“No. They don’t need to know.”
“You do realize that is the reason you can rarely relax. Even now, you’ve changed position, and started tapping your foot on the ground. Our mother fucked your childhood. Don’t allow her to ruin your chance at happiness. Leo and Paul, they are good guys, unlike some people. Give them a chance.” Teri got to her feet. “I’ve got to go inside and finish the food. A bunch of us are going to help Lucy move. Are you in?”
“Yeah, I’ll help.”
“Good.”
Teri left and started heading inside the kitchen. Out of the corner of her eye, Skylar turned to see Dane approaching. Getting to her feet, Skylar stood in front of him, and shook her head. “You need to back off from my sister.”
“I don’t know who the hell you are, but move out of my way.”
“Teri’s my sister, and I mean it, I will hurt you. You think you’ve got a hold on my sister because you used her to cheat on your wife.”
Dane pulled back as if she had slapped him. “She told you.”
“You hurt my sister. I protect my sister. You hurt her, and I’m telling you to back the fuck off.”
****
Cora looked at James. “Did you know that?”
The window to the Dirty Fucker’s office was wide open, and everything that Skylar had said to Dane had been heard within
the office. Pixie, Suzy, James, and Cora had heard all of that.
“Well, I never thought that was even possible,” Cora said. “Teri being the other woman.”
“Holy shit,” Pixie said. “That happened before we came here.”
“It was a long time ago. No wonder Teri’s been nervous around him. Holy shit,” James said. He adored Teri, and knew that she hated people who cheated on their partners, yet she had done it with Dane while he’d been with Lucy. This didn’t sit well with James, not at all. What had happened between Teri and Dane was their own business, but Lucy was also part of the club.
“Do you think Lucy knows?” Suzy asked. “I like Teri, and is it wrong to feel bad for the two of them? Lucy and Teri. I mean, Teri slept with a married man. That’s not right. I’ve been friends with her for a long time, and…”
“What’s happening?” Cora asked. “Teri screwed a married man, and we all know now. What do we do? I don’t know if I can keep my mouth shut about this.”
“Dane told me he was sticking around for Ryan and the kids’ sake. What we just heard, it doesn’t leave this room, not yet,” he said.
“I’m not going to say fuck all. I’m not exactly on team Dane at the moment. Seriously disappointed in Teri right now. If she was drunk or not, I don’t care,” Pixie said.
“I’m pregnant. I don’t need the drama,” Suzy said, touching her stomach. “It’s getting bigger by the second.”
“I’ve told you that you’re adorable. You’ve got nothing to worry about.” Pixie kissed her stomach, and then kissed her lips.
James was happy to see his brother so happy, and so in love. Locking his fingers with Cora, he smiled up at her. He loved her so damn much.
Pixie and Suzy left the office, and he pulled Cora into his lap.
“How are you?” Cora asked.
“You mean because I just heard a potential drama exploding outside? I’m good.” He rested his hands on Cora’s stomach. They had some good news to give, and right now, he didn’t know what to do. “I’m just going to go and talk with Teri.” He kissed his wife on her neck.
“Hey, keep your dick in your pants. I mean it, I will bitch slap her if she touches you,” Cora said.
“I only belong to one woman.” Blowing a kiss to his wife, he left the office.
Neither of them had wanted to get married, but he wanted Cora to be entitled to everything that belonged to him when and if he ever died. He couldn’t stand the stress of her being without. He loved her more than anything.
Entering the kitchen, he found Teri standing at the stove, stirring a sauce. She was a sweet girl, or at least he always had thought so. Yes, she was a firecracker, and far from innocent, but her heart was always in the right place.