Cason was out of the loop, and normally, I'd say what happened was none of his business. But I knew in my heart that me staying here would make it his business. Especially, in light of everything that was going on.
So, we'd told him.
“So, you three?” he asked, pointing at us as he spoke. “Are a thing now?”
“A thing?” Bennett asked, trying hard not to laugh. “I'm not sure what you'd call us, but yeah, the three of us – were intimate. And we're surprisingly cool with it.”
“You are?” Cason asked, this time staring at me his eyes wide and an unmistakable look of hurt lurking deep within them.
I shrugged. “I don't want to be thought of as a slut, but –”
Cason's face softened. “You'll never be thought of that way,” he said. “And whatever happened will stay amongst us. You have my word.”
I reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. “Thank you, Cason,” I said. “That means a lot.”
“I'm just trying to figure out what this means for everyone,” he said.
And I knew the question he wanted to ask, so I answered it for him.
“As far as what it means for us – I don't know just yet,” I said. I sighed deeply. “I just know that I'm into all three of you in one way or another. And honestly, if I had to choose, I couldn't do it. You're all just so amazing. It's an impossible choice.”
And I meant it too.
“It's not like we have to decide tonight,” Quinn said.
He piled in a spoonful of mashed potatoes onto his plate, shrugging. He seemed to be the only one eating, even though my stomach rumbled. I just had so much going on in my head, I couldn't imagine eating.
“Why don't we just give it a rest for the night?” he said. “Let Hailey get some sleep, clear her head, and just relax. She's had a rough night. There honestly is no need we have to decide anything tonight.”
I was so thankful for Quinn in that moment, and yearned to reach across and take his hand too. But he was too far away.
The others agreed, quickly changing the subject. Even though I could tell Cason and Bennett really didn't want to.
“Quinn and I are opening tomorrow,” Bennett said. “But I think someone should stay here with Hailey, so she's not here alone just in case Leo figures out where she is.”
“I'll be free,” Cason said. “I close, remember?”
“You okay with that, Hailey?”
“Of course,” I said, smiling at Cason. “Why wouldn't I be?”
“We don't have any frogs to dissect,” he teased, winking at me, “but I'm sure we'll find something to keep us busy.”
“Ah, biology class,” I laughed.
“You were the only girl not squirming,” he said. “I'll never forget that. You handled it way better than I did.”
We shared a smile, and I had to admit – of all the McCormick men, I always imagined that Cason and I would have been the best match. Even now, I couldn't deny that I was attracted to the youngest McCormick, the one who geeked out with me in bio class all those years ago.
***
“Jenn, when did you realize you were – uhhh,” I closed the bathroom door behind me and made sure to whisper the last bit into the phone, “pregnant.”
“WHAT?!?” my best friend wailed. “No freaking way. Hailey, I'm on my way over there right now--”
“I'm not at home,” I said, feeling incredibly sheepish and insecure.
“Where are you?”