Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“I guess the band is back together again,” Ryker says as Chase yanks open the fridge and asks, “Pancakes, anyone?”
“Only if our girl can show us my second-favorite party trick,” Ryker answers.
I can, and I do, flipping the pancakes high in the air.
Once the breakfast-for-dinner is ready a little later, we head to the counter.
The canvas bag Ryker was carrying in the store is perched on the end of it. Chase grabs it and waves it toward me. “We have one more thing for you.”
“Another gift? You guys are really spoiling me.”
They look at each other with intensely serious expressions. “And the problem with that is?” Chase asks.
“It’s a lot of gifts,” I say, a little overwhelmed by their generosity.
“And I’m still not hearing a problem,” Ryker deadpans.
“No, it’s not a problem. I’m just not used to it.”
Chase nuzzles my neck. “Get used to it.”
I sit straighter, soaking in their attention, letting myself enjoy it completely as I take the bag from Chase. “I will.”
After they met me at the bookstore, we went to my studio for Nacho. My studio is a month-to-month lease, so I won’t give it up right away. But I don’t plan on living there again.
My home is with these guys.
When I pull out the gift, my throat tightens in all the good ways. It’s a jersey. On the front it says, “The Hockey Guys.” On the back, there’s a numeral one, and the word above it is Ours.
I never thought I would cry over a sports jersey. But once upon a time, I never thought I’d fall in love with two men who love me just the way I am.
44
AT THE SAME TIME?
Trina
I feel like I’ve drunk ten cans of Monster Blitz drinks, even though I’ve had nothing. But I’m shaking with nerves on Tuesday morning and about to breathe into a paper bag.
Aubrey grabs my wrist. “You can do it,” she says, reassuring me.
I take a calming breath and nod. She’s at my home—my new home—and the guys are off at the gym.
I’m about to leave to meet my family for an early breakfast before work. “I can do it,” I say.
“You’re going to nail it,” she says, then winks. “Just like they nail you.”
“Actually, they double nail me.”
She narrows her eyes. “I hate you. All I want is a damn good nailing.”
“Some girls dream of unicorns. Some dream of unicorn dick,” I say, then we leave together, and she walks with me through my new neighborhood and over to Fillmore, then says goodbye when I reach Mindy’s Café.
I smooth a hand along my shirt, then gulp. I head inside, spotting my family immediately in a booth. I make my way over and join them, sitting next to my sister, who I swear is going to be pregnant forever.
“Forty weeks—so you’re pumpkin size now, right?” I ask, focusing on her since I need to wade my way into the I’m in a three-way relationship pool.
“Forty weeks, two days, and five million hours,” she says with a miserable moan. “Which makes me house size.”
I pat her shoulder sympathetically.
My mom laughs. “At this rate, you’re going to be a mansion.”
“Maybe even an entire complex,” my dad says.
Cassie frowns. “I’m a whole city.” Then she turns to me. “But thank you again for all the books on my registry. That was cool.”
I smile, thinking of Chase, buying out all her books at Target. He’s such a good boyfriend. I can do this. I can tell them. Any second now. “Glad you like them. Can’t wait to read to my niece or nephew,” I say, and as those words come out, so does a new realization. I will be an awesome aunt for that reason. I can read my ass off to the baby.
“But how are you doing?” Cassie asks, her bossy voice back. “How’s the studio? Are you okay? Is the neighborhood safe? Do you want to come back to my place?”
There it is. My chance. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” I say, even though the nerves are now a whole battalion in my belly. “I’m involved.”
That’s a start, but only a start, since I haven’t used the plural pronoun yet.
My mom beams. “Oh, you got back together with the guy from the dog park? So it’s serious?”
She can’t even hide the hearts and flowers in her voice.
Just say it.
“Yes, and his best friend too. I’m in a relationship with two guys,” I say, putting it out there for them at last. This is me. Take me how I am.
Cassie’s brow knits. Mom tilts her head. Dad’s face is blank. And I keep going. “I don’t expect you to understand it. I don’t expect you to even like it. But I like it. And I love them, and they love me. And I want you to know that this is me. This is real. This is who I am.”