on errands. It has helped to alleviate the gawking and dirty looks.”
“See?” I told her. “I can’t even imagine what they’ve had to face. It’s sweet of them to want to protect you from that.”
“It’s amazing,” Tessa mused. “They’re so openly affectionate with each other. They don’t care who sees, they just are who they are.”
“They love each other,” I said. “And the fact that they’re all men doesn’t matter, they’re fucking adorable together. No one deserves to be killed over that.” I squeezed her hand again. “Had you dated women before Big G?”
“I had a girlfriend in high school,” she admitted, her worried frown returning. “I loved her, but her family was set on moving away when the Collapse got real bad. We thought it would be safer to break up. People used to yell horrible slurs at us, and anyway,” she sighed, wiping quickly at her eyes, “I liked guys too and wanted to start a family. I thought Big G was the person I needed.”
“What happened to make him so upset about Andrea?” I asked gently.
Tessa blew out a long breath. “So, there was a party one night, a couple years back in Sheol. Dallas, Andrea, G, and I all went back to their place afterwards. We got the kids set up for a sleepover upstairs while us adults continued drinking downstairs.” Her throat worked nervously. “At some point, Andrea kissed me. It was a super quick peck on the lips, practically nothing. We were drunk and being silly. But Dallas was into it and encouraged us to kiss some more.”
“And Big G?” I pressed.
“That’s what pisses me off so much. He acted like he was into it too.” She brought a hand to her chest. “I remember feeling so elated and relieved. Like yes, my husband does accept and love me, even though I’m also attracted to women. It felt like a huge weight off my chest.”
Anger heated inside me on her behalf. “But that turned out not to be the case?”
She shook her head. “Two-faced bastard. I must have asked him like ten times if he was seriously okay with it. Even then, we kept things pretty tame. Andrea and I made out for a little while, then she and Dallas went off to fuck. As soon as G and I were alone, he did a complete fucking 180.”
“Jesus.” My chest ached for her. “What a betrayal. I’m so sorry, Tess.”
“He berated me, accused me of all these awful things, called me names.” Her voice cracked. “It was exacerbated because he was drunk, of course. Not that that fucking excuses it. I trusted him, and it hurt so bad. So yeah, he’s always pitched a fit any time she and I happened to be alone. Nothing happened since that night, but he didn’t care. Not even the death of her husband was a good enough reason for me to spend time with her, even just as friends.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie.” I reached over and rubbed her arm. “If Andrea makes you happy, you’re much better off with her.”
Her face lit up for the first time since telling me her story. “Thank you for being supportive, Mari. It’s still tough, you know. She loved Dallas so much, and she’s never been with a woman before. We’re taking it slow, but it’s nice. We’re able to comfort each other. Take turns watching each other’s kids. It feels so good, being with someone who listens and just understands me. Even if it’s just a temporary thing, we’ll always be there for each other in one way or another.”
“That’s how it should be,” I said with a light squeeze of her hands. “I’m glad you’re happy, honey.”
“Well shit, I’m glad you are too. You’re absolutely glowing!” She leaned over and poked me in the belly. “Got anyone cookin’ in there yet?”
"Nah." I slid a hand over where she poked me, just under my navel. "Not for a little while longer."
"Your men must be on their best behavior then, for you to look so blissed out. That, or you got laid just before coming here. In which case, I highly resent you knocking when you did."
"Sorry about my awful timing, but it’s not that either," I laughed. "I've been seeing someone new."
"Another one? Jesus, woman. There are whores getting less dick than you!"
"We haven't slept together yet," I clarified. "But it feels like that high school kind of relationship, you know? Lots of kissing and hand-holding. Innocent and sweet. It's actually