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fifty-six

Olive

“I really needed this tonight,” Lucia says, smiling softly. “Thanks for coming over, ladies.”

“Would’ve been able to come sooner if our men didn’t let the game go into extra innings,” Ella teases.

Harlow just looks at her. “Your husband hit the walk-off home run in the twelfth inning. You should be happier.”

“I’m very proud of Joshy,” she smiles. “And he’ll be rewarded when I get home tonight.”

“Of course he will,” Rory laughs. “Tipsy Ella is hornier than Regular Ella.”

“Josh is a lucky man,” Lucia chuckles.

It’s only been a few days since she found out Matt was cheating on her, and while she seems to be trying to not let it affect her, we’ve all noticed that she’s down.

That’s to be expected, of course, but that doesn’t mean we’re just going to accept it.

An impromptu girl’s night after today’s game—before they all fly off tomorrow morning for two more away series—seems to be working well so far.

“How have you been doing the past few days, Luc?” I ask softly.

Lucia sighs. “I’m fine. I don’t let men bring me down. I’m stronger than being upset over a cheating scumbag.”

Harlow puts her hand on Lucia’s arm in comfort. “It’s not weakness to be upset, Luc. You dated Matt for more than a year, and then you found out he was cheating on you. It’s normal to have feelings about that.”

“The only feelings I have are anger,” Lucia chides. “Anger that I wasted a year of my life on a man who never deserved a minute of my time.”

“It’s okay, though, if you’re sad, too,” Rory reassures her. “You loved him.”

“That was a fucking mistake,” she says through clenched teeth. “I should never have fallen for a finance bro that couldn’t keep his dick to himself.”

“I may not have much experience here,” I jump in, “but you shouldn’t be blaming yourself for this, Lucia.

I do have a lot of experience with blaming myself for things that I had no control over.

It’s not your fault that he cheated on you.

You fell in love with the version of himself that he portrayed. He hid the deeper parts of him well.”

Lucia takes a deep breath and throws her head back, staring up at her ceiling. “Then I’m just a goddamn fool.”

“Nope,” Ella cuts in. “We’re not doing that. You’re not a fool for falling in love with a man who would later come to hurt you. We all make those mistakes. But we get through the heartbreak and come out stronger on the other side.”

“Can we just… talk about something else?” Lucia asks softly, voice breaking slightly.

“Of course we can, babe,” Harlow smiles before turning her gaze to me. And based on every girl’s night we’ve had, I know where this conversation is now heading. “So Liv…” she says sweetly. “Anything interesting happen recently?”

The rest of the girls perk up now, catching Harlow’s underlying meaning.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” I shrug nonchalantly, focusing instead on the very interesting glass of wine in my hand and not their curious eyes.

“Oh, I know deflection when I see it,” Ella grins deviously. “What happened, Liv?”

“I mean, Lane and I had a date over the weekend. That happened.”

“And what happened at your date?” Rory prods, elbowing my arm.

“We had mac and cheese for dinner and then danced at the studio,” I chuckle. “It was a really low-key night and honestly just perfect.”

“I feel like we’re only getting bits of the story here,” Lucia states. “What happened next?”

I blush slightly but smile brightly. “I told Lane that I loved him.”

“Liv!” Harlow shrieks. “You didn’t tell me that!”

“Did she tell you something else?” Ella looks at her excitedly.

“She might have had something else to say when Knox and I brought Sage back over Monday morning.”

Harlow tries to bite down her smirk as the other three girls stare at me expectantly. I can’t help but shake my head and laugh.

It’s not like I thought I’d keep this from them.

“So we had a nice date. I told him I loved him… then we went back to his place and…” I try to tamper my smile, but I’m unsuccessful. “And then we had sex for the first time.”

I wince at the loud cheers, but the girls don’t seem to notice.

“You had sex with Lane?!” Rory shouts.

“Yes,” I reply honestly. “We’d been slowly working up to it, and I was finally ready. I was finally in the right headspace for it.”

Ella looks at me in slight concern. “Did you think about you-know-who at all?”

“Not once,” I grin. “I didn’t think of him once, guys. It was just Lane and me, and it was so fucking perfect.”

“I hope you realize we want all the sordid details now,” Lucia smirks.

I chuckle. “He was so sweet Sunday night. Since it was my first time, he made sure it was something I’d remember happily. It was just tender and loving and… perfect.”

“Lane is just so perfect for you,” Lo smiles. “I’m so happy you two found each other.”

“So am I. I didn’t think I’d ever find a man I’d trust enough to be intimate with at all. But I trust Lane with everything in me. He’s absolutely amazing, and I’m so fucking in love with him.”

“God, this is so cute!” Ella yells. “Have you slept together again?”

“Oh yes,” I laugh. “Multiple more times.”

“So how is he?” Lucia prods. “Is he good in bed?”

“I don’t have a comparison, but I’d say he’s really good. God, he knows what he’s doing. Whether that be sweet and loving or dirty and rough.”

“Rough, huh?” Rory teases, cocking her eyebrow.

I immediately heat all over. “Mhmm. He, uh… likes to be rough with me. And he has a filthy mouth.”

“So, in what way is he rough?” Harlow questions.

“Um… like bending me over and pulling my hair while he pushes me down on the kitchen counter.”

Or having me wrap my legs around his waist as he pins me against the shower wall.

Or testing my flexibility as he spreads my legs as far as he can as he fucks me relentlessly.

Or having me grab the headboard as he clamps a hand over my mouth to keep me from waking up Sage.

Very rough. Very fun.

“I can’t believe Lane is rough in bed,” Rory says in disbelief. “He always seemed too nice.”

“Oh, he’s still very nice,” I state, “with a very dirty mouth. Apparently, I’m a brat, and I didn’t know that’s something I would like.”

“Oh my God, I love seeing you so unfiltered,” Ella laughs.

“You should bite him,” Lucia says emphatically.

I choke on my wine. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Bite him,” she says again. “He likes it rough. Make it rough. Bite him.”

“He’s told me before not to bite him. Said he’s quite fond of that appendage.”

Lucia laughs loudly. “Don’t bite his dick, Liv. Bite his chest or something. Something tells me that man would proudly wear a mark you left on him.”

“Oh… I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Or stick a finger up his ass,” she shrugs. “Matt never let me do that.”

“Lucia, oh my God,” I laugh. “You’re insane.”

“I prefer the term ‘sex-positive,’” she smiles.

“Can we toast?” Harlow asks.

“What are we toasting to?” Rory looks at her curiously.

“To Liv losing her virginity.”

“Oh, dear God,” I blush. “Do we have to toast to that?”

“Yes,” Ella states. “You’re comfortable and confident and having fun. That deserves to be celebrated.”

The five of us take our wine glasses and clink them together.

I never knew meeting Lane would change my life the way it did. I have him and Sage, but I also have a whole group of wonderful friends.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to say it, but… I love my life.