Love Slave for Two

Chapter 20

“I’d really rather not go. I’ll be fine,” Nevvie said.

Thomas shook his head. “If you think I’m leaving you alone, especially on our first Thanksgiving together, you’re outta your pea-picking mind, sugar.”

“I cannot believe your family is going to welcome me. I mean, okay, they were fine with you coming out with Tyler, but this isn’t the same.”

“Hey, my mom watches Big Love.”

“I’m glad you think this is funny.”

He took her hand. “Look, they’re my relatives. They welcomed Tyler, they’ll welcome you, too.”

“This isn’t the same.”

“No, you’re right, it’s not. I’m not saying it’ll be easy. I’m not leaving you alone.”

She looked at Tyler. “Can I get some help here?”

“What do you want me to say? He’s right, it’s his call. I’m not willing to leave you alone either. I go where he goes. If he says we’re all going to Savannah, then we go.”

Nevvie fought a losing battle against her tears. “Thomas, your family loves you guys. I don’t need to go.”

“Look at me.” Thomas’ sweet brown eyes captured her heart and soul. “If you don’t want to go, then none of us goes. It’s that simple.”

“No, Thomas, I want you to go.”

“We go with you, or we don’t go.” He looked at Tyler. “Right?”

Tyler nodded. “Right.”

“If you’re worried about me being alone, I’m sure Pete and Eddie wouldn’t mind—”

“Nevvie,” Thomas’ voice was unusually firm and quiet. “We’re a family. Either we all go, or none of us goes. End of story.”

“They’re going to hate me. Then they’re going to be upset with you. Please, don’t make me go!” She’d had more than enough rejection in her life. She didn’t need to voluntarily walk into one more.

“They’re not going to hate you, love,” Tyler assured her. “They’ll be startled when we break the news, but they’ll get used to it, never fear.”

“Yeah,” Thomas agreed. “The evil genius will sweet-talk them and blink those baby blues and have them eating out of his hand.”

“I think this is a mistake, boys. I think it’s way too soon to dump this on them.”

Thomas carefully brushed her tears away. “It’s my mistake to make.”

They would leave early Wednesday morning, and Nevvie’s stomach had twisted in painful knots by Tuesday. She couldn’t eat and drank Mylanta straight from the bottle. Tyler waited until Thomas left for the office to confront her in the kitchen.

“Trust him. I know this isn’t easy on you.”

She whirled on him. “You have no idea! They’re going to hate me, and then I have to live with the guilt that I’m responsible for him being estranged from his family!”

He took her hands and kept his voice quiet. “Love, I do know what you are feeling. Thomas has chosen to make us a part of his life. Those others are his relatives, yes. He is blessed that his family welcomed me, but I have no doubt he wouldn’t hesitate to cut them out of his life if they chose not to accept you or I.”

“I don’t want that guilt.”

“It’s not your guilt to bear. It’s his choice. As someone who loves him you should support him.”

“They’re not going to want me. Nobody wants me. They never have.”

He stroked her hair, holding her tight against his chest. “We wanted you, sweetheart. We loved you from the moment we met you. Are you saying we don’t count?”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it.”

Tyler knew she needed to get it out of her system.

“Look,” he whispered, “we’re staying in a hotel. It’s not like we’re staying at the house. We’ll be able to unwind and decompress every night. They’ll come to love you, I promise.”

“You can’t promise that. You have no control over what they do.”

“I won them over, so can you. Simply be your sweet self.”

“Has he told his mother about me?”

“Not exactly. She knows you’re coming with us and that you work for us. He wants to tell her in person.”

They left early Wednesday morning before sunrise and arrived in Savannah late that afternoon. With her nerves wrenched into a contorted mess, Nevvie struggled not to throw up as Thomas pointed the Ridgeline up a clay road, then down a rutted driveway. A few minutes later the driveway opened into a huge yard. Peggy Kinsey walked onto the wrap-around porch, smiling and waving.

Tyler opened the back door and coaxed Nevvie into taking his hand, leading her to the porch where Thomas engulfed his mom in a bear hug.

Peggy’s rich Savannah accent made Thomas sound like a Yankee. “Oh, Tommy sweetie, I’m so glad to see y’all!” She let him go and gave Tyler a similar welcome. “Y’all have got to be tired.”

Nevvie stayed at the bottom of the steps, struggling to control her nervous tears. Thomas grabbed her hand and forced her up to the porch.

“Mom, this is Nevvie. Nevvie, this is my mom, Peggy Kinsey.”

Nevvie mustered a smile. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”

Peggy hugged her. “Oh, sweetie, Tommy told me you’ve had a rough time of it. Come inside with me. Let me get y’all some tea.” Peggy left her arm around Nevvie’s waist, making her walk with her.

