He’d been busy with the farm ever since we left Autumn’s this morning and had only now come in to get cleaned up.
“Jack,” Autumn said, worrying her lip between her teeth for a moment. “Did you by chance run your offer by Hunter first?”
“What offer?” Hunter asked curiously, looking between the two of them.
“I offered Autumn use of the guest room until the repairs are completed on her grandparents’ place,” Jack said, his voice firm in a way we both knew he meant business.
There weren’t many things our beta was insistent about, but when he was adamant about something we took notice and respected his position.
“That makes sense,” Hunter agreed, his fingers finding the collar of his shirt and tugging as if he was suddenly too hot.
Autumn shifted where she was standing. “If that’s not alright, I don’t mind bunking with the crew down at the orchard or seeing if the BNB has an opening.”
Hunter shook his head. “It’s fine.”
“Then why do you look like you’re about to jump out of that shirt and run for the hills?” she asked.
“You’d love it if I’d jump out of this shirt,” Hunter bantered back with a cocky smirk automatically back in place. “I just…”
“Oh my gosh, Hunter Halston. Are you worried that I’ll fall in love with you?”
“When you’re living with me, how could you resist?” he countered.
Autumn crowded into him, laying a hand on his chest, his hands involuntarily framing her waist as she leaned up to whisper, “It’s going to take a whole lot more than seeing you, naked or otherwise, for me to fall in love with you, Romeo. Especially when you smell like fish guts.”
With that she jumped and popped a kiss on his cheek before going to stand next to Jack who offered her a fist bump of all things. It was insane how easily she handled all three of our personalities, like it was second nature. She could switch from being sweet and reassuring, to firing shots at Hunter, and then give Jack a sweet grin.
“Ground rules,” I said, drawing their attention. “If we’re all going to do this and live together, then we should set some so everyone’s boundaries are respected.”
I felt Jack’s and Hunter’s eyes on me, silently asking if I was going to stay. I gave them a nod knowing that I couldn’t stay away if Autumn was going to be here. I’d been away too long anyway, and even waking up here this morning, in the packhouse with them, just felt right.
“A fantastic idea, Boone,” Autumn beamed. “First off, it should be clear with all of us in the same room that we each have something going on. That’s great, and I’m looking forward to exploring that and getting to know you all better, but please know that I’m not looking to pack up. I’m here for the orchard first and foremost and then I’ll be deciding which offer to take back in the city.”
“No problem here, sweetheart,” Hunter said, the relief in his voice clear. “I believe we agreed to be friends, did we not?”
“Friends don’t pop erections when other friends are laying wet and naked in their arms.”
“Sounds like a hell of a good friend to me, darlin’,” Hunter replied with a grin.
While they were teasing back and forth all I could think about was the fact she planned to leave. I didn’t trust easily and honestly, Jack didn’t jump right into relationships either. But the idea of her leaving had my stomach in knots. Not only would I hate having her away, there were far too many things that could happen in the city. How could I protect her there?
Autumn shook her head. “What else? This is your space, your home. What shouldn’t I do?”
Jack shrugged. “I really don’t have anything, Autumn. I’ve never lived with anyone but these two but if anything comes up I’m sure we can figure it out together.”
I knew what I wanted to ask, but I knew I didn’t have the right to. Running a hand through my beard, I tried to think of a way I could ask without sounding like a complete alpha hole.
“What about you, bear? You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”
I grunted at her name for me, but didn’t comment on it further, taking a deep breath before I asked for what I really wanted.
“If you’re going to be out late, will you please let one of us know where you are?”
She blinked her head tilting to the side slightly as she processed the request.
“I can do that,” she finally agreed. “I guess I should go ahead and let you know that I plan to be out real late with you tomorrow for our date, handsome.”
A moment later a smile I hadn’t seen before broke out on her face, stretching her cheeks and making the corner of her eyes crinkle. The fact that it was directed at me nearly did me in.