“You feel guilty,” Kane said.
I nodded without thinking. “Yes.”
“Guilty for sleeping with all three of us,” Liam said.
Wait, what?
“You’re also worried about your mother and the toll on her health,” Kane continued.
They knew nothing. They were close yet so far away that the small fizz of relief in my heart slowly melted away.
“And since when were you married?” Sawyer lifted one brow.
“Married?” I asked hoarsely. They had half of the story, and I could easily fill in the gaps.
But it would end this and a selfish part of me enjoyed it. I liked that they had hunted me down together and had come so far just to see what was wrong with me. I didn’t want it to end just yet, and I didn’t want to break their hearts.
The way all three of them were looking at me, I knew it would hurt them.
I couldn’t do it.
“Uhm…” I would have to balance the fine line between truth and lie. “Yes. I am worried about my mother. Her health has been declining but she’s been doing so great at this new facility that I almost don’t trust it, y’know? It feels like it’s setting me up for more heartbreak.”
I picked at the fabric of my skirt as I talked. Liam slowly lowered into the white chair near him while Kane perched on the edge of the table. Sawyer remained standing, his arms crossed over his broad chest and his hard gaze fixed on me.
Could he see the lies?
“And no, I’m not married.”
“Oh thank god,” Liam muttered quietly.
“It was a mistake on the paperwork when I had to have a… a friend help with a late payment, and it got processed before I noticed.” Not a full lie, at least. “And… Yes, I’ve been apprehensive because I’ve had fun with all three of you. More than fun. I like seeing all of you, but I don’t know what it means. I’ve never done something like this before and you’re all so casual about it. But for me, this is big because if I had to choose, I wouldn’t be able to.”
“We’d never ask you to,” Sawyer replied immediately. “If anything, choosing isn’t an option because none of us want this to end.”
“It’s true,” Kane replies, smoothing one hand over his thigh. “Admittedly, in the very beginning I was excited at the challenge against these two because it’s not the first time we’ve all become enamored by the same woman. But, if I may be so bold, it is the first time when the enjoyment of her has become more important than the tease.”
“Because you know you’d lose,” Liam smirked at Kane. Kane flipped him off immediately.
Listening to them talk without judgment or accusation was almost too much to bear. I hadn’t considered that I wouldn’t have to choose but they talk now as if this can be like this forever. I can have all three, and the potential life together would be incredible.
If only I wasn’t a rat.
Tears warmed the inner corners of my eyes, and I ducked my head to hide them. Sawyer grasped my chin and immediately lifted me back up to face him.
“We cannot resist you,” he said calmly.
It was any girl's dream to hear such words.
“Won’t you get into trouble?” I asked, trying to blink the overwhelming tears away. “I’m your assistant.”
“This will remain between the four of us,” Sawyer answered immediately as if he had already considered it. “Neither of us will break that. And as soon as you stop having fun, Callie, or you change your mind, then we will step back.”
“Yes,” Kane agreed. “Absolutely.”
“Agreed,” Liam nodded.
More tears threatened, and warmth swept across my shoulders like a blanket. This had been a quiet concern for so long, so having it soothed was a relief. I didn’t want to choose.