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I spin around, fear clawing at my chest.
Two large figures approach, but the streetlamp behind them keeps their faces in shadow. I slide my keys between my fingers and make a fist, ready to throw a punch.
“Whoa, chill, Sunshine.”
“Lincoln.” I almost collapse as hot relief floods my limbs. “You scared me half to death.”
As they come closer, I realize that Trey is the second figure.
Great.
I flush, feeling like a complete loser for overreacting, and I fumble to put my keys back into my hoodie pocket.
They watch me for a moment as I stand there awkwardly, and I try to think up a logical reason as to why I’m loitering out here in the cold at midnight. Then they glance at each other with mirrored smiles before they burst into full-on belly laughs. I would have relished the sound if I weren’t so embarrassed.
These assholes.
I turn away, but a large, warm hand lands on my wrist, pulling me backward. I stumble and run face-first into Link’s hard chest.
Ow. Rubbing my nose, I glare up at him, then over at Trey for good measure.
“Don’t be like that. I’m sorry,” Lincoln says between chuckles. “Your stance and expression were just priceless, little warrior.”
“Seriously.” Trey grins. “Were you going to stab us with your keys? So feisty.”
“Maybe if you guys weren’t creeping around in the middle of the night?—”
“Whoa, whoa,” Trey interrupts. “You’re out here creeping, too.”
“Yeah, are you going to tell us why you’re here?” Lincoln asks, raising an eyebrow.
They’re standing on either side of me now, and I swear I can feel the heat from their bodies, despite the chilly night air. The sexual tension between the three of us is off the charts. My stomach rolls nervously as I look between them. I’m suddenly not so sure I’m ready to talk to them about anything.
“Spill it, Bennett,” Trey says, his autumn-brown eyes searching mine.
Sighing, I look over at Link. “I ran into Serenity tonight.” An emotional lump forms in my throat as I think about what I want to say. I look up at Lincoln and steel myself. “She told me how your mom left and your dad checked out. She told me about your mom’s birthday. Why didn’t you tell me? It made me sad.” I take a breath and finger a strand of my hair. “I just… I know how that feels, to be abandoned, and I thought maybe…” My thoughts are getting jumbled in my head as I ramble. “And she also said you guys knew me from Brighton, but I don’t remember you at all, and…I guess I just wanted to talk.”
I brace myself for Link’s indifference, denial, disdain, or the angry bully from the bonfire.
Instead, his expression softens as he stares down at me, and it makes me feel a little too vulnerable.
“I’m sorry,” I say, trying to step away. “This was a stupid idea.”
“No,” he says firmly, once again pulling me back. I raise my eyebrows in surprise but don’t protest.
“But it’s freezing out here, so let’s go inside.”
Link slides an arm over my shoulders, causing butterflies to riot in my stomach, and the feeling only intensifies when I feel Trey’s hand against my lower back as he falls in step beside us. Their delicious scents mingle together like fire and ice, enveloping my senses.
We don’t talk as they lead me up to their suite, but it’s a companionable silence. Sandwiched between them, a warm feeling tugs at my heart, but it’s spoiled by a stab of guilt. I never considered that I’d want them both. It never seemed to matter before because they’ve always been so nonchalant, but something’s different now.
When we reach their door, I stop abruptly, and the guys look down at me in surprise. I feel my face getting hot as I step away from them, my arms going around myself protectively.
“Look,” I start. “I know you’re both used todifferentgirls.”
Trey’s gaze darkens. “What do you mean by ‘different’?”
“You know, experienced girls.”I sound ridiculous.
