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Navy
Twenty (ish) years later...
“MOM!” BRETT CRIED, rushing through the back door of the house, and flopping onto one of the benches on the kitchen banquet.
“Yes, fruit of my loins?”
“Ew, gross.” My drop dead gorgeous, seventeen-year-old daughter flipped her blonde curls over her shoulder with a huff. “God, mom, I don’t need to know about your loins.”
I turned off the tap water and faced her as I wiped my hands. “You wanna stow that attitude and tell me what’s going on, or walk that bum outside and start again?”
She rolled her eyes, but did, in fact, stow the attitude. “Sorry.”
“Forgiven. Now, what’s going on?”
“Daddy and Gage are ganging up on me.”
“How are they ganging up on you?”
“Daddy said that I could go to prom with a date, but only if Gage okays the guy.”
I bit my lip to keep from laughing. Of course Cade would pull something like that. I sighed. “And I take it you’ve been asked, or want to be asked by someone in particular?”
“Sort of. Marci heard from Laura, who heard from Charlotte, who heard from Tiff that Bowen Weaver was going to ask me, and Gage said, ‘No way in hell is my sister going to be another conquest for that douche bag.’” She pitched her voice low like she did whenever she mimicked her brother, and once again, I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.
“Okay, so why does he think Bowen is a douche bag?” I asked.
She threw her hands up. “I have no idea. He’s the star running back for the varsity team. He’s, like, the cutest boy in school, and if he asks me, I’ll get total cred.”
Brett was beautiful in all the ways girls were beautiful, but she had a little bit of my awkward shyness and if she hadn’t had her ‘cool’ brother looking out for her, I had a feeling she would have been shunned in high school much like I was. She also had to work a little harder for her grades.
Gage was every bit like his father. Quarterback, funny, charming, the only difference was he was a whiz with maths and he might just cure cancer in the future. He had a love for robotics and the local high school offered an amazing program that focused on the sciences including robotics, which we steered him towards. He refused to go because Brett wouldn’t get to go with him. He was all about his little sister (by six minutes) and the protection of her at all times.
We’d compromised and allowed them to go to the same school as long as Gage did a few extra classes that involved his passions, which he excelled at.
We’d stayed in my home after we’d gotten married, opting to do a major renovation (while I was pregnant) because I had such a large plot of land. The house Cade had been renovating when we met became one of four rentals we still owned. Luckily, Cade and his brothers were good at what they did and finished our forever home three months before I gave birth. Of course, being married to a ‘fixer’ meant he could always find something to upgrade, but for the most part, we were settled.
“Well, honey, do you want to go to the prom with him because you like him or because he’ll give you ‘cred’?”
Her head whipped toward me, and her expression was one of surprise. She obviously hadn’t thought of that.
“They still shouldn’t get involved,” she grumbled. “They’re worse than Devon.”
“Well, Devon had to watch Poppy date a few losers and it was torture. He’s going to be extra protective of his baby sister, honey, you can count on that.”
Before Brett could say anything further, Cade and Gage walked in, and Brett hit her brother with a stare that could melt steal.
“What?” he retorted. “He’s an asshole and you know it.”
“And Selena’s a whore and yet, you’re taking her to prom.”
“Brett!” I admonished. “That is not nice. We don’t slut shame in this house.”
“But we douche shame?” she challenged.
I dragged my hands down my face and turned away from her as I tried not to bust out laughing.
“That’s not a thing,” Gage said. “And Selena’s not a slut.”
“She’s sucked off your entire team, how is that not—”
“Brett Dorothy Wallace, get up to your room. Now,” I snapped, facing her again, and pointing upstairs.
Brett let out a frustrated groan and stormed out of the kitchen, and just like the angry teenager she was, every one of her footsteps could be heard stomping up the stairs.
“What the hell is going on with her?” I rasped.
“She’s getting bullied,” Gage said.
“What?” Cade and I said in unison.
“You need to start talkin’, kid,” Cade said, crossing his arms. “Quick.”
He sighed. “I don’t know if I want to tell you because I don’t want you pissed at me.”
“Are you bullying her?” I asked in horror.
“Mom,” he bit out. “Of course not.”
“Gage,” Cade warned.
“Selena started it,” Gage said. “She’s been getting her little friends to make snide comments, pull her hair, leave bloody pads in her locker and shit, and just generally make her look bad.”
“Then, why are you taking her to prom?” I asked.
He shook his head.
“You’ve got a plan, don’t you?” Cade said.
Gage shrugged.
“What kind of plan?” I asked.
