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“We were thinking of taking you out on a date tonight. Just the four of us. What do you think?”
Susan’s smile widens, but I detect a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. She seems to be somewhere else, her mind wandering in a world I can’t quite reach. My instincts tell me there’s something she’s not sharing.
“Sounds wonderful,” she replies
I feel a pang of concern. Is something bothering her? Did our argument earlier have a greater impact than I realized? I want to reach out to ask her what’s on her mind, but I’m unsure how to broach the subject without prying.
Instead, I opt for a more casual approach. “Is everything alright, Susan? You seem a bit preoccupied.”
She hesitates for a moment, her gaze shifting away before meeting mine again. “Oh, it’s nothing really. Just some personal stuff on my mind. I’ll be fine, I promise.”
Her reassurance does little to ease my worries, but I decide to respect her boundaries.
We all have our demons. My brothers and I know more about that than most people.
Once we’re done eating, we head to the door. I press a sweet kiss on Susan’s cheek, which seems to take her by surprise.
“I’ll miss you,” I say genuinely, because I will. We’ve spent the last two weeks together nonstop, and it’s the first time we’ll be apart. Before this, I’d never spent more than two hours in a girl’s company. That’s enough for me to bed her and walk away, only sometimes it might extend a little more when they’re especially adventurous.
I step outside, the chill of the winter air hitting my face as I join Ed and Artie near the truck. The bed of the truck is empty, ready to be filled with the logs we chopped earlier.
I pick up a stack of logs, their weight familiar in my hands. As I place them carefully in the back of the truck, I can’t help but think of Susan. I miss her immediately, even though it’s been just a few seconds since we stepped out. It’s a silly thought.
With the truck loaded, we climb inside, the engine rumbling to life. As we drive down the snow-covered road toward Wishing, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. I’m excited about the date tonight, especially because it’s no longer about the chase. The only reason I used to take women out was because I wanted to get them to sleep with me, but that’s not the case this time. Susan is different. I think I knew that from the moment she opened her mouth and screamed at us, half-naked.
I almost chuckle at the thought. Our story started the other way around, and maybe it’s better this way.
“How do you guys think Susan is feeling about the date tonight?” Ed asks, his voice tinged with curiosity.
I take a moment to consider his question, my gaze drifting out the window to the passing scenery. It’s true that our relationship with Susan has revolved around physical intimacy up until now, but tonight feels different.
“I can’t speak for Susan, but I believe tonight is an opportunity for us to go beyond just sex, which is what it’s been focused on until now,” I respond, my voice steady but tinged with uncertainty. “We’ve shared intense moments, but there’s always been something more.”
Artie nods in agreement, his expression thoughtful. “I think Susan is hoping for the same. Didn’t you see how upset she got at Ed when she thought he wanted her to leave?”
“I didn’t,” Ed says through gritted teeth.
“We know that,” Artie says, annoyed. “I was just making a point.”
“Artie is right. There’s a reason she overreacted, and it’s definitely not because she’s frustrated in other ways. I think between the three of us, we have that covered,” I say, chuckling.
“Ollie is obtuse, but I think he has a point. Women eventually need a little more than that. Tonight, we have a chance to explore the emotional depth of our relationship to see if there’s something deeper that can sustain us. I’ve noticed how distracted Susan looks. She’s probably waiting for us to bring it up.”
So I’m not the only person who noticed the change in Susan’s behavior.
Ed’s brow furrows slightly as he processes our words. “So, you both believe we should be more serious about this beyond just the physical?”
I take a moment to choose my words carefully, fully aware of the weight they carry. “I think we owe it to ourselves and to Susan to explore the potential of what we have, to see if we feel there’s something worth pursuing, if it’s worth taking a step forward.”
Ed’s gaze flickers between us, his expression a mix of contemplation and longing. I sense his reluctance lingering in the air. It’s evident in the way he furrows his brow and his occasional deep sighs. I understand his reservations. This new territory we’re venturing into can be intimidating, and the thought of opening ourselves up to deeper emotions might be overwhelming for him.
I know he cares about Susan as much as Artie or me. He’s probably even more intense than we are. It’s just a matter of him coming to terms with his own hesitations.
I reach out, placing a hand on his shoulder, offering silent support. He looks at me and doesn’t say anything.
For a moment, I think he’s going to shoot down the idea. He has to be on board with this plan as much as Artie and me. That’s the only way we’ll have Susan. “I guess it’s time,” he finally says. “We can’t drag this out forever. Susan needs an answer.”
A smile splits my mouth.
