Shattered Hearts A MFM Love Story

~ ~ Maddy ~ ~

On a fine Saturday morning, I’d made arrangements to come over to Riley Jo’s place, as she wanted to go over a few things with me.

It was also an excellent opportunity for me to check in on Casey too. Although I was trying to be subtle and act casual about it. But that plan got shot down when I wrapped her in a hug, and yeah, maybe I hugged her a little too tightly or longer than I should. And when I stepped back, she more or less hightailed it out of the house.

Something about needing to check up on the new arrivals in the stables?

I was starting to think she was avoiding me and it was hard not to let it upset me.

Not to mention Casey had now been staying with Riley Jo for going on two weeks, although I checked in with her every day even if it was just via a text message.

Sitting outside on the back porch with an iced tea and the company of the mid-morning sun. Riley Jo’s teeth gripped the end of a pencil whilst she skimmed through her thick notepad, ticking off things from her to-do list.

The to-do list for my upcoming wedding nuptials.

The wedding day, which by all rights should have been my first and only one if I hadn’t been a chicken-shit, weak daughter who desperately wanted her parents’ approval.

I quickly shoved that thought away, refusing to let thoughts of him or my parents ruin my mood.

And maybe I should think of this as my first one anyhow... because this time I was beyond excited about getting married to...well, I wasn’t sure which one I was marrying. Neither would tell me.

Never minding that, I couldn’t wait to become MrsReilly.

But, since I’d decided I wanted nothing fancy or big and therefore it didn’t require one of those wedding planners. My sister here had taken it upon herself to organise the entire day.

Something to remember, she’d said.

That, and she was happier than a dog with two tails planning and organising everyone and everything.

And after what she did, saving me and Casey. I would pretty much let her do whatever she wanted, although I drew the line at some crazy thing she called wedpocalypse—which yeah, was as crazy as it sounded. Something to do with Good Omens—a TV show she loved? And a book she’d been reading.

“You know I love you, right?” I blurted out.

She laughed lightly, shaking her head. Warm, dark strands of hair slipped down in front of her face before she pushed them back behind her ears. “I know, you keep telling me.” she grinned. “I love you too.”

There would never be enough ways to show my gratitude and I wouldn’t ever quit trying.

Riley Jo had always been selfless, and she might not look it, but she was strong too. Much stronger than me. She’d also got the biggest heart, and I felt blessed every single day to have her in my life.

Her eyes dropped back down to her list as she tapped her pencil against the page. “I’m gonna pass on those fancy finger food snacks I told you ’bout.” She wrinkled her nose. “I went down to test them out and just smelling some had me gagging. They all smelled like mouldy cheese and not the good kind.”

Shrugging. “Go with what you think is best.”

Hearing the creak of the back-door opening, my head whipped around to see Danny—Adam’s son, or actually his stepson from his first marriage. Coming outside holding my beautiful niece. “You okay with me and this pretty little lady heading up to the stables?”

He was looking after Gracie whilst me and Riley Jo chatted. He was a natural, pinching her chubby cheeks and making baby cooing sounds and pulling funny faces.

“Sure, she loves the horses.” Riley Jo pointed, using the pencil. “Grab her bag that I left on the kitchen table, just in case she needs a diaper change. It will save you coming back.”

Danny’s face wrinkled up at the idea.

“Can’t be all sunshine and roses, city boy. When a girl’s gotta go, she gotta go and my little princess does not like to sit in her own poop!”

I hid my grin behind my glass of iced-tea.

“Oh, and grab the juice I made for her out of the refrigerator.”

Danny grumbled, rolling his eyes, biting back his own smirk. “C’mon Gracie, let me and you go find Aunty Casey, see what she’s up to.”

I waited until he’d gone back inside before I brought it up. “Casey?”

Riley Jo relaxed back in her chair. “Yeah, they seem to have hit it off and I think he might be sweet on her, too.”

I winced. “Do you think that’s a good idea?” Shaking my head. “And how’s Casey dealing with that? I don’t want her feeling uncomfortable.”

“Don’t be sweating it. I’ve already spoken to him.”

“How long is he here for anyways?” He visited often but he seemed to be here all the time lately.

“Well,” she started. “Since the night of my incarceration, y’know, when I earned myself the title of Lockwood’s own serial killer!”

“Serial Killer. Is that what folks are saying?” I asked, mortified.

“Nah,” she puffed out. “That’s just my husband’s way of a joke!”

I didn’t think it was funny.

