AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No. Because I don’t want to pick.”
She twisted her mouth. “You have to, don’t you?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so.” God, I hoped not. Though at this point, neither Tanner nor Daria was a choice, so it didn’t matter.
Brooke furrowed her brow. “So, like… polygamy?”
“No. More like marriage, but with three people.” Oh, shit. Did I just say marriage? Nope. The three of us didn’t have that. Nope.
Why couldn’t we have that? After a bit more getting to know each other. But…
“Is that a thing?” Brooke asked.
“Legally? Probably not. Emotionally… Yes.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know how that’s possible, but I can tell you’re miserable, and you’re the reason I understand that someone doesn’t have to pick between liking men and women. Of course, I didn’t think it was so literal.”
I let out a strained laugh. “It’s usually not.”
“Can I meet her?”
“Things aren’t happening that way.” This was reality, no matter how much I wanted otherwise. It didn’t matter if Daria felt the same, even. She had her reasons for putting an end to that side of our relationship. “She’s choosing to focus on her kids.”
“Ah. That I understand. You know, you’ll have to talk to Tanner eventually. Either cut him off altogether, or make things right.”
One of those options made my gut churn and the other didn’t seem possible. “I talk to him at practice.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“I know.”
Brooke stood and patted me on the shoulder. “If anyone can figure this out, it’s you.”
“Thanks.” I wished I could agree with her.
I worked on my sketch a little longer, penciling something out for Paige to take a look at when she got home, then headed to swim class. I arrived just as the first students were showing up, so I could give them my attention instead of talking to Tanner.
He gave me a tentative smile and a wave, and I nodded back.
When Alana showed up, Daria and Harmony were with her. Daria’s smile was pasted on, but she looked good. Why couldn’t she and Tanner and I go talk somewhere and make this work between the three of us?
Would either of them want that, even if me being with them was an option? Sharing for fun was one thing, but I was being delusional even hoping for that kind of long-term attention from one of them.
Daria approached me. “Colin, hey. Harmony wants to start taking swim lessons.”
“Sure. We can get her signed up.” Would this be us long term? No fun. No banter. Not even a little bit ofhow are you today?
I got Harmony registered for classes, Daria sent the girls off to get changed, and she settled into the bleachers to watch.
This was going to suck.
We kicked off class before Tanner could draw me into another round oflet’s talk, but I don’t know about what.
Things ran smoothly. The older kids practiced with Tanner and I worked with the younger ones. The longer the afternoon went on, the rowdier and more impatient the younger kids grew, which was standard, until I decided it was time to call it a day for them. “All right, everyone out of the water.”
I was focused on making sure every kid was out, when a series of laughs and shouts caught my attention. Two of the kids were splashing water at each other as I raised myself from the pool. “Come on, guys. Pool safety,” I called.
“Can’t cath me,” Edward shouted, and ran from another of the boys.
