by Santo, JC
When the time to eat comes, I'm pleasantly surprised when we all sit at the large dining room table and Charlie sits right beside me.
The entire way through our grand lunch, every so often a hand is placed on my thigh.
We shouldn’t do anything that could out us, but who am I to refuse him? These are exactly the small, intimate gestures I craved when we were sleeping together.
It started off with his hand on my knee, but when I didn’t swat him away, Charlie took it as a green light to travel farther up toward my thigh. His hand toyed with me the entire dinner. At first I didn’t want him messing with me at all, but that changed quickly when he brushed up against my high inner thigh.
I don’t know if it’s the new relationship Charlie I’m seeing or if it’s the fact that he’s forbidden from touching me today, but he seems extra touchy-feely. And I secretly love it.
The sweet grazes as he passes by me, the longing glances from across the room, the hidden touch at every possibility; it’s actually a turn on for me. I know it shouldn’t be since I’m in my sister’s house on Thanksgiving.
I should be focused on my sister catching us, not how Charlie’s hand is slowly moving higher up my thigh. Tessa’s father-in-law is sitting across from me talking to me about my courses right now, and it’s impossible to concentrate.
The longer we sit at the dinner table with Charlie secretly touching me, the more I question why we’re hiding us from everyone.
Thankful doesn’t begin to describe how I feel when dinner is over and everyone disperses around the house.
Needing a moment to myself to calm my teenage hormones down, I escape to the bathroom down the hall. The door barely has time to click shut before the handle begins to jingle from the outside.
With a deep sigh, and a quick, silent pep-talk, I turn the handle. I’m surprised when the door is pushed, causing me to scoot farther into the bathroom to keep from getting hit by it.
Frustration and shock run through me, but both are long forgotten when Charlie enters and shuts the door behind him.
He clicks the lock, the sound echoing through the small room.
It’s a long, narrow bathroom, but his presence makes it seem like we’re crammed in a small closet. And his silence and intense stare are daunting.
Reed
I’ve fought myself all fucking day. The only thing I’ve wanted to do since the moment I walked into Hunter’s house is wrap my arm around her waist and claim her as my woman to everyone here.
Granted, yes, I know she’s mine, but I want everyone else to know too.
I wanted to sit beside her during lunch, however, I quickly realized that was an awful idea when I couldn’t keep my hands to myself. It took everything in me to not run my hand all the way up her thigh.
She let out a couple slight moans when my hand would get near her panties; I thought for sure she would have either stopped me or we would have gotten caught.
After that, I knew I needed to get her alone for a few minutes. When she disappeared to the bathroom, I asked Marshall to cover for us both and snuck off to follow her.
Now that I’m in here with her, I’m stunned by how beautiful she truly is. Reality just slapped me in the face. Me, the eternal bachelor, is falling in love with this woman.
I never thought love was a possibility for me, it wasn’t something I ever wanted, but with Tegan, I do. I want it all, and I’m slowly working on getting it.
With that realization, I close the space between us and plant my lips to hers in a harsh kiss. Her arms grip the front of my shirt as I grab the back of her thighs and lift her up to the counter, placing myself firmly between her legs.
Our kiss seems to last forever and it has a whole different feeling, at least for me. What I really want to do is take her back to one of our apartments, or anywhere more private than a fucking guest bathroom.
The rap of knuckles on the door causes us to break apart.
“Come on, lovebirds, Tegan is being looked for,” Marshall’s hushed voice carries through the wood.
We both stare for a moment longer, lost in each other gazes while we catch our breaths.
“What the hell was that for?” Tegan finally asks.
A small chuckle escapes my lips. “Babe, I’ve been dying to kiss you all day.” I place another small kiss to her lips. “And I know we talked about this, but I really want to talk to your sister and Hunter today.”
“What about Tessa’s stress, though?” Her immediate concern goes to her sister and not to her own happiness.
“Tessa is a big girl. You can’t keep living your life trying to do right by her. You have to do right by yourself first.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“I know.” I wink at her. “Guess we better get back out there, huh?”
With a small smile and slight nod, I help guide her off the counter and open the door, allowing her to lead the way.
While Tegan starts on the enormous pile of dirty dishes with her right-hand man, Marshall, I go in search of Hunter.
I know Tegan suggested we wait on telling everyone, but I don’t want to. I’m sick of hiding us.
Tessa is sitting on the deck on a patio loveseat, watching Sawyer, Hunter, and J.C. play in the backyard. Things between Tess and me have been strained since she first caught me kissing Tegan and confronted us. I’m not surprised when Hunter leaves Sawyer and J.C. to join us on the deck.
“Hey, you guys, I wanna talk to you for a minute.”
Tessa looks apprehensively at Hunter who shrugs his shoulders and sits down beside his pregnant wife, wrapping one hand around her back and the other immediately going to rest on her stomach. I sit across from them and prepare myself for this conversation that could go many different ways.
“So, I’m just going to come right out and say this, because fuck if I know how to beat around the bush with it. I think I’m falling in love with Tegan.”
“What?” they both simultaneously shout.
