The Girls
I threw up for an hour straight before I called my Mom after Mrs. Steel had dropped me off. Yes even at my age I wanted her when I wasn’t feeling well. She convinced me that I should go to the doctors. It was flu season and I had forgotten to get my shot.
I called a cab, I didn’t want to bother James and I didn’t want to upset Xavier more than I already had.
They got me right in and did the nasal swab test. While I waited they did blood work and a urine sample. It was a half an hour before they came back in. The nurse informed me that I didn’t have the flu. She thought I had a cold. I was sent home and told to sleep and drink as much water as I could.
I called Mom to let her know I was fine. She asked that I please come home during spring break. I agreed to. It would be just a Friday and through the weekend. I told her work was busy and important to me.
I didn’t tell her I was in love with Xavier. I didn’t want her to think I was crazy or tell me it was too soon. I had been telling myself that enough I didn’t need outside reinforcements.
I looked at me phone several times before I finally fell asleep.
~
I woke feeling the bed dip behind me, “Taelyn.” His lips touched my neck first. “I’m sorry about earlier. It won’t happen again.” I pretended to be asleep. “It’s only seven o’clock, wake up and tell me you accept my apology.”
“Tell me what I did. That’s all I asked earlier. Please just tell me what I did.” I realized I was pleading with him and the way he looked at me hurt. I knew he looked shaken.
“It was all me. Jealous, not wanting to share you, not wanting to share my time with you and I fucked up. I promised if you were mine you would never spend Friday night alone. I already fucked that up.”
“You’re here now.”
“Tomorrow is Saturday you’ll wake up in the morning with my tongue between your legs and don’t tell me you’re bleeding.”
“I haven’t all day.”
“I told you if you were mine no one would hurt you and live to see the next day. I’ve hurt you but I won’t again. Ever.”
I rolled over and looked at him. “Please don’t! It hurts so much more with you than --.”
“If you love me you won’t say his name again.”
“Whose name?”
“You are so beautiful Taelyn. So damn beautiful.”
He was about to kiss me and I yawned.
“I don’t want you to cry again--.”
“You told me you’d cut off your balls if you made me cry. I kind of like your balls.”
“Crying out my name is the exception.”
“I remember.”
“You do?”
“Of course I do, no one had ever talked to me like that before.”
“Porn talk?”
“Xavier talk.”
He smiled. “I also said I’d ruin you for anyone else. Did I fulfill my promise?”
“Over and over again.” I smiled.
“Tell me how lunch was.”
“I didn’t go.”
“What?”
“I didn’t feel good. I threw up a few times.”
“Christ are you okay?”
“I think I was just upset. The doctor--.”
“You went to the doctor?” He looked pissed.
“The clinic--,” I began.
“Why didn’t you call me?”
I looked down.
“Because I hurt you.”
“It’s okay.”
“No it’s not. Not ever again.”
“Good cause --.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Okay.”
“I really do love you Taelyn and I promise I’ll get better at it. I swear I will.”
I nodded.
“What did the doctor tell you?”
“Sleep and lots of water.”
“That’s it?”
“Yep, it’s a cold.”
“I’m gonna let you sleep then. I won’t promise I will stay away in the morning.”
“Good.”
“Yeah?”
“I told you your oral skills make me crazy.” He leaned forward to kiss me. “I don’t want you to get this. You should probably stay at your--.”
“Not a fucking chance. Roll over and back that ass up and go to sleep. I’ll try to not fondle you in your sleep.”
I rolled over and scooted back against him. He kissed the back of my head until I fell asleep.
~
We spent the entire day as promised on Saturday, in bed. We didn’t get out of bed until noon on Sunday just in time to get showered and dressed and head to Jase and Carly’s house.
It was a beautiful home outside of town. There was a lot of land and no neighbors. Josephina was cooking when Xavier brought me into the kitchen.
“You made it?” She hugged me and kissed each of my cheeks. “You feeling better dear?”
“Yes thank you.”
“That means you’re being kind?” She kissed Xavier.
“Actually I went to the doctors. I do have a cold. No fever though so I shouldn’t be contagious. If that makes you uncomfortable I could--.”
She laughed, “No you’re stuck with us. Xavier go introduce her to the girls.”
We walked out and I held my stomach. “You okay?”
“Nervous. She must think I’m crazy I just can’t stop talking around her. Does that bother you? Are we going to fight about it? Should--.” He turned me to face him and kissed me. I laughed. “You’re doing that to shut me up?”
“More because I wanted to, but yeah a little bit. You may not get it but everyone you’re about to meet has been brainwashed just like you have been.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s all in the secret sauce.” I looked behind me and Zandor walked past us.
“Don’t start your shit already Z,” Xavier laughed.
Zandor stopped. “It’s family day, get your mind out of the gutter. I was talking about Momma’s marinara.”
“It’s not the sauce it’s the Italian sausage.” Cyrus walked past.
“And so it begins,” Xavier rolled his eyes and I smiled.
