“Lovers,” Gordon practically growls.
“All of you?”
Gordon shakes his head. “The details of the vote don’t matter, Maggie. Once a motion is passed, everybody accepts the majority.”
“How could I possibly consider being with someone who didn’t vote in favor?”
“Can I make a suggestion,” John says, “before lunch is ruined. Can we just hang out? As individuals or smaller groups. I feel like there are so many of us and only one of you. I can feel how intimidating this must be for you. Let’s just have a great meal together, and kick back after and see what happens. You can spend time with each of us and see how things develop.”
I nod, so grateful that he seems to be able to see below the surface to the heart of the situation. “That sounds good.”
“Okay. Now that’s sorted, let’s get this food on the table and into our bellies.”
The bustle of activity that happens next is overwhelming and reminds me a lot of life at the Jackson ranch. The table is set, beers retrieved from the fridge, food arranged on huge platters and placed in the center of the table as everyone takes their seats. I’m urged to sit between John and Harley, whether it’s coincidence or whether it’s because they’re the ones I’ve spent the most time with up until now, I’m not sure. It’s as though the boys understand how to ease me in, and that gives me more hope than I could have imagined I’d have.
The meal is delicious, but even so, I have to eat just a small portion so as not to stress my stomach. They’ve even provided me with an iced tea, which is so thoughtful. I listen to their conversations, trying to fit their personalities to their appearances. Usually, in a group of men, I’d find some that just don’t appeal to me. Justin’s teammates were a real mixed bunch, from good guys to man-whores, respectful, hard workers to assholes riding on their families’ social position. It’s different here. Even though they have contrasting characters, there’s no one who’s rude or disrespectful. Not one man among these eleven does anything to alienate me.
Are they on their best behavior? Probably, but as Danna said, my dad raised them to be good men, and they really do seem to be living up to his expectations.
Afterward, I offer to do the dishes, but I’m waved away and told to put my feet up in the den. I take a seat in the corner of the sofa that faces out onto the yard. While the boys are putting things away, I text my mom to let her know that I saw Danna and haven’t planned a date to leave yet. I catch up on the messages in various group chats, finding out that Justin and Cathy are back together. Everyone seems so far away and the situation so distant that I feel numb to the news. Maybe it’s a good sign, or maybe a bad one. I can’t be sure.
Cora is the only one from our group to reach out and check up on me, sending her condolences about Dad. She also tentatively states that she hopes I’m okay… with everything. I guess it’s her way of saying that she knows about the pregnancy but isn’t being presumptuous about asking me anything outright. That’s why Cora is the only one on the cheer team who I really miss. She tries to blend in with the other girls, but behind it all, she’s really a good person.
I tell her I’m okay and that I’ll call her soon. She responds with a smiley emoji, and that’s it. My contact with back home is done.
Logan is the first to come back into the room, and when he sees me, he smiles. “It’s funny that you chose that place to sit. It’s where your dad always used to kickback. He said he liked to be able to look outside at the trees.
“That’s why I chose it too.”
“You know, I wanted to say that I’m sorry about the other day… you know… on Main Street.”
“I didn’t grow up under a rock,” I say. “Boys do that kind of thing in my hometown too.”
“Yeah, but… I wish I hadn’t.”
I can’t say that I expected Logan to admit that anything he does is wrong. He’s got that straight-backed air about him that shouts fuck you to the world and a swagger in the way he walks that says he doesn’t care about anything. Out of all of my foster brothers, he’s the one my friends would call a bad boy.
His gray eyes swim like liquid metal, made more ethereal by the dark sweep of his brow and lashes. In his jeans and fitted shirt, he looks like a cover model and so totally out of my league that I’m almost shy to look at him.