Page 263 of Rogue Riders Duet

“Come on.” She tilts her head toward the door. “Let’s go for a walk.”

I nod, grateful for the excuse to stand, to move, to breathe.

“Okay.” I throw one last glance at the boys as I follow her out.

We step outside, and the fresh air wraps around us like a breath I didn’t know I needed. The house quiets behind us, the muffled sound of clattering dishes and low voices fading into the rustle of wind through trees.

I shove my hands into the sleeves of Luc’s hoodie, which I may or may not have stolen this morning. Sue me.

“Where are Dane and Otis anyway?” I ask, kicking at a stone on the path.

“Dane’s still sleeping, and I bet Otis is too. Élise and Jim went out for a walk earlier.”

“So, you know Dane’s still sleeping because you guys shared a bed or⁠—”

“Shut up,” Piper snaps without heat.

I snicker. “So you two are a thing now?”

She stops walking, turns to face me fully, and for the briefest moment, she’s looking almost nervous. “I’m in a relationship with your brother. Is that okay?”

“Yes!” I squeal, lunging forward to throw my arms around her, cringing a little when that jolts my fingers. “Yes, that’s more than okay. I’m so excited. You have my blessing for marriage. Kids. Grandkids. All of it.”

“Stop that shit.” She groans, laughing. “It just came together yesterday, okay?”

“Yes, and I gave you my blessing for the full generational package.”

Piper shoves my shoulder. “You’re unbelievable, you know that?”

I shrug with a grin and start walking again. “So, how did that happen?”

“I don’t know. It just happened, but it feels right.”

I reach out to grab her hand and squeeze it. “I’m so happy for you guys.”

“Thanks.” She smiles at me and squeezes my hand back before she lets go of me. “But the more interesting thing is, what’s going on with you? Because it looks like you’ve got two guys falling all over themselves for you. I mean, Delacroix is nothing new, but I didn’t know Payne was in on it.”

I laugh. “They’re not falling all over themselves for me. They fall over themselves, period.”

“I gathered that part, but I thought it was like a three-way thing. Like a happy little polycule.”

“Polycule?” I repeat, snorting. “What’s that?”

“Poly…” she explains, “… is when you have more than one lover, and they all know about it and agree. And sometimes they love each other too. Like Mason and Luc.”

“Oh.” I blink.

Is that what we are?

The thought settles in my chest like warm honey. A little messy, but right.

I think about yesterday and how we went for a ride on the motocross bikes.

The warmth. The touches. The quiet glances. If we could have that, it would be a freaking dream, but no matter how much I’d like that, it’s not like that.

“We’re not all together. I’m with Luc, and Luc is with Mason.”

Piper quirks a brow. “So Delacroix’s the main character again, huh?”