“Hey Taelyn,” Jase was next. “Carly would be out if she knew you were here but she’s a bit tired.” Jase winked. “You know how it is huh?”
I looked at Xavier and he shook his head.
“Suck it up X, we owe you.” Jase patted his shoulders and then yelled. “Hey Momma Joe you need some help with the balls?”
“Jase where is Bella?” she yelled from the kitchen.
“Setting up her Barbie stuff. She knows how much Xavier loves to play with them.”
“Fuck you Jase.” Xavier snapped.
I was worried he was going to get angry again.
He lifted my chin and kissed me again. “You ready to meet the coolest kid on the planet?”
“I am. Are you alright?”
“Better than alright. Let’s go.”
As soon as he walked into the enormous living room Bella screeched and ran and jumped Xavier’s arms. “I missed you Xavier Doll.”
“I missed you too Bella Doll.”
They hugged for a while before he introduced her to me. “Bella this is Taelyn, my girlfriend.” When he said girlfriend he looked freaked out. His expression made me laugh.
“Is your Mommy dead?” Bella smiled up at me.
I was a bit stunned, “No.”
“Oh well my Mom died, Carly’s mom died, and Tara’s parents both died. Is your Dad--.”
“Little Bell she just walked in the door and now I bet she thinks you’re as crazy as the rest of us. You where my ace in the hole. I was sure you’d be the one who would make her wanna stay.” He laughed and tickled her.
“Well now I’m just more intrigued Bella. So you did a good job.”
“Do you play Barbie’s?”
“Not as much as I used to but sometimes when I’m home I sneak them out of the closet and play.”
“No need to sneak them out here. I have tons of them, come on let’s play.” She grabbed my hand.
“How about we introduce her to Momma Carly, Tara, and Bekah first.”
“Fine,” she grumbled and pulled my hand towards the couches where they were all watching the interaction between us.
“I’m Tara,” the petite brunette stood up and shook my hand. “It’s nice to meet you Taelyn Cyrus said you were pretty cool, which means he likes you.”
“He seems like a nice guy. Nice to meet you.”
“This is Bekah.”
The tall curvy blonde stood up and I was immediately drawn to her necklace. “That necklace is gorgeous.”
“Thanks, Taelyn right?” Bekah stood and smiled as she shook my hand. “A gift from Zandor.”
“He has great taste.” She laughed like it was funny and so did I.
The other blonde stood. I stuck out my hand and she hugged me. “Taelyn Patrick. Irish right?”
“Yes, both my grandparents are immigrants.”
“I’m a quarter Irish, on the O’Donnell side.”
“Like Abe O’Donnell?”
“My cousin. That’s how I met Jase. Well sort of. It’s along very confusing story but it ends with a beautiful little Bell and this one.” She rubbed her belly.
“When are you due?”
“Two and a half months.”
“Do you know what you’re having?”
“We know it’s one. There’s an envelope in the kitchen drawer that will answer that question later I think. I’m just worried that Jase will chicken out.”
“Chicken out of what?”
“Learning our child’s sex.” She leaned in and whispered. “He thinks it can feel any action going on in there.”
I laughed and Jase looked over and rolled his eyes.
“He’s been a pain in the ass since he found out. I hope when you and Xavier do this he’s not like Jase.”
“Baby I can hear you. You don’t whisper all that quietly.” Jase scowled at her and she turned around and rolled her eyes.
I looked back at Jase and he was smiling adoringly at her.
“I don’t think he wants kids and I am nowhere near ready.”
She pointed to Bella and Xavier on the floor playing Barbie’s. “He’ll do just fine.”
“We have our own crazy thing going. In just three weeks I am in so deep it should scare the hell out of me, but it doesn’t.”
Carly took my hand and we sat on the couch. Bekah and Tara sat with us.
“The Steel boys are all alike.”
“I heard that,” Jase glanced over at Carly.
“I wasn’t trying to whisper Jase.” She tried to scowl and then laughed.
I looked over just as he pulled his tongue back in his mouth.
I snapped my head back around hoping they hadn’t seen me notice that exchange.
I looked at Carly and she laughed. “I love that thing.”
“Zandor’s tongue is pierced too.” Bekah smiled.
We all looked at Tara, “Nope he likes his ink. I have nipple piercings though.”
“I assume he likes those a lot huh?” I laughed.
“He loves me, every part of me. He is; I love that man so much and he feels exactly the same.” Her smile was so bright and sincere
They all looked at me I blushed. “He has a lot going on.”
They all laughed.
I felt his hand wrap around the back of my neck and he kissed my head, “What’s going on over here?”
“Taelyn says you have a lot going on. She won’t say what though.”
“Jase has a lot going on too that’s all you get. Come on Irish, let’s play some Barbie’s.”
“Penis, definitely penis,” Carly laughed. “You met the Prince huh?”
I laughed, “And his friends.”
“Alright you, let’s go.” He pulled me up.
“Wait what’s that means his friends?” Carly asked.
“Ask your husband,” Xavier laughed.
