“You’re too observant to not notice things like this,” I murmur.
“Considering Gunner’s been in a pissy mood and you and Matthew have been sneaking around, it’s been hard for anyone to ignore.”
“We’re not sneaking. You say that and it sounds dirty and wrong. It’s not,” I hiss. “It’s not wrong for me to know what I want.”
“It’s wrong when you manipulate others and keep things in the dark while with multiple people.”
“Well sorry for not having a guidebook to satisfying my sugar daddy and his five friends!”
Another table looks over at me and I drop my head and my voice. “Don’t make me the villain, Roman. This needs to be amicable. We all agreed on temporary and we all agreed on casual.”
He nods once.
“Why Matthew?”
“I don’t understand the question.”
“Yes, you do,” He says sharply. “You and I connected well.”
“Really?” I snort. “Then you don’t know what it means to connect with someone. Having sex and being sassy with each other isn’t a connection. It’s chemistry of a sexual nature. That’s all. That’s what we had.”
“You’re minimizing.”
I take a slow breath. Why am I so worked up about this? “I chose Matthew because I appreciate him. Because we’re a good match and because we’re good together. We have potential for a good future and we have a healthy relationship.”
He nods once. “You should have told us sooner.”
“Yes. I should have. And if I knew that you would be so … bothered by this, I would have.”
“Why wouldn’t I be bothered, Bella? Almost three months. That’s how long we’ve been together.”
“The six of us. In acasualrelationship.”
“No, five of us were casual with you in your point of view,” He argues.
“What’s your count then? Since clearly you’re keeping score,” I hiss. I hate being backed into a corner like this. It brings out the worst in me and I know it. “or is this something else entirely that I’m missing.”
“You see what you want to see and do what you want to do. I shouldn’t have expected any different from you.”
With that he just stands and leaves. I gape after him. Shaking my head, I snort and go back home. I throw myself into packing and work and try not to see the guys for a while. Based on Roman’s reaction, they need time.
Miles warned me about it, but I hoped for the best. The day before we’re set to leave, Matthew comes over. I don’t know why. I’m down to a sleeping bag and a bunch of boxes. But he brings pizza and beer.
I kiss him when he comes in and he gives me an extra long kiss that makes me feel like I’m floating. I smile. “Hello to you too.”
“I told the guys.”
“Everything?” I follow him into the living room where the Tv is still plugged in.
He nods. “Everything. I told them we’d be moving in together, that we’re officially dating as of right now.”
“Right now, huh?” I can’t stop the smile from spreading over my face. “The two of us making this work?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He kisses me again. “It was a mixed bag of reactions, but what else could we really expect?”
“I was delusional to think we’d all be friends after this. Roman was …”
“I know.” Matthew wraps his arms around me and I feel my heart recover a bit. “I know. He’s not good with his own emotions and can lash out when he’s hurt.”