We spend the rest of the night cuddling on the couch watching TV. It may seem boring to most, but to me it’s everything. Being happy to just be together, no matter what we are doing, that is something special.
She falls asleep and I carry her to her bed and lay her down. I strip down to my boxers and climb in next to her, pulling her to me. I fall asleep, just like she said, with a smile on my face.
The next week goes by quickly. McKinley has had to work at the restaurant a lot, but regardless we have spent every night together. It’s becoming so that when she isn’t next to me, I find it hard to sleep.
The girls are coming tomorrow, and I can’t wait. It’s been far too long since they were here last and I’ll admit, I was nervous that Sarah would be a bitch and wouldn’t let them come. Although, that would be going against court orders and I’m sure she isn’t going to take any chances at this point.
I’m finishing up making a sandwich when my doorbell rings. Not sure who would be stopping by, I open the door wondering who it could be. Kallie, Jax, Blake, and London are standing there. “Hey, guys. What’s up?” I ask, holding the door open for them.
“Nothing. We just wanted to stop by and see what you had planned for tonight,” Kallie says, walking into the kitchen.
I look around at all of them and shake my head. “So instead of calling, you all just decided to show up at my house in the middle of the day on a Friday?” I raise my eyebrows and turn my attention to Kallie.
“Okay, fine. We wanted to know what was going on with you and McKinley. Are you going to tell the girls you are dating or are you just friends or what?” she asks.
I still don’t believe that is the only reason and I motion them to sit on the deck with me. We all sit down, and I smile. “First of all, I don’t believe you. Something else is up and since you all know how I feel about lying, I think you should just fucking get on with it.”
I know I’m being blunt, but what the hell. When the four of them show up like this, it can’t be good news.
“Alright. So, we found out that Max and Brinley have a thing going on,” Jax says, and I smile. I don’t know what’s bad about that. They’ve been crazy about each other for as long as I’ve known them. “But they are also still sleeping around. Like a lot. We just wanted you to know that it may be something that Sarah could bring up in court and it’s best if you know so it’s not a surprise.”
“I appreciate the concern, but I don’t think rumors of them sleeping around is going to prove much,” I say, leaning back in the chair, enjoying the breeze.
“Actually, there’s more,” Blake says. Of course, there is. “There are videos on the internet. I don’t know who took them or what, but we called Max and Brinley. They are both in touch with their lawyers, but we wanted you to hear it from us.”
I scrub my face, out of both frustration and anger. “How bad?”
“Depends how you look at it. It’s hot, especially the threesome, but you probably won’t think that,” Blake says as London elbows him.
“Braden listen. What your friends do should not reflect on the kind of father you are. You don’t have sex tapes on the internet, you aren’t sleeping around with tons of women. You are in a committed relationship with McKinley. If you’re going to let all the things in the world around you affect how you think this will play out, you’ve lost before it’s even started,” London says. We all look at her and she smiles. “I let fear run my life for far too long and look how it ended. Be bigger than the fear, fight for your girls. None of us are hiding anything from you.”
I get up and hug her. “You are not only incredibly brave for what you went through but way too smart to be with Blake,” I tell her, laughing at the end.
Blake punches me before pulling London on his lap. “She’s smart and sexy, just like me, asshole.”
London is right. I’m not going to let fear of this custody dictate my life. I make a lot of money, have a safe, stable environment, and great family support for my girls. None of which Sarah has. No more worrying about what could ruin it for me, because I know I deserve my girls and there is nothing I personally do that would jeopardize that.
They stay for a while and we talk about the girls, work, food, hell anything, and everything.
“Listen, why don’t you guys come here tonight. McKinley gets off work in about an hour. We will run to the store and get food and drinks.”
“Hell yes. We can go night swimming in the ocean,” Blake says, smacking London’s ass as she stands up.
“Sounds like fun, big brother. We will go and get our shit done so we can be back here in a few hours.”
They all stand, and Kallie gives me a hug. “I’m proud of you for not letting this get to you. McKinley must be a good influence,” she whispers.
“You have no idea,” I say, pulling back.
After they all leave and McKinley comes over, I fill her in on everything that happened. When I told her what London said, she kissed me and said she agreed. She jumped in the shower and it took all my self-control to not follow, but we need to get to the store.
I know tonight will be the last night we will be able to sleep together
