Chapter 302

Terra and I held each other a little longer before we kissed again, this time less of a wanting and more of a decision. We were going to be together.

It was insane, but that seemed to be the catchphrase for my life now.

I found some paper towel in the cupboard underneath the counter and tore off a sheet, carefully wiping under Terra’s eyes as she chuckled and flushed, a little embarrassed at how emotional she’d gotten. I felt like, of all the girls I was with or going to be with, she was very much the tomboy when it came to personality. Wanda might have been next on that list, but Terra took the top spot for sure and that came with some stark differences in how she tackled her emotions.

Once she’d let me dote on her a little bit and get her cleaned up, she hopped down from the counter and took my hand. “I’m going to be in the meeting with the girls,” she said. “I have no doubt JC is going to crash with Ginnie after drinking at the party tonight and then having sex with her.”

“Did you hear if he...?” I hedged.

“I didn’t, and I don’t care if he did,” Terra sighed. “It wouldn’t change anything now.”

We headed down into the houseboat and found that even though it was now well past midnight there was a bunch of activity. Terra and JC’s room was empty, but the cabin across the hall that was now Ami’s had her, Zenya and Becca inside talking. Becca and Zenya were both wearing old shirts that were obviously nightshirts and they grinned and waved as I stuck my head inside. “What’s the plan?” I asked.

“You, Tiger, are going to stay in here with Ami,” Becca said and held up a small case. “And you’re going to wear these earbuds so that you aren’t overhearing us through the walls. The rest of us are going to be having a meeting about the future among us girls, and tomorrow morning we’ll all have breakfast together and talk about what that looks like. OK?”

“I trust you guys,” I said. “And I get why you need time to talk between you all, but I kinda wish I could be in there with you.”

Zenya stood up from the bed, her warm smile telling me she understood. “The bed is going to be way overcrowded already, babe,” she said with a little wink. “You’ll get us all together sooner than later. A little patience won’t hurt.”

I snorted softly and shook my head. “Not what I meant.”

“I know,” she said softly, reaching up and cupping my cheek for a moment.

“Come on,” Becca said, also getting up and coming to me, taking my hand. “It’s late, and the girls are waiting.”

The blonde and the redhead pulled me out of the room, and I looked over my shoulder at Ami who was covering her smile with a hand and trying not to laugh at my expression of helplessness. The girls led me one room over to the cabin that had started out as mine and Cassidy’s but had become the home for Wanda and Cattie as well. Inside it was crowded, and not just because of the extra luggage.

“Shit,” I said as I entered. “I mean, I knew this was a little out of control but seeing you all together ... Jesus, am I the luckiest fucking guy in the world.”

The girls broke into smiles and grins. They were scattered around the room, most of them sitting on the bed.

“Kiss ‘em good night, Tiger,” Cassidy said as she came out of the washroom, drying off her face after having cleaned off her makeup. All of them were bare-faced and fresh, a couple even still a little damp from their showers.