“Well, I suspect none of us are going to want to let Serenity go.” As Bryce moved toward me, he offered his hand. When I took it, he led me into the loft’s living room, inviting me to sit next to Hunter, who pulled me in close.
Bryce dropped into an oversized armchair the furthest away from everyone else, pointing at me with Hunter, saying, “You see? I have no problem with sharing her affections. It’s hardly a rare thing in New Nebraska, is it? I’ve even read research that claims poly relationships are often the most successful.” He shuffled in his seat, pursing his lips before saying, “But, Hunter, I don’t want to float ideas that’ll cause any tension between us.”
Hunter slipped a gentle, warm palm under my top, massaging and rubbing my back softly. “Bryce, you’re like family. I trust you. Completely. And I can’t deny you the touch you’ve been robbed of all your life. Can’t be anything but happy for you.” He exhaled hard. “But…” His eyes went to Dagger. “I feel like some people would beverydifficult to get along with, in that type of arrangement. Even if they do claim to have a special bond with Serenity.”
Dagger snorted and opened his gaping mouth. But then he paused and looked at me. Breathing deeply, he spoke to Seb. “Not a lot of people know this, but I was a paramedic for a year and a half, before I became a cop. You look weak, kid. I’m not exactly a fan of the remedy, but—if Serenity’s in agreement—I can extract a couple of syringes’ worth of her blood for you to drink. See if that helps you feel better. No fangs, no bites, no venom, but you’ll get a shot of what you need. Serenity?”
I was proud of my bad boy. “I’ll do it. Once you’ve faced the fangs of a monster, needles are nothing. Bryce, would Gerald be able to pick up—” I turned to Dagger. “What do you need?”
“It’ll be easier if I talk to the old war horse directly. Bryce, may I?”
Dagger’s professionalism, preciseness, and sincerity in doing the blood draw, and the marked revitalizing effect it had on Seb seemed to melt some of the ice floating around the loft’s air.
It emboldened me to pick up where Bryce had left off. “If you guys all want me, I’m not going to choose between you. I can’t promise what will come… But, we can try if you want?” All the guys started to nod, but I had to continue. “I just need to take it slow.” I rubbed at one of my scars, then stopped the second I noticed.
But all the guys’ eyes were on me. They’d seen what I’d done.
“We understand,” Bryce said softly.
“Okay, so maybe we all hang around the loft, go out for dinner, and do things like… feed the ducks at the park.” I hadn’t done that since I was a kid but wanted to just enjoy life again. “It’ll be lovely.” Or at least, it sounded lovely to me.
I glanced between Dagger and Hunter. “And of course, it’ll bea good chance to practice getting along and understanding each other better, right?” I was determined to melt some of the ice between the twins, even if things didn’t work out between us or I had to leave New Nebraska. “So, let’s just see if it works. If it suits us. What do you think?”
Seb responded before my mouth was closed. “I’m down.”
Bryce raised a hand. “Obviously, I’m in.”
Hunter rubbed his nape. “I wish I could be more optimistic,” he said with an apologetic wince, “but I just have doubts that a few fun outings are going to change things… or certain people.”
“I wonder who he could mean.” Dagger rolled his eyes as he scratched between Carrot’s ears.
Hunter’s shoulders tensed, but he never looked his twin’s way. “But so long as everyone agrees to stayrespectfuland take it slow—”
“Didn’t I just fucking do that?” Dagger pushed his fingers against his chest, eyes narrowed on his brother. “You’ve got your hackles up for no damn reason. As usual.”
Hunter’s jaw flexed. “My point is,” he said, calming his voice on his next exhale, “I’ll give it a try, for you, Little Dancer.” He huffed out a sigh. “You’ll be safer with everyone here keeping an eye on you, so that’s good reason enough. For now…”
“And”—Bryce leaned forward in the maroon armchair, cutting between the twin’s eyelines—“there’s a perfect night out coming up soon. One where we can all go out together, and enjoy a special time.”
“Where’s that?” I asked, pressing the gauze firmer onto my arm. Dagger had been so swift and neat at taking the blood.
I looked over at Seb’s handsome face and shining eyes. I hoped my blood wouldn’t make him fly around the room or any weird shit like that.
“The New Nebraska Annual Charity Ball. There’ll be people from all over the state coming. We’ll probably even meet some poly families too. There’ll be a banquet, dancing, casino games. I thinkit’ll be a great evening out. Dagger, you’ll be up to attending a party in eight days’ time, right?”
Dagger looked down at his bandaged legs and chuckled. “As long as I’m breathing, I can find an excuse to have fun.” He sighed hard. “But come on, man. That ball is for elites, and we both know it. It’s something crazy like thirty-five grand a ticket. You can’t possibly—”
Bryce swatted the air. “My gift to everyone. The tickets, evening wear, all on me. Consider it a goodwill gesture toward this new situation we’re trying out.”
Imagine, me at a fancy ball with flashy gowns and tuxedos, champagne, and classical music. I was a little nervous about mingling with throngs from high society, but then Bryce was about as high as it got, and he was my new… boyfriend? Mate felt too serious. What did it even mean? They all spoke about it with a sort of reverence, like it held mystical power. I enjoyed their company, sure. Cared about them. Absolutely. But I didn’t know exactly what I felt or what I wanted beyond that.
“I think that’s a lovely suggestion, Bryce. It’s so generous, really. Thank you.”
Bryce focused on Hunter but spoke to the whole room. “You’ve got a couple of spare rooms. Maybe Seb could stay over sometimes? Say two, three days a week, to see how he clicks with us all sharing the same space? You know he’s a good guy, so there’s no worry there, and I’m happy to pay his rent.”
“Rent. Give me a break.” Hunter met eyes with Seb. “Consider yourself at home, kid.” His tone turned a bit harder. “You seem like a good guy. Just don’t let Serenity down…””
“I won’t.” Seb stood and shook Hunter’s hand.
