Chapter 27

I wake up in Rip's bed, but I'm alone. How the heck did I get to their house, let alone the bed? I remember having quite possibly the best orgasm of my life, but then I passed out.

Sitting up, I look around and the room is dark, but I can see my purse and phone on the nightstand next to me. Quickly, I grab my phone and see a text from Atlas.

Atlas: Dad gave you a bath at the house but then I took you to our place. Make yourself at home. We're gonna finish at the house and be back. Love you

I smileand butterflies flutter in my belly at how they take care of me. This may have started in the weirdest way possible and we've had some bumps already, but I can't wait to see how this plays out.

When I think about it, it's still slightly weird that I'm sleeping with my old stepdad, but I don't dwell on it. He's mine now and I plan on keeping him and his son, if they'll have me. Well, if Ripley continues not being a prick. Because I was serious when I told him if he speaks to me like he has again, I'm done.

I've had enough to last me a lifetime, thanks to Ali and the bullies in school. I don't need it as an adult. I know my worth and who I am.

Sliding out of the bed, I notice I'm naked and tiptoe over to Rip's dresser, pulling out a shirt long enough to act like a dress. I grab a pair of his boxers and tug them on, rolling them a few times so they don't peek out from under the shirt.

It's almost four and I'm thinking I should make some dinner to surprise them when they come home.

I go down to the kitchen and look through the cabinets and fridge, but I don't see anything that screams a nice home-cooked meal. I want to make some salmon with baked potatoes, a filling and hearty meal for my men who have worked all weekend remodeling my house.

Checking the time, I decide there's enough time to run to the store. Looking down at my outfit, I debate if I need to change. Fuck it. It's just the grocery store, who cares.

Heading to the door, I slide on a pair of crocs I left here a few days ago.

Shit! I need my purse.

Running upstairs, I grab it from the nightstand and head out the door.

When I get out to the driveway, my little PT Cruiser is nowhere to be seen. Atlas must have brought me home in the van or he took my car back to the house.

Rip's truck is here, but I don't think I should take it without permission, even if it's with good intentions. But I really wanna make dinner, so I decide to throw caution to the wind and get behind the wheel.

Rip has the keys in the visor like I remember from when we lived with him. Without a second thought, I start the truck, back out of the driveway, and head to the store.

Santo's Corner Store is only a few blocks from their house, so I make it there in no time, parking the truck and heading inside.

I grab a basket, drop in some large baking potatoes, salmon filets, and all the fixings for the potatoes, then hurry to check out and jump in the truck.

I'm driving back to the house when I pass Dough Re Mi Sweets. They have the best desserts. I hit the brakes and whip into a street parking spot, with the plan to find something for after dinner.

Entering the bakery, I look at the displays and settle on a German Chocolate Cake.

With my sweet tooth satisfied, I step out of the shop, checking the time on my phone, and walk smack into someone.

"Shit! I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going." I look up and instantly my stomach churns and my heart races.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

"That's what you wanna know after not seeing your mother in years?"

"You've not made it easy to talk to you and you've never been much of a mother," I spit.

"Blame me. That's rich, you always were a mouthy brat. Always wanting too much, asking for things I couldn't give." Her face reddens, and she bares her teeth.

She looks god awful, not taking care of herself at all. Her hair is a mess and looks like it"s falling out or matted, her eyes are sunken in and her teeth are broken or missing.

"I asked for love, time, and maybe a dollar or two here and there so I could get necessities. But you were too busy spending every dime you could on booze and heroin. Don't blame me for your shitty life choices. It's been nice, Ali. I hope to do this again never." I head toward the truck and open the door.

"You're driving a Duttin Construction truck. Why?" She storms around to my door and grabs it.

"None of your business," I snap.

"You're fucking him, aren't you? Atlas, that little pervert who watched you like a hawk. I should have known that he'd find you."

"Is that why you got a restraining order against them? Because you knew how we felt about each other back then?"

It doesn't matter, because I'm with them now. But I want to know what was going on in her drugged brain that she thought using legal action to keep them away from me was the right course of action.

She smiles a filthy smile. "If I couldn't have their money and acceptance, then neither could you. They threw me out, so they lost you, too. Actions have consequences."

"You disgust me. That's so wrong. Rip threw you out because you were fucking Drivvy."

"I needed that money."

"You need to get clean and get your life together." I roll my eyes.

"Like you? Working as a bartender at some shit hole."

My eyes widen because how the fuck does she know where I work? Has she kept tabs on me?

"How do you know where I work?"

"Saw you leaving one night when I was working the corner for Drivvy. Went back the next morning and asked. The bitch behind the bar told me you work there. I ain't visited or bothered you there, but do you have some cash I could borrow?"

Fucking Trina.

I dig in the glove compartment looking for any sort of cash and grab a twenty and ten. I'll pay Rip back when I can make it to an ATM. Shoving the money at her, she takes it.

"Now leave me alone, Ali. I have no interest in you being in my life."

"Fuck you too. Little bitch. Oh, and I hope you didn't leave anything in my mom's house. I had to let the bank take it. They were asking for too much. I have other bills."

Bills as in her hobbies. I'm not going to tell her I bought it and there sure as hell wasn't anything left inside minus dirt and dust.

"Thanks for the heads up. I got to go." I slam the door and luckily, she rips her hand out of the way in time or she'd be missing a finger or two.

She slams her fist on the window. "Cunt!"

I ignore her, turning the key and flooring it in reverse, backing out onto the street.

I'm not going to let her get to me. This is how she's been my whole life. I have a good life without her. I have a house that I bought myself. Two men who say they care and I'm giving them a chance. I have a job I love even if my coworker is a bitch.

She has no hold on me, I tell myself as I drive, trying to calm my racing heart.

