Chapter 23

Olivia

I wake up the next morning, sandwiched between Kipp and Grady. My head is throbbing, and my heart feels heavy as the memories of last night come flooding back. I can't believe what they told me.

Carefully, I wiggle out from between them and tiptoe to the bathroom. I look in the mirror and puffy eyes and a blotchy face stare back at me. After peeing and washing my hands, I head out to the kitchen to make coffee.

I'm relieved they stayed last night because I was a wreck. I was also glad they called and decided to come over, as I had some news to share with them, too. I had planned to tell them that I'd taken a few days to think and, although I'm not ready for a whole relationship yet, I want to see them and take things slow. Date, not just fuck and brunch afterward. But their news had overshadowed mine in the worst way possible. Van… my Van had been raped by Barbi.

I grab a mug and pour myself a cup, adding white chocolate syrup and some almond creamer. Taking a seat on the couch, I pull my legs under me and just stare out the window, trying to process everything that's happened. Footsteps come down the hall, and I turn to see it's Grady.

"Good morning," he says, bending down to kiss my temple, causing me to smile. Then he heads to the kitchen. "Oh, thank God there's coffee." He joins me in the living room, and we sip our brew in silence.

A while later, Kipp exits the bedroom and heads straight to the kitchen for a mug. I'm glad I keep my mugs on the counter, or they'd have been rooting around in the disarray that is my cabinets.

"How are you?" Kipp asks, sitting next to Grady.

"It's a lot, but I'm okay. Mostly, I just feel guilty that Van was alone during this time. I didn't take his calls, let him explain, and he was all alone dealing with this. Fuck! How could I do something like that? How could Barbi do something like that? Sleeping with your best friend's man is one thing, but assault? That's terrible. Disgusting. She should rot in jail."

My eyes widen as I realize what I just said. Although I mean every word, the person I'm talking about has a loved one in this room.

I lock my eyes on Kipp. "Oh my god, how are you? She's your daughter! I'm so sorry."

"I'm fine. Jessica called, wanting me to bail Barbi out and hire her an attorney, but I refused. I want nothing to do with her."

"This is such a mess. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, I'm hit with another curveball."

"What are you gonna do, Ollie?" Kipp asks.

"I don't know yet. I know I need to see Van, but I don't know how to make that happen. It seems... I don't know, wrong to just call and say hey, I'm sorry."

"I get that," Kipp replies.

"Maybe you should invite him over for a chat and just start at the beginning?" Grady suggests.

"Yeah, I could. You know, it's kinda weird that you two are giving me advice about my ex-boyfriend, who I still have feelings for."

Grady winces. "We care about you, Ollie. We know it's only been a few weeks, but we are fond of you and just want you to be happy."

"It means a lot," I murmur.

"We're gonna be here no matter what, Olivia, until you tell us to get out." Kipp smiles.

"I want you to stay. I don't know what will happen with Van or me or really anything, but I know I don't wanna be alone," I admit.

"Then we'll stay as long as you'll have us." Kipp winks.

The doorbell rings, and I look at the guys, confused. Who the heck would be here at this hour? Not bothering to look out the peephole, I open the door, and standing there are Bre and Van. My stomach drops to my asshole, and I feel like I'm going to be sick all over again.

"Thought this was best to happen in person, since we both have some explaining to do." Bre smiles as she moves past me into the house. "Ohhhh, it's really gonna be a party now, I see."

"Hi, Olivia," Van whispers.

I don't say a word because I don't know what to say. I just wrap my arms around him and cry.

Van holds me tightly, his grip almost as desperate as mine. We stand there for what feels like an eternity. Finally, I pull back and look into his eyes. There's pain there, deep and raw, but also something else—maybe hope?

"I'm so sorry," I manage to choke out. "I should have been there for you."

He shakes his head, his expression softening. "You didn't know, Olivia. None of this is your fault."

Grady clears his throat, drawing our attention. Both he and Kipp are smiling softly, but I can see the pain in their eyes at my being close to Van.

This is such a fucking mess.

I look back to Van and see anger and sadness swimming in his eyes. "Come inside. Let's sit down."

Bre is sitting in the armchair, and as Van follows me inside I hear him murmuring under his breath, but I can't make out what he's saying.

"Are they leaving?" he asks, sitting on the loveseat and staring at the two men on the couch.

"Not unless Ollie asks us to," Kipp grunts.

"This is a private conversation. No need for extra ears," Van snaps.

"God, I'm glad I came with you," Bre says and I snap my head her way, glaring.

"Okay." She puts her hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry, but this is amazing. We come to tell you some news and not only do you seem to already know, but these two are here."

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Bre, this is Kipp and Grady. Guys, this is Bre, my asshole of a best friend." I look at Van and worry my bottom lip before continuing. "This is Van my—Van. Van, this is Kipp and Grady."

"So these are the two old guys you've been fucking while we were broken up?" Van sneers.

"Van!" I bark. "I know you're hurting and I'm sorry for that. Truly, I am. But this is my house. And while I'm willing to hear you out, I will not let you disrespect them like that."

"Van," Kipps interjects. "I know this is a shock to you, but you need to worry less about us and more about the woman in front of you. About yourself and what this all means for you."

"And what do you know about anything?" Van growls. "Do you know what happened, Olivia?"

I nod slowly. "Yeah," I whisper.

"How?"

"Kipp is Barbi's dad." I close my eyes and tilt my head up to the ceiling, ready for an explosion.

Van rockets up from the loveseat. "You've got to be fucking kidding me? So he told you what his fucking daughter did and what? You just push that to the back to get dick!?"

Grady pushes from the couch, grabbing a hold of Van's shirt and pulling him toward him. "You won't talk about her like that. Ollie has been torn up since we told her the news. We're here to support her, that's it."

"Let him go, Grady," Kipp calls.

Grady listens, and Van drops back onto the chair. I need to explain, to fix this in some way.

"She didn't know," Kipp pipes up. "Well, she knew I was Barbi's dad, but we have no contact with Barbi. My ex-wife called yesterday and told me the news. We came over and told Olivia right away. She deserved to know the truth."

"So what? Your daughter is in jail and being charged with rape. My rape. And you're just okay with it?"

"Yes," Kipp answers immediately. "If she's guilty, which if you went to the police, then I'm sure she is. She deserves to do time for what she did."

"This is so fucked." Van leans his head back against the chair.