Triad: A Three Way Love Story

by Clairissa SinClair

  Three outfits later, I settled on a cute pair of leggings with tan suede ankle boots, a flowy white peasant blouse that highlighted my burgeoning boobs and a denim jacket. I left my hair down because Grey always liked it that way. Bryce said it gave me an “Earth Mother” hippie vibe.

  I considered changing back into the maxi dress when he knocked on the door. My roommate answered it and let him in. I fluffled my hair and added some gloss, then tried to compose myself. I couldn’t wait a second longer for a hug though and gave up on playing it cool and making him wait.

  My Grey was dressed for dating in a long sleeved button down dress shirt in a light blue and dark blue strip. It had to be brand new. I’d never seen anything like it in his closet and it made my heart sing to think that he bought it special, just for our date. The jeans also looked brand new and stiff, and black cowboy boots completed the very becoming look. He held his arms open and I happily slid into them for a hug and a kiss. As soon as pulled back a bit, both hands slid to my belly, “how are my two babies?”

  “We’re fantastic now. What have you got planned for us today?” He held the door open for me, “you’ll see.”

  “I’ll be waiting up for you!”, Bryce yelled as we left. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” I yelled back, “I promised not to get ass banged by a man more than twice my age!” “Bitch”. Bryce is the best friend I ever had.

  “I debated bringing the truck, but I know you prefer Lola.” I was thrilled. Nothing was better than riding with my guys. “Thank you.” I kissed him again, aiming for his cheek, but he turned his head at the last second and I found myself lip to lip. He pulled back this time, “we’re going to be late.” I strapped on my helmet and climbed on behind him, my baby belly pushing into his back. He kept his left hand on my thigh the whole ride and laid my head against his shoulder. I was loving the smell of old leather and the feeling of being close to him again.

  The city streets turned into winding country roads and buildings were replaced by trees. I was enjoying the wind in my hair, the vibration of the bike, and, mostly, just being next to Grey. He pulled into a dirt parking lot of a little roadside bar that sat on the dock of a small lake. I could hear a masculine voice singing Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do”. The sign proclaimed “Johnny’s Dockside Paradise”, and it really was. He led me around to the back and up a few steps to a shady outside dock.

  The tables were wooden octagons and each had its own sun blocking umbrella in bright turquoise blue. A waitress in denim cut-offs and a “Paradise” tank top, sat us at a table by the water and handed us some menus. I ordered an unsweet iced tea and Grey ordered the same. Three men in blue jeans were playing guitar and singing. One of them gave a head nod and quick wave to Grey in between strumming chords. “I know the owner. We served together. Now we fix his bike. He’s invited us up here a few times. This is my first I’ve taken him up on his offer. They’re supposed to have great food.”

  “I love great food and great music, and, of course, great company”. I slid over to sit closer and watch the musicians. They played a variety of rock and pop songs with a folksy sound and great harmonies. Currently they were playing their own version of Bruno Mars “Just the Way You Are”.

  The waitress brought out drinks and took our order, “I think I’ll have the Cajun Shrimp Salad sandwich and sweet potato fries.” “Sounds good, I’ll have the same, but throw in the appetizer platter too.”

  The song ended and the lead singer announced a quick break. He made a beeline for our table. “It’s about time you came out here!” Grey stood up and they shook hands and shared a bro hug. “Joss this is Johnny Reyes, Johnny, this is my girlfriend, Joss.” Girlfriend. Swoon. If I wasn’t already pregnant my ovaries would be exploding. “Nice to meet you. I love this place already. Please, sit down and join us if you have a minute.”

  Johnny sat down across from Grey and it was when he swung his leg over the table I realized it was prosthetic and very high tech. “I’m glad you like it. Food is my passion but music is my therapy. The other two guys are vets too. What did you guys order?”

  “We both got the shrimp salad”, Grey answered. “You should try my Tuna Ceviche Tacos. The specialty of the house. Let me get you some.” Before I could stop him, Grey surprised me “I’d love to try it, but no raw for the lady. We’ve got a little one on the way.” Johnny clutched his heart in mock heart failure “Holy shit, man! I never thought I’d see the day that you settled down. Congrats to both of you.” Again before I could respond, Grey blew me away when he answered, “All three of us, you mean. Mick and I are both with Joss. It’s our baby.”

  “That figures. Congrats to all three of you then! Dinner is on me. Make sure you get some of my Pineapple Upside Down cake for dessert.” Johnny stood up and hugged me. “Congratulations. I am so happy for all of you. I’ll even play a song for you.”

  Johnny headed back to the stage where the rest of the group was already seated and ready to go. Strapping on his guitar, he strummed the first few chords of a familiar tune, the eighties classic “More than Words” by Extreme.

  The waitress brought out our plates around the second verse. I have to admit that I was mesmerized by Johnny’s voice and the way he made a song his own.

