Five
Holy shit, what did I just get myself into? Reaching into my pants pocket, I pulled out my cell, dialing Tish’s number.
She answered on the second ring. “This better be good Jiji, I was just about to take a nap with my husband on my honeymoon, and just in case you didn’t get it, a nap was code for having wild monkey sex.”
I laughed before I replied, “Bitch, how many times I gotta tell you TMI when it comes to my bro, you, and a certain piece of his anatomy.”
I heard him bellowing in the background, “Get off the fuckin’ phone, Jiji, I wanna fuck my wife.”
“Eww, shut up Jameson. Go have a smoke or something and cool your jets.”
I heard him grumble to Tish, “Hurry up, babe, I’m horny, been watching you strut around in that bikini all day.”
Tish put her hand over the speaker so I didn’t hear what she said to him, but she came back quickly. “What’s up, babe, what’s got you so spooked, Jiji?”
“How’d you know?” I asked her.
“Sweets, I know you! No way you would call me on my honeymoon unless something dire happened. So, spill it, chica.”
“Tish, it’s Breech.”
“Oh, crap! What’s he done now?” she asked.
“It’s not what he’s done, it’s what we are about to do.” I took a deep breath then laid it out for her. She listened without interrupting ‘til I finished.
“Jiji, listen to me. If I hadn’t given Jameson a chance, we wouldn’t be where we are right now: in bed on our honeymoon. I know that Jameson and all the guys in the Devil’s Wind are rough around the edges, but they have good hearts. I think you know that. Don’t ask me what you should do because I can’t answer that. Only you can make that decision. Whatever you decide, I’m right behind you, supporting you, loving you. I’ll be there if you crash and burn, and I will hold your hand while you cry. But if you find the love of your life I’ll be the one holding your bouquet at the end of the aisle at the wedding just like you held mine for me. Go find your man and see where the road will lead. Love you, Jiji.”
“Love you more, Tish.” I hung up. Pocketing my cell, I went in search of Sandra.
She was in the lab going over Tink’s bloodwork. I grabbed some slides and placed them under an adjoining microscope.
“I told Breech he could go with me upstate, Sandra, but I need to know how long you can spare me here. He says it’s a two-day ride to get there so I’ll need a least a week to get to the farm, look at the animals, and get the house stuff done for the closing.”
“No problem, Jiji, I have an intern coming from the college to shadow me for his surgical rotation; he’ll be here for two weeks, so take your time and do what you have to do. Are you going to ask Tish if she wants you to get some of her things from her old house while you’re up there?”
“Damn, I should have asked her that, shouldn’t I? Duh, Jiji,” I said.
She cracked up laughing. “I’ve got things covered here, so go, have fun, take a break from school and work for a bit.”
I threw my arms around her, hugging her hard. “Thanks so much, Sandra.” Now that it’s here, I realized I could really use the break. Between all the shit that went down with my mom and Aden, then Tish and Fighter’s wedding, finishing the semester and volunteering, I really haven’t had any downtime. “I think I’m ready to go there with Breech. I need to grow a pair.”
She chuckled. “Jiji, the Devil’s Wind is full of all good men; Opry had to do some tap dancing to get me to agree to go out with him. He had that country boy charm turned all the way up that night. He was on his best behavior because he knew he was only getting one chance. I gave in to temptation and came out the other side with the love of my life. Even now the girls swarm around him like bees to honey, but he doesn’t give then a second look. He’s a hard man, but loyal to a fault. He protects me, and I love him for it.
“It’s very important that you understand one important thing, Jiji. Babe, you have to be all the way in if you get involved with Breech; there is no halfway with these guys, you understand?”
“Tish told me the same thing, Sandra; all I know is I have to try, I have to see where it goes. I want my happily ever after. If it comes wrapped up in that yummy package, then hooray for me.”
“Yummy, am I?”
Looking up, I saw that Breech was leaning against the doorway to the exam room. He winked and I could feel my face heat up.
“Christ, Breech, don’t you know it’s not nice to eavesdrop!” I said.
“It might not be nice,” he replied, “but it’s effective. You blush real cute, doll!”
“Shut up, Breech,” I grumbled. Tink yowled from the table. “Poor baby, are you feeling any better?” I cooed. “Rest now, darlin’, Sandra will take care of you ‘til I get back,” I said, rubbing behind her ears.
She laid her head down on the blanket, closing her eyes. She butted her head against my arm like she understood what I said.
Looking at her watch, Sandra said, “It’s still early; you two should hit the road.”
Breech replied, “You don’t have to tell me twice.” He kissed Sandra on the cheek. “Thanks for letting her go, Sandra. Say goodbye to Sandra, Jiji,” Breech said.
I folded her into my arms, whispering into her ear, “Love your face, Sandra.”
She squeezed me briefly. “Shoo now,” she said, making the motion with her hands. “I will text you the information on the foals with the directions to the farm. Text me back when you get there, Jiji. Safe travels, you two.”
Breech dropped an arm around my shoulder, leading me away to start this escapade. I just hoped I was making the right decision. I loved my girls and I believed both of them were telling me the truth. I trusted my own instincts. I was right about that bastard Aden, and I was right about Tish and Fighter. I was betting my future that I was right about Breech. He could break my heart, shatter it into a million pieces or he could be my one. Please, Lord let me be right and he is my one.
I’d searched my soul about giving in to my feelings for Breech, acknowledging that my worst fear was that things wouldn’t work out and it would cause conflict between Fighter and Breech. They were closer than brothers, and I refused to be the thing that tore them apart. I admitted as much to Breech, so he knew where I stood.
Squaring my shoulders, I let the doubts slide away, choosing to look at the positive—and it all started with Breech.