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Natalie questioned Cody. “But you said you didn’t want another committed relationship.”
Cody shook his head. “I said I wouldn’t go into another one unless it felt right.”
“And this does?” Natalie asked, making Cody narrow his gaze on her.
“From the moment I met her.”
“But you two have been acting like you’re just friends.” Natalie seemed completely confused.
“That’s how relationships start. You spend time with someone, getting to know and trust them, then things change. There’s always an attraction that draws two people together. In our case, we held on to the attraction but focused on the other stuff because of the situation with Summer getting to know Nate and you guys.”
“And now, what? You’re sleeping together?” Natalie looked aghast.
Haley’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t ask that.”
Natalie held her arms out and let them drop. “Why not?”
“That’s personal,” Haley said.
“It’s private,” Cody corrected her. “As in, none of your business.”
“It is when we all live together,” Natalie pointed out.
Cody raised a brow. “Would you ask your parents about them sleeping together?”
“Gross,” Natalie and Haley said in unison.
“What Summer and I do, where we are in our relationship, and where we want to take it is our business. It’s between us. No one else gets a say in what we want for ourselves.”
Summer put her hand on Cody’s forearm. “Girls—”
“I’m not a girl,” Natalie snapped. “I’m an adult.”
“You’re right. I didn’t mean anything by that,” Summer assured Natalie. “Cody and I want to spend more time together. That doesn’t mean we don’t want to spend time with you. But it does mean that our relationship is a priority to us because we’re both happiest when we’re with each other.”
“Until you leave,” Natalie pointed out.
Summer sighed, not knowing how to address that comment and wondering if that’s what had been bothering Natalie all along, that Summer was only here temporarily, so why take the time to get to know her if all she was going to do was leave?
Cody had to wonder how they were going to make this work. Her leaving had to be on his mind and causing him anxiety, too.
She didn’t want them to feel like leaving was easy, or in any way permanent.
She just didn’t know how to be what everyone wanted her to be for them when she was pulled in two directions. She needed to take a good look at her life and what she wanted for her future and how she was going to make it happen.
Cody eyed Summer. “Natalie, you’re right. Summer’s life is based in Texas, but that doesn’t mean she can’t make room for us here. Or that we can’t be there with her sometimes, too.”
Summer appreciated that Cody understood her predicament.
“She’s going to take you away from us.” Natalie folded her arms over her chest, looking angry, but sadness and hurt filled her eyes.
Cody went to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “That’s not true, Nat. I love you guys. My home is here. My work is here. But none of that means Summer and I can’t be together.”
“She’ll leave and you’ll be hurt again.”
Cody looked Natalie directly in the eye. “I know you’re looking out for me. You always do. I appreciate it so much. But every relationship is a risk when you put your heart on the line. But if you never do, you’ll always end up alone.”
“What happens if you get hurt?” Natalie glanced at Summer. “I’m not saying you’ll do it on purpose, it’s just, I don’t see how you two can make this work.”
