Cast the Cards

“You ready?” Carey asked.

“God, yes.” She stood from the wheelchair and made her way carefully to his waiting car. While the wounds were healing nicely, one wrong movement and the pain would take her breath away. He offered his arm, helping her ease into the seat.

“Thank you.” Being in this situation had taught her humility and to ask for help. Delaying her recovery by injuring herself would be pointless and stupid. Besides, it was adorable the way Carey fell all over himself trying to make sure she was comfortable.

With the death of the two they’d labeled the Tarot Card Killers something amazing happened—a shift in priorities. The driving force that compelled her to push to the brink of exhaustions had been yanked away. The demons that carved out chunks of her soul had been faced head-on and dealt with. Nothing like a near- death experience and regular sex with my ghostly first love and his twin brother to set a woman right.

Entering the car on the driver side, Carey started up the engine and pulled away from the parking lot.

“Is your mom still pissed you’re staying with me?” He asked.

“No, she mellowed out. I think Dad must’ve had a conversation with her.”

“I can’t blame her. This whole thing scared the shit out of her.”

“Me too.” She reached over the console and linked their fingers, resting her head against the back of the seat.

“Where’s Clark?”

“He’s waiting for us at the apartment.”

“You guys have something cooked up. I can tell. As long as it involves cake and just the three of us, I’m game.”

He laughed. “Trust me, last thing we want to do right now is share you.”

She turned on the radio on low and relaxed, happy to feel the sun on her face and the wind in her hair. Freedom never tasted so sweet. Dozing, she woke when the car came to a stop.

“Home sweet home.”

Funny how it had become just that, a safe haven from the madness that lay outside that door. In the arms of her men she was safe, well-cared for, and understood. It was a constant ray of sunshine that cut through the darkness of her past and recent events.

Opening her door, he smiled. “Ready?”

“Mmhmm.” Taking his hand, she allowed him to support her weight as she stood. “I’ve never been so happy you live on the first floor.”

He laughed. “You’ll be good as new before you know it.”

“Hmph. I doubt you’ll be saying that when you’re ready to wring my neck.”

“Luckily there’s two of me. So we both get to take a turn.”

“That’s why we were put together. I’m more than any one man could handle.”

He snorted. “That’s one way to look at it.”

When they reached the door to the apartment it swung open.

“Clark!” She wanted to throw herself into his arms but settled for the gentle hug.

“I missed you too, sweetheart. Welcome home.” He moved back and she gasped at the scene. Rose petals littered the floor. The lights were off. Candles covered all the major surfaces, giving off a beautiful amber-colored glow.

“You guys!”

A silver bucket of sparkling cider rested on the cocktail table. No alcohol allowed with her narcotics for pain management.

“Come and sit down.” Clark took one of her hands and Carey took the other. Together they guided her over to the couch where they all sat, sandwiching her in the middle, right where she liked to be.

“Everything that happened made us think long and hard about what we want,” Carey whispered.