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I think it’s time I set the record straight.
“He’s here because he’s my boyfriend,” I say, my voice very clear. Cole’s face turns bright red under his beard. It’s adorable.
My mum looks between me and Cole. “He’s your boyfriend?Him?”
“Yep,” I say simply. “We’ve been together for months, now.”
“But…” Dad points at Eli. “Didn’t you two just…”
“Kiss? Yes.” I straighten my back. “I’m dating Eli, too.”
Eli gives them both a shit-eating grin. “Surprise.”
My dad’s eyes widen. “You’rewhat?”
“And—” I hold my hand out to Riven. He steps forwards and threads our fingers together. “Riv, too. I’m dating them all.”
My parents look absolutely fucking horrified.
In their defence, I guess it’s a lot to spring on them at once. I actually wanted to tell them earlier, but the lawyer Riven’s dad found me advised that we keep the relationship under wraps until after the hearing. Some bullshit about how the jurors might think I’m a sexual deviant, if it got leaked that I’m dating three men.
I think it’s dumb. Let people love who they want, it shouldn’t be this hard.
“All three of them?” Mum asks hoarsely, looking between us. “H-how is that possible?”
I shrug. “They each get two days a week with me, and they all share me on a Sunday.”
Her mouth drops open. Eli snorts softly behind me. I sigh, feeling my shoulders slump. “I don’t know what to say, mum. I love all three of them. They all love me. That’s all there is to it. I’m not going to apologise for who I love.”
Dad’s face is turning dangerously purple. “So, what? You’re just going to live with these men up in the mountains? Alone? They could do anything to you!” He spins on Cole. “Look, I don’t know what the Hell kind of crap you’re pulling on my daughter, but—”
Cole’s eyes blaze. “Crapwe’repulling on your daughter?” He steps forward, looming over my dad. “Weare not the ones who hurt her.”
My dad bristles. “Don’t use that tone with me. Neither am I.Ididn’t take the video.”
“Youhurt her.” Cole insists. “You hurt her when you didn’t believe her. The way you treated your own child is fucking disgusting. She was a victim of asex crime,and when she told you, you blamed her.” He shakes his head. “And now, you think you can judge her for the relationships that she actuallychooses?You think your opinion fuckingmattersto her? To any of us? You don’t deserve to be a member of her family. You don’t deserve to be related to her. She’s a better person than you’ll ever be.”
He steps back, his chest heaving. There’s a very long, very awkward pause.
My dad licks his lips, slowly turning to me. “Sweetheart—”
“It’s okay,” I say. “Really. And I do care about your opinion. Not enough to change my mind about the guys, but I’d like for you to be happy for me.”
“So… what? You’re going to move to Sweden?” Mum asks, worry creasing her forehead.
I nod. “Yep. I’m already in SFI classes to learn Swedish—”
“She’s terrible,” Eli cuts in. “I’ve literally never met anyone with a worse accent.”
“Sounds like she’s gargling with rocks,” Riven adds under his breath.
“I’ll get it,” I wave them off. “I’m moving into their cabin.”
Her eyes widen. “But what will youdothere, up in the mountains? How will you find a teaching position?”
“I never really wanted to teach, mum,” I say gently. “I always wanted to paint. And now, my oil paintings are giving me a pretty steady income.” It’s actually a funny story. When we were talking to his parents about finding me a lawyer, I told Riven’s mum that I did oil paintings. She was so excited that she commissioned a portrait of him for his dad’s birthday, and now all the rich hotshot lawyers that visit their house want their own pieces from thehot upcoming artist.“I’m thinking of doing a whole collection based on Kiruna,” I continue. “There’s so many beautiful things to paint. The Northern Lights. The midnight sun. The villages. Reindeers and huskies and mountains and…” I trail off, excitement flowing through me. “I’msoinspired up there.”
“Plus me,” Eli chips in. “I’m a great model.”