“Anyway, you’re distracting me,” she started again. “Before the whole of the Matthews family descended on Lockwood with an army of attorneys. Danny was one of the first to arrive to see the Sheriff manhandling me because you know how that man hates me.” She scoffed. “Slicker than pig snot on a radiator, that one!”

Riley Jo had killed his son—in self-defence, of course.

“Anyways, Danny threatened the Sheriff that if he didn’t take his hands off me, he would and I’m quoting here. Drop him like a stone.”

My eyebrows popped. Danny always seemed so what’s the word...timid.

“Okay. But I’m not following how that translates into him being here now?”

“Oh right. Well, that night he asked what I thought of him moving to Lockwood and accepting a job at Mercy.”

“Why ask you, though?”

“I think he was worried ’bout you know. Him being Emma’s son and making me uncomfortable.” She picked up her iced-tea and sipped. “but I told him straight. I would love it if he moved here. And I know Adam would too. So that’s why you’re seeing him around more often now.” She put her glass down. “I think it’s doing Casey some good, too. I’ve seen her smiling more.”

I tried not to feel jealous that everyone else was helping her apart from me. Then another thought popped into my head and lowered my voice. “Has she told him about the baby?”

Riley Jo shook her head. “I don’t think so, but if she had. Danny wouldn’t say anything either way. He’s a sweetheart. The best. And I think it might be good for her to have him as a friend. Outside of everything that happened.”

“Has she talked about what she might do... with the baby, I mean?”

“Nope, and I ain’t askin’ either. I gave her some options and left them with her.”

My shoulders curled in. Logan was right about Casey maybe needing space and time away from us, and Riley Jo was good at being supportive without being overbearing at all.

Not like me. I’d become almost like one of those helicopter moms you see at their kids’ soccer games.

Riley Jo sighed out. “You know she doesn’t blame you, right?”

I blamed myself enough for the both of us. “She might have mentioned it a few times.”

“Well, believe it then. And if you want things to return to any kind of normal, you need to quit looking at her like she’s damaged or breakable.”

My jaw dropped. “Is that what she said because I do not—” I didn’t get to finish as Riley Jo held up her hand to stop me.

“Maddy. It’s written all over your face. And I know it’s difficult for you, and easy for me to say—but you need to put it behind you.”

We sat there with the space expanding between us until I eventually admitted it. “Okay. I’ll try harder.”

My sister smiled. “Good.” And then she flipped the subject. “Now, it’s only a week to go and I think we’ve pretty much got everything covered. Do you need to go over anything?”

“Nah. I trust you.”

“Yeah?” She seemed genuinely surprised.

“Heck, yeah, I was sitting here thinking to myself that you could easily give one of those fancy wedding planners a run for their money.” And honestly, I was so glad not to sweat the silly details that people got so caught up in.

“Oh, that reminds me... I nearly forgot,” she jumped up. “I’ll be right back!”

She returned a few minutes later and plonked a box down in front of me.

“What’s this?”

The grin she shot me looked a little unhinged. “Don’t look so worried. I got you what you asked for.” She wiggled her dark eyebrows. “Open it up!”

I didn’t remember asking her for anything and with a little apprehension, I flipped off the lid.

“Oh, my lord.”What in the doohickey? “Is that what I think it is?” lifting my head with eyes wider than tyres on a monster truck.

“Ah-huh, if you mean a butt-plug, then yeah.”

“I didn’t ask you to get me one!”

“Pfft. Not in so many words.” She waved her hand.

Not in any words!

My eyes dipped back inside the box. There wasn’t just one. “Why the heck would I need this many!? Last time I checked I only have one butt!” I could hear my voice pitch higher and I wanted to crawl under the table along with my mortification.

There were actually only three inside, but they were different sizes and colours.

I gulped, not even sure what I’d been thinking when I’d told her about my idea of having Logon and Jackson share me on our wedding night at the same time.

Of course, it had thrilled her.

Riley Jo’s hand dipped into the box and pulled out the smallest one.

“Crazy-looking things, aren’t they?” She held up the red one, looking at it curiously.

“Why is that one not in a box like the others?”

She offered it to me, and I took it from her. It wasn’t as heavy as I thought it might be.

“Oh, that’s because that one there is Connors.”

“Oh. My. God! Ewe!” I dropped it onto the table like the darn thing had bitten me. “I cannot believe you—”

Riley Jo threw her head back and laughed.

I sat there waiting for her to quit, but even I had to smile when she gripped onto her belly and her eyes started watering. “Lordy. Lord.” She laughed harder. “Your face...” Her words wheezed out around her laughter.

One eyebrow cocked whilst waiting for her to get control of herself.

