Page 8 of The Forever Vault

Zephyrus took a deep breath and nodded. Opening his eyes, he apologized to both of us for overreacting. “I just like Colton so damn much, and despite having the support of my team, most of this still isn’t easy for me. As easy as it seems for you.”

“Well, I had a big head start on both of you,” I said, trying to layer my voice with comfort. “And I’m your friend, too. Did you forget that?”

Zephyrus lowered his head. “I didn’t. Well, maybe for a bit. I don’t see you as much anymore since I got traded.”

“That’s true,” I admitted.

“Okay, well, that’s enough about our drama. When are you gonna propose? Let me see them again.”

“I’m not sure yet, but I was thinking of waiting until Luke’s events are over. I don’t want him distracted.” I held the box out for him to take.

Colton whistled. “Pretty sharp. Nice colors.”

I had gold bands made for us, with ‘I love you’ engraved on one and ‘I love you more’ on the other. I took the box back and resecured it in my suitcase. “Where’s your room?”

“Zeph got us the suite, but it connects to your room, so you can use the kitchen and living room whenever you want.”

Colton walked over to the door next to my bed that I had somehow missed. Probably because you were moping. He unlocked the door and pulled it open to reveal another door.

“I already unlocked our side,” he said, pushing the second door open. It led to a cozy living room with a kitchen to the right and a hallway in the middle. “There’s a bathroom down there and our bedroom. This was part of why we booked here. Because it had a room like this. We could all have privacy, but also hang out.”

“And swim naked in the pool,” I added.

“Hell yeah!” Colton grinned.

“He just wants to show off my dick. The team would love it if photos leaked of us here.”

“What? They’ve already all seen your dick in the showers. It ain’t that big a deal.”

“You know it’s a big deal. It certainly makes you scream.”

For once, Colton had no retort. And while I hadn’t seen Zephyrus’s dick up close or anything, I remembered the day he met Colton and the bulge that developed while I was working his hamstring. Admittedly, I was curious. Who wouldn’t be?

“Uh yeah. Whatever you say, darlin’.” Colton turned back to me. “I also figured we’d be together a bit. You know…with us being-”

“The alternates,” I finished for him.

“Yeah. That.”

He and I shared a look. I knew exactly how he felt. To be so close and feel so far.

“It will build character?” I half-heartedly suggested.

Colton shrugged.

“Alright, boys, let’s go see this pool. Time for some frowns to turn upside down.”

“Can you turn me upside down tonight?” Colton asked.

“Whatever you want, tater tot.”

“Tater tot? Do I want to know?” I asked.

Zephyrus flashed his pearly whites. “Because I like popping him in my mouth.”

Well, that is certainly a visual.

“So, what do we wear down to the pool if we’re going to be naked?!” I yelled through the open door.