For some fucking reason, today has been an incredibly busy day. I should be out looking for Gracie, trying to find her. But I also have a duty to the diner and so much to give back to my grandfather for everything he’s done for me.
Devon enters the diner, and when he finds us, he hurries over to us. “She’s with Marcy.”
Relief washes over Owen’s face, and his shoulders drop. “At least she can’t get to drugs.”
Devon shakes his head, glancing at the two couples. I sit my rag down and give the men my full attention, realizing that I’m not going to get any cleaning done until they leave.
“I talked to Marcy. Gracie’s really upset about everything. Marcy got her to take a nap, though, so hopefully, she’ll feel better when she wakes up,” Devon tells us.
Devon avoids looking at me, keeping his eyes anywhere but on me. I don’t think he wants to admit that he’s attracted to me. It isn’t hard to see. I’ve caught him admiring me before, but he’s been intent on winning Gracie back to do anything about it. If she wants to be with both of us, though, being together may be possible. I don’t know how these kinds of relationships work, though. I don’t want to overstep boundaries and fuck something up. I guess it’s just going to have to be a feel sort of thing. Get the hang of it and push the limits. If it falls apart, I can back up and reassess.
“So, what do we do?” Owen asks, shifting anxiously in his spot.
Devon clears his throat. “We wait it out,” he shakes his head when Owen and I look at him incredulously. “It’s the logical thing to do. As long as she’s with Marcy, she isn’t going to get into drugs or drink or anything like that. She’s safe right now. I asked Marcy to call me right away if Gracie leaves. We can decide from there. But”—he hesitates and looks between the two of us—“two things. One, we have to figure this out together. I know you aren’t thrilled about the idea of sharing, Owen, but Gracie needs us. We can’t just turn a blind eye to her. She wants all of us, and making her choose will tear her apart. Two, unfortunately, I’m pretty sure she’s into those other two guys. She’s got a big heart, and even if we don’t like the idea, we need to do this together.”
Owen snorts. “Poly relationships aren’t my thing—”
“It isn’t poly,” Devon cuts him off. “Otherwise, she’d be into girls, and Gracie is as straight as they come.” He looks Owen dead in the eye. “Straight as you. She’s strictly into men.”
Owen glowers at him. “Then what the fuck is this she wants?”
“A harem. Reversed. Like when one man has multiple women, it’s a harem. Except, it's reversed with Gracie.” He scrunches his nose. “Well, I guess it’s a form of poly if you really think about it, but it’s better to just classify it by itself so it makes more sense.”
Owen doesn’t look amused. “So, it’ll keep growing?”
“I don’t think so. I think Gracie is only interested in the five of us,” Devon points out. “Look, I know it isn’t the best idea, but do you want Gracie to fall apart because we force something she doesn’t want?”
Owen glares at him. “And what about the rest of us? What if we don’t want this?”
Devon stares at the cop for a long moment and then speaks so slowly, so clearly, to make sure he isn’t misunderstood. “We’ve been best friends for four years, but I have known you an entire decade. I know you’ll be fine with this, as long as you don’t have to do cock shit with other guys.”
Owen swallows, glaring at Devon, but even I can see that the man is right. Owen will do anything for Gracie. Just like Devon and I would.
“I fucking hate you,” Owen growls at Devon.
Devon snickers. “And I love you.”
Owen’s face twists, appalled by the affection, before turning to leave. The bell jingles as he lets it slam shut behind him.
Devon chuckles. “Gets him every time.” He sighs and looks right at me this time. “Come to my house after you get off. I’ll also have Owen and the two other guys meet us there. I think we all need to fucking sit down and figure this shit out together.”
I nod and cock an eyebrow. “What about Gracie?”
Devon shakes his head. “I have a feeling she isn’t going to want to be around any of us tonight. She’ll probably stay with Marcy, if anything.”
I nod and return to cleaning, trying to make myself busy even with him here. If I’m not careful, I’m going to kiss him right in front of these customers, and that’s honestly the last thing I need to do in this place. Definitely not right now.
“Colton,” my name on Devon’s lips makes me tense. He hesitates. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I nod in response, not trusting myself to say anything, and only look up when the bell jingles at Devon’s departure. I clutch the rag in my fingers, my eyes following Devon as he passes the window in front of me. I know that it would’ve been the wrong thing if I had said anything. I would’ve asked him to stay, to go upstairs with me. Or I would’ve simply kissed him.
I’m angry because I can’t kiss him. I don’t know what any of this means. If we’re with Gracie, can we be together?
I shake my head, wanting to abolish the redundant thoughts that run rampant through my brain. I need it to quiet down and give me some peace for even an hour. Things will be figured out tonight. I know they will. They have to. Yes, it will be without Gracie, but that’s probably the best option for the moment. For us guys to figure out what we want to do and then to have Gracie add to the equation. She’s already been figuring out what she wants. I have no doubt she’s most likely come to the same conclusion.
Is it what I want, though?
I think so. Honestly, I’m not too pressed about the whole thing. If it’s what the heart wants, it’s what I’m willing to do. That’s something my parents don’t, and I doubt they will ever understand. They’re too close-minded, and that’s why I’m here. Again, it’s only part of the reason.