Love Times Three

Poison & Wine

Lily avoided everyone for a week. She sent her grandmother a summarized text and holed herself in her room. The guys took the kids on endless adventures and she was grateful. Her mind was a mess and she wasn't going to be the best person to be around let alone mother.

"Baby," Madere said before knocking. "I'm coming in." Madere walked in and was shocked to see the room wasn't in complete disarray. The bay window was open as Lily sat near it. Madere played in Lily's curly hair as the young woman cried. She let her cry as she braided her hair in two French braids. "You know what you have to do, baby." Lily cried harder. "I'm so scared, Madere." The woman rubbed her back and sighed.

"I know, but it's not worthwhile if there isn't a little bit of risk in the mix. Follow your heart, sweetie. It didn't steer you wrong back then and it's not now." Lily looked at her grandmother with tears in her eyes.

"They think that I love Jack and I don't. I tell myself to tell them. My heart says tell them that it's them I love, but when I open my mouth, nothing comes out." Lily sobbed and Madere's heart broke.

"Baby, what happened between you three shouldn't have happened. You were all young and they were so dumb." Lily chuckled with a sob. "You're not that same 18-year-old and neither are they. Give your love story an edit and a brand new cover." Lily looked at her grandmother who wiped away her tears and smiled.

"I'm going to freshen up and then take care of something." Madere nodded before leaving the young woman. Lily looked around the room and cleaned up before taking a long shower. The water was scalding, because it was finally getting cold despite it being the middle of November. Colorado had spoiled her.

Lily called Jack and invited him over. He sounded so happy on the phone after not hearing from her and she missed his cheerfulness. Asher and Dallas pulled into their driveway and took out a sleeping Austin and Kinsley. They watched as Jack parked and got out of his car.

The doctor waved to them before heading up to Madere's. "I guess she's really made her choice." Dallas spoke up sadly before looking at Asher's dejected face. "It's late. Let's get them to bed." Dallas said walking into the house.

Jack gave Lily a quick peck before they sat down in the kitchen. "I've missed you so much, babe." Lily smiled sadly at him before looking at her fingers. "What is it, Lily?" Lily looked at him with sad eyes.

"You were the first guy other than them who made me feel sexy. You made me feel seen after being invisible for so long. You, Jack Daniels, are something special." He smiled at her but saw the truth in her eyes. "I deserve a man like you. A good man who could love my kids and who loves me." He reached for her hands but she moved them.

"I deserve a man like you, but I crave them. My heart yearns for them even after all these years. Even after everything they put me through." Lily wiped away at her tears frustratedly. "I hate them. I hate them for ruining this." Jack chuckled before pulling her close.

"They didn't ruin us. We were just the catalyst you needed to see it was always them. It's always going to be them." She looked into his eyes as he wiped away a tear. "I do love you, Lily and this is going to hurt, but I'm grateful to Madere for setting us up. You've made these past few months so worthwhile."

"I'm so sorry, Jack." He shook his head. "Don't be. I can be the other boy you've kissed and let get to second base." He winked at her causing her to laugh loudly. "What am I going to do with you?" He shrugged. "Friends?" She smiled and nodded. "I'd like that every much. It's always good to have a doctor friend." He nodded before standing up. "I'll see you around, Lily." He kissed her forehead before flashing her that million-dollar smile and left.

Lily sighed loudly as she walked over to her grandmothers hidden liquor cabinet and took two shots of tequila. She blew out a breath and made her way to the Reynolds' backyard from Madere's.