Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“What would we be sacrificing?” Brax looks around at the other men. “I like these guys. We’re gaining buddies. Brothers, almost.”
Buddies. I knew Erik and Gray were acquainted, of course, but the thought of all three of them considering themselves friends makes something warm bubble up in my chest.
“And what would it look like? Would I keep alternating date nights with each of you?”
“We can do whatever you want,” Gray says. “Nights in, all of us together, nights out one-on-one, or together if and when you’re comfortable with it.”
I imagine myself going to a restaurant or a club with all three of these big, handsome men escorting me, and I want to giggle, but I’m still too stunned about this proposal to feel playful.
“Your friend Lexy’s making it work, isn’t she?” Erik reminds me.
I nod slowly. I’m not Lexy, and these men are mostly new to one another, unlike her guys, but here they are, telling me they want a committed relationship.
I must go quiet for too long, because Erik says, “You don’t need to say anything yet, Ava. You have a lot going on, and above all, we just want to be here for you.”
Brax’s deep voice seems to rumble over my skin. “We’re not going to press you to make big decisions right now. Just know that we don’t want to lose you.”
My voice comes out barely above a whisper, because there’s a big lump in my throat. “I don’t want to lose any of you.”
Erik takes my hand and brings me to standing, a short distance from the table, where there’s enough room for all three of them to circle around me in a group hug. It’s amazing to feel so much happiness when I’ve been so distraught, but I can’t deny the joy that’s filling me from head to toe.
Eventually, I remember that, unlike me, the three of them have jobs to go to. They called in late so they could be with me, but I assure them that I’ll be fine for the day. More than fine now.
“If something happens, or if your family upsets you, call us,” Brax says.
“I will. Don’t worry about me. I’ll keep busy, cleaning my apartment and crocheting a mile-long scarf.”
“Sounds good,” Gray says. “As long as you’re done with that world-record scarf in time to have dinner with us.”
“How about pizza at my place?” Erik suggests, looking first to me, and then to the other two, making sure the plan works for all of us.
“That sounds wonderful.”
I hug Gray goodbye, and he gives me a kiss that weakens my knees.
“Stay strong, Ava,” he tells me, his eyes twinkling.
Brax drives Erik and I back to our apartment building, where I receive another delicious kiss before I get out of the car.
“How are you feeling about everything?” Erik asks when we’re alone in the elevator.
“My head is still spinning.”
He tucks me under his arm. “Everything will turn out for the best.”
A little while after I get home, there’s a video call from Lexy, and Ember is with her. From the artwork on the wall behind them, it looks like they’re in a back room at Beasts Ink. “We heard what happened,” Lexy says. “We’re so sorry. How are you doing?”
“It’s been a rough week,” I say, “but I’m going to be okay, I think.”
“Good. Any update with the guys?”
I literally cross my fingers, I’m hoping so hard. “They’ve been wonderful. And they’re at least willing to think about making it work with all of us.” They were more definite than that in our conversation, but I’m not sure I believe it, not quite yet.
Ember grins at me. “I guess getting less sleep in exchange for more orgasms is a pretty good tradeoff.”
I’m blushing—it’ll take time for that response to fade—but I laugh. “Yeah, it really is.”
“Tell us if you need anything,” Lexy says. “I can organize people to picket that church, if you want.”
I snort. “That’s a very amusing thought, but not necessary. I’m done with them.”
“Well, hang in there. Things will get better, Ava. Let’s have lunch again soon.”
We sign off, and feeling better than I have in days, I start doing chores around the apartment. I am, in fact, cleaning the kitchen when I get a visitor alert from the lobby, and my stomach instantly goes tight.
AVA
It’s nowhere near dinnertime yet, and if Brax or Gray were coming over, they’d have let me know. They’ve been texting all day, checking in on me.
It can’t be Erik; he wouldn’t need to call from the lobby because he has his own code.
I consider ignoring the call, but curiosity gets the best of me.
I heave a sigh of relief when Josephine’s face appears on my screen, but then I remember that she may not be my friend anymore. The church might have sent her to interrogate me, or urge me to reconsider and repent.