“And I don't know about the others, Hailey,” Quinn said, “but I care about you.”
Ben nodded, then Cason. They all cared for me, and I felt the tears well up in my eyes. I not only had one good man who cared about me, I had three. All of them willing to protect me, no matter the cost. I reached for Bennett to come closer, suddenly I just wanted all of them close to me. I felt so safe amongst the guys, I just wanted to feel them near me.
To hold me.
To protect me.
We curled up on the bed in a puppy pile, and for a while, I could almost forget about the life growing inside of me. A life that belonged to a vile, reprehensible person. And a person who, if I had my way, would never know about their existence.
“What do you think about putting a crib right over there, near the bay window?” Quinn asked after a few minutes.
My pulse raced as I listened to him and realized he wasn't speaking to me. He was speaking to his brothers. Making plans for our future.
“I think it would look nice,” Cason said, kissing my forehead. “We'll have to move some things around, but there's plenty of room. Maybe we'll paint too. You just pick the colors, Hailey.”
“Guys, I could go back home with my parents,” I said, suddenly feeling embarrassed and like I was a huge burden.
“Not happening,” Quinn said. “This way you and your kid will never have to worry about Leo getting to you.”
“There's always at least one of us around,” Cason said. “If not all three of us.”
“Besides, it's about time we did something with this room,” Bennett said. “None of us are ever going to use it. And it's larger than your bedroom at home. With a baby on the way, you're going to need more space.”
He had a point. My room was easily half the size of this one, and there were no other options. We had a nice home, but it wasn't big by any means. And my parents were gone a lot, leaving me alone. If I were there alone and Leo showed up – I shuddered to think what might happen.
Knowing that in the McCormick house, that there was usually at least one of the boys around, I knew I'd never be alone. And I'd never feel unsafe.
“What will people think?” I asked.
Bennett shrugged. “Who cares?” he said. “If anything at all, they'll probably think one of us is the father.”
“And all of us are okay with that,” Quinn finished for him.
“The kid will have three dads,” Cason said. “And you'll have three boyfriends.”
I laughed, taking it as a joke, but judging by the looks on their faces, the guys didn't.
“Seriously?”
“Whatever you're comfortable with, Hailey,” Quinn said, stroking my cheek. “No more fighting over you.”
“Yes, no more fighting,” Cason agreed.
Bennett was the last to agree, and as I looked over at him, a smile spread on his ruggedly handsome features.
“I have a hard time sharing,” he said. “But I think I can manage.”
“So, we're doing this? We're really doing this?” I asked, feeling like my heart might explode, my mind overwhelmed by thoughts and feelings I'd never before experienced.
“Sounds like it,” Quinn said, kissing my lips.
And that's how I ended up with three boyfriends and three fathers for my child. It's strange. It's unusual and unconventional.
But, somehow, it just feels right.
The End
RYE HART SNEAK PEEKS