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ELLE
It’s been three days since the four of us officially decided to give this thing a go and I feel like I’ve been floating on cloud nine. Just one thing could bring me down and I’m the one inviting the chaos.
I’m sat on my bed in my flat. The boys were unhappy about me coming home but I told them that I needed to spend time with Gray. I’ve missed my friend. The time we spent having drinks with everyone was so fun. Hayden was a hit with Gray and the two of them were competing to get the most laughs out of the group. Lance and Tony found common ground in their passion for business and talked a lot. Brent, in his true fashion, had stayed quiet and serious but Gaby had not given up on him, talking his ear off until he was forced to talk to her. It was the perfect evening, enough to make me forget about the fact I had been attacked and we still don’t know who by.
I was acutely aware of the fact that Gray had been living in the flat alone after the intrusion and I hadn’t spent any time with him. Brent had been gone all day, working on something or rather and Lance was cooped up in their home office, working on things I probably didn’t want to know about. Hayden had kept me company but took several work calls and had to do some things on his laptop. I took my chance and begged him to let me go home so I could see Gray. He and Lance refused at first, but I wore them down. Lance drove me, came in to the flat, checked every single nook and cranny for anything that could be amiss, told me under no uncertain terms not to leave the flat and to double lock the door.
Unfortunately, Gray wasn’t in and an hour later, still hadn’t come home. I text him and he said that he was staying at Enzo’s. He offered to come home but I told him not to worry, cursing myself for not checking before coming here. Still, I’m glad I’m here. I need to be comfortable in my own home again and notlive in fear. I have turned every single light on and have music playing low in the background as every slight noise from the surrounding flats was making me jump. Lance had drawn the line at me sleeping here tonight, which I’m glad about, and he told me to call him whenever I was ready to go back to theirs. I was tempted to just call him now, but I have something else to do first.
My finger hovers over my phone, hesitant to press the button. I don’t have to do this. I know I don’t. I don’t owe them anything. But I am all in with my guys, I am certain beyond reasonable doubt that my future is with these men, and I feel like I owe it to them, and myself, to tell my parents.
This won’t end well, I know it won’t. My father will become frustrated and raise his voice, my mother will be mortified, she may cry. They will tell me I am a disappointment, that my decisions embarrass them, and they will probably tell me that they don’t want to meet my three boyfriends. I have lived with their disappointment all my life so I might as well get this over with.
“Eleanor?” My father questions if it’s me even though my name would have come up on his phone. Not surprising as I never call them, even after the attack. Although that won’t be coming up in this conversation…or ever.
“Hi, Dad,” I sigh, trying to expel the nerves bubbling up in my tummy.
“I’m surprised to hear from you. Especially after how things were left.”
I don’t answer that. “Is Mum with you?”
“Yes.”
“Can you put me on speaker?”
There’s a little ruffling and then my mother’s voice comes through the line. “Eleanor? What’s going on? Are you okay?”
That throws me slightly. Genuine concern. “Uh, nothing is wrong, I’m fine. I…um…I wanted to talk to you about Lance.”
“It was very rude of him to walk away like that, Eleanor.” My mother says and I can just imagine her pursed lips as she voices her disappointment.
“Well, he’s protective of me…”
“You’re our daughter,” my father’s voice is calm. “You do not need protecting from us.”
Maybe not physically. I don’t say it, it’s not worth the conversation that would follow. “Anyway, I just wanted you to know that Lance and I are together. We’re in a relationship.”
“Well, I wasn’t impressed with his behaviour last month but I have to say, I am very pleased for you.” My mother’s smile is evident in her voice. “He seems respectable.”Rich. She means rich.
“Are you looking for our approval? You have never called to tell us of a relationship before.” my father cuts in with suspicion.
“I certainly don’t need your approval,” I snip, bristling at the suggestion. “I haven’t told you about a relationship before because I’ve never had a relationship before. Plus, this is not just a relationship, it’s aseriousrelationship. And…there’s more…”
“Oh God, Eleanor, please don’t tell me you’re pregnant,” Dad strikes again. I can hear Mum’s gasp at the prospect.
“Eurgh, I don’t know why I’m bothering with this.” I rub at my temple. “You know, if I was pregnant, that really wouldn’t be the end of the world. I’m twenty-four, not fourteen, so your precious reputation wouldn’t be affected by your adult daughter starting a family…”
“So, that is why you’re calling? To tell us you are pregnant and unmarried?”
“No, Dad,” I clench my jaw tight enough to feel the pressure in my ear. “I’m phoning to tell you that I am in love, that I have a future with Lance…and…and…”Don’t wimp out now, Elle. “And two others.”
“Two other what?” Mum asks.
“Two other men.”
Silence.
“I’m in a polyamorous relationship, with three men.”
