Page 52 of Living Without

Julian let out a burst of laughter, while Mena blushed and cried, “Low!”

“That’s a story we have to hear.” Zara grinned. “But don’t worry, nothing will leave the room, and the men are at Dodge’s with all the kids.” She looked to Saxon. “You may have to—”

“Not a chance,” he clipped.

She smiled. “I thought you would say that.”

Saxon grunted and crossed his arms over his chest.

“What Clary didn’t mention,” Deanna started, and then announced loudly, “was we brought porn.”

“Hell Mouth?” Saxon groaned.

“Relax, Vicious. It’sMagic Mike, a movie about hot stripper dudes.”

I had to laugh. Looking over my shoulder, my eyes met Kelsey’s. I reached a hand out. “Come meet everyone.”

Hesitantly, she came forward, and in a quiet voice, she said, “Hi.” Even though she was about the same age as Deanna and Zara, her timidness made her appear younger.

Which could explain why Deanna yelled, “I’m adopting her.” Zara, Clary, and Ivy groaned. Deanna pointed at Kelsey and said, “You, you’re my new sister. Not that we wouldn’t be sisters anyway because once you become Hawks, you become family. But what we’ll have will be stronger. You come to me if anyone fucks with you, and I’ll deal with them.”

Kelsey licked her dry lips. “Ah, o-okay.”

“Good. I think— Holy shit, who in the fuck are you?”

Kelsey and I turned together to see Gypsy walk into the room. He came to an abrupt stop behind Saxon.

Saxon ran a hand over his face and warned Gypsy, “Just go with it, and they’ll settle down eventually.”

Julian gasped. “I have never been a lov’a of man-buns, but you have just convinced me I’m wrong.” He skipped towards Gypsy, who gulped and narrowed his eyes. Julian’s hand came out, and he said, “Hey there, sex-bomb. My name is Julian, and you will be my—”

“Julian,” I called. He glanced at me and I shook my head. I wasn’t sure how Gypsy felt about gay men, but I didn’t want to cause any problems for either of them. Julian pouted and walked back over to Melissa’s side. I turned back to my girls. “Everyone, this is Kelsey.” They didn’t get close, but they all said their greeting differently. Some even told her how glad they were she was out and safe.

She cleared her throat. “I couldn’t have done it w-without Nary or…” We all saw her flick her gaze to Gypsy who was talking quietly with Saxon.

“And that’s Gypsy,” I added. All eyes turned back to said man and eyed him appreciatively.

“Should we get this party started?” Low asked.

* * * *

The afternoon, even if we didn’t get outside, was just what we’d needed. I hadn’t seen Kelsey smile or giggle so much, and I was so grateful for my friends. We drank, though Kelsey and I didn’t have much. We ate, talked, and caused the guys to cringe sometimes. Admittedly, Julian caused that reaction most of the time, especially when we were playing truth, and he asked us at what age we all got our periods.

What the day brought me was peace. As if a weight I hadn’t known surrounded my body, had lifted. Watching my friends, listening to them, and spending time with them was something I didn’t know I needed.

It was late when their men came to collect them, and I learned all the men from the Ballarat charter were once again heading home with their women. Except Mum, Dad, and Josh, they were still in town, staying at Dive’s. Mum was enjoying it because she loved the time cuddling cute Koda and getting to know Mena. Melissa had also decided to head back with Julian for a while. She wanted to spend time with Aeila before she came back to Melbourne and flew back to Sydney.

Once the last person left, I turned to Kelsey. She smiled big. “I love your family.”

Laughing, I shook my head and told her, “Our family now.”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Our family.” Her teeth bit down on her bottom lip, and her eyes flicked over to Gypsy. Both he and Saxon had been quiet most of the day, though they never left, and if anyone tried to touch on the subject of what happened when we were in our hell, the men had soon shut them down.

Kelsey’s eyes grew soft as she watched Gypsy. So, I could tell, even though Kelsey had agreed she was a part of my family, I wasn’t sure she honestly felt it. She knew we accepted her, cared for her, but I was sure she would have been happy even if it were only Gypsy as her family. Not that she wanted to be related to him because she was crushing big on him. Then again, it could all come down to the fact she saw him as safe and trusting.

Shaking my head, I ducked to hide my knowing smile and started towards Kelsey. I took her hand in mine, and when our eyes met, I asked, “Did you want to watch another movie in Saxon’s room?”

She nodded. “That sounds nice, and w-would it be okay if we had some ice cream?”

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