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)
Lexy sets her cheeseburger down and lifts her brows suggestively. “Tell us more.”
“You’ve met my friend Erik…” I start.
“I knew there was something there!” Lexy is triumphant. “I knew you were more than friends.”
I let out a breath. “We weren’t, at least not officially, but I didn’t realize that it was more until recently. And then, Erik took me to a casino where I met a friend of his, a man named Gray.”
“You’re dating three men?” Ember’s eyebrows are nearly to her hairline.
“Yep, that’s me, a virgin juggling three men.” I let out a little laugh. “I was very open with all of them. They know I’m inexperienced, and they know I’m dating all three of them. Because I have so little experience, they’re not expecting me to choose one of them immediately.”
“Why choose at all?” Lexy says this lightly, as if it’s completely normal that men would agree to share a woman.
I shake my head. Just because it happened for her, doesn’t mean it’s anywhere near being commonplace. Plus, two of her men are brothers, and they’re all lifelong best friends.
“They’re all so different,” I explain. “You know what Brax is like, a big guy who would be intimidating if we didn’t know what a sweetheart he is.” The other women nod. “And Erik, he’s probably more the type of man I would have envisioned myself dating. Like a boy next door, and very protective.”
“And hot,” Lexy tells Ember. “Not that I was looking for myself, but the man is hot.”
“Yeah, he is.” I can’t help but smile as an image of him appears in my mind. “And Gray is so different from either of them. He’s pure charm and sophistication. A playboy. I have no idea why he wants to date me.”
Lexy frowns at me. “Ava, don’t talk about yourself that way.”
“Any man would be lucky to date you,” Ember adds.
“That’s not what I meant. I know I’m nice, and I’d like to think I’m good company on a date, but Gray in particular must be used to dating women who are more like him.”
Lexy’s eyes go dreamy. “The heart wants what the heart wants.”
I swirl one of my fries in ketchup. “I don’t think Gray’s heart is involved. I’m pretty sure it’s another part of his anatomy that drives him.”
“It can definitely be both,” Lexy says. “And speaking of that, what are you planning to do when it comes to the physical stuff? Are you waiting for marriage?”
I let out a long breath. “Much as everything I’ve been taught is still stuck in my head, I no longer subscribe to the church’s restrictive rules. I’m open to … exploring.”
“Oooh!” Lexy teases, making eyes at me and sounding like the young girl she was when I knew her, way back in our elementary school days.
“But seriously,” she says, after she and Ember are finished laughing. “I think you should follow your heart and find out what you really want, but it’s also good to take your time and not be rushed into anything before you’re ready.”
“And keep communicating with the men like you have been,” Ember adds. “Tell them exactly what you want and need and how you feel about things. Don’t make them guess, because they’re often clueless.”
I nod, filing away this information, grateful for their advice.
The waitress comes by to clear their plates, and I take a big bite of my burger, which is now cold.
When the waitress bustles off, Ember says, “Don’t feel pressured to keep exploring if it feels wrong at any point. I hope they’re all good guys, but a lot of men will push before you might be ready.”
I nod at that, but keep quiet about the fact that, if anything, the men are moving too slow. I greatly appreciate their consideration for me, but I’m afraid I’m going to start tackling them if I don’t see some action soon.
I guess I need to start asking for what I want, and I hope I’m ready for everything they might give me.
ERIK
I congratulate myself on my timing as I approach the basketball courts. There are several at the park, but they’re normally packed every afternoon and evening with pickup games. There’s a brief lull around dinnertime, and that’s when I’ve arrived to find a couple of courts empty.
Not that joining a pickup game would be bad, under ordinary circumstances, but I have different plans for tonight.
I hear a door shut, and look behind me to see Brax next to a pickup truck. A moment later, Gray pulls in beside him in his sleek sports car. My own vehicle is a sensible fuel-efficient one, because I often have to drive for my sales job.
The other two join me, and we make our way to one of the empty courts. We’re all in workout shorts and t-shirts, carrying water bottles, and I’ve got a ball under one arm. Once we’re on the blacktop, I waste no time in passing it to Brax, then move in to guard him.