“Correction, I was jealous because I feared he could steal you away from me. I know logically that wasn’t possible, but at the moment I felt threatened. I don’t feel that way now. I know you love me as much as I love you, and I know Kyle and Rino are in love too.”
“Hmm. I think I need more time to think about this. Do you think they’ll be upset if I don’t have an answer tomorrow?”
“If they are, we won’t be doing anything with them. But I already know they won’t mind waiting for you to be certain. You’re still so young, and I don’t want you to feel like this is something you have to do. It should be fun, and if you feel like it won’t be that for you, then we won’t do it.”
“This has nothing to do with my age,” he bit back, and I realized it might have sounded like I blamed his indecision on his age, which hadn’t been my intention, but before I could apologize, he kept talking. “My hesitation is because of the fact that Rino is my former boss, and Kyle is my friend. I need to think about the pros and cons of this. And if I’m comfortable having sex with them. Thinking about it now, I really want to do it. But what if I change my mind tomorrow? I need to make sure I’m truly certain, or this will end badly, and I don’t want that.”
I really shouldn’t have made that comment about his age, because here I was, not even thinking as specifically as he was. He wasn’t just thinking about the here and now, no, he was thinking ahead, like an adult. And I was mostly thinking about the present. Maybe Pete was the mature one in our relationship. Even from the very start. He wanted me and had done everything he could to get me, which wasstill surreal to think about. He was brave. Driven. He kept surprising me, and I loved it.
“You’re amazing, you know that, right?”
He looked utterly confused now. “Huh?”
I laughed. “You keep surprising me, baby. You think about things that I haven’t even considered. I love that about you. I’ll know that if you agree, then you truly agree to it and I won’t have to worry if we’re jumping into things. Take your time, and when you know what you want, we’ll tell them together.”
Chapter 31
Pete
It was a week since Rino and Kyle had asked us if we wanted to play around with them, and I still hadn’t answered them. They hadn’t pushed, which helped me a lot. I knew they wouldn’t pester me on it, but I was still glad they hadn’t. To be honest, I wanted to. Ireallywanted to. But like I’d told Jackson, I needed to be absolutely sure.
I needed to get some fresh air away from the mansion, which really meant I needed to not be around Mitch and Nic right now. They were salivating about the possibility of me and Jackson with Rino and Kyle, who according to their constant chatting, were wild in bed andso fucking hot.It didn’t make life easier for me knowing they were waiting on me to make my decision. It wasallthey could talk about and I needed a break.
As soon as I’d left the property, I dialed Dylan. He picked up on the third ring and greeted me cheerily. “You haven’t died!”
“Hah hah. I know, I’m sorry.”
“For forgetting about me? Nah, don’t be. I found this cool cactus plant and I’ve been chatting it up whenever I’m lonely. It started to bloom yesterday, so I think it likes me.”
“Shit, Dyl. I really am sorry. I’ve just had so much to do, and I know it’s no excuse. But I’ve really missed you.”
“I know. I’ve missed you too. I figured it would be best if I let you come to me when you had the time. I didn’t want to interrupt you with the renovations and quitting your job.”
I’d forgotten to tell him I’d quit! Which meant… “My mom told you I’d quit, didn’t she?”
“Nope. Mike did.”
Mike?!
“Since when do you two speak?” They’d never been close and with Mike in Africa, I hadn’t expected them to even have the chance to talk. I’d only spoken with Mike myself three times so far since he left.
“Since I was in need of a new bestie,” he sniffled and I sighed loudly. I knew he was hurt and I really was the worst.
“Is he a good bestie, then?” I teased, hoping we could move past this. Even though I knew Dylan would forgive me, I also knew I shouldn’t take his easy forgiveness as a given. I would call him more often and plan gaming nights too. I was selfish in this. I’d forgotten about him in all the rush of moving, renovating, and then opening the club. We’d spoken a bit over text, but I knew he’d instigated all the texts. And the only reason I’d called him now, was because I needed his help with the whole sharing thing. But there was no way I would be broaching that subject now. Dylan deserved my full attention after I’d treated him like shit these last few months.
“Oh, he’s perfect! He even gave me tips on how to take care of Poki.”
“Um, Poki?”
“My cactus. Clever name, right? He helped me name him too.”
“Of course he did. So… How is Mike doing?”
“Oh, we’re already done talking about me? Fine then.” I suppressed a groan. I really wasn’t acing this attentive bestie-thing.
Driving through the drive-through Dylan preferred, I placed an order while he waited patiently on the phone. As soon as I had the food, I apologized again. “I really am sorry, Dyl. Are you home?”
“Ah. I figured that was why you picked up a banana milkshake. But you never know, maybe Jackson likes them too.” He was hurting so I let that slide. I’d take all the punishments he would dole out.