The guys get home aroundseven and the house smells amazing. Their plates are on the counter waiting for them and when they enter the kitchen, they're all smiles.

"What have you been up to, baby?" Atlas wraps his arms around me, kissing me softly.

"Well, I thought since you guys stayed at the house to keep working, the least I could do was whip up a little dinner."

Atlas releases me, and I go to Rip, who also pulls me against him and kisses me.

"It smells amazing. And I fucking love you wearing my shirt."

"Thank you. Grab a plate, let's eat." I pick up a plate and head to the table where silverware, napkins, and drinks are waiting.

"Look at this. A guy could get used to this." Rip whistles as he approaches the table and takes a seat.

"Don't." I laugh. "I usually work the closing shift so there won't be dinner from me, like ever. But I woke up in your room and thought, why not?"

"Tomorrow, we're gonna go back over and do what we can. Will you be coming with us or do you need to sleep so you're rested for your shift?" Rip takes a bite of his salmon. "Holy hell," he groans. "This is amazing."

"Thank you. It's just some garlic, butter, lemon and paprika. I'm used to running on no sleep, so I'll go with you, but only until like four, then I'll get ready for my shift. I start at six."

"Sounds good. We're gonna let the floor upstairs dry and get the kitchen tile in, so it's ready for the counters when they come. Do you know what color you wanna paint?"

"White. I want everything white. Not bright white though, more like an off-white. That way, if my styles change, the walls don't need to, just the decorations and such."

"Smart," Atlas mumbles around a mouthful of food.

"I need an estimate on what all this is gonna cost. I know I said this is your apology and wanted a discount, but I expect to pay a good chunk of change for everything I want done, so tell me how much I owe and I'll give you cash." I don't want to take advantage of them and their coming on the weekend and not going to work to help with my place is enough.

"Nothing," Rip answers. "I'm not accepting a dime from you."

"You can't do all that work for free. And don't think I didn't notice I didn't pay at the store for my materials, either." I raise my brows at him.

"Don't care. It's the least I can do. We can handle it. But I wanna talk about what you're gonna do when the house is done."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"He means, baby, that's a lot of house for one person. Are you staying there? Renting it out? You can always live here with us." Atlas smiles.

"You want me to move in with you? We've only been back in each other's life for like five minutes." I raise a brow at him. He can't be serious—can he?

"We've known each other for nine years and I've known I loved you for all nine. Seems like a no-brainer to me."

"I can't move in with you," I tell him, and I see the hurt flicker in his eyes. I look at Rip, ready for one of his vicious lines accusing me of being Ali, but he's just staring at me silently.

"You don't have anything to say?" I ask him.

"I promised I wouldn't let my words hurt you again. I'd like to know why, though?"

I blink at him momentarily, waiting to see if he's actually not going to say anything rude. He doesn't, but his eyes don't leave mine.

"That house was my one sure thing in life. No matter what Ali did or who came and went, I had Grandma and that house. I sold my fucking soul for it. No offense, since it was you who bought me, but I decided to sell my body to own it. I'm living there. It's where I see myself, my future, my kids. So sorry, but that's where I'm staying."

"Okay." He picks up his fork and spears another piece of fish.

"Okay?" I ask. "That's it? Nothing else?"

"Nope. If that's how you feel, then I understand. It makes sense. Ali took a lot from you. Ruined a lot of your childhood memories, so if that house feels like home, you shouldn't give that up."

"And you?" I raise a brow in Atlas' direction.

"Not thrilled. I want you with me twenty-four-seven, but I get it."

"Good." I clap my hands. "Now to rip off another bandaid, so there are no secrets between us. The only way this is going to work is if we stay honest. I bought a German Chocolate cake for dessert, and when I was leaving the bakery I ran into Ali… literally. Oh, and I drove your truck, Rip, and gave her thirty bucks that you had in the glove compartment. I'll give it back as soon as I get to an ATM to pull out some cash."

Rip's hand slams down on the table. "What the hell do you mean, you ran into Ali? Are you okay? Did she hurt you? Say anything?"

"She told me I was a mouthy brat as a child. That she got the restraining order against you because you threw her out, so if she couldn't have your money and acceptance, then neither could I. Then she told me she let the bank take Grandma's house and asked if I had any cash."

"I'll ask again. Are you okay?" Rip growls, his jaw tensing and his nostrils flaring.

"I'm fine. She didn't bother me… that much. Do I wish I had a different mom? Yes. I wish I had a mom to call and share things with and ask for her advice. But I don't, and I never have. It is what it is."

"She saw you in the truck, so she knows we've reunited. Did she say anything about you driving my truck?"

"Nope. She just asked why I was, and I told her it was none of her business. And she said you're fucking him, aren't you? That's it."

"Wait!" I slap a hand to my forehead. "She also knows where I work. Apparently, Trina told her I close. But she's known it for a while now and has never once stopped by there to bother me. That's unlike her."

"What the hell is with people sharing personal information?" Atlas' forehead tightens and his breathing gets heavy.

"We fired Amber today for telling Jenna where we were."

"Too bad I can't fire Trina. I don't own the bar, so I'm stuck with her." I frown slightly.

"Buy it." Rip shrugs.

"Buy what?" I tilt my head, looking at him.

"The bar. You still have some of the money, right? We're not charging you for the remodel. So offer the owner cash for the bar and see if he sells. What can it hurt?"

I do love my job and the Iced Rose. Owning my own bar would be a dream and I already know the area and clientele there. I could update and make changes without fucking up business too much. It can't hurt to ask, can it?

"No, it can't." Atlas smiles.

Shit, I said that last part out loud.

"Okay, tomorrow I'll make Kevin a cash offer. But the bar is gonna need some work too, so if he accepts, will you work for IOUs? Momma will be running light on cash then." I laugh.