“Shhh. I haven’t told her yet, so I’d appreciate it if you two would keep it to yourselves for now.”
With an exaggerated exhale, Tessa gets up and walks inside the house without another word said to me.
“Holy shit, dude.” Hunter is shocked by my confession.
“Reed, what the hell did we miss?”
Before I’m able to answer, Tessa comes back outside with Tegan and Marshall trailing behind.
“We obviously need a family talk,” she says as an explanation.
Tegan says nothing but looks timid and scared by this whole situation.
“Tegan and I are together. We’ve been seeing each other for about a month now,” I rise from my seat and pull her to my side, wrapping my arm around her waist like I’ve been dying to do all day. “I fucked up before by keeping everything between us a secret before, and I don’t want to do that again,” I say the last part more to Tegan than anyone else.
“It’s about fucking time,” I hear Marshall yell behind me, followed by a “Wooohooo” from J.C. in the yard.
“So everyone knew about this except us?” Hunter asks.
“I think so,” Tegan quietly responds.
“Bug, why wouldn’t you tell me?”
“You were so upset before. I didn’t want us to have another falling out.” Tegan’s eyes begin to water.
“Tegan, I’m so sorry. I was just worried about you, I only had your best intentions at heart when I disapproved of y’all. I want you happy, and if Reed makes you happy, then I’m supportive.”
“He does,” Tegan says as she hugs Tessa.
The sisters part and I pull Tegan into a kiss. Right in front of everyone.
We pull apart to the sound of Tegan’s niece, Sawyer’s voice.
“Why is Weed kissin’ Teevan?”
Everyone breaks out in laughter, releasing any leftover tension.
Hours later—after leaving Hunter and Tess’s house—we’re both curled up in my bed while I slowly stroke Tegan’s blonde locks
.
One huge burden has been removed from my chest, and I can proudly show off this amazing woman sleeping next to me to any and everyone. I’ve never been a public affection person, but I guess falling in love with a person changes all the rules.
I feel myself starting to drift asleep when the buzzing of Tegan’s phone catches my attention. I lean over and grab it; I don’t want her to wake up. She’s been on her feet all day and is exhausted.
Hunter.
I look at the time in the top right corner of the screen, 1:05 AM. Really late for Hunter to call—unless something is wrong.
I don’t give myself another moment to contemplate what could be wrong, I swipe the screen and connect the call.
“Hello?” I say in a hushed tone.
“Reed? Hey, we’re headed to the hospital. Tessa’s felt lightheaded for the past few hours; I think it’s her blood pressure again.”
“Fuck, she okay? What do you need us to do? Where’s Sawyer?” I fire off a line of questions as I separate myself from Tegan and exit the bedroom.
“She’s alright, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up staying in the hospital for a night or two for observation. I don’t know anything just yet, let us get to the hospital and see what they say. I just wanted to give Tegan a head’s up. And Sawyer is at my dad’s house for the night so no need to worry about her.”
“Okay, I’m getting dressed now, and I’ll get Tegan up. We’ll be there shortly.”
“Reed, don’t wake her up, I know she’s gotta be worn out.”
“Hunter, you think I haven’t been prepped on this? She’s going to want to be there just in case.”
He laughs. “You know, for you being the ‘anti-relationship guy’ you’re already a few steps ahead of a lot of guys. I’ll let Tess know, and we’ll see you guys in a few, man.”
“Alright, man.”
We hang up and I wake Tegan so we can hopefully go meet these babies.
Tegan
Coming out as a couple to my brother- in-law and sister went so much better than I had anticipated. Even though I was against it at first, I’m glad Charlie persuaded me to tell them.
I wanted to maul him when we both arrived back at my apartment, but exhaustion won me over. Charlie was overly attentive to my needs, even more so than normal. He undressed me and curled me into his side like we typically do and, toyed with my hair until I succumbed to sleep.
Things seem so much lighter, a heavy weight gone between us. I know there are still things we need to work through, but today was a huge step in the right direction for us.
I expected Tessa to overreact when she found out, like the way she did after she caught us kissing at her wedding. She seemed like she was apprehensive at first, but then was okay with it. I could be wrong. Perhaps once the realization that her little sister is dating her friend Reed sets in, then her anger will come out.
While I would have liked to sleep for a solid ten hours or so, I’m jolted awake when Charlie plops down on the bed and begins lightly shaking my shoulder.
“Babe, wake up. Tegan, come on, you gotta get up. We have to go,” he lightly whispers.
“What?” I groggily acknowledge him. All I want is to go back to sleep.
“We have to go, Hunter just called your phone.”
I’m suddenly wide awake. For Hunter to call in the middle of the night means something is going on with Tessa and the babies.
“What’s wrong?” I sit up quickly, trying to untangle my legs from the blanket.
Charlie grabs a hold of my shoulders. “Hey, relax. Everyone is okay right now; Tessa has felt lightheaded for a couple hours now so Hunter is taking her to the ER just in case. He called to give you a heads up.”
He hands me my phone then walks across the room and grabs my shoes to bring them over to me.
