each other. I wonder what's gone on between them while I was gone. They've never been this outwardly affectionate.

Everyone has a lot of questions for Reagan and Carter. They're obviously the team owners, but they also own one of the biggest companies in the world, Daulton Holdings. They hear pitches for new business all day long, and everyone seems amused by that.

Kam asks, "What's the craziest business anyone has ever pitched?"

Reagan and Carter look at each other and smile before she turns back. "Secondhand sex toys. It may actually be the dumbest idea ever created. Carter and I couldn't keep straight faces throughout the entire meeting."

Carter nods in agreement. "The two guys who pitched us honestly thought there was a huge market of women wanting to save ten bucks by having a vibrator inside them that's already been inside another woman. "

Kam shrugs. "People do it with dicks, why not vibrators too?"

Arizona giggles. "I bet you could come up with some good names for that. Maybe Buzzed Again . Secondhand Hand ."

Cheetah's eyes light up. Here we go. " Vintage Vibrations , Recycled Rectum , Play It Again Plugs ." He looks at Reagan. "Out of curiosity, what was the name of the company?"

She smirks. "That's the best part. Both of their first names were Richard. The company was named Double Dicks ."

I smile. It's fun to be around this crew again. I've missed them.

At some point, the party naturally splits into men and women. I see the girls all laughing in the far corner. I'm holding Kaya, who has a bottle in her mouth.

Trey nods my way as his own child sleeps on him. "Fatherhood looks good on you, Q."

I smile. "Thanks. I can't believe how much I love this little thing."

Cheetah sips his drink. "There was always some tension between you and Ripley, but I don't think any of us realized exactly what was happening."

I sigh. "Yep, I was an asshole."

Cheetah lets out a laugh. "No news there. Are you two together?"

I shake my head. "She doesn't want any part of me right now, but I'm breaking her down. One day soon, she'll be mine again. For good."

RIPLEY

I'm sitting with all the women as I watch Quincy across the pool where he's feeding Kaya. He's such a natural with her.

Kam breaks my thoughts. "Now that we know you've been fucking Quincy on the down-low for a decade, how about some details about Mr. Size Sixteen Feet?"

I can't help but giggle, though Arizona moans in disgust. My eyes move to Blanche with caution.

She scoffs. "Oh please, as if I haven't been wondering the same thing for over a year."

Everyone starts laughing. I turn to Arizona. "Sorry, babe." Turning back to the group, I admit, "He's…umm…proportionate. Very proportionate."

Blanche mumbles, "I knew it."

Arizona makes a gagging noise. "Ugh. Gross."

Blanche laughs before turning to Jade and examining the can in her hand. "What are you drinking, dear?"

I look closer at the can. What the hell? It can't be.

With a straight face, Jade answers, "Pussy Juice. It's a natural energy drink. Want some, Blanche?" The can actually has the word pussy written on it.

Blanche raises an eyebrow. "Darling, I haven't sipped from those waters since Kennedy was president. But if you're offering…"

She now wiggles those eyebrows, and we all burst into laughter. I love Blanche.

Jade shakes her head. "You're funny, Blanche. You remind me of my new grandmother. Do you know Glinda Windsor?"

Blanche lets out a laugh. "That old coot? I certainly do. She's a good friend of mine. You must be Amanda's daughter. Your mother married Beckett recently. Glinda adores your mom. "

Jade nods. "Yep. They're besties."

"Glinda is dating that younger man now." She glances at Quincy and smiles. "She succeeded where I failed. Ripley stole Quincy from me."

I shake my head. "I don't want him. He's all yours, Blanche."

She pats my hand. "No, sweetie. Trust me, he's all yours."

After a fun afternoon of being reunited with our friends, I bathe and feed Kaya. I'm now trying to get her to go to bed. She doesn't seem to want to cooperate.

Quincy walks in, again in boxer briefs that leave little to the imagination, and grabs her from me. "Go take a shower or a relaxing bath. I've got her."

"Are you sure?"

He nods. "My best girl and I might dance a little."

I throw my hair up in a messy bun and take a very quick shower just in case I'm needed.

When I get out, I wrap a towel around myself and listen at the door. I hear music and Quincy's voice.

I'm unable to make out what he's saying, so I open the door a crack and peek through. I see him dancing with her and talking to her. He's singing, but it's not to the words to the song. "You're a beautiful girl just like your mommy. I need you to be a good girl for me, so I can focus on winning back your mommy. I promise I'm going to try as hard as I can. I love her, and I love you. Neither of you are ever leaving me. We're going to be a family. I promise."

My eyes fill with tears. I must sniffle because his head snaps up toward me. He simply smiles and holds out his free arm. "Come dance with us."

Without any regard for my own emotional well-being, I walk over to them and let him hold me. It's been so long since he's touched me like this.

I wrap my arms around them both and sink my head into his chest. His scent is as familiar to me as my own. I inhale and then feel every muscle in my body relax.

The three of us sway for at least two songs, but I'm not truly sure how long it goes on. I'm completely lost in this euphoric feeling, never wanting it to end.

As one of the songs ends, I look up at him, and he looks down at me. Without any other words, our lips find the other's. It's as if my progress over the past few months hasn't happened. My mind goes right back to where it's always been. With Quincy.

Just as the kiss is about to deepen, Kaya stirs, and I jump back. "Sorry."

He looks down at me in a way that threatens to break me. "Don't ever apologize for kissing me."

I need space. I turn away and mumble, "I need to go get dressed. I'll be back in a minute."