Page 152 of Drop Three

Gwendolyn rolls her eyes. “Hopefully, all good things.”

Navy turns to meet my stare and smiles. “All good things. You mean very much to the man that means a lot to me.”

Fuck.I love her.Here we are, in a situation that could be uncomfortable for anyone else, but Navy takes it in stride and shows how incredible she is.

“She’s great, Bodhi.” Gwendolyn turns toward me, not caring that Navy heard her compliment.

“The greatest,” I say, holding Navy tight.

I love that other people can see it too.

Navy turns toward Gwendolyn as a thought comes to her mind. “Hey! You should come hang out next weekend. We’re doing a little pool party on Saturday, and we’d love to have you,” she tells her.

Gwendolyn looks at me in question and I send her an innocent smile.

“Oh, I don’t know. I’d never want to intrude,” she tells Navy.

“Oh, please. Never. Besides, it’ll give you two a chance to catch up. Most of Bodhi’s teammates will be there and their partners or friends. Just say yes. I can be very convincing,” Navy pressures Gwendolyn with her beauty and wit.

“She can be,” I agree. “Now you have to come,” I send her an innocent smirk.

Gwendolyn smiles. “Okay, I’ll come.”

“Yay!” Navy shouts, rushing forward to pull Gwendolyn into a tight squeeze. “Bodhi, you can no longer hide her.”

Navy doesn’t know the details. She doesn’t know how poorly I treated Gwendolyn after the accident, and how I intentionally failed to check on her these last four years.

I have to tell her. I just hope she doesn’t see me differently after.

But for now, I’ll enjoy the happiness this reunion brings me.

46

NAVY

“Navy, I’m sorry about that.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m happy I finally got to meet Gwendolyn. Besides, don’t think I didn’t thoroughly enjoy your mouth on me,” I tell Bodhi, sitting on his bed and wrapping a blanket around me.

I showered once Gwendolyn left to give Bodhi time to process her arrival.

I’m not sure what’s in that metal tin but I have a feeling it’s something of deep meaning.

I’m aware there’s still a lot I don’t know about Bodhi’s past and what happened with Gwendolyn, but I hope he tells me one day.

Bodhi sits on the bed in front of me and rests his hand on my knee. “My mom left four years ago for my dad’s brother.”

Oh, god.

I knew Bodhi’s mom wasn’t around, but I didn’t know that.

“Jesus, B. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

He nods. “It is what it is at this point. Not many people know the dirty details,” he tells me.

“Are you okay? Is your dad okay? Penelope? I’m worried about all of you now.”

“We’re fine. For now, at least. My dad is challenging, rightfully so. I think he still loves her and refuses to move on.”

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