Justice For Juniper (Tatienne Richard) novel Chapter 60

Good Morning – Part I

Juniper woke feeling squished and her mattress lumpy and hard.

Somehow, through the night, she managed to get herself to lay completely on top of Phineas. It explained the hard and lumpy but the heavy was the surprise. Adil’s leg was thrown over her and Beni’s arms were wrapped around both her and Phineas. They were in some kind of pile–up, with Phineas being the bottom and the rest all wrapped around and on him.

Quiet mumbling made her squeeze her eyes shut. The alcohol was long gone from her system and embarrassment at some of the things she’d said and done the night before while her inhibitions were down now running rampant through her brain.

“We’ll need to sit down and really discuss ground rules.”

Beni’s voice, sleepy yet serious as he stretched his body closer around her atop Phineas.

“Mm,” Phineas grunted quietly. “I want rule number one for her to always sleep like this.”

“Did you pull her there?” Adil asked flexing his feet against her calf.

“Nope. She climbed me about half an hour after we all fell asleep. Crawled right on top of me, snuggled in, tucked her hands under her chin, and started snoring. Cutest fucking thing

I’ve ever seen.”

“I swear she’s half cat,” Adil agreed. “You know those little. kittens who like to sleep next to a heartbeat. She simply curls up there all warm and content.”

“Yesterday was a hard day for her,” Phineas said quietly. “She did her therapy homework by forcing herself to go out alone. She then was confronted by Denise and then Kyst. She was seeking comfort and needed to be held. I’m glad we stayed.”

“Me too.” Beni said softly as he stroked her back gently. “I’ve never been one for physical altercations, but holy fuck did I ever want to beat the fuck out of Kyst last night. Did you hear his bullshit? You’re my wife,” he mocked Kyst’s voice. “Winy pathetic motherfucker. He didn’t seem to remember he had a wife when he was putting his dick in your wife, Phineas.”

“Don’t call her my wife,” Phineas sighed. “I hate her. I hated her a few weeks before the wedding and my grandfather insisted it was cold feet because I didn’t want to be tied down. The fucking wedding fiasco proved to me she was nuts. The stealing the morning after confirmed she was not anything like she ever portrayed to her parents and grandfather, especially her grandfather. The last year has been the most miserable of my life.” His lips pressed against the top of Juniper’s head. “I can’t believe I get to hold her in my arms after the hell of the last little while.”

“My parents will understand.” Beni’s hand was tracing little patterns on Juniper’s neck. “My mother was surprised when we sold our college apartment, and each bought our own places. She said she thought we’d be co–dependent forever.”

“Let’s be real though,” Adil said seriously, “we’ve never gone a full week without crashing the three of us in one or the other’s apartments. My mother once told my father I’d never get married because I’m married to my best friends. I was pissed off at the time because she was alleging we were gay, and we’re not, not that I’m homophobic but it was her tone, you know? I was never good enough for them.”

“Because you were quieter,” Phineas said seriously. “They wanted an outgoing, loud child like they both are. Your father walks into a room and everyone notices because he brings the party. He’s the consummate networker and he loves the rush of making a dollar. He loves noise and crowds, and your mom is the same. They love you, Adil. They really do but they never understood you because while for us and anyone we know, you are the funniest and most fun guy in the room every single time, you do it in a way that’s not loud. Your father always reminds. me of Jim Carrey in the Mask, when he wears the mask. It’s like a persona he puts on. You’re real and authentic.”

“Aw, he loves me, Beni. He really loves me.”

His words made Juniper’s lips twist against Phineas‘ chest, and he immediately noticed.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” his chest rumbled under her cheek.