Chapter 14

Olivia

Grady and Kipp insisted on going to brunch when we woke up. According to them, sleeping in is always a time for bottomless mimosas and brunch. So we're in the car headed to Gwen's. I've never been, but I've heard good things so I'm excited.

Kipp is driving, which surprised me. Since I've known them, we've ridden in the back together and Norbert has driven. It's a breath of fresh air and a bit of normalcy.

We get to the little bistro and park. Kipp gets out and opens the door for us. I exit first, with Grady behind me. They each grab a hand and we enter the building, my fingers intertwined with theirs.

I expected stares or even the whole place to turn and gawk at us, since polygamy isn't a huge thing, at least not around here. But no one pays attention; not a single person turns their head or blinks an eye, and for that, I am grateful.

We grab the first empty table we see since the place is pretty busy. Grady pulls my chair out for me and pushes me in after I sit down. The gentleman's manners on these two are off the charts. They might ruin me for anyone else ever again.

Our waitress comes over and asks for our drink order. We all opt for the bottomless mimosas. The guys get the run-of-the-mill orange juice flavor, while I get the tangerine juice.

"So we didn't ask last night. How did your photo shoot go?" Kipp asks.

"It went really well, actually. My client was so fun to work with and she booked another session for some headshots before we were even done," I tell them.

"That's amazing, baby," Grady praises.

"I'm not knowledgeable in photography, so how do you photoshop her images and give them to her? How does that work?" Kipp raises a brow my way. "Thank you," he interrupts, nodding to our waitress as she sets our flutes down.

"Are we ready to order?"

"Yeah. Can I get the biscuits and gravy?" Kipp shuts his menu and hands it to her.

"Sure can. And for you, honey?" She looks at Grady. My lips curl and I can feel my jealousy rise at her calling him honey.

"I'll take the same."

"And you?" she directs at me.

"I'm gonna do that Brioche French Toast and a cinnamon roll."

"Perfect. I'll be back with those in no time." She turns and begins to talk to the table next to us.

"Back to your question. Yes, I can edit them. That depends on what the client wants. I can go wild or just clear them up a bit. Then I send all the good shots to the client on a locked site and they can have whatever ones they want."

"Interesting. You don't charge per photo on top of the shoot fee?"

"No. Some do it that way, but I don't and honestly don't think I ever will. Sure, it would give me more money, but my clients like getting them all and I make enough. I don't need to increase revenue."

"Smart." Kipp smirks over the top of the mimosa flute.

"Kipp, we should have Ollie take the new headshots for the company. We've been talking about updating them and now we have an in with a photographer," Grady speaks animatedly.

"That is a good idea. When do you have availability?"

"I'm open whenever. I only have a few smash cakes and newborn sessions this week. Seems this is a busy time of year to have a baby." I wink at them and Grady coughs.

Instantly, I regret my words. I was only trying to be cheeky since smash cakes are for first birthdays and newborn sessions are, well, for newborns. It's just logical that last year and this year at this time people were having babies. But now I've made it seem like that's what I want and while I'd love to have kids someday, that day is not today.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. Shit, now I seem like a crazy person. I just mean that it seems this is the hot baby season. Since all my sessions are for new babies or one-year-olds. You understand? Ugh, I'm such a moron."

"You're not a moron," Kipp growls. "Grady was just caught off guard, is all. Right, babe?"

"Yeah. I just wasn't expecting you to say that. It surprised me, but I get what you meant," Grady rattles.

"Sorry, I made brunch awkward." I look at the wooden table, annoyed that I ruined our time.

"You didn't make it awkward. However, if this is something we're going to be making long-term, we should probably have a talk on the topic. You're still young and may want kids. Grady and I already know where the other stands on kids." Kipp's voice fades as our food arrives.

"Anything else I can get you?" the waitress asks.

"We're good, thanks," Grady tells her and she leaves us, heading to handle her other tables.

"I want kids someday. But not any ti—" I drop my fork to the table as my eyes widen, locking on the front door. There, staring at me with eyes full of pain, is Van. "Shit," I hiss.

Van moves further into the bistro, letting the door close behind him, but his eyes never leave mine.

I look away, eyes darting from Kipp to Grady. "Can we get boxes and leave?"

"Yeah. Is everything okay?" Kipp asks.

"No," I mutter. Running into Van was not even a blip on my radar. I never even considered it could be a possibility, and that was stupid of me. This town isn't that large and now here we are; him glaring at me like I'm the one who betrayed him and not the other way around.

"That's her ex," Grady whispers. "The one Barbi… you know."

I keep my eyes on Van, seeing if there is something different about him, or maybe something I missed when we were together. Grady and Kipp, I'm sure, think that my staring is a red flag of me not being over him.

Truthfully. I'm not. It's not been that long, and I had no closure, just a video and a big fuck you from Barbi. But now I'm running my eyes over him, wondering how I missed that he was just another asshole who wanted to get his dick wet the minute I left town.

Van looks behind him to the sidewalk before he looks my way again and winces. I'd know that look anywhere; he's worried, panicked actually. He's meeting someone here.

The bastard is staring at me ‘cause he knows I'll see. He's not thinking I betrayed him. He's concerned about getting caught again.

I know I'm here with two other men, so this is a total pot calling the kettle black situation, but I don't want to see him with someone else. Not yet. I'm not ready.

I look at the guys. "I'd like to go."

"I'll take you out the back so you don't have to speak to him, unless you want to, that is." Grady grabs my hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing my knuckles.

A low growl sounds from across the bistro. Van is furious. He narrows his eyes and his nostrils flare. He doesn't like what he sees either. Good.

Now, imagine seeing me being fucked by these two and you'll feel what I did.

"I'm good," I tell them without a second thought.

"Kipp will pay the bill and get boxes. Let's go, baby." Grady stands and holds out a hand. I push away from the table, stand up, and take his hand. He escorts me toward the back, past the bathrooms, and out the patio door.

We round the building back to their car and Grady opens the back door, allowing me to climb into the backseat. He gets in next to me and we wait quietly for Kipp to come to the car. My heart is beating erratically in my chest and I feel like I'm about two seconds from having a panic attack.

Grady puts a hand on my thigh and lightly squeezes. "It's okay, Ollie. We're in the car and leaving. Just breathe, baby."

Tears well in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I won't cry anymore over that bastard. I look out the front window, counting the people as they walk past, trying to get myself back under control.

My attempts are futile when none other than Barbi rounds the corner and heads to Gwen's. Of course, it's her that Van is meeting. I should have known.

Since I'm kinda seeing someone—well, two someones—it shouldn't hurt. And yet it does. There is a piece of me that still loves him, and well, I was hoping he and Barbi were a one-and-done thing, but now they're meeting for a mid-day date. I feel sick to my stomach.

This whole thing is so fucked up and it's shown me I'm not ready to do anything long-term or serious with Kipp and Grady. I need it to stay superficial, just a fun way to blow off steam.