“I can’t think with you three bickering, now stop!” my voice boomed through the bathroom. I knew it had echoed into the hotel room itself because the men instantly fell silent.
“Cassidy,” Steele said. “Please come out.”
“Nope,” I shook my head even though they couldn’t see it. “I’m staying right where I am. I need distance, silence, and I need to time to think. I also don’t want to be caught in the middle of whatever beef the three of you have.”
So much had happened in the last couple of hours. My head was starting to spin trying to keep it all straight. And the thing that topped it all off was the men each wanted me to choose them to be my champion to rid the world and my life from my ex. But they only wanted me to choose one of them.
Not that I wanted the choice, to begin with. Besides the last thing I needed was another relationship. Those things were what got me into this mess with Xander, from the start.
And as admirable as their desire was, I didn’t like the idea of them killing anyone. Xander deserved all the pain and suffering coming to him, but I wanted nothing to do with his downfall.
I huffed and then took in a deep, long breath of air. The motion felt amazing. And now, along with the silence and distance, I needed the chance to breathe. And the room to do that in. But these men weren’t going to leave. Not until they got an answer from me.
“What is there to think about?” Malachi asked.
“I’m not choosing anyone,” I said. “I can’t. And I won’t be responsible for anyone’s lives being put at risk. Not for me or anyone else. So, hang it up.”
“Can we talk about this, please?” Steele asked.
I sarcastically laughed. “For what? Every time one of you says something the other doesn’t like you three explode into an argument. Neither of you can stay out of the other’s way and it’s not helpful in the least.”
“We are truly sorry,” he said.
“Speak for yourself,” Dallas snapped.
“See?” I yelled and pounded my palm onto the vanity. “This isn’t helpful!”
“Sorry,” Dallas said.
“How do you expect to help me if you three can’t get your shit together and avoid getting into another argument for longer than five minutes?” I asked.
I was reminded again of the reading Maxine had given me. She mentioned someone trying to help me. Maybe these three men were it? As misguided and unnecessary their kind of help was.
And though I never had believed in those sorts of things, the reading was unfolding right before my eyes. But I had enough to process for the moment.
One thing at a time, Cass… I reminded myself.
“If we agreed to stay out of each other’s way,” Malachi started, “would you come out and talk to us?”
“What are we supposed to talk about?” I asked, calmer.
“You tell us,” Steele said.
I sighed. “There is so much about this whole situation I don’t understand. I have more questions than answers, and all I can think about is leaving and going home.”
“We promise to behave,” Dallas said.
“And we would love to answer your questions,” Steele added.
“No arguments and no fighting,” Malachi said. “Let us help you.”
The way the men had stopped bickering and worked together for my benefit was interesting. I supposed that they all three wanted to help me so badly that neither of them seemed to stop and think about working together until this point. And it took me pointing out their inability to not fight for them to see that too. Well, that and my refusal to leave the safety of the bathroom.
“Come out and ask your questions,” Steele coaxed. “It’s safe.”
“For now,” I muttered.
“We promised,” Malachi said.