AllFreeNovel
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The instant I open the door, their conversation cuts off, and three pairs of eyes turn to me.
“Hey.” I lean against the doorframe and hug my waist, shivering in the cool night breeze. “Why are you out here?”
“Didn’t want to wake you.” Leo strides toward me. “You’re cold. We can continue this inside.”
Everyone shuffles into the cozy sitting room and open kitchen. I deliberately take the only armchair, hoping they’ll all squeeze onto the couch.
They don’t.
Leo and Kody sit on either end. Monty perches on the edge of the kitchen table, arms folded and legs crossed at the ankles.
“How did your therapy sessions go?” I ask Leo and Monty.
“No fighting or drama.” Leo rubs his nape. “Pretty anticlimactic.”
“And no touching.” Kody gives him and Monty a pointed look.
“Not once.” Monty narrows his eyes at me with condescension and superiority, the side of his mouth curling as if to emphasize he was right all along.
“So this is how it’s going to be?” I sit back, head held high. “You’re besties now, embracing your brotherhood through a shared hatred toward my therapist.”
“Frankie,” Kody gnarls under his breath.
“Part of me wants to call Doyle and tell him I’ve found someone else. A straight female psychiatrist who doesn’t threaten the men in the Strakh family.” I ignore the heavy glaring around me and shift to the edge of my chair. “But it’s a slippery slope. I’ll be working for Rhett again. One of my closest friends. He’s an unmarried man. Very touchy-feely.”
“He’s gay,” Monty says.
My nostrils flare. “A lot of my colleagues at the hospital are unmarried men. Sometimes we go out for drinks after our shifts.”
“Cool.” Leo nods. “We’ll go with you.”
“Sometimes, sure. But not always. What if you don’t like them? What if one of them casually touches me? I won’t eliminate people from my life who don’t pass your approval. That’s not healthy. Tell me you understand that.”
“Remember when Wolf asked you about your red flag?” Kody asks. “You said you’ve always had someone. Boyfriends. Friends with benefits. A husband. None were platonic friendships.”
Monty stiffens.
“I had schoolmates and colleagues.” A flush burns my cheeks.
“Fuck buddies.”
“What’s your point?”
“You don’t have female friends because they’re jealous of you. And every guy you’ve befriended tries to turn it into something more. Tell me I’m wrong.”
I look away, sifting through every friendship I’ve had since childhood.
He’s not wrong.
The closest friendship I’ve made over the years is with Rhett. My gay boss.
“What will you do if Sirena propositions Leo or Kody?” Monty tilts his head. “She’s a terrible flirt, but you already know that. That’s why you demanded I fire her.”
“You’re right.” I let out a stream of air. “I’m being hypocritical. Thank you for pointing that out.” I fling him an annoyed look. “I don’t like her for the same reasons you don’t like Doyle.”
“The difference is you’re behind closed doors with Doyle.” Kody works his jaw. “You have private sessions with him, and we don’t know what’s happening between you.”
“There will be times when you’re with Sirena alone. We need to trust one another.”
