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“During our negation on the boat…” Jeffrey countered, clearing his throat, “You expressed an interest in having multiple partners. I came up with an appropriate scenario where you could fulfill your curiosity without giving up my control. I won’t share you, Corrine. Even with my best friends.”
Todd tossed aside the papers in front of him. “This is nonsense, young lady. Pure and simple bullshit.”
At the camp, Corrine may have lost her nerve. But she had learned enough about herself to realize she controlled her own destiny. She wasn’t going to play it safe anymore. It was all or nothing. Of course, nothing would mean moving away, but she already had another job opportunity lined up in New Orleans. She was just hoping she didn’t have to take it.
“You had a chance to keep me to yourself, Daddy. You blew it. You have only yourself to blame for me enjoying my time with your buddies. Though it pains me to admit it,”—she paused to regard Eric and Jeffrey—“I did enjoy all of it. Except me being put in the cage. That particular punishment is up for amending. I covered it in paragraph two of page three.”
“You are doing this to punish us for making you sign the original contract?” Jeffrey asked, loosening his tie, and unbuttoning the top of his shirt.
Corrine shook her head. “If I wanted to punish any of you, I would have addressed possible consequences like you did in the contract I signed. Apparently, I am not wired to dominate in the bedroom. I found it exhilarating to having someone else take responsibility for those type of things. It was heaven to just... feel. I doubt any of you even comprehend all the decisions I make daily for this company from the large to the minute. In my short absence, you managed to kill an ivy plant that survived three hurricanes.”
“Us not keeping a plant alive warrants you getting an equal share in the company?” Eric’s tone was sarcastic, but Corinne refused to cower. At this company, with or without part ownership, she was an equal. She was just as much responsible for its success.
“I never thought I’d want to link myself with anyone on a permanent basis after my failed marriage, but I’ve since changed my mind. Being in a committed relationship with three men would shock even your crazy friends from the back bayous. But I need the security that comes with an official paper, something which puts all of us on an equal footing, at least outside of our personal lives.”
“Before you continue with your little speech, let me point out a few facts,” Jeffrey interrupted. Maybe it wasn’t spelled out in the contract and that’s why you balked, but making a long-term commitment is definitely on the table. Whichever of us you select, it’s for the long run.”
Eric had been quiet, but he found his voice. “I think I finally figured out where things went south. You think the entire trip was another competition between us. The idea of being a prize upset you. What you need to understand is that was never the intention. We want you, Corrine. Hell, we came to blows in high school over which of us would ask you to the prom.”
“A fight I won,” Jeffrey grumbled.
“Only because you cheated,” Todd retorted.
“A win is a win,” Jeffrey countered. “But it didn’t matter in the end. She turned me down flat.”
Corrine recalled that incident vividly. “You showed up at my house three days before the prom, blood dripping from your lip and a black eye.” Her cool exterior slipped momentarily.
Eric nodded as if he finally solved a puzzle. “When I asked you out the next day, you said something about refusing to be the booby prize for a childish contest. You thought the loser had to take you to the dance. It never occurred to you that you were the prize.”
“It seemed the logical conclusion at the time,” she admitted before stiffening her back and returning everyone’s attention to the present. “There was nothing listed in our weekend contract about commitments.”
“We didn’t include it in your contract because we were sure you’d panic and run without giving us a chance,” Todd explained, his long fingers steepled on the tabletop.
“Did you think we were playing with your feelings?” Eric demanded. “Do you have so little trust in all of us?”
“Don’t dare blame this on me! Any of you. I entered into this game trusting you to spell out exactly what was going on.” A bit of the resentment she felt crept into her voice, but Corinne kept her head up high.
“Explain.” Todd leaned back in his set and signaled for the other two men to do the same.
“Fine.” Corinne crossed her arms across her chest as if to protect any of them from hurting her heart again. “I know you three enjoy competing to prove which is the best. At times it is amusing, at others it’s maddening, but finding myself the object of your latest game was a betrayal I will never be able to forget. Damn you all, if I had any sense, I would pack up and leave everything behind. But I can’t, because I love you. All of you.” Damn, damn, damn. There was no going back now. She’d admitted it.
Silence followed for several seconds and it felt like eternity.
Jeffrey countered, “We were completely upfront with you. We deliberately worded the contract so you could understand exactly what we were asking of you.”
“But you kept the other contract hidden.” Corinne couldn’t hide the anguish in her tone any longer.
“What the hell is she talking about?” Todd demanded.
“There isn’t another contract, Corinne-girl,” Jeffrey insisted.
Eric exhaled. “Shit. Well gentlemen, the past has finally caught up with us.” Standing, he headed toward where he had left his briefcase earlier. Popping it open, he riffled through the papers inside, pulled out a packet from never the bottom and lifted it high. “I believe she’s talking about this old document.” He slammed it on the center of the table.
“I can’t believe you kept this,” Todd muttered, actually grinning as he read over some parts of the damning rules of the contest to win her favor.
“I don’t find this funny in the least.” Corinne stiffened. She had a strong urge to grab something heavy to toss at them.
“I’ve got to admit it,” Jeffrey said, pushing the papers back to Eric. “Your contract-writing skills have definitely improved over time, because now I see at least five things listed I could have easily manipulated to steal the prize we all so desperately wanted.”