Nevvie cast a nervous glance at Tyler, her steadying force in situations like this. He smiled and silently waved her on.

The house was large and airy, what she’d imagined a true Georgia home would look like. Tyler had told her it was built by Tom’s father, Adam Kinsey, with plenty of room to accommodate all the girls. After her husband died Peggy didn’t have the heart to sell it. She’d just retired from nursing that past summer, and enjoyed spending time at home.

High ceilings, exposed beams, and a homey, country, lived-in feel welcomed her. The huge eat-in kitchen held an enormous table, and Peggy patted Nevvie on the shoulder.

“Sit right there, I’ll get you some tea.” She pointed Nevvie to the seat at the end of the table and turned to Thomas. “Oh, shoot, I nearly forgot. I told Mr. Jones next door I’d send you boys over when you got here. He got his tractor stuck down by the pond this morning, and he can’t get his truck started to pull it out. Can you go yank it out for him with your truck?”

The men exchanged nervous looks. “Ty doesn’t need to go, Mom.”

“You might need his help. Go on.” She waved them toward the door. “We’ll sit and have a nice chat until you’re done. Shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes.”

The boys shifted uneasily. Nevvie felt close to a panic attack. “I could go help.”

“Sugar, those two big strappin’ boys won’t need y’all’s help. Now, go on. Shoo.”

Tyler cast a look back at Nevvie as he followed Thomas out the door.

Stay calm, that look said. We’ll be back soon.

Peggy opened a cabinet and fetched glasses, retrieved a pitcher of tea and ice from the fridge, and sat next to her. “You like sugar in your tea?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You can call me Mom. Unless you don’t want to.”

Nevvie mustered a smile. “All right. Thank you, Mom.”

Peggy beamed. “That’s better.” She poured tea and handed it to Nevvie, along with the sugar bowl and a teaspoon. “Now, tell me a little about yourself, honey.”

Thomas had his mom’s friendly eyes. Nearing seventy, Peggy’s bobbed brown hair was shot with grey, but it looked good on her.

Nevvie wrapped her fingers around her glass to keep them from trembling. How long until the boys returned? “Um, what did you want to know?”

“Well, where are you from, all that.”

“Uh, I was born and raised in Tampa. I left eight years ago and spent a few years in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina destroyed my apartment. We’d evacuated to Pensacola, so we ended up in Tampa.”

“Tommy told me you were their housekeeper before you moved in.”

“Yes, ma’am, uh, Mom. I cleaned for them on Thursdays. I had a few other clients, too.”

“I bet Tyler charmed the pants off you, didn’t he?”

Nevvie blushed, then realized it was an innocent comment. “He’s a sweetheart. They both are.”

Peggy took a sip of tea. “When did they give you the ring?”

Nevvie glanced at the small ruby on her right hand. “Oh, a while ago. Tyler bought it for me one day. It’s my birthstone. It wasn’t expensive.”

Peggy put her glass down and touched Nevvie’s left hand. Her voice was quiet. “No, sugar. I meant this ring.”

Nevvie blanched.

Peggy eyed her over her glasses. “Darlin, I know their birthstones. I’m not an idiot, and I know an expensive piece of jewelry when I see it.”

Nevvie cried, hiding her face in her hands. Peggy stood and walked behind her, hugging her. “Why are you crying?”

“Please don’t hate them.”

“What? Why on earth would I hate those boys? Obviously they care a great deal about you.”

Maybe she doesn’t know! Maybe she hadn’t blown it. Maybe—

Peggy straightened and patted Nevvie on the shoulder. “It’s not my business what goes on between the three of you. If those boys love you, you’re welcome in my home.”

That finished Nevvie. She sobbed, and Peggy kindly laughed as she hugged her. “Good lord, darlin, you’re not going to spend the entire weekend crying, are you?” She handed Nevvie a napkin.

“No, Mom. I won’t.”

Peggy sat down and took Nevvie’s hands. “Just tell me something. Do you love them?”

Nevvie nodded.

“Then promise me you’ll take good care of them and not hurt them, okay?”

Nevvie nodded frantically. “I will. I love them so much.”

Peggy patted her hands. “Then that’s all that matters. Although I won’t go bragging to my church ladies group that I gained a daughter-in-law. They’re still trying to come to grips with Tyler, and here it is, over a dozen years later.”

Nevvie laughed again, blowing her nose. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

“That this is complicated.”

“I wish Tommy had fessed up before y’all got here. Bless your heart, you’re a wreck, aren’t you?”

“Uh huh.” Nevvie blew her nose again. “How did you figure it out?”

Peggy smiled kindly. “Sugar, you looked like you were being marched to the electric chair. Tyler had to drag you outta the truck. I can’t imagine anyone who didn’t have some sort of big secret would look like that. When I saw your ring, and the way they didn’t want to leave you alone, well, it wasn’t hard.”

