Curiosity really is going to kill this cat one day.
The four of them are standing around the island in the kitchen space. Travis’s shirt is ruffled, his hair is a mess, and he looks the messiest I think I’ve seen him. Cole looks exhausted, wearing nothing but gym shorts, and the twins are still just casual like they were earlier.
Fi is sitting at Asher's feet while Hellion stands by Sawyer.
They definitely paint a picture, and just like that my fingers itch to draw this scene out. The four of them looking as relaxed as I’ve seen them since the first night I met them.
“I’m aware it’s on me,” Travis grunts, running a hand through his hair. “But could you imagine if my dad knew I’d banged her? That I want her just as bad as you idiots? He’d fucking string us all up, bleed us out, and then make out like his rivals did it, just to cash in on the sympathy vote. It’s better this way.”
“You’re an idiot,” Sawyer argues, but Cole steps in.
“Just be thankful that your parents accept the two of you dating the same girl for now. But you know this can’t last. We agreed that night to share her, but then everything changed. And thenyoufucking claimed her in front of everyone at that dinner. Now none of us get to have her. Not really. So Travis is right. This way is better.”
Sawyer scoffs at him, but Cole shakes his head. “Better for her, dickhead, not for us.”
“Oh,” is all Sawyer says, like he hadn’t considered the consequences. Considering the way his mind works, I doubt that’s true, all of them always seem to be four steps ahead of everyone else on campus, but I guess everyone has blindspots.
I feel a little gross eavesdropping on their conversation after that little revelation so I make a show of waking up and stretching. The puppies do not seem happy with my movement, but by the time I’m sitting up, they’re all looking at me.
“Oops?” I say with a shrug, wiping at my mouth as discreetly as I can in case I drooled in my sleep. “What's going on? You all look so serious.”
“I was just telling them about Dad’s mandated trip for us to the city. The boys are going to come with us so we don’t kill each other,” Travis says with a grim smile, that cold stare that he seems to reserve just for me back on his face.
But now I know that it’s little more than a mask, and I’m not sure how I feel about that.
“Oh? I guess you need as much security as you can get,” I tease, and he rolls his eyes.
He puts down the bottle of beer he’s been drinking and runs a hand through his hair. “I’m crashing,” is all he says before he walks away and heads up the stairs.
“Me too,” Cole adds. “I’ve got practice at six.”
He follows Travis up the stairs, leaving me with the twins. “I suppose I should get back to the dorm,” I say, checking my phone to see a message from Penn saying she’s staying with Connor tonight.
“We should talk before you do,” Asher says seriously, and the two of them come and sit on the sofas near me.
“Sure, what’s up?” I ask, my stomach churning.
“It was brought to our attention that Sawyer claiming you in front of our parents might have made you uncomfortable, especially since we haven’t actually discussed anything,” Asher says, and Sawyer rolls his eyes.
“I was excited, so shoot me.”
“Don't tempt me,” Asher teases.
“Ash…” I start bringing their attention back to me.
“Right. So our parents are aware that we both like you, and for some reason, since we’re twins, they don’t seem to object to us being with the same girl. That is, if you want that. I know Sawyer told you that the three of them agreed to share you that first night when I wasn’t there… but Travis and Cole… well, that’s for them to input. What I’m trying to say, and saying very, very badly, is that we want you to be ours. Publicly. Nothing hidden.”
My eyes go wide as my heart beats in my chest.
Is this what I want?
Yes, stupid, say yes.
It might not be conventional, or even close to what I was expecting them to say, but I nod. “Yes,” I say, the word little more than a breath.
“Good,” Sawyer says before pouncing on me as the puppies scramble. “I say we make this official.”
He kisses me and I swear I see stars. He pulls back and jumps to his feet, holding out a hand for me. I take it as Asher takes my other. I should probably hesitate when they lead me upstairs, but I don’t.