“Mom, it’s better you don’t know.”
“Gage, outside of the fact it’s your senior year of high school. If you do something to this girl and lose your scholarships or ruin your chance at graduating, this is a young woman and her reputation...”
“It’s not like I’m going to dump pig’s blood on her,” he said, then cocked his head. “Although...”
Cade chuckled. “Kid.”
Gage raised his hands in surrender. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to do anything stupid. I’m not even going to do anything as mean as she and her bitch friends have done to Brett.”
I sighed, jabbing a finger toward my husband of over twenty years. “Manage this, Lumpy. I’m going to talk to our daughter.”
I made my way to Brett’s room and knocked on the door, pushing it open when she said, “Come in.”
She was face-down on her mattress, her head turned toward her window, our dog, Waffles, sitting on her back. We’d lost Pickles three years ago and Brett had been inconsolable, so Cade had surprised her with a new puppy for her sixteenth birthday.
I sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her back. Waffles shifted so he could snuggle between the two of us. “Hey, my little pukeko.”
“Hi.”
“You want to tell Mummy what’s going on?”
“I miss Grandma Dot.”
Dottie almost made it to one hundred, and she’d loved Brett the best. They’d been the closest of friends all the way until the end. Brett would insist on going over to see her every day after school and Dot would eat with us every night. When it came time for hospice care, Brett couldn’t deal. In the end, we worked out an agreement with the school that Brett could complete her work from ‘home,’ so that she could spend all of Dot’s awake time with her and didn’t go back to in-person learning until after Dot passed.
“I miss her too, sweetheart.” I stretched out beside her and pulled her close. “Why didn’t you tell me you were being bullied?”
“Stupid Gage—”
“Don’t be mad at your brother, he’s just worried about you.”
“I know. But it still stands, Mom. There’s no use in telling. Telling just makes things worse.”
“But you also have the right to feel safe at school.”
“Gage makes sure I feel safe. Well, mostly.”
“What do you mean, mostly?”
She sighed. “I’m almost done, Mom. Just let it go.”
* * *
Cade
“Son, I think I’ve instilled right and wrong in you enough to know that you don’t go fuckin’ with a woman’s reputation.”
“I know, Dad,” Gage said. “I don’t plan to. Honestly, I’m just going to bail on her the night of.”
“What’s the definition of integrity, Gage?”
“Doing what you say you’re gonna do,” he grumbled.
“Then if this girl’s really fuckin’ with your sister like you say she is, give her at least twenty-four hours’ notice.”
Gage grinned. “I can do that.”
“And do not tell your mother I told you that.”
“I won’t,” he promised just as the front doorbell pealed.
“Probably Nico,” Gage said, making his way to answer it.
Nico Sullivan was one of Connor’s ‘recruits.’ He was too young to prospect, just turned eighteen and still in high school, but he’d attached himself to my brother much like a barnacle to a ship. The only kid of a single mom who worked at Blush, one of the club’s properties, Gage had met him at a family night and the two had become fast friends.
He was a good kid, a little rough around the edges, but he and Gage were tight and seemed to keep each other straight.
Nico and Gage walked back into the kitchen just as Navy and Brett walked down the back stairs. It wasn’t lost on me that my daughter suddenly hid behind her mother just as her face went bright red the second she saw Nico.
I took a deep breath and crossed my arms. Well, shit.
“Hi, Nico,” Navy said. “How are you, sweetie?”
“I’m good, Mrs. Wallace, thanks. Mom says hi.”
“Say hi back.” Navy smiled. “Are you staying for dinner?”
Brett made a weird choking sound in the back of her throat as she tried to disappear into the wallpaper.
“Mom’s making lasagna,” Gage said.
“No way!” Nico said. “That’s my favorite. I’d love to stay, if that’s okay. Mom’s working.”
“There’s plenty,” Navy said. “It’ll be ready in about an hour.”
Nico seemed to notice Brett then and frowned. “Have you been cryin’, Brett?”
My daughter let out a quiet squeak, her face flaming again.
“Bowen Weaver,” Gage said.
“That jerk?” Nico said.
“Rumors around school are he’s gonna ask her to prom,” Gage said.
“Gage,” Brett hissed, glaring at her brother.
“You don’t wanna go to prom with that guy,” Nico said. “He beats puppies.”
“What?” Brett breathed out.
“He does?” Gage asked.
Nico shrugged. “Not sure, but he seems like the type to me.”
“Agreed,” Gage said.
“I’ll take you to prom,” Nico said, turning to me. “If that’s okay, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace.”
