Her life! GxG! Intersex! (Book 1)

162

Abigail gathered another stack of plates and nodded toward the sink again, half-smiling. "Come help me before I decide paper plates are a lifestyle choice."

Megan laughed and followed her into the kitchen, automatically reaching for a towel. The space felt warm and lived-in, sunlight creeping across the counters, the smell of coffee still hanging in the air. They worked quietly at first, falling into an easy rhythm—rinse, dry, stack—like it was something they'd done a hundred times before.

After a few moments, Abigail broke the silence, her voice softer. "Hey... there's something I've been wanting to say."

Megan glanced over, attentive. "What's up?"

Abigail paused, hands under the running water, watching it bead across the ceramic. "I really appreciate you and Ashley being here. Not just today—like... in general." She took a breath. "And I appreciate how you've handled everything. The past, the attraction, all of it."

Megan leaned back against the counter, listening without interrupting.

"I know things could've gotten awkward," Abigail continued. "We crossed lines once, and it could've made everything messy. But you two never made it weird. Never pushed. Never made us feel like we owed you anything." She looked over, sincere. "That matters to me. A lot. Especially now."

Megan's expression softened. She set the towel down and nodded slowly. "I'm really glad you said that."

She took a moment before responding, thoughtful. "Honestly? That was our first time doing anything like that too. Ashley and I had never really stepped outside our relationship before. So we were figuring it out just like you were." She gave a small, self-aware smile. "And we learned pretty quickly that respect had to come first."

Abigail smiled faintly, relief evident in her shoulders.

"We would never pressure you," Megan went on, more firmly now. "Not then, not now. You and Emma are building something real. A family. That's not something you casually mess with."

Abigail swallowed. "Thank you."

Megan shrugged lightly, trying to keep it casual but still honest. "We just want to be part of your lives in whatever way makes sense. Friends. Family. Aunties who show up with too many toys and loud opinions." She smirked. "Whatever you'll have us as."

Abigail let out a quiet laugh. "Chosen family," she said. "That's what it feels like."

Megan nodded. "Yeah. That."

She hesitated, then added more quietly, "It's actually really nice to have people like you outside of basketball. Teammates are great, but everything's competitive, loud, always on. With you guys... I can just exist. Be myself."

Abigail turned off the faucet and faced her fully now. "You don't know how much that means to hear. This city can feel huge and lonely sometimes."

"Exactly," Megan said. "So... thanks for letting us in."

Abigail smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. "Thank you for staying."

Abigail rinsed the last mug and set it in the rack, then turned the water off. The kitchen felt quieter now, like it was holding its breath. She wiped her hands on the towel and looked at Megan, emotion sitting right at the surface.

"Come here," Abigail said softly.

Megan didn't hesitate. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her, the hug easy and genuine. Abigail held on for an extra second, grounding herself in it, in the fact that this was real and steady and not complicated.

Megan pulled back just enough to look at her, one hand still on Abigail's shoulder. "Listen," she said, her voice low but sure. "I've got your back. Always. And so does Ashley."