Nick moans softly, and I rub across his toned bicep, then across his defined pec, so clear even through his shirt. He catches my hand before I can go for a button and rests his forehead against mine. “Wicked woman.” He says against my lips.
“Your clothes are still on. This is all innocent.” I whisper.
He chuckles, pecks my lips, kisses me softly, then unbuckles me. I survive the rest of the workday, then remember I made a promise to my mother for tonight, which means seeing my father.
I get home and change into something innocent – well, as innocent as I have. A peach wrap dress that covers my cleavage and my legs down to my knees. I put on flats, keep my makeup light, and even pull on a white knitted wrap just to be extra covered.
My first time seeing Daddy since he found out, and I’m not at all excited about this. Especially with mom there. What if he can’t hold back and he outs me to her? What if he doesn’t but makes me tell her myself? Oh god, after last night, she won’t be able to look at any of the guys.
I swallow that all down and text the guys in our group chat that I’m heading to the hospital to meet my mom and dad for dinner. Nick and Gunner send me encouragement. Holden sends me a cat meme that says, “hang in there.” Roman reminds me that they’re only a few minutes away if I need support.
I linger outside the hospital door, trying to eavesdrop to get a sense of what I’m walking into. But it’s all hushed conversation and recorded laugh tracks. After taking a deep breath, I walk in with my head as high as I can manage to hold it.
Mom is perched on Dad’s bed, and his eyes are all soft for her. Until he sees me, he clears his throat and leans back. Mom looks over and claps her hand. “There you are, honey! Okay. You stay with dad, and I’ll go get our order and be back in just a minute.”
“Okay.” I nod.
I sit in the visitor’s chair and watch her walk out the door, closing it behind her. My father clears his throat, and I slowly meet his eyes while every curse word I’ve ever known flits across my brain. I curl my shaking fingers into my hand.
“Sophie.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“So let’s not,” I whisper. “Let’s not talk about it. We’ve never talked about my dating life or anything before, so...”
“I can’t ignore it now.” He sounds like he’s in actual pain. “Four men … that are my age or close to it? How am I supposed to feel about that?”
I swallow hard.
“They’re my best friends. I trusted them to look out for you, to protect you.”
“And they have, Daddy,” I assure him. “They’re good to me.”
“They took advantage of the situation. They took advantage of you.”
I narrow my eyes at him and wait for him to look at me before continuing. I may be nice. I may do as I’m asked at work, and I may be ‘sweet,’ but I’m perfectly capable of the word no.
“I’m an adult. I’m not a naïve eighteen-year-old, and I knew what I was getting into.”
“You’re barely an adult.”
“I’m capable of saying no. I’ve said it to Neal plenty. I can make choices for myself too. Roman, Holden, Nick, Gunner … they never forced me to do anything. They never pushed me farther than I wanted to go, and they always make sure I want what they give.”
He shakes his head.
“Nick spent his lunch with me today just listening about how stressed I’ve been and holding my hand, telling me that I’m allowed to be stressed, and my emotions are valid.” I hiss. “Gunner held me when I cried after you found out about us. I can list so many moments with each of them that had nothing to do with sex.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?”
“It should!” I stand up. “Because they treat me with more respect and affection than anyone I’ve ever been with. I feel safe and heard and right when I’m with them.”
I swear I can hear him gritting his teeth. “We’re not done with this conversation, not entirely.”
“Are we looping mom into it today?” I ask.
He shakes his head, and his face pales. “Not until I know what’s really going on. The second I get out of this hospital, she’s finding out unless she notices something at home before that.”
“Fine.” I shrug. “Also, Sasha told Neal what’s going on, and I’m trying to make sure he keeps his job.”
Dad looks up at me with slight surprise. “Why?”