“That’s not a problem, Sweetheart. I thought it may be the case. I’ll contact the school office in the morning, and find out what other class options there are for you to take instead.” He offered kindly.
“Thanks Grant.”
“It was alright otherwise then, Honey? No other issues?” Keira pushed.
“Lunch sucked. There wasn’t really anything I could stomach, but Matt’s going to make lunch for me for tomorrow, so that’s that issue sorted too.”
“Steve Ellis was being a complete ass again at lunch though.” Cole added, looking at his Dad as he spoke.
“What do you mean?” Grant looked irritated already and my body tensed. I had wanted to keep this quiet, knowing there was nothing else Grant could do about it.
“He was just running his mouth, looking for a fight.” Matt replied.
“Yeah, and he’d have gotten himself one if Livy hadn’t stopped us. The things he was saying about her were unacceptable.” Cole snapped, clearly still wound up about the whole thing.
“If you’d have hit him, he would have got what he wanted. Walking away like we did, was the wisest thing to do.” I argued, trying to calm him down some.
“Livy stood up to him today, made it clear she was no easy target.” Cole told everyone, making me blush.
“She was awesome.” Matt agreed.
“Good for you Honey. You show him.” Keira cheered, and everyone laughed, the tension broken.
“Just keep me updated if he bothers any of you again. I’m going to keep notes on the situation in case it needs to be taken further.” Grant asked once we had all settled back to eating. We all agreed we would, and Cole offered to write down everything Steve had said that day, for the record too.
Once everyone was finished Keira and I volunteered to clean up and load the dishwasher, while the guys all took Evie to the media room to watch a movie.
Keira finished clearing the table as I set to loading the huge dishwasher. I was just stacking the plates when Keira walked in and busily sorted the dishes into piles.
“So, Cole mentioned you had issues with the girls at school today?” She asked, and I knew instantly she had engineered this whole situation to get me alone.
“It was fine. I can handle it.” I shrugged.
“Was it because of the guys? Did you decide to be open about your relationship?”
“Of course we decided to be open, Keira. I am proud of what I have with the guys. No one is ever going to make me cow down and hide that. People will judge, so what? Not my problem.” I shrugged again and carried on with the dishes.
“While I admire every word you just said Olivia, and completely agree, it can still be very hard to deal with people victimising you, especially girls. They can be so ruthless.” She said softly.
“It’s mainly one giirl, May. She wants Cole for herself and did not like when Cole introduced me as his girlfriend. Later she saw me kiss Matt, and announced to everyone I was sleeping with them both. She thought I’d be intimidated, but I just shrugged off her crap and corrected her assumptions, letting her know I was with Cole and all of his brothers. I wasn’t embarrassed or shy about it. I don’t see why I should be. I love the guys, and they love me. We’re not doing anything wrong. It’s up to us who or how many we share our heart with, isn’t it?”
“Of course it is sweetie. When it comes to love, there are no rules, and anyone who thinks they can set rules around it, has never actually experienced it. I love that you stood your ground and told them the truth. I just worry about the backlash you may now face.” I stopped what I was doing and looked up to her, not liking the amount of worry in her words.
“I can handle it. There was some name calling, and they targeted me in gym class, but the guys protected me as much as they could from the flying balls, and I rose above the petty crap. May might be an issue. She waited for me after everyone left the locker room, and tried to start something. Luckily Kyle’s training kicked in, and she ended up on the floor, not me. I’m hoping she might think twice before coming at me again now, but if she doesn't, then I’ll handle it.”
“I’m so wowed by how much stronger you’ve become since you arrived here, Honey. You are an amazingly resilient woman.”
“Some situations are easier than others. Some kids trying to get under my skin is nothing I can’t handle after what has happened to me. Set the security alarm off though, or put me in a noisy crowded space, and I won't be quite so brave.”
“You’re doing amazing Livy, and we are all so proud of you. Don't get disheartened by the hard days. PTSD is a hard thing to deal with. It hits you when you least expect it sometimes and others when you think it will, it doesn’t. The healing you have to do is a very long journey that you can never predict, but you are doing so well so far. Just keep moving forward and try to take things as they come. In time the hard days will be so far between, you’ll barely notice them.”
“Thanks Keira.” I sighed, loving the sound of this magical time ahead, when I got to just be me, without the lingering fear and darkness. I wasn’t entirely sure it was within grasp for me, but I knew there was more hope with my guys at my side.
“Just remember,
