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“Makes sense,” I said.
I waited for them to say something else, but they again, shared a look and then went on their way. Ben set out two extra plates on the table while Quinn put out more silverware and glasses. Neither of them was saying anything to one another, but there was most definitely a tension between them. “So, there's nothing else you want to tell me?” I asked as I walked into the dining room. “Nothing at all?”
Hailey's voice caught me off guard as she walked up behind me. She wrapped her arms around my waist, taking me by surprise.
“Cason, is it really okay if I stay here?” she asked. “Or will it bother you?”
After the other night, I wanted nothing more than for her to stay in our house. I turned and looked into her emerald eyes, pulling her in for a bear hug.
“Of course not,” I said. “I'm just curious why my brothers are acting so weird.”
Hailey didn't meet my gaze, but she looked toward them. “Guys, we should probably talk about what happened.”
“What happened?” I asked, staring down at her.
“Yeah, it's – well, it's awkward for all of us.”
“Sit down, Cason,” Bennett said.
I looked over at my brother. “Why?”
“Just sit down,” he said with a sigh. “We need to talk. All four of us.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - HAILEY
I stared down at my plate, a slab of ribs slathered in Driftwood's famous sauce, mashed potatoes and green beans. My stomach growled, but even though I was hungry, I didn't eat very much. I kept staring at my plate, however, as I tried to find a way to talk about what had happened and came up empty every time I tried.
Cason was out of the loop, and normally, I'd say what happened was none of his business. But I knew in my heart that me staying here would make it his business. Especially, in light of everything that was going on.
So, we'd told him.
“So, you three?” he asked, pointing at us as he spoke. “Are a thing now?”
“A thing?” Bennett asked, trying hard not to laugh. “I'm not sure what you'd call us, but yeah, the three of us – were intimate. And we're surprisingly cool with it.”
“You are?” Cason asked, this time staring at me his eyes wide and an unmistakable look of hurt lurking deep within them.
I shrugged. “I don't want to be thought of as a slut, but –”
Cason's face softened. “You'll never be thought of that way,” he said. “And whatever happened will stay amongst us. You have my word.”
I reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. “Thank you, Cason,” I said. “That means a lot.”
“I'm just trying to figure out what this means for everyone,” he said.
And I knew the question he wanted to ask, so I answered it for him.
“As far as what it means for us – I don't know just yet,” I said. I sighed deeply. “I just know that I'm into all three of you in one way or another. And honestly, if I had to choose, I couldn't do it. You're all just so amazing. It's an impossible choice.”
And I meant it too.
“It's not like we have to decide tonight,” Quinn said.
He piled in a spoonful of mashed potatoes onto his plate, shrugging. He seemed to be the only one eating, even though my stomach rumbled. I just had so much going on in my head, I couldn't imagine eating.
“Why don't we just give it a rest for the night?” he said. “Let Hailey get some sleep, clear her head, and just relax. She's had a rough night. There honestly is no need we have to decide anything tonight.”
I was so thankful for Quinn in that moment, and yearned to reach across and take his hand too. But he was too far away.