~
After Barbie’s and a very entertaining dinner Jase and Carly took Bella in the kitchen.
“Are you serious?” She yelled and laughed.
They came out holding hands. Jase sat down and pulled Carly on his lap.
“Little Bell has an announcement to make.”
She walked out beaming and waved a picture in the air. “It’s a girl, and a boy.”
Jase spit his drink all over the table.
“Carly.” He growled.
“What? I didn’t know. Oh dear God.” She closed her eyes and held her hand to her heart.
“Are you okay Baby?” Jase rubbed her back.
Bella laughed. “You got a girl Daddy, meaning me. The one in Momma Carly’s tummy is a boy. Look right here it says penis and testicles.”
The room fell silent and then Zandor, Cyrus, and even Xavier started laughing.
Bella laughed a big belly laugh, “Penis and--.”
“We get it Little Bell,” Jase laughed. “Get over here so I can squeeze you.”
She skipped towards him laughing and hugged him tight. “I’m still the Princess Daddy.”
“You are.” He looked up and winked at Carly. “Love you Baby.”
“Well good luck with a boy,” Momma Joe laughed and raised her glass of wine.
~
Monday was phenomenal I woke to Xavier’s tongue and then got to go to work and listen to him play guitar, drums, and even piano. He could sing too. All four artists signed with him. Billy who I knew Xavier was keeping close because he worried about me was the fourth. There was a very soft side to him that I enjoyed almost as much as his rough side, which I would never get enough of. I learned so much more about him every day.
He told me he didn’t want to spend time away from me be but would like it if when I was finished with school we could go to the shop a couple days a week. He missed it. I agreed, of course I agreed.
“That means you’ll stay here?”
I nodded.
“Thank God. I can’t lose you Irish.”
I couldn’t lose him either.
He consumed my life but he wanted me to consume his too. Four weeks into what started out as a way to deal with being cheated on and I was in love. Real love. The kind of love that knew no bounds. The kind of love that doesn’t leave you still feeling lonely. The kind of love I would have never known existed if Josephina Steel didn’t intervene.
By Wednesday I was exhausted but Carly, Bekah, Joe, Bella, and I were making bird houses and birds’ nests for the reception. Cyrus sent me a text of a sign he had hung on the addition he had built on their house and I nearly cried.
Friday I was invited to dinner and drinks with the girls. The men were going out to a club to play cards. I was a little uneasy about it but Xavier told me it was just a bunch of guys and the club was not up and running. Zandor owned it but ditched the idea of opening it when he met Bekah.
We were in the SUV and Carly was driving she had music pumping as she pulled onto the strip. She slowed down when we past the new tattoo shop that had Xavier and apparently his brother’s up in arms over.
She rolled down the window, laid on the horn, and flipped the crowd gathered in front of it off she leaned out the window. “Ink this bitches.”
She revved the engine and peeled out.
Bekah and Tara laughed, “You told them didn’t you Carly?”
“I said bitches and I flipped them off.” She was a little overly excited.
“You sure did,” Bekah laughed.
“Lame huh?” Carly giggled.
“I’d say your inner bad ass is almost there. You keep working on it Mrs. Steel,” Bekah giggled.
She pulled in the alley leading to the back of the shop.
“We don’t chicken out.” She said as she put the vehicle in park.
“No we don’t,” Tara laughed and got out.
“What are we doing?” I asked Bekah.
“Surprising the guys let’s go.”
I followed them in the back door and Momma Joe was waiting. “Let’s do this before my boys find out.”
We all followed her into the room. “Bekah what did you decide on?”
“Steel Kitten. Tramp stamp.” She grinned.
“Kat can do you. Are you alright with that?”
“I trust you Momma Joe. If you’re cool so am I.”
“Perfect. Carly, Jase will have a fit. Are you ready to deal with that?”
“You and I both researched it. Nothing big and if you do it he’ll be fine. On the back of my neck very small Forever Mrs. Steel. I want three little hearts. One that’s says Jase, one that say’s Bella, and one left empty. I want him to pick our sons name and ink me.”
“Good. And then Tara?”
Josephina Steel loved those girls. It could be seen in the love in her eyes and the reverence in her voice. And they loved her.
“On my side.” She looked at Carly, “You sure?” Carly nodded. “Forever Mrs. Steel, then the tattoo he fixed I want a little sign that’s says.” She cringed, “Cyrus’s nest?”
“Oh Tara that’s very naughty.” Joe laughed.
“If you don’t want to--.”
“No he will love it.” She smiled. “And you Taelyn?”
“Oh I’m just a spectator.”
“You’re more than a spectator. But if you’re not ready for the Steel name I understand.”
“He doesn’t want marriage. I wouldn’t do that to him.”
“We don’t do it to them Taelyn we do it for them,” she laughed. “He will and you’ll have no choice.”
“Irish.” I smiled. “I want Irish on the back of my neck. Nothing big.”
“Kat will have to do that. I don’t think my hand will allow it.” She laughed and so did I.