Short Rides (Rough Riders #14.5)(12)

“Is an option,” Edgard inserted, “but it isn’t something we need to worry about now. We answered Westin’s question. We reiterated that love between two men isn’t wrong, and neither is the love the three of us share. Most kids are lucky if they’ve got one good parent. Our kids have three great parents. They’ll grow up happy, Chass, because we won’t let them be any other way.”


“You’re right. It just stings when those crap attitudes hit us in the face through our sweet son.” She kissed the side of his throat. “I love you. Thanks for talkin’ me down and keeping me from crying. Lord. I’ve been weepy lately.”


Edgard tipped her chin up and looked into her eyes. “Is there something else—”


“I don’t know about you,” Trevor said as he entered the kitchen, “but I feel like beating the f*ck outta my heavy bag.”


“Westin have any more questions for you?”


He shook his head. “He sacked right out.” He looked at Edgard. “So whatdya say, partner? Wanna go a few rounds?”


As much as Edgard like sparring with Trevor, he wasn’t feeling up to it tonight. And he didn’t want to leave Chassie alone. “Go ahead. I’ll get our woman tucked in and make sure she gets the rest she needs.”


Trevor’s eyes met his in understanding. “Good. I’ll be up in a bit.” He ducked down the stairs leading to the basement.


Chassie stood. “I need to shower first. So it’s okay if you wanna go pound on Trev.”


He waggled his eyebrows. “As much as I like pounding on him, maybe I’d rather scrub your back. I’m feeling a little dirty myself.”


“So what else is new?” They held hands as they climbed the stairs.


Their water games were mostly innocent. Edgard kneaded her tensed muscles. His relaxation techniques included caresses and soft kisses. He loved touching her, this woman who defined strength and softness. The depth of his feelings for her at the beginning of their relationship as a triad had surprised him. As did how easily and quickly they brought something to each other besides their love for Trevor.


She squinted at him. “You’re looking at me funny, Ed.”


“Just thinking about how much I love you.”


“You tryin’ to get me to cry?”


“No, querida, I’m trying to get you to smile. ’Cause I know how much you love bein’ reminded that me and Trev are wrapped around your little finger.”


Chassie grinned. “It is good to be me.”


After drying off and slipping on her pajamas, Chassie went to check on the kids one last time, like she always did, even if both he and Trevor had already checked them.


Then she crawled in bed and curled into him, like she did most nights. It’d never bothered him that she’d fall asleep in his arms and wake up in Trevor’s arms since Trevor had to have a hand someplace on Edgard’s body every night. A constant reassurance that he was really there.


Edgard started to drift off. He heard the shower kick on. Then the familiar scent of soap wafted out on a humid wave as Trevor exited the bathroom. The dresser drawer squeaked and he looked over to see Trevor slipping on a pair of flannel pants. Their days of sleeping in the nude had ended with three kids popping into their room any hour of the night.



So Edgard was really looking forward to the next three days and nights.


Trevor tucked his body behind Chassie’s. He reached for Edgard, threading their fingers together and resting their joined hands on the pillow above Chassie’s head.


All was right with his world and he let sleep overtake him.


Rough Road: Chapter Two


The next morning Chassie had finished packing Westin’s lunch when Edgard wandered into the kitchen. He gave her the brilliant, sexy grin that still weakened her knees. “Mornin’, beautiful.”


“Mornin’ yourself, sleepyhead. Why aren’t you helping Trev with the feeding?”


“He said he had it handled.” Edgard poured himself a cup of coffee.


Chassie glanced at the clock. “Why aren’t the kids up? Westin is gonna miss the bus if we don’t leave in ten minutes.”


“He says he’s got a stomachache and he’s not goin’ to school today.”


Her gut clenched. “Because of what was said to him at school yesterday?”


“No.” Edgard curled his hand around her face and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips. “He did have a pained look, so I tucked him back in bed. Didn’t see a reason to wake the other kids up.”


“I should go check on him.”


“Chass. Baby, I just did.” He kissed her again and stepped back to sip his coffee. “Did you deal with the goats this morning?”


“Yep.” She refilled her coffee cup and looked around the kitchen. Seemed weird the kids weren’t up. Mornings were chaotic, but also her favorite part of the day. “I think...” She heard a noise and leaned over to look out the window. A car she didn’t recognize had started up the driveway. “Who on earth is dropping by at seven-thirty in the morning?”