Page 37 of Irrevocably Mine

“Fine, chill chica, they’re just shoes.”

Dax groaned, because he knew Tori knew better. She was just trying to get a rise out of Stacy and she damn sure did.

“But,” Tori tried to placate, “I’ll treat them like the precious cargo they are.”

Stacy got in Tori’s face with fake ire. Well, not her face so much as her chest. “Don’t you ever spew such blasphemy in my presence. Just shoes, my ass. I am holding you personally responsible, and don’t forget, I can file a lawsuit for damages that will make you weep.” Michael barked a laugh from somewhere in the vicinity of the bedroom.

“Burrrrn. She got you, Tori. You better watch out,” Michael said as he entered the room. Dax face-palmed. It felt like he would be doing that a lot lately. Stacy being comfortable as part of the group would prove interesting.

“Seriously, man, you should have stayed in the back,” Dax noted with an amused shake of his head. His gaze was drawn to the place where his world changed, then back to the people who were his family. He noticed Stacy no longer stared at that spot as she did when they first arrived.Tori, you sly dog, you.The therapist part of her found the perfect way to distract Stacy and help her have a good last memory of this room. Dax loved her all the more for it. He already considered her his sister, but his heart grew where she was concerned.Well played.

Stacy pinned Dax with a look before turning toward Michael. “You, zip it. I wear heels bigger than your dick.” Then, she turned back to Tori. “And you, don’t forget, I will sue your ass. And in case you were wondering ‘Mr. Burrrrn,’I would name you as culpable.”

“I highly doubt that,” Tori mumbled, and cut her eyes to Michael’s crotch. “Alright, my little pocket litigator, bring it in.” Tori embraced Stacy and she hugged her back, fiercely. Dax had never witnessed her hug anyone like that but him or John. “Now, take your man home and fuck him stupid.”

By this time, the movers had busied themselves trying their damnedest not to listen. Michael grabbed her next and swung her around like a kid. With a kiss to her forehead, he put her down and whispered words of love. Stacy blushed but accepted them. Dax knew how close she and Michael were, but they seemed even more so now, and that choked him up a little. He figured they bonded over being victims or something that he couldn’t comprehend. He wouldn’t wish this crap on anyone, but a part of him was glad she had someone besides a professional to talk to.

A few more hugs, some manly back claps, and watery goodbyes and they were finally on their way to his house.Theirhouse. Stacy seemed lighter now. Dax was unsure if it was being back in the house and making a measure of peace with it or his reassurance that he didn’t need to be married, but he was grateful for whatever caused it.

Stacy was in the passenger seat laughing to herself. “What’s so funny, darlin’?”

“I was just thinking how glad I am that I rented. I can’t imagine trying to sell the ‘murder house,’ I probably couldn’t even get a decent agent. I wonder what the story will morph into over time?”

While she seemed reflective, she didn’t appear upset and that was a good thing. At least she could laugh about it, somewhat. Dax knew that would sound callous to some, but those people just didn’t understand.

“Well, I’m glad you don’t have to deal with all that too, but just for the record, it can be done. My go-to lady, Jewel, once sold a burned-out house, or so the story goes. I bet she could unload that one in thirty days and at a profit, no less. Maybe I should give your landlord her card.” They were still laughing when he pulled into the drive.

Stacy didn’t wait for him to get her door. She was out of the car in record time in order to catch the blur coming toward her. His Macy Bug flew at her like she did with him. “I’m so happy to finally meet you. Dad’s told me everything about you and I feel like we already know each other.” His daughter towered over Stacy—pretty much everyone did.

When Macy disengaged herself, she looped her arm through Stacy’s and walked her into the house, chattering on the whole way. Dax knew Macy was excited, but she was also a seriously worried girl. She had expressed her concerns and discussed her feelings with Dax earlier. While she was accepting of Stacy as a part of their lives, she wasn’t as okay with it all as she appeared to be outwardly. Having confessed her issues to Dax, she promised to still make her feel welcomed. Both his daughter and the woman he loved were amazing individuals, but they had to forge their own way.