  Now I've tried to talk to you and make you understand

  All you have to do is close your eyes

  And just reach out your hands and touch me

  Hold me close don't ever let me go

  More than words is all I ever needed you to show

  Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me

  'Cause I'd already know

  Both the food and the music were fantastic. She shrimp were fresh and grilled to perfection with just the right amount of heat. Throughout lunch the conversation had been casual, about business and Ogre and the shop. Grey wanted to know everything I had been up to since we split. He laughed about my trip to the gay bar, but frowned over my description of my dirty alley pregnancy test debacle. I steered the conversation back around to the shop, and the grand opening.

  Although I was thoroughly stuffed, I really wanted the pineapple upside down cake that Johnny had bragged about, so we ordered a slice to split.

  “Tell me about Rosey”, I finally said.

  “What’s there to tell that I haven’t already said? I was young and stupid. Gullible. My family life wasn’t the greatest. I thought she really loved me and we’d live happily ever after.” He swished his iced tea around in his glass. I’m pretty sure he really was wishing it was a beer. I waited patiently for him to find the words in his heart. “The thing is, I don’t think I really loved her. I think I thought I loved her. Maybe I was in love with the fantasy. I wasted so much time.” “Maybe you had to go through everything you did because the long road brought you to me. To us.” “Probably so. I always wanted that white picket fence.”

  “My mom was great. We were always super close because it was just the two of us. My dad, well, my dad just wasn’t. I wanted a normal family too.” I made air quotes around the word “normal”. “The white picket fence and a house that didn’t have wheels under it was a dream. When we finally got there, after my grandma had passed away it was worse. We didn’t belong in that neighborhood, and some people didn’t let me forget that” I chewed on an ice cube. “My mom and I were a family though. A great family. A great team. I think she would have liked you and Mick alot. I think we’re going to make a pretty good family.”

  Grey slipped his arm around my waist and I tested my head on his shoulder. The band played Green Day, “Wake Me Up When September Ends”. “We’ll be a great family baby. I’ll even build you a white picket fence if you want one.”

  The waitress brought us a huge slice of the best pineapple upside down cake I ever ate in my life. We fed each other forkfuls and enjoyed each other’s company.

  It was the best date I ever had. By the time we got home, I was absolutely exhausted. Grey parked the bike and climbed off of it in front of the house.
“Are you spending the night with me?” I asked hopefully. “No baby, I’m going to tuck you and wait til you fall asleep, but I’m going home alone. Remember the rules. Dating. Getting to know each other. No sex until you’re ready to come home to us.” I pouted.

  Ogre greeted us at the door. I let him out to run around the yard, and poured myself a glass of milk while I was waiting for him to do his business. Grey wrapped his arms around me from behind and I leaned back into him. “This no sex thing sucks. I’m pregnant and hormonal. I need some love.” He snickered and kissed my neck, “love you have baby. It’s dick you want.” He was right. I let Ogre back in and put my empty glass in the dishwasher. “OK, come cuddle with me at least.”

  I took him by the hand and led him back to my bedroom. Grey sat down on the bed and picked up the framed picture of the three of us that I kept on the nightstand. I slipped into the bathroom to pee and brush my teeth. I washed my face and took a prenatal vitamin before going back to my room. Grey held up the faded black Bike Week shirt I had stolen from him when I left. “This is mine.” I sat down next to him and snatched it out of his hands. “It’s mine now. I stole it fair and square. I sleep in it. And if it makes you feel better I stole Mick’s DILLIGAF shirt too. I just wanted to keep a piece of both of you.”

  “Can I tell you a secret?”, I whispered. “You can tell me anything you want to tell me.” I confessed, “I didn’t wash these when I left. Not for weeks. I slept with them. This smelled like you. I know that sounds a little creepy stalkerish, but it’s true.” He smiled back at me, “Can I tell you a secret now?” I nodded. “I didn’t wash your coffee mug. It sat by the sink with your lipstick on it and an inch of coffee. It’s still there.” “I’ll never run away from you again, Grey. I’ll stand my ground. We’ll talk it out.”

  Grey hugged me close to him and kissed the top of my head, “and I’ll never push you away again.” I yawned. “Let’s get you ready for bed.” I stripped my clothes and tossed them in the general vicinity of my laundry basket. He shook his head. I stood in front of him naked and ran my hands up his chiseled abs, “are you sure you don’t want to join me?” “You’re killing me. Not til you come home.” He slipped the shirt over my head and pulled the comforter back. I slid into the coral colored bamboo sheets and he covered me back up. The lights went off and I felt the mattress dip and he rolled over and spooned me. “Good night baby.” I was asleep in an instant, safe and comfortable in Grey’s arms.

  Chapter 38--Mick

  I waited up until Grey got home at eleven thirty last night. All he said before stomping up the stairs was “I’m not sure what’s harder, saying NO or leaving.”

  Today is my date and I admit that Bryce helped me out. I’m ten minutes early when I knock on the door. Bryce and my dad are cuddling on the sofa watching football. Actually dad is watching football and Bryce is reading a novel and feeding my dad popcorn. They are the oddest of all odd couples, but it works for them and they both seem happy. “Daddy and step daddy”, I fist bump them both.

