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He looks away from both of us, out the window. “I’ve never felt anything like what I feel for you two,” he says, “But after everything I went through with my marriage, watching her turn into a stranger, it’s been hard for me to even consider putting that kind of trust in someone.”
“Which makes perfect sense,” I tell him, reaching over and putting my hand over his, giving it a squeeze.
Brendon rests his hand on top of mine, and Chip glances at the “hand stack” and smiles, turning his palm over so he can lace his fingers through Brendon’s, trapping my hand between theirs and making me giggle.
But my giggles fade and a lump forms in my throat with what I need to say next. “So, we’re all in agreement on the feelings part, but…what can we do with that? In three days, Brendon and I are going to be on a plane back home, so…”
My voice falters and trembles and I clear my throat, blinking rapidly against the sudden sting of tears in my eyes, “What do we do?” I finish after a moment.
“Well, about that,” Chip rakes the fingers of his free hand through his hair, “I actually just got back from the owners’ office. I decided to resign.”
My eyes widen, and Brendon looks at him in shock. “You what?” he asks.
“I’m moving back to New York. I’ve been thinking a lot about some of the things you’ve said, not to mention just my own feelings, and I’ve realized it’s time to go back. Especially now that I’ve closed the Emma chapter of my life, for real, I’m finally really to move forward, and I don’t think I can really do that here, not fully.”
This time there’s no amount of blinking that’s going to stop the tears trickling from my eyes. “So…we could give this a real try?”
“If that’s what you two wanted, yeah,” he nods, “But don’t feel like there’s any pressure on you as far as influencing my decision. One way or another, I’m going back, so if you guys don’t want to-”
Brendon silences him with a kiss, and I’m struck with jealousy. Not because he’s kissing Chip, but because I hadn’t thought to make that move first.
Okay, and maybe also a little because he’s kissing Chip, but it’s not an angry jealousy, more like a wistful, slightly jealous impatience as I await my inevitable turn.
When they part, Brendon looks from him to me. “So, are we in agreement? Are we all in on this?”
I nod. “Absolutely.”
“Definitely,” Chip agrees, “But I hope you two will be okay being a little patient with me and taking things slow. Getting back into this is going to be…a lot, to say the least,” he laughs.
“It’s gonna be a lot for all of us,” Brendon agrees, “I think slow sounds like a good idea all around.”
“Does that mean we need to chill out with the sexy naked fun time activities?” I ask playfully.
While the phrasing of the question is meant to bring a little levity, it is still a genuine question. I can cope with the answer either way, just happy that I’ll get to have a shot at having both of these amazing men in my life. But I can’t say I won’t miss it if they decide to cool that down a bit…
Which is why I’m delighted when they both respond with a flat: “Absolutely fucking not.”
“I just kind of mean I’m not quite ready to be part of a 24/7 couple yet,” Chip says, “Or I guess ‘throuple?’ Is that the term?”
“It’saterm, but I think you can call it whatever you want,” I say, “And you don’t have to jump in with both feet. We’re happy to wait, and let you take your time. We’re all learning how to navigate this together, right?”
“Right,” Brendon agrees, and Chip nods.
“Good. And Chip, while we’re probably not ready to jump into long-term cohabitation right away, but if you need a place to stay while you’re in the process of apartment hunting, I think we could help you out there, right, love?” I look at Brendon.
“For sure. If nothing else, we’ve got a guest room, so you could still have space.”
“And we’d be just down the hall for fun times,” I add cheerfully.
Chip laughs. “You guys are really fucking fantastic, you know that?” he squeezes both of our hands affectionately, “Thank you. For the offer, for your understanding, for…fuck, for waking me up a little, making me feel alive again. I love you. Both of you.”
“I love you, too,” I tell him, before we both turn to Brendon expectantly.
He smiles. “Yeah. Same here,” he says, making all three of us laugh.
“But I may be able to find an apartment online before I get out there,” he says, “I offered to stay a little past the usual ‘two week’s notice’ since this is smack-dab in the middle of the holidays and not exactly prime hiring season.”
“That’s fair,” Brendon says, although I don’t miss the hint of disappointment in his voice that Chip’s not going to be able to come back with us immediately.
