But these males were strangers. Why would they care?
And yet, something about them made her want to try.
However, her tears turned into sobs. And before she knew it, she was being carried to the sofa, soon sitting in Laurie’s lap while leaning against Joseph’s shoulder, crying and crying, unable to stop.
Chapter Nine
Joseph stroked Meadow’s back while Laurie stroked her hair and cheek, and he burned to know who or what had made her cry. It was something in her past, no doubt. Some person or more had made her feel unworthy or lesser, and he didn’t like it.
However, in this moment, Meadow merely needed to let out her emotions. She’d kept them bottled up, probably for years, and if all he and Laurie could do right now was hold and comfort her, then it was enough.
Eventually her sobs quieted, and she leaned more heavily against Joseph’s chest. Laurie stroked her hair back from her face before pressing his cheek to hers. Joseph tightened his arm around Meadow’s waist, and they both remained quiet while also letting her know they were there for her.
After another minute or two, she whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“Why?” Joseph asked.
She avoided looking at either of them. “For crying all over you. That’s probably not what you expected from the female who blooded you.”
Laurie wrapped his arm over Joseph’s and around Meadow until she was being held closely between them. He asked, “Do you feel a little better now?”
“Er, I guess so.”
“Then that makes me happy. How about you, Joseph?”
Joseph lifted his free hand and gently took Meadow’s chin between his fingers. Her eyes finally met his, and he hated the embarrassment there. Taking a chance, he kissed her forehead. When she didn’t tense or pull away, he did it again before leaning back and saying, “We always want you to be honest with us. I’m sure you’ll call us out on things, and we might not like it and get grumpy, but everyone needs others to hold them accountable sometimes. Especially with three people, communication will be important.”
She glanced at Laurie and then back at Joseph. “Since when do males want to talk and be open? They’ve never liked it before, in my experience.”
He grunted. “Then they were probably insecure arseholes who wanted someone in their bed and not a true partner.”
She glanced down again. “Maybe.”
There was more to that single word, but Joseph didn’t want to push too far too fast. So he focused back on his point. “And when it comes to honesty, we want you to feel comfortable being yourself. We all have good, bad, and ugly pieces, and sharing them can help you become more comfortable with yourself, others, and the world. I know it did for me.”
Laurie nuzzled his cheek against Meadow’s. “It’s true, but also bloody difficult to do when you’re not used to it. It took me years to get Joseph to talk with me, to convince him I wouldn’t betray his trust.”
“You know why, Laurie. I thought for years that someone was looking to kill me.”
“I know, but didn’t you feel better once you told me more?”
He grunted. “Maybe.”
Laurie grinned, and Joseph saw Meadow’s lips twitch from the corner of his eye.
Much better, he thought.
Laurie looked back at Meadow and said, “We mean it, though, that you can tell us anything and we won’t share your secrets. Ever.” He smiled at her. “So if you ever want to share why you cried just now, we’ll listen. It might help, whenever you’re ready to do it.”
One of Meadow’s hands played with the back of Laurie’s hand, and the other traced shapes on Joseph’s chest. Her gaze remained fixed to the side, and she looked lost in thought.
Would she share? He wanted to shout about how she should. After all, sharing with Laurie not long after they’d met had eased something inside him. He’d been embarrassed to cry a little at seventeen, but he’d kept it bottled up so long that it’d been necessary. Thankfully, Laurie hadn’t judged him.
As Meadow fought some internal battle, Joseph merely reveled in holding her, with Laurie next to him, realizing how much he’d missed this. Having a third person with them, sharing such an important moment, and how he and Laurie banded together to make her feel safe and wanted and to be what she needed.
Eventually Meadow’s voice brought him back to the present. “I’m sure you guys have things to do, though. More important things than listening to me.”
Laurie replied, “We don’t have anything important until tomorrow afternoon. Until then, we’re here for you.”