“I should have taken a picture.” Her shoulders continued to shake as she sucked in air. “I’m only messing with you. I just took it out of its box to take a better look at it, that’s all.”

Rolling my eyes, picking it up again. “And you’re sure this is gonna work?”

“Look, if you’re wanting to be in the middle of a big ’ol Reilly sandwich of love, then I promise you, this is the best way to get it done.” She pulled out the box with the biggest one in it and I gulped again.

“I’m gonna stick with this one.”

With an added head shake and a little sigh, she gave me the look. “Bless your heart.” Pulling it out of its box too, and in her hand it looked even bigger. “You need to start with the smallest and then work up to the biggest.” She shrugged. “At least that’s what Connor told me and I reckon he’s right.”

“Seriously Riley Jo. You talked to Connor ’bout this?”

“Duh... what’s the point in havin’ a gay best friend if you can’t plug him for the inside scoop?” she laughed again. “Get it—plug him.” She waved it around. “Damn. I’m good! But seriously. Yeah, he said in this game, it’s all in the preparation!”

I guessed there was some logic to it.

“You have a week from now, so you should be all nice and loose if you start tonight.”

God, that made it sound even worse when she said it like that. “I can’t believe I’m considering doing this.”

“Trust me. They’re gonna love it and you—well you, get your ass cherry popped.” Her brow lifted. “And Connor told me it will enhance your enjoyment, too. He said ass-play with plugs and some other things are fun and—”

I huffed out a small breath. “Hush your mouth. I don’t need to hear any more. You and Connor share way too much.”

“Oh. Oh.” And suddenly she was bouncing on her toes excitedly. “Speakin’ of cherry-popping, whose gonna get the honours of yours?” She grinned manically—almost scarily.

She didn’t bother waiting for me to tell her to take a hike as she carried on regardless.

“Oh, I’m thinking Logan, because I see the way his head cocks to the side and he adjusts his jeans whenever you bend over!” She gave me a knowing wink and my cheeks went from hot to hotter.

I grumbled, shaking my head. I’d learned it was best not to answer.

“I mean I think Jackson is more of a leg man.”

“Well, it's a good job neither of them are breast men!” I quipped my eyes dropping to my sister's chest for half a second.

Riley Jo’s eyes shrink-wrapped. “Quit putting yourself down or else I’m textin’ them both telling them what you’re planning,” she threatened.

“You wouldn’t dare!”

She huffed out an agitated laugh and shook her head at me. “Watch me!”

“Fine. Turn that frown upside down. My breasts are perfectly perfect and they love me regardless of the size.”

Her features smoothed into a smile. “Hell, yeah they do.”

And then she went back to rummaging around in the box. “What’s that you got there?” I asked.

“Oh, this stuff here is lubrication, and trust me, you're gonna want to apply it generously.”

“What? Conner told you that, too?”

“Ah-huh.” She nodded and I picked up my drink and gulped a huge mouthful.

“Why don’t you head inside and try it out now?”

I sprayed my drink all over the table.

Riley Jo found that funny, too.

“Are you serious?” I wiped the back of my hand across my mouth. “I ain’t doing that here!”

She waved it off. “Why not? I’d say it’s as good a time as any?” Rolling her eyes so much I thought they might fall out and roll across the table. “Anyway, it will be just like that time when I talked you into trying a tampon. You remember that, right?”

Ugh. I shrank into my seat. “Do you have to remind me?” She insisted on coming into the bathroom and reading the instructions out loud.

“What? I helped!”

I couldn’t argue with that. Listening to her yapping non-stop helped me relax.

“And how long am I expected to, y’know? Keep it in?”

“Well, whilst you’re getting used to wearing your new best friend...”

“Ewe, Riley Jo! Don’t call it that!”

“Oh, quit being so prim and proper, Maddy Lockwood!”

“Hey, that’s not fair. I think agreeing to stick this in my butt makes me anything but prim and proper! “I protested.

“Okay, fair enough. According to the manufacturer’s instructions, you should work up to, but no longer than two to three hours at a time.”

Okay. That didn’t sound too bad.

“Right. I’m gonna tell Logan and Jackson no sex till our wedding night because I don’t want them to suspect anything might be different—y’know, down there.”

Riley Jo rolled her eyes. “You serious? Ain’t that cruel?”

Shaking my head. “No. It will give them something to look forward to it.”

“Damn. They are both gonna be dragging you upstairs before y’all finish the wedding breakfast!”

Yeah, maybe, and I smiled at that.

Only one week to go! And I couldn’t wait!