Chapter 34

Olivia

Kipp takes me to my car, and I follow him back to their house. Van sent a text saying he was headed there, and Kipp mentioned that Grady should be there too. We park in the driveway, the evening air cool and crisp as we make our way to the front door. The house is welcoming, a haven after the stressful day I've had. As we step inside, the warm light from the living room spills into the hallway, drawing us in.

Van and Grady are on the couch, both jumping up the moment we enter. The concern in their eyes is unmistakable. A duffel bag I recognize immediately as Van's sits on the couch beside him. He must be planning on staying.

"Are you okay?" Grady asks, his brow wrinkling as he strides over to me, his hand gently brushing my arm.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just worried about Bre," I tell him, trying to reassure him with a smile, though my anxiety still lingers.

"I'm so sorry, Livvy," Van murmurs, his brow furrowed.

"Don't feel guilty. I can tell by your eyes that you're blaming yourself. I'm fine, and I said what I needed to say," I tell him firmly. The confrontation with Barbi was intense, but I feel stronger for having stood my ground.

Van nods, relief washing over his features. "Well, I got Grady's call right as we were finishing up, so I asked the DA about a restraining order, and he got me an emergency one. Hopefully, that helps."

I nod, grateful for his quick action. "How did it go with the DA otherwise?" I ask, curious about the meeting's outcome.

"It went well. We don't need to meet again, and we have a date for jury selection," he informs me, a slow smile forming on his lips.

"Do you need to be in attendance?" I ask, hoping the answer is no. The thought of him having to sit through more legal proceedings than necessary worries me.

"It's optional. And I'm not going. I'll be there enough soon, so I can sit this one out," he tells me with a reassuring smile, his eyes softening.

"Okay," I say, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. It's one less thing to worry about.

"What about Bre?" Van asks, his concern evident.

"I have my attorney, who got the no-contact order with Jessica, down at the precinct. I told him to post her bail and I'll cover it. She has no priors, so she should be out in no time," Kipp informs us.

"Perfect," Van says, looking relieved.

"Tell us what happened," Grady pushes gently.

I recount the events of Barbi harassing us at the mall and Bre bashing her face into the racks. The room is silent as I speak, the intensity of the moment still fresh in my mind. I describe how Barbi's taunts escalated, her cruel words cutting deep, and how Bre, always protective, finally snapped.

"Bitch," Van mutters under his breath, a dark look crossing his face.

"Indeed." Grady chuckles, shaking his head. "She had it coming."

"What's funny?" Kipp asks, eyebrow raised.

"Well, you ran in there not even thinking about anything else, so I'm picturing Barbi's face when she saw you go to Ollie's aid and not hers." Grady laughs, the image amusing him.

I laugh, the tension easing from my body. It's good to find humor in the situation, to remind ourselves that we can still laugh despite everything.

Kipp rolls his eyes. "Yeah, she was shocked and not pleased. I told her Ollie was our girlfriend."

"I'm sure that went over well," Grady mumbles, a smirk playing on his lips.

"About how you are imagining," Kipp retorts.

"Enough about Barbi and her crimes. Is anyone hungry? We can order pizza from Maciana's," Grady suggests, changing the subject to something more pleasant.

I laugh because this man always has food on the brain. I swear he thinks offering a good meal or making a fun snack can fix anything and everything.

"Ooh, I love their Italian beef. I want a sandwich instead, please, and mozz sticks," I tell him, my stomach growling at the thought.

"I second that," Van chimes in, grinning.

"Okay, we've never gotten their beef, but you two have me wanting to try," Grady laughs. "Kipp?"

"Yeah, get me the famous beef," Kipp agrees, his eyes lighting up.

Grady places the order, and Grady and Van settle into watching some sports game on the television, while I head to take a shower. The need to wash away the day is riding me hard. When I get out, the bell is ringing and Grady's voice echoes up the stairs.

"Food is here!"

I head downstairs and we sit in the living room and dig in, the delicious aromas filling the room. The sandwiches are amazing, and the mozzarella sticks are crispy and gooey, just the way I like them.

After we eat, we decide to watch some TV. I manage to get the guys to watch Drag Race with me, eager to fill Bre in on everything she missed while in the slammer. It's a small victory, but it feels good to share something light-hearted.

The room is cozy, the soft glow of the TV illuminating our faces as we sit close together. Kipp's arm is draped around Grady, his hand barely touching my shoulder. Van is sitting next to me with his hand resting on my knee, and Grady is on my other side, our fingers interlaced. It's moments like these that make issues like today worth it.

As the show progresses, I feel myself relaxing more, the tension from the day melting away. I lean into the cushions, letting out a contented sigh. Slowly, the exhaustion catches up with me. My eyelids grow heavy, and I find myself drifting off to sleep, nestled among them. Their warmth makes me feel safe and loved. At this moment, despite everything that's happened, I feel truly at peace.

When I wake up, the room is dim, and the TV is off. I shift slightly, realizing I'm still surrounded by Kipp, Van, and Grady. I'm lying pressed against Van's side and Grady's head rests on my thigh as he sleeps with his legs draped over Kipp.

I carefully extricate myself, not wanting to wake them, and head to the kitchen for a glass of water. As I sip, I think about everything that's happened. The past few days have been a whirlwind, but here in the quiet of the night, I find clarity. My relationships with these men are strengthening and they're becoming friends.