  Joss is ready when I get there and I’m thrilled to see her. She’s wearing a lilac colored short dress with a little bird and flower pattern that shows off her baby bump and some white flat sneakers and white sunglasses. She’s wearing her hair in French braids with little white bows. I kiss her and rub her belly simultaneously. I can’t keep my hands off that bump. “Ew, heteros”, Bryce complains. She kisses him on the cheek and we’re out the door, “Don’t wait up daddy”, I yell back.

  “So where are we going today?” “We’re going to the Blueberry Festival in Harpers Springs.” Her smiles tells me that Bryce was right, as if there was any doubt. I buckle her helmet under her chin and we’re on our way. I can feel our son pressing into my back. She can feel him moving, but so far, we haven’t been able to feel it from the outside. Her hand rests on my abs and I realize how much I missed having her behind me, both literally and figuratively. I weave my fingers between hers. The ride, although almost forty minutes, is over too soon.

  I’m glad we didn’t bring the truck because traffic is insane. Bike parking is closer to the events.

  The festival covers an entire park and half of the small town’s main drag. There are all kinds of things to see and do. We strolled around the section made up of local artisans, hand in hand. I bought her clay sculpture of a dog that looked just like Ogre. In another booth, we found hand crocheted baby items. I held a tiny blue hat in my hands, “holy shit, will he be this little?” It was a shock to realize that the had barely filled the palm of my big hands. She handed me an even tinier preemie sized beanie, “Hopefully.” I bought the little blue hat and a black and orange one too.

  Joss steered us towards the food court. “Don’t judge. I’m eating or two.” She had a blueberry sundae on top of a Belgian Waffle with extra whipped cream and I had an grilled chicken sandwich with dried blueberry chutney and a blueberry craft beer.

  Following the sound of music, we ended up in a karaoke tent. “Sit here, I’ll be right back.”

  I wrote our names down on a card and handed it to the DJ along with a twenty. He smiled and nodded knowingly. Joss was sitting down on a hay bale sipping a blueberry pop and listening to a big hairy guy sing Adele’s “Someone Like You” in a fairly passable manner.

  “We’re up next babe.”, I announced. “Mick! What the fuck did you do? I haven’t sang in public since college and I’m SOBER this time!” She smacked my bicep when I laughed at her. “We’ll be better than this guy”, I whispered to her, pointing to Adele’s wannabe with my thumb. “Don’t make me laugh, I’ll pee.” “Seriously, laughing makes you pee now?” She blushed a little, “I have a baby sitting on top of my bladder. It’s only going to get worse from here on in.” Christ, growing a person inside of you is a tough job. Wannabe finished singing and everyone clapped politely.

  The DJ announced us “Next up is Joss and Mick”, everyone clapped encouragingly. Joss’s eyes popped, “I cannot believe you did this. What song are we even singing?” I dragged her across the room by the hand an onto the stage. The DJ handed us each a microphone. Joss was blushing madly and I could tell she was getting stage fright. “You’ll know when you hear it.”

  We’d sang this song along with the radio a dozen times in the truck and in the kitchen. She said Stevie Nicks was her mom’s favorite. When she heard the first notes she smiled. Neither one of us needed the prompts.

  Is love so fragile

  And the heart so hollow

  Shatter with words

  Impossible to follow

  You're saying I'm fragile I try not to be

  I search only for something I can't see

  I have my own life and I am stronger

  Than you know

  But I carry this feeling

  When you walked into my house

  That you won't be walking out the door

  Still I carry this feeling

  When you walked into my house

  That you won't be walking out the door

  Lovers forever face to face

  My city your mountains

  Stay with me stay

  I need you to love me

  I need you today

  Give to me your leather

  Take from me my lace

  You in the moonlight

  With your sleepy eyes

  Could you ever love a man like me

  And you were right

  When I walked into your house

  I knew I'd never want to leave

  Sometimes I'm a strong man

  Sometimes cold and scared

  And sometimes I cry

  But that time I saw you

  I knew with you to light my nights

  Somehow I'd get by

  Lovers forever face to face

  My city your mountains

  Stay with me stay

  I need you to love me

  I need you today

  Give to me your leather

  Take from me my lace

  Lo
vers forever face to face

  My city your mountains

  Stay with me stay

  I need you to love me

  I need you today

  Give to me your leather

  Take from me my lace

  But take from me my lace

  Take from me my lace

  The whole room clapped and we took a bow before heading back to our hay bale. “I can’t believe we did that.” She was blushing madly now, and we were both giggling like school kids.

  “Jocelynn, is that really you?”, the voice behind us stopped her in her tracks. We both turned and faced the overdressed and obviously wealthy millennial couple in front of us. “Avery, Peter, so nice to see you”, she said, but I knew her will enough to know it was bullshit and she was not the slightest bit happy to see either one of them. For a split second I wondered if it was because she was with me, Mr. Blue Collar with grease under my nails.