I finally take in his clothing—Charlie is fully dressed.
“Why are your clothes on?”
“I knew you’d want to go check on Tess. You didn’t think I was letting you go alone, did you?”
“Charlie, you don’t have to. Stay here and get some sleep,” I stand and start searching for my jeans from earlier. “You’ve got to work tomorrow, and I’m sure it’ll be a long night in a hospital waiting room.”
He winks at me and leaves the room without a word.
I shoot Hunter a text, letting him know I’ll be there shortly and quickly dress. I don’t know all of the details, but I do know that Tess wouldn’t allow Hunter to take her to the hospital if she didn’t feel like it was serious.
Charlie waltzes back in carrying two tumblers full of coffee.
“You ready?”
“Charlie, you don’t have to come, really,” I plead again. I don’t think he knows what he’s getting into by volunteering to come.
“I said I’m going, so I’m going.”
“But Charlie—”
“Tegan, enough. Just hours ago I told our friends we’re together and I was able to kiss you without hiding it, do you really think I’m going to pass up any opportunity to be somewhere with you out in the open now?” His spill has me silent. “And on top of that, if those babies decide to grace us with their presence today, I want to be there for you, your sister, and Hunter.”
My phone chimes with an incoming text.
Hunter: Take ur time…gettin admitted now.
Me: K.
“What’d he say?”
“They’re admitting Tess, so it’ll be a little bit before I know what room she’ll be in,” I explain.
We walk into the living room and take a seat together on the couch.
“So, we didn’t really get a chance to talk afterward last night after everything was said and done,” Charlie says as he wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer to his side. “You okay with what I did? I know I kinda pushed telling everyone onto you.”
He almost looks shy, unsure of himself as he speaks. His eyes are cast down.
“No.”
“No?”
“Yeah, you asked if I’m okay with it and I’m not.” He stares at my outspokenness. “I’m more than okay with it, Charlie.”
I lean in and kiss him.
“Yeah?”
“Absolutely. I’m glad we don’t have to hide anymore.”
“Me too, babe. I couldn’t help it. I know we wanted to wait, but not being allowed to touch you throughout the whole day was horrible. You’re damn lucky I didn’t stake claim on you the minute I walked into the house yesterday morning.”
I tilt my head down to hide the blush creeping along my cheeks. Charlie’s hand lifts my chin up to face him again.
“Have you heard from Hunter again, yet?”
“Not yet. He said he’ll text me whenever they’re settled in a room,” I say checking my phone again. “I’m nervous for her.”
“Don’t be. Tessa is a badass, she can handle this.”
I’m sure Charlie is right, but my sister has always worried for me, now it’s my turn to worry for her.
Since moving here, I’ve become even closer to Tessa. That’s why I had such a difficult hard time dealing with the big fight and the two of us not speaking. I know we still have our parents and brother back home, but we have a special sister bond. I rely on her more than anyone else in my family.
“Let’s go ahead and get to the hospital. I’ll try calling Hunter again on the way to see if there’s any updates.” Charlie must sense by anxiousness.
It doesn’t take either of us long to gather our stuff and we’re out the door. I hop in the passenger seat of Charlie’s truck, and he puts his phone to his ear as he climbs into the driver’s seat.
“Hey, man, we’re headed up there, any news yet?”
Unfortunately, I can’t hear anything Hunter is saying, and Charlie’s facial expression gives very little away. This one-sided conversation of grunts and uh-huhs is driving me up the wall.
“Okay, you need us to grab anything?”
What? I don’t want to stop a
nd pick up anything! I want to get to the hospital and find out what’s going on with my sister.
Just as I’m ready to snatch the phone away from him, he ends the call.
“Alright, man, we’ll see you in a few then.”
He sits the phone on the center console and proceeds to fidget with the radio, completely disregarding informing me.
“Well?” He glances over at me with a blank face, “You gonna fill me in?”
Reed
It was hard as hell to keep a straight face when I was on the phone with Hunter. I’m still torn on whether or not to tell Tegan what’s happening or wait until we arrive at the hospital for her to be informed.
“We need to get there as fast as possible, babe.” I glance over as I peer out the back window to reverse out of the parking spot.
“Charlie, what’s going on? Is everything okay?” Her voice does nothing to hide her fear.
So much for waiting until we get to the hospital. She needs to know now what’s going on.
“Tess was right with her concerns earlier. When they got to the emergency room, her blood pressure was high, so they admitted her immediately due to her being high-risk with the twins,” I glance over to see her hand covering her mouth. “Hunter said they are prepping her for a C-section.”
“Oh my God, we have to get there now!”
“I’m going, just calm down. She doesn’t need you running in there freaking out, Tegan. You’ve gotta stay relaxed for her.”
We pull into the parking garage and both practically jump from the truck as soon as I place it in park and remove the keys from the ignition.
Before Tegan is able to take off running toward the elevator and hospital entrance, I grab her by the elbow and pull her into me. I wrap my arms around her waist and simply embrace her. We stand like that for a few silent minutes together before I place my forehead against hers.