Brett’s entire face lit up like a pinball machine and Navy and I glanced at each other. Fuck me, my baby girl was growing up.
“We can all go together,” Gage said.
“I’m not going to prom with her,” Brett bit out.
Gage sighed. “Well, neither am I.”
“What?” Brett asked.
“It was all a ruse,” Nico said.
“What’s going on?” Navy asked, and Gage filled her in on the ‘plan.’
“The deal is, though, Brett, you can’t tell her about it,” Gage said. “Got it?”
“Yes. That is awesome!” Brett rushed her brother, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You are the best big brother, ever.”
“Gage James Wallace!” my wife admonished after a few seconds of her own stunned silence. “No. Absolutely not. I forbid you to humiliate that girl like that.”
“Mom, they’ve been pretty brutal to Brett,” Gage said. “I’m not even standing Selena up. Just letting her know ahead of time that I’m not taking her.”
“People cancel dates all the time, baby,” I pointed out.
“You promise you’re not doing anything other than that?” Navy pressed.
Gage made the shape of a cross over his chest. “Swear, Mama.”
“Are you ready for her revenge, though?” Brett asked.
Gage and Nico shared a look I didn’t think I liked, and then Gage said, “Absolutely.”
Navy let out a groan and raised her hands. “I don’t want to know.”
“Probably smart,” I said, wrapping my arm around her before turning to Nico. “Navy and I’ll talk about you takin’ Brett to the prom and get back to you.”
He smiled. “Awesome. Thanks.”
“You kids go do your thing,” Navy said. “I’ll call you when it’s time for dinner.”
Gage and Nico headed to the basement, but Brett hung back, squeezing between us for a hug. “I really want you to say yes to Nico, okay?” she whispered.
“We’ll keep that in mind,” I promised.
She met my eyes and then nodded, skipping off to follow the boys.
“She cannot grow up,” Navy avowed, dropping her head to my chest. “I’m not ready.”
“Me neither,” I admitted, kissing the crown of her head.
“Yo!” Connor called out from the front of the house.
“Is that Hatch?” Navy asked.
“Yeah, he was swinging by on his way home from the shop to drop off a part for my truck.”
“Oh, right,” she said. “The truck. Does that mean it’ll be out of my garage soon?”
“Kitchen,” I called back. “Yes, baby, it’ll be out of the garage soon.”
“Why’s your door unlocked?” he demanded walking our way.
“Gage,” Navy and I said in unison.
“I’ll talk to him,” I said.
“I didn’t hear your bike,” Navy said, hugging him.
“I’ve got Maisie’s car. Had to do a service on it, so I figured I’d just drive it today.”
She chuckled. “Poor man, having to drive the Mercedes.”
Hatch laughed. “I’d rather have my dick nailed to a wall than drive a fuckin’ sedan, even if it’s a Mercedes. But don’t tell my woman that.”
“Uncle Hatch!” Brett squealed taking a running leap at her uncle.
Hatch caught her, giving her a squeeze before setting her down. “Hey, baby girl.”
“Please tell Dad Nico can take me to prom.”
“What the fuck now?”
“Nico asked me to prom,” Brett said. “Dad said he was going to talk to Mom and then decide, but if you say yes, then Dad’ll say yes.” She clapped her hands and jumped up and down. “Please?”
Connor raised an eyebrow my way and I shook my head. “Brett, your uncle has no say in this decision.”
She clasped her hands in front of her and batted her eyelashes. “But...”
“Nice try,” Navy added.
“Fine. Break my heart,” she said, throwing the back of her hand to her forehead dramatically.
Connor laughed. “Jesus, sweetheart, you give Poppy a run for her money.”
Brett gave him a mock curtsy. “Thank you.”
“Oh, lord,” Navy said, leaning harder against me. “Away with you.”
Brett flitted away with a giggle, and I shook my head. “We’re doomed.”
Connor nodded. “Hell yeah, you are. But not if she goes to prom with Nico.”
I crossed my arms. “How do you figure?”
“He’s a good kid. He also knows that if he does anything to disrespect my niece, I’ll chop his dick off.”
“There’s something to be said for that,” Navy said.
I shrugged. “I don’t have a problem with Nico as a whole.”
“Just boys in general,” Navy provided.
“Well, yeah,” I said. “She’s my little girl.”
Connor nodded. “I get that.”
“I think we can probably let them go if we set some ground rules,” Navy said.
“We’ll let them know at dinner,” I said, and Navy nodded.
“Do you want to stay for dinner, Hatch?”