Macy’s enthusiasmwas over the top. Not to say she was faking it, she seemed genuine enough, but there was no way this teenager, whose life was just uprooted, was this okay with her. She’d been raised by a mother who she adored for years, there had to be a bit of that whole, underlying taking-mom’s-place thing. Stacy looked up at the beautiful girl next to her. She looked so much like Dax, right down to,or should I say up to, her height. “Damn, am I destined to be the shortest person forever? I was hopeful when Dax said he had a teenage daughter that I might get to experience being taller than someone. For a few years, at least, but by the looks of things, you were taller than me by fifth grade, am I right?”

The sparkle in Macy’s eyes let her know she said something right, she wasn’t sure what, but she would take it. “Sixth grade, actually, I had a growth spurt. No worries about being short, I can reach the top shelves for you…at a price.” Her sense of humor and ease helped Stacy relax. Yep, she is a helluva lot like Dax.

They would still need to have a dreaded talk about their places in the family and how neither took away from the other. Luckily, Gus and Tori both gave her advice. In her mind, she paired that with what she knew from dealing with people who turned to crime because of family issues, and she felt okay about it. Not great, but okay was a start. Stacy was arm and arm with her as they entered the house.

Her senses were assaulted immediately. The kitchen was a wreck and the smell of burned meat overpowered everything else. Macy curled in on herself, making her appear a half of a foot shorter because of her slumped posture. She shuffled toward the sink and started cleaning. She seemed embarrassed, speaking to Stacy, but not making eye contact, “I wanted to make you a nice dinner for your first night, but I really suck at cooking. I can make mac & cheese from the box and omelets, but that’s it.”

Stacy joined her at the sink and helped her clean. “You and I will get along just fine, I’m not a great chef either, however, I can make a few things well. What do you say we clean this up, and then whip up what we can, and play to our strengths? Omelets will be the perfect companion, because I make some pretty mean pancakes. How do you feel about breakfast for dinner?”

Keeping her face forward, Stacy continued to clean and not make eye contact. Not because of Macy, but because of herself. She was already half in love with Dax’s daughter and ready to make herdinfast. Stacy had a fear of rejection, just as surely as Macy did.

Dax came up behind them both in the silence. Placing a hand on each, he spoke with a cracked voice, “I love that idea. Now ladies,” he kissed first one on the cheek, then the other, “if you’ll excuse me, I need a shower, but I’ll leave you to it, unless you need another set of hands.” Both shook their heads and Dax went about his business.

“So, I’ll grab the stuff and we’ll get started.” Stacy went to the refrigerator and started pulling out what she figured they’d need. “What vegetables do you want, if any, for the omelets?”

“Just onion and green pepper. I like it simple.” They prepared the rest of the meal in silence. Stacy’s heart was breaking a little. It seemed Macy had shut her out already. It wasn’t that she expected a smooth road or immediate affection, but her welcome had seemed so true. Sure, there was caution there too, but now, the child was struck mute. Replaying their conversation over and over provided zero answers. Unless omelets were code for something else, she was lost.

Dinfastwas tasty but rather quiet. Even Dax couldn’t seem to engage her very much. The bubbly girl who meet her at the car and leapt at her like a spider monkey was replaced by a somber, reflective one. After washing her plate, Macy said her goodnights and went to bed at…seven thirty? Something was certainly wrong. Stacy couldn’t let her go to bed, not like that. If Stacy being here hurt her, then she would not be here. No way would she put her happiness above Macy’s.

“I think I’ll go talk to her,” Stacy told Dax.

At her knock, Macy granted her entrance. When she stepped into the room, the first thing she noticed was the bed. It was another of Dax’s masterpieces that she could explore later. Her concern was curled up in the bed softly sobbing. The sound ripped Stacy’s heart from her chest and tossed it into a tornado. Somehow, she was the cause and she couldn’t bear it. Sitting on the bed, she rubbed Macy’s back and tried to soothe her.

“Please don’t cry, I hate that I am causing your tears. I will do whatever I can to help if you just tell me what it is?” Stacy was not above begging at this point.

“I’m sorry, you shouldn’t have to deal with…”

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