Royce went pale.
If it was at all possible, Byron’s eyes reflected even more sadness.
“I apologize if this destroys your dreams or your future plans. It’s a horrible thing that happened to me, and if you want to know about it, I’ll tell you because, to be honest, it’s pretty simple. But it means that none of you can have kids with me.” I didn’t mean to sound harsh. I tried to keep my tone level, but even I could sense the defensiveness in it. I guess, after Tate, I was prepared for another shouting match.
But it never came.
“Simple? How is whatever happened to you, simple?” Royce asked.
“It was an infection that meant the doctors had to remove my uterus. That’s how it’s simple.” I wanted to meet their gazes, but I was having difficulty doing so.
Byron scrunched up a napkin. “Jeez, Lou, I’m sorry you had to go through that and at such a young age.”
I sipped some of my cider, but I barely tasted it. “It was never important to me before. Alex and I were happy to be childless, but ever since I ended up with you guys, it’s slowly become an important issue. Especially since some of you have your hearts set on having a family.” I stared across the table at Jack.
The Hawaiian Viking hadn’t moved a muscle. He was like a stone sentinel, his handsome face expressionless. I was desperate to know what was going on in his mind.
When he rose from the table, my heart broke. Was this the end, so soon after we’d found each other? What did that mean for him and Royce? Or the growing attraction between him and Byron?
But wait.
He wasn’t walking away.
No, he was making his way around our small table toward me.
He drew my chair out and turned it to the side. Even when he kneeled in front of me, he was still taller than me. His fingers curled into my hair, then he pressed his lips to mine. After a couple of moments, I opened up to him. Butterflies took flight in my belly as his tongue dominated mine in the slowest, gentlest, and most mind-blowing fashion. Never mind we were in a busy, tented restaurant of sorts. My body called for him. All I cared about was how Jack felt when I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders, and he pulled me from the chair and onto his lap.
He broke the kiss and cupped my face as he held my gaze. “What I said to you… fuck, I was so careless. No wonder you were upset. Lou, nothing else matters but you. I loveyou,and I’m sorry for getting carried away with my wishful thinking.”
I kissed him deeply, and he didn’t hesitate to respond. “I love you, as well, Jack.” I glanced at Royce and Byron and felt Jack pressing kisses to the side of my face. “I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want. Any of you.”
“Hey, don’t you apologize,” Royce ordered.
“I’d like to get back to this delicious feast you bought us.” Jack’s gaze moved between me, the ham, and back again. “Although, I’d like to feast on something else pretty soon too.”
It only took Jack’s featherlight touch over my crotch for me to react to him. Color flushed my cheeks, and there was no mistaking the smugness in his look.
Jack deposited me back into my chair. “You think about what we’re going to do when we get home, Lou. I want you to stay turned on the whole time.”
Royce watched our boyfriend return to his seat. “I hope I’m included in this.”
“Why would you even question that?” Jack playfully poked Royce’s cheek. “It wouldn’t be right without you.”
I didn’t miss Jack flicking his gaze toward Byron. It was so quick that maybe the other two missed it, but I didn’t. Royce was too busy fawning over Jack. Mind you, Byron was crazy silent and was avoiding everyone’s gazes.
“Byron?”
Byron scrubbed a hand down his face. “I’m okay. Let’s drink up, huh?”
I wasn’t sure if I believed him. His entire demeanor said the entire opposite.
After a moment, though, I said, “Yeah. Sure.”
Byron was quiet the entire ride home. He never even said anything when we made our way inside the house. His silence was driving me to paranoia. Byron wasn’t a vocal guy in general, and it didn’t usually bother me. But I’d dropped some big news on these three tonight, news that would affect our future, and I was dying to know what was going on in his mind.
By the time I shrugged off my coat and hung it up, he was already up the stairwell, and I didn’t catch up to him until we were in the living room upstairs.
“Byron!” I raced after him, ignoring the fact that Tate was seated at the dining table. “Byron, wait. Where are you going?”