Page 162 of Monstrous Serpent

I nod.

“So, like, I know you need time, and I'm not trying to rush you or whatever, but have you . . . thought about us? Like, where you're at with everything. Or no? You don't have to answer. Forget I—”

I squeeze his hand. “Can I talk?”

“You’re breaking up with us.”

“No, I’m not. I love you both.” I inhale, grimacing as I try to find a more comfortable position. It doesn’t do any good. “Look, I don’t know how to feel about what the two of you do. Kinda wish I didn’t know. But I do. And it’s not just about how fucking illegal it is.” I swallow hard, pulling my hand from his to pick at the blanket again. “What if something happens to you both. What if . . . what if . . . even just one of you doesn’t come home one day?”

“Cody—”

“I’m not done.” I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “What if you get it wrong, hurt someone who you shouldn’t? I have so many questions.” I look at him, holding his gaze. “Honestly, I want you both to stop.”

He looks away, features pinched. “I can’t promise that.”

“Figured as much. But I still needed to say it.” I take a moment before continuing because this next part is important to me. It could be a dealbreaker if they can’t agree. “Atlas, I want your word you won’t ever bring any of that shit around Davis. Or any of my family.”

His head whips toward me so fast, an incredulous look on his face. “The fuck, Cody? I could never bring Baby J into any of it. Ever. Hear me.”

“Are you seriously yelling at me right now?”

“Yup.”

I lean back against the couch, grumbling. “Fuck that. I’ve got two fucking psychopaths as boyfriends, so yeah, I’m going to worry they might bring their bullshit around my little brother.”

“Hunt’s right, you got some mouth on you.”

“You really want to pick a fight with me? Now?”

He chuckles. “Sorta. Miss fighting with you.”

“Just wait. I'll be back on the ice before finals. Then I’ll kick your ass, end your season, and make you watch the Titans win the championship again.” That’s what I’ve been telling myself. But physical therapy doesn’t start for another two weeks, so I could just be feeding myself some delusional bullshit.

“All jokes aside, Little J, you have my word. We won’t bring that stuff around Davis or your family, including Mr. Smooshy.” Atlas shifts on the cushion, his knee bouncing. “But there's something else we need to talk about.”

My pulse picks up. “No. I can't handle any more bombshells.”

“If we want this to work, all three of us, we need to—”

“Just say it.”

He rubs the back of his neck, staring at the TV. “Hunter and I had sex.”

I blink. Then smile. Can't help it. It’s the first real one in a week.

Atlas's brows pinch. “Why are you grinning like a jackass? I thought you'd be—I mean, we didn't talk about it first. Like what's okay between who and what might not be okay and if there are boundaries we need to—”

“Atlas.”

“—because I don't want you thinking we went behind your back, even though technically we did, but it wasn't planned. It just happened after everything and—”

I laugh, then immediately regret it. “Fuck. Ow.” I grimace and shift position again. “When Hunter gets back, the three of us can figure it out together. Boundaries, rules, whatever.”

He nods.

“But.” I hold up a finger. “Since I can't have sex or do anything until fuck knows when, maybe you two shouldn't be able to either.”

Atlas groans, pulling the bill of his hat down over his face. “Shoulda just kept my mouth shut.”