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Neither had come out and said they wanted more with me, but they didn’t need to. Their flirty smirks, intentional innocent touches, and lingering stares made it clear. So yeah, considering I felt the attraction vibe from both of them, I had the potential to come between them.
Or maybe they weren’t into me, rather felt sorry for the pitiful neighbor who, embarrassingly enough, admitted that she needed to get laid that day to Shade. A tight grimace pulled at my face, remembering that embarrassing moment as I wrapped my fingers around the metal lever of their gate. With a quiet screech, the wooden door swung open. The flimsy fence separating our backyards trembled when I yanked it closed behind me. A soft flickering glow beckoned me deeper into their yard with the promise of warmth.
Making my way along the side of the house, I peeked around the brick edge, taking a second to survey what I was getting myself into by coming here tonight. Gray flagstone covered the center of the yard in a wide circle, a few laid in a straight path that led to the concrete square in front of the back door. In the center of the wide circle sat a fire pit constructed of the same stone, logs already glowing with heat nestled within. A few empty lawn chairs were strewn around the fire pit, two occupied by the men who made me both comfortable and nervous in the same breath. Each with a beer in their hands, both were pitched forward, leaning toward the fire’s warmth, lost in thought as they stared at the dancing flames.
My nostrils flared with a deep, confidence-boosting inhale, releasing it as I stepped around the house. Their focus immediately snapped to me, neither saying a word as I quietly drew closer.
“You came,” Trap stated with a wide smile.
I didn’t know him well after only a week, but I could already interpret the difference between this genuine grin and the fake one. The way his lips pulled upward, cheeks bunching with fine lines bursting from the corners of his hazel eyes, wasn’t for show but rather natural and happy. The other kind was forced, only moving his lips, not his eyes, as if hiding behind a mask.
“I’m here,” I responded and took the offered beer from Shade.
Hooking a finger beneath the hard plastic arm of a folding chair, he dragged it closer to the fire pit, inclining his head toward the empty seat. A lump formed in my throat as I blinked at the chair positioned snuggly between them.
Ignoring the invitation, because being that close to both of them seemed like a terrible decision if I wanted to stick to the “don’t tear them apart” mantra, I grabbed a discarded chair on the opposite side of the fire pit. The woven fibers of the seat molded around my ass as I shifted back and forth to get comfortable.
No one said anything for a minute, though it wasn’t unpleasant. Leaning forward, I held my palms to the fire. “What is up with this constant cold? I thought Texas was a warm state,” I fake complained, breaking the silence. “Though I’ll admit it’s not nearly as cold as a New York December night.”
“Tomorrow it could be eighty and beautiful,” Trap responded. “Hell, we’ve gotten all four seasons in a day before. Oh, Anne pulled me aside today when I picked up Grace.” My stomach dropped. I sat up straighter, taking a sip of my beer to settle my nerves. “She said Grace is amazing help and great with the animals.”
I blew out the breath I was holding and slumped back. Every day since we took Misery—though I still refused to call the kitten that terrible name—Trap or Shade took Gracie to Anne’s before they left for work, and one of them brought her home again in the afternoon. That first day, I couldn’t sit down, my nervous energy making me pace along the front window as I waited for them to come home safely. The next day was slightly better, and then today was beyond amazing. I relaxed, listened to podcasts while cleaning. I even finished a full cup of coffee before it went cold.
I was alone all day yet didn’t feel an ounce of the loneliness that I did before in our penthouse.
Strange how that worked.
Dinner was the only chance I got to see Trap and Shade besides when they picked up and dropped Gracie off. They were either working at the goat farm or patrolling the town. Well, I saw Shade every day around lunch. At noon on the dot, he would pull along the curb in either his truck or police cruiser, carting delicious food from the diner in town and refusing to leave until I’d eaten at least half.
The satisfied expression that softened his normally tense features had become a highlight of my boring days.
A chill shook my shoulders as ice-cold beer slid down my throat with each long sip. “I’m glad she’s helping more than hindering. The time there has been great for Gracie too. She’s happier, less sulky.” Switching the glass bottle to my other hand, I held my nearly frozen fingers toward the flames. “Thank you both for everything this past week. Though I’m still not sure why you friended a complete stranger and her daughter—”
“Strangers don’t wear the other stranger’s clothes,” Trap said, raising a single brow. “Looks good on you.”
Heat engulfed my cheeks. I flicked my gaze to Trap, who just smirked. I should’ve given it back by now, but I’d basically lived in it since that morning he tugged it over my head. “I’ll wash it tomorrow and get it back to you—”
“Don’t you dare. I have more if I need one, and I enjoy seeing you in my clothes. Tells everyone you’re mine.”
My heart sank at Shade’s pointed glare at his friend.
“How are the goats?” I asked, picking at a lifted corner of the label. Goats, the farm, hell, anything seemed like a safer topic than what Trap just insinuated.
“Good,” Shade bit out before lumbering out of his chair and heading into the house without looking back.
I winced, watching his retreating back before sweeping my gaze to Trap’s stare, which was already locked on me.
“Trap….” I sighed. “You can’t say shit like that.” Damnit, I knew this would happen without Gracie around. Coming over here tonight and crossing that invisible barrier between friends who lightly flirted to hanging out alone was a terrible decision. The glass clinked against the rock when I set it down beside me. Pushing against the plastic arms, I stood and gave him a sad smile. “This was a mistake. I’m going to head home—”
“What?” Trap exclaimed, shooting out of his chair. His eyes darted between me and the house, panic clearly written across his face. “Shit. I’m sorry I said that out loud. I’m moving too fast—”
I sliced my trembling hand through the air, cutting him off. Behind me, the back door slammed shut. My opportunity to get this out without Shade around to hear was closing fast. I didn’t want him to think my leaving was his fault.
“Because I told you I won’t come between you,” I whispered just loud enough for Trap to hear over the crackling fire. “Even if—” I swallowed hard to keep from saying the next words that wanted to spill from my lips.Even if the last several days were the best I’d had in years. Even if I found them both attractive and daydreamed about more than just friendship with both.“I refuse to be the wedge that drives you two apart.”
I’d rather be miserable, watching them from afar, knowing I couldn’t have either than damage their strong friendship. What I witnessed firsthand was a friendship deeper than any I’d ever seen. They balanced each other out. Where one struggled, the other was strong. It was amazing and heartwarming to watch the two friends interact and lean on each other.
Sometimes I found myself jealous of their relationship, that I never had that kind of love and support from someone—man or woman.
