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CHARIS
Bridget is trailing me, but even with my short stature, I’m at my car before she can catch up. She slides into my vehicle, as I find myself seething in front of the steering wheel.
“Do you know what’s going on with them?” I turn my eyes toward my friend, as if she knows everything of her husband’s closest mate and her childhood bestie.
“No. I’m finding this out right now. And I’m…”
She trails off, as if anything she reveals will be a betrayal.
“Bridge, you’re killing me here. What do you know?”
She turns her attention away from me, but I can hear when she speaks. “Shit, Care, I mean, anything I say will be seen as betrayal and yet, you’re my girl, my person, and…”
This isn’t fair to her. I get it. I’m not unreasonable. “I understand. I really do, and I’m sorry if I’m putting you in the middle. Is there anything you can say?” I’ll leave it at that. “And for the record, I’m not upset if they’re gay or bi. I’m not homophobic—not in the least. I’m just confused because last week I felt something and when I asked Stone, he for the lack of a bad pun, stonewalled me.”
This makes her laugh, and she clears her throat, about to speak. “It’s common knowledge, to me, with Gibson, his sexuality is fluid. He doesn’t advertise it, but he’s been in a committed relationship with men before. But from there, he’ll have to share more. As for Stone, I know nothing. Simon is very devoted when it comes to being a sounding board for him. So…”
“Well, shit, I knew I’d have to pick one or the other, and I like both. There was an instant connection with Gibson, but as you know, Stone and I have been doing this dance of flirting and googly eyes for months. Never did I think they’d choose each other over me. I thought I had a hand up.”
Bridget bites the bottom of her lip. I’ve said something wrong.
“What? What did I say?” I replay my words in my mind.
“No, I was just listening to you, really, that’s all.”
“I don’t believe you, not for one freaking moment,” I retort.
The weirdest thing happens and a smile pulls at her lips, and she’s grinning like this isn’t the most deranged conversation we’ve ever had. She stays quiet, as if she’s mulling something in her mind. She is, and I can hear her thinking way too loud.
“Bridget, I’m not one to be trifled with right now. Just tell me what you think. I’m a big girl, I can handle it.”
She rubs the bottom of her chin. “I’m positive you can’t handle what I’m thinking about, not in the least.”
My hand connects with her arm to pull her eyesight to my own. “Okay, well, now you have me officially scared and intrigued. Why the hell can’t I handle this? What are you thinking?” At the idea of anything that Bridget has concocted in her mind, I break out in a cold sweat. “This should be good.” Now, I’m a little lighter at what she may suggest for this situation.
“You won’t like it, and you’ll scoff at what I’m about to say. Hell, I can’t imagine the goodie two-shoes of Gibson will like it either. Something tells me Stone would be down for it.”
I shake my head, not for any other reason than to warn her. She better spill and fucking fast.
“Okay, okay.” She lifts her hands in defeat. “You like them, Gibson likes you, Stone sure as hell adores you, and they like one another. Why choose? Why can’t you all be happy together?”
Now, my very straight and narrow friend has lost it. “It’s official, what the hell has Simon done to you?” My mouth doesn’t close because it’s still gaping wide-open.
“No, hear me out. I’m not saying it’s conventional, but I know it happens. A friend of a friend, who lives in Montana, fell in love with a committed couple. The boys pursued her until she was helpless to just let it run its normal course. And it works, for them. Avery, who I know through a friend, has never been happier. And the men adore her, worship her almost. And they’re fine as fuck together. Although I may say, Stone and Gibson are just as hot as her men.”
I stop to think of the merits for one second, and it’s all it takes for me to laugh my ass off. “There’s no Avery or hot men that worship her. This can’t be something that’s accepted. You’ve had to have made this shit up.”
When the smirk disappears from her lips, I know she’s serious as hell. “I didn’t say it’s accepted. They get weird looks all the time and rude comments. They have thick skin because honestly, they’re happy and the only ones they need to worry about is one another, not the homophobic assholes who try to control their happiness.”
I love her passion. “Wow, you’re very serious about this.”
“Yeah, you thought I was yanking your chain?” she asks.
“Well, sort of, because honestly, it’s insanity at best.”
Bridget begins to smile. “Who says you have to be sane?”
* * *