“Nah, I need to get home. Maisie’s cooking.” He grinned, then turned to me. “I’ve got that part in the car if you want to come grab it.”
“Sure.” I kissed Navy quickly, then followed my brother outside.
* * *
Navy
I kissed my way up Cade’s body after having just experienced my third orgasm of the night. “You know, Lumpy, we’re old. Sex is supposed to be getting less and less frequent.”
He squeezed my bum. “Don’t put that out into the universe, beautiful. I intend to fuck you until we’re geriatric.”
“What if I have to have dentures?”
I ginned. “Even better. Your blow jobs’ll be smooth as silk.”
I chuckled, kissing his neck. “Works for me.”
“You feelin’ okay about Nico and Brett goin’ to prom?”
“Yes,” I said. “Are you?”
“Hell, no.”
I stroked his chest. “Gage will be there, Lumpy, and you heard Hatch, Nico’s been warned.”
He shifted so he was hovering over me. “Have I thanked you lately for my babies? Devon included.”
“I can’t really take credit for Devon, honey.”
“Yeah you can. You fuckin’ saved that kid’s life.”
“Don’t say that,” I breathed out.
“You gave him a mother, baby. Don’t discount that.”
I sighed. “I have loved being his stepmom, honey, but I never wanted to make him feel like he had to choose.”
Cade smiled. “He knew that.”
“Good.”
“Thank you for my babies, my life, loving me. But most of all, thank you for breaking through my armor.”
I smiled. “Same, Lumpy.”
* * *
Present Day...
“I can’t believe they’re giving this to me, Lumpy,” I said as we drove to the fairgrounds.
It was Felida Days again and I was being presented with the Woman of the Year award.
“Why can’t you believe it, beautiful?” he asked as we pulled into the parking lot. “You do more for this community than any man or woman combined.”
“I don’t think that’s true.”
He let out a not so quiet snort. “It’s true.”
“Whatever Trevor.”
Before he could respond, someone knocked on my window and I let out a quiet squeak.
“Sorry,” Maisie said, pulling open my door. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, love.”
“No worries.” I laughed, stepping out and hugging my sister-in-law. “You’re here early.”
“I have a surprise for you.” She glanced at Cade who was now by my side. “Well, we have a surprise for you.”
I frowned. “What kind of surprise?”
“A good one I hope,” came the very familiar sound of my best friend’s voice.
I spun to find Nicola walking toward me with Hatch right behind her. I let out what could only be described as a guttural cry and ran toward her as I burst into tears.
“What are you doing here?” I asked through broken sobs.
“I was not about to miss you being honored as Woman of the Year,” she said, holding me close. “Cade set it up, so I’ve been staying with Hatch and Maisie for the last few days so we could keep it all a surprise.”
“Oh my god, I cannot believe you managed to keep it from me,” I said to Cade.
“I’ve never lied to you, so it wasn’t easy,” he admitted.
I wrapped my arms around my husband and squeezed him tight. “I cannot even put into words the depth of love I have for you, Lumpy.”
“Mom!” Gage called, and I turned to see my kids walking toward me, including Devon, Poppy, and their kids.
And Nico.
Holding my daughter’s hand.
Prom had gone off without a hitch and Selena had bowed out with a grace no one had expected. I suspected there had been more to the story but decided not to ask too many questions, choosing plausible deniability.
Brett pulled me in for a hug. “Don’t be mad. I love him, Mom.”
“You’re eighteen, honey, I’m not mad.”
She relaxed. “But there’ll be a lecture later, right?”
“Oh, yeah,” I said. “With PowerPoint slides.”
Jim and Reed had arrived, along with Cricket, and her man, Minus. Cameron and Cullen followed a few minutes later, which made our family complete.
“Will’s head’s going to explode if we don’t get in there,” Cade said, nodding to my assistant who was waving at me from the other side of the ticket booth.
Will O’Donnell had been with me for ten years, and he was the best assistant I’d ever had. After Alisa, I’d had a series of nonstarters, probably because I’d been too scared to commit to someone I couldn’t trust. But once I’d found Will, he’d assuaged all my fears and become not only one of my closest friends, but someone I could trust in my business endeavors as well.
Our little crowd made our way into the fairgrounds and to the big top where Will introduced Nicola, who bestowed the award for Woman of the Year upon me, and I stood up in front of my family and colleagues, my heart full beyond measure.
For a shy, awkward girl from a tiny little island in the South Pacific, I’d certainly found my voice and been given more love than I would ever feel I deserve in a lifetime.
