Page 43 of This Reckless Home

“Always so selfless,” Ant murmurs. Then his jaw clenches. “We’ll just have to make fucking sure that she knows it doesn’t matter.” He lets out a sharp breath. “I don’t want to leave. I thought we had to. That we needed our own place to prove we could take care of Jus. But he’s happy here. Thriving. And Blossom…”

He stops, that faraway look in his eyes again and Nox and I share a knowing look.

“You’re falling for her,” Nox states. Not a question.

Ant turns those blue eyes on first Nox, then me. “I’m falling for her. Hard.”

“So am I,” I reply, that warmth in my chest blossoming into a fire.

“Fuck, me too,” Nox adds, surprise coating his tone.

It’s quiet as we all absorb this simple yet life changing fact.

Anatole breaks it. “So, we stay. But how do we do this? The three of us with her? What will people say? What will we say to the kids?” He chuckles and I raise a brow in question at him. “Jus told me that polygamy is all the rage nowadays.”

“Little shit,” Nox laughs.

“We share her, like we’ve always shared everything. We don’t let this split us up—we let it bind us together. And we work to give her everything she needs, all the love she’s never had.” Something feels so damn right saying those words. “And Jus stays. This is where he builds his future. We're not taking that from him by moving out. We might even be able to get full custody now given we’d have a permanent address in a good fucking neighbourhood and jobs.”

Ant’s blue eyes light up at that, his shoulder loosening for what seems like the first time in years.

“Think she’ll go for it?” Nox asks, a hint of vulnerability in his tone.

I smile. “She already has. We just need to make it official.”

“FOUND A HOME” BY AG, NILU

BLOSSOM

I get back from Friday morning school run, the two homeschoolers having gone on a trip today and Tina is out shopping. Once again the house is quiet, and I hate it.

My heart aches today, Anatole’s rejection still a tender spot that keeps flaring with pain every time I remember his words about leaving.

Walking into the kitchen, I come to a standstill when I spot all three guys, and the table covered in muffins and pastries, the scent of hot chocolate filling the air.

“Aren’t you meant to be at work?” I ask, wasps filling my stomach at seeing them all turn to face me. “Is everything okay? Is Jus⁠—”

“Jus is fine, Bloom,” Anatole assures me, stepping forward and reaching for my hands, then stopping short. “We took the day off. We need to talk. About what I said yesterday. In the garden. After we kissed.”

My eyes widen as I look at the other two. “It’s okay, Anatole. I understand⁠—”

“Do you?” Nox asks, stalking closer until he’s next to Anatole. His green eyes cut through me, leaving me open and raw. “Because I don’t think you do, Petal.”

The way he says my nickname has a shiver skating down my spine.

Steele steps up next to Ant, then steps past him and Nox, taking one of my trembling hands in his. His deep brown eyes bore into me, so steady, so safe. “We’re not leaving, Flower. None of us.”

I blink. “But Anatole said⁠—”

Anatole comes forward, stealing my attention as Steele gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “I know what I said and I’m a fucking asshole for even bringing it up.” He takes my other hand, bringing it to his lips and placing a kiss to the back of it. “You said you needed someone who stays. Well we aren’t going anywhere. Not now. Not ever.”

My head reels, my mind racing. “But Jus⁠—”

“Is happier than he’s ever been, than I’ve ever seen him. He has siblings. He has stability. He has you.” His blue eyes are full of a fire that heats me up from the inside. “Why would I take him away from all of that?”

“You’d stay? For him?” I blink against the sudden moisture of tears.

“For you,” Anatole assures me.