Nevvie looked down. “I’m sorry.” She took a deep breath. “I didn’t want to come. I’ll be honest, I was afraid you’d be upset. I tried to make them come without me and they wouldn’t.”

“How long y’all been an item?”

“Halloween. Before then it was…platonic.” She certainly couldn’t call it innocent. Nevvie met Peggy’s kind gaze. “They saved my life. Alex would have killed me, I really believe it.”

“I don’t know how y’all want to handle the girls. Frankly, it’s not my business. Emily and Katie might be a problem. That’s between Tommy and them. It’s none of your worry.” She chuckled. “I’d be willing to bet their men won’t have a problem with it. Hell, they’ll probably be jealous.”

“You’re okay with this?”

“Honey, I don’t have a say in it. I didn’t particularly agree when he brought Tyler home. Not that I don’t love Tyler, because I do. He’s a sweetheart. It’s not a choice I’d have made, or have had him make if I’d had a say in it. You’re adults.” She took another sip of tea. “Am I getting any grandchildren out of the deal?”

“It’s way too soon to think about that. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.”

“That’s probably wise, sugar. You’ve got a lot of years yet to make that decision.” She sighed. “Why don’t you marry one of them? It would make all three of y’all’s lives easier, wouldn’t it?”

“No. Like I told our lawyer, if I can’t marry both of them it wouldn’t be fair to marry one of them.” She looked at Peggy. “I won’t choose. I love both of them. I know it’s weird.” She took a moment to compose her thoughts. “They approached me first. They’d already made up their minds. I knew I loved them, but I never…it didn’t seem possible. I assumed they were gay. I was so happy to be a part of their lives, they welcomed me in. When they finally confessed how they felt it was like I hit the lotto.”

Peggy’s wry smile traveled to her eyes. “I’d wondered if something was going on. Tommy was so upset when you got hurt, but there was more to it. Every time I talked to him on the phone it was Nevvie this, and Nevvie that. Sounded like he did when he first met Tyler, before he finally admitted they were a couple.”

Nevvie blushed again but met Peggy’s gaze. “It’d break my heart to lose either one.”

Peggy looked like she wanted to ask something else. She studied her hands for a moment, picking at her fingernails. “What happens in the future? I mean, any other surprises? You know, partners?”

“No. The three of us agree we wouldn’t share well with anyone else. It works for us. I don’t think this would have worked out the way it did if they hadn’t been together for so many years, either.”

Peggy nodded. “Okay, then.”

Nevvie felt a hundred pounds lighter with her crushing anxiety gone. When the boys returned nearly an hour later, the women were still in the kitchen, assembling pies for the next day.

Tyler raced into the kitchen ahead of Thomas and slid to a stop inside the doorway, scoping the situation. Thomas appeared seconds later, nearly crashing into him.

The women turned, their hands covered with flour. Peggy shook her head. “What on earth are you two doing? You dang near gave me a heart attack.”

Tyler looked at Nevvie, trying to read her. She smiled and he let out an audible sigh of relief. “Uh, everything all right?”

Peggy leveled her gaze at him. “Why wouldn’t it be, Ty?”

Nevvie choked back a giggle. For the first time since she’d met him, she realized Tyler was without a plan or rejoinder.

Thomas cleared his throat. “Um, how is everything, Mom?”

“Tommy, you need to sit yourselves down. I’ve seen expectant fathers calmer than you two.”

“Secret’s out, boys,” Nevvie said. “She knows.”

Tyler closed his eyes and quietly swore. Thomas approached his mom. “Now, Mom—”

“Hush.” Peggy looked at Tyler, cutting him off. “You too, Ty. I’ll say this once. You put this poor girl through hell because you were too chickenshit to confess. You should be ashamed of yourselves.” Both men looked at the floor, like a couple of scolded children. “She’s perfectly adorable, and as I already told her, it’s none of my business. How you deal with your sisters is up to you. I’m not fighting that battle for you.”

Thomas nodded. “Thanks, Mom.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you.”

“I consider myself an enlightened person, boy. I do have the Internet and HBO. I just don’t need to know the details. And you—” she jabbed a flour-covered finger at Tyler, “should have known better than to let him get away with not telling me.”

Tyler looked appropriately chastised. “Sorry, Mom.” The way he said it sounded like “mum.”

Nevvie couldn’t hold back her laughter.

“What are you laughing about, sweetheart?” Tyler asked, approaching.

Thomas smiled, sensing Tyler’s thought. “Yeah, what are you giggling at?”

The men surrounded her, tickling her. Nevvie couldn’t fight back with her hands full of dough. “All right! Uncle!” Each man planted a gentle kiss on her cheek before releasing her.

