Page 99 of End Game

I’m laughing before I can stop myself.

Ronan waits us out.

“Those terms describe relationships,” he says when Dex finally shuts up. “They don’t have to describe someone’s value.”

“I understand that intellectually,” Cami says. “I still don’t like it.”

“Then we don’t have to use them.”

She looks at him. “Just like that?”

“Yes.”

“But if Griffin is my primary—”

“He is,” Ronan says with certainty.

“And Micah is Dex’s—”

“He is.”

Her eyes stay on Ronan. “Then what are you?”

The question lands harder than I think she intended.

Dex’s hand tightens around mine.

Ronan doesn’t seem surprised.

“Ronan,” Dex says before he can answer, and the joking tone is completely gone now. “Are you actually okay with this?”

Cami nods immediately. “That’s what I’m asking.”

Ronan glances between them. “Yes.”

Dex frowns. “That was way too fast.”

“It was fast because I’ve already thought about it.”

“Okay, but—”

Ronan cuts him off. “I don’t want what they have.”

That shuts Dex up.

Ronan gestures toward Cami and Griffin first, then toward me and Dex.

“I don’t mean I don’t want commitment. I do. I don’t want to be temporary, or casual, or someone everyone fits in when it’s convenient.”

Cami’s expression softens.

“But I don’t want a nesting partner. I really do need my personal space. I don’t particularly want to make financial decisions with someone. I don’t need marriage. I don’t want to be the person another adult feels like they have to consult with before making every significant decision about their life.”

Dex blinks. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Like... ever?”