I return to the living room, slipping back onto the couch, maneuvering underneath Grady's head once more. Van stirs slightly, pulling me closer in his sleep. I smile, feeling his warmth, and close my eyes again, ready to drift back into sleep. As I do, I hear a soft murmur from Van, comforting me in the dark.

"Love you, Livvy," he whispers, barely audible.

I smile, my heart full. "Love you too," I whisper back, knowing he can hear me even if he's half-asleep. And with that, I let myself fall back into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Morning comes gently, the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. I wake up to the comforting sounds of the house stirring to life. The smell of coffee drifts from the kitchen, and I can hear the low murmur of voices.

I stretch, feeling well-rested and content. As I sit up, I see Kipp in the doorway, holding a steaming mug of coffee. His smile is warm, and his eyes are filled with affection.

"Good morning," he smiles.

"Morning," I reply, taking the mug from him. The warmth seeps into my hands, and I take a sip, savoring the rich flavor.

"Did you sleep well?" he asks, sitting next to me.

"Better than I have in days," I admit, leaning into him. He wraps an arm around me, pulling me close.

"Good," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my temple.

Van and Grady join us soon after, carrying their own mugs. We sit together, enjoying the quiet morning and each other's company.

After breakfast, we decide to spend the morning together, just the four of us. We lounge around the house, talking and laughing, the bond between us growing stronger with each passing moment.

As the afternoon wears on, we end up in the living room, the sunlight streaming through the windows. Van is sitting on one end of the couch, reading a book, while Grady is sprawled out next to him, idly flipping through a magazine. Kipp is beside me on the other end of the couch, his hand resting on my thigh, his touch electrifying.

I look around at these men, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. They have become my rock, my sanctuary. And as I sit here, surrounded by their support, I know that no matter what challenges I face, they'll be by my side.

Kipp leans in, his lips brushing against my ear. "I love you, Ollie," he whispers, his breath sending shivers down my spine.

He's not said those words yet, neither has Grady. The sound sends a shiver down my spine. It's amazing, but I also feel like there's a glimmer of underlying naughtiness; he is a married man, and he loves me.

I've also not said those three little words. I've said them to Van since we got back together, but our relationship has almost picked up where we left off, minus two extras now. Do I love Kipp and Grady?

I do. When I think of Grady and Kipp, I feel the same way I do with Van. It happened fast, and it's not conventional, but I don't care. I love these men.

"I love you too," I reply, turning to capture his lips in a soft kiss.

Grady looks up from his magazine, a smile playing on his lips. "Hey, what about me?" he teases, his eyes twinkling with mischief

I laugh, reaching out and motioning him closer. "Come here."

He eagerly complies, moving over to sit next to me. I kiss him, slow and sweet, feeling the connection between us deepen.

Van watches us with a smile, closing his book and setting it aside. "Guess it's my turn too," he says, pouting.

"Of course," I reply, beckoning him over. He leans in, and our lips meet in a tender kiss that leaves me breathless. The love I feel for each of them is unique and profound, and in this moment, it feels as though nothing could ever break the bond we share.

The afternoon drifts into evening, and we find ourselves lounging in the backyard, the setting sun painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. We sit around the fire pit, the warmth of the flames chasing away the chill in the air. It's peaceful, the crackling of the fire and the soft murmur of our voices the only sounds breaking the tranquility.

Van leans back in his chair, his hand entwined with mine. "This is nice," he says. "Just being together like this."

"Yeah," Kipp agrees, his gaze fixed on the fire. "It's been a crazy few days, but this... this feels right."

Grady nods. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

I look at each of them, my heart swelling with love. "I feel the same way," I admit. "You guys mean everything to me."

Kipp smiles, his eyes softening. "And you mean everything to us, Ollie," he says, squeezing my hand.

As the night deepens, the air grows cooler, and we move closer to the fire. The conversation shifts to lighter topics, our laughter filling the night. It feels good to relax, to let go of the worries, and just enjoy each other's company.

Eventually, the fire dies down, and we head back inside. The house is warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the night air. We make our way to the living room, where Kipp sets up a few candles, their soft light casting a romantic glow.

Van stretches out on the couch, patting the space beside him. "Come here, Livvy," he murmurs seductively.

I join him, feeling a thrill of anticipation. His arms wrap around me, pulling me close. Kipp and Grady sit on either side, their eyes filled with love and desire.

Van's fingers trace along my jawline, tilting my face toward his. His kiss is slow and deep, igniting a fire within me. I melt into him, my body responding to his touch. When we finally break apart, Kipp is there, his lips capturing mine in a passionate kiss that leaves me breathless.

Grady's hands are on my waist, pulling me into his lap. His kiss is gentle but insistent, his lips moving against mine with a hunger that matches my own.

Kipp's hands are on my shoulders, his touch firm and reassuring. "We love you, Ollie," he murmurs in a husky whisper.

"And I love you," I reply, my voice trembling with emotion. "All of you."

Grady's hands slide to my hips, guiding me as we move together. His bright eyes are locked on mine, his cheeks blushing. "You're everything to me."

Van's lips are at my ear, his breath hot against my skin. "We'll always be here for you," he whispers.

The room is filled with the sound of our breathing, the warmth of our bodies, and a comforting presence. I feel safe, cherished, and loved in a way I never thought possible.

As I drift off to sleep, I am filled with peace.