Peggy smiled, shaking her head. “I imagine you’ve got your hands full with these two.”

Nevvie blushed and went back to rolling pie crust. “We have a lot of fun.”

Thomas and Tyler sat across the table and watched them work. Peggy smacked Thomas’ hand when he tried to snarf a piece of raw dough.

“You should have seen her, Mom,” Thomas said. “She’d only been working at the office for a few weeks and she discovered an embezzler. Asshole robbed me for nearly a half-mil over the years.”

Tyler nodded. He winked at Nevvie and managed to steal a piece of dough from her board before she could stop him. “She’s amazing, Mom. She’s a wonder, truly. She helps me edit my manuscripts, manages the business end for me. I have so much more time to write now.”

“How is the latest?”

“Sent the manuscript to my agent last week. So far, so good.”

They all fell quiet for a moment. The men watched the women roll out crust and line the pie plates.

Peggy cleared her throat. “At least now I know why you insisted on staying at a hotel.”

Thomas dropped his gaze. “Well, it would have been weird trying to explain it over the phone. I didn’t know how you’d react.”

She reached over and gently smacked him on the cheek with a flour-covered hand. The shock of her action more than the actual force stunned him. “Look here, Thomas Ryan Kinsey, have a little more faith in me than that. How did I react when you brought Ty home?”

Thomas stared at her in disbelief, his left cheek still bearing her flour handprint. Tyler smirked.

Peggy wagged a finger at him. “Don’t you be getting smart either, Tyler.”

Nevvie tried to hold her giggles and couldn’t.

“Have y’all checked in yet?” Peggy asked.

Thomas shook his head.

“I don’t know how you plan on telling your sisters, Tommy. I’m assuming you’re going to. Y’all would be the only overnight guests. None of the rooms have a bed big enough for the three of you, so someone’s going to have to bunk alone. Unless one of you wants to keep falling out all night. I don’t mind you staying over. I would prefer some discretion, if you get my drift, but you’re always welcomed. You’re family.”

“I need to tell them,” Thomas said. Tyler reached over with a napkin and wiped the flour off Thomas’ face.

Peggy sighed. “I’ll make the eggnog extra strong and serve doubles before you do it.”

The women put the pie crusts in to bake while the boys unloaded their luggage and cancelled the reservation. Nevvie got the last word, and the boys grudgingly settled in Thomas’ old bedroom with her next door.

Thomas gave Nevvie a tour of the house and large property while Tyler answered an email from his agent that came through his BlackBerry.

“See? I told you she’d love you.”

“Your sisters might not be so easy.”

He hugged her to him under an old pecan tree down near the pond. “Let me worry about that.”

Nevvie closed her eyes and breathed in Thomas’ scent. “She asked me about grandkids.”

His rumbling laughter rolled through her. “That doesn’t surprise me. Remember, I’m the only boy. I think she saw her chance for another Kinsey fly out the window when she met Tyler.” He hesitated. “What did you say?”

“I told her it was too soon to think about that.” The three of them hadn’t even discussed it yet.

Thomas’ eyes burned into hers. “Is it something you might want to think about? In the future?”

She nodded, trying to ignore the sudden, aching need fighting for attention in her lower belly as he hardened against her.

He buried his face in her hair. “It’s your choice, sugar. It’ll only be your choice—if, when, how many. Whatever you want.”

Tyler called to them as he walked down from the house. “Karen’s on her way with a bunch of stuff for tomorrow.” He smiled, his blue eyes twinkling. “I just got another reaming for not making you tell, Thomas.” He put his arms around both of them, kissing them. “Make sure you spend the weekend sucking up to Peggy, right?”

“I will.” Thomas looked at Nevvie. “See? This worked out fine.”

“No, we haven’t told your sisters yet.”

Tyler took her into his arms. “Karen will be the easiest, I suspect. She’s next to youngest. She was the first of the girls to welcome me into the family.”

Nevvie had memorized their names. Oldest to youngest: Emily, Katie—short for Kathryn, Cheryl, Karen, and April. She’d asked Tyler to help her prepare when Thomas wasn’t around. Thomas wouldn’t understand her desperate need to not fuck this up, but Tyler did.

All too well.

“Mom asked her about grandkids.”

Tyler froze, then looked into her eyes. “And?”

“I told her it was too soon yet.”

“Yet?”

“That’s a strong maybe, Tyler.”

He hugged her. “Oh, sweetheart,” he whispered. “We love you so much.”

“I already told her it’ll be her decision if and when, that we’ll go along with whatever she wants to do.”

“Absolutely.”

“Give me a chance to get used to what we have first, boys.”

The men held hands with Nevvie as they returned to the house.