“What’s this?” I ask, and he tries to control how excited he is but fails miserably.
“Open it. It’s from all of us,” he insists, but Shane pulls him back onto his lap and shakes his head.
“Yes, but it was your idea.” He kisses our boyfriend soundly, but Alex is too impatient to sink into it as usual.
“Hurry, she’s been waiting.”
“Huh?” A small yip has me reaching for the paper and tearing it back before the top of the box pops open. A little white puppy sticks her head out. “Oh my god, she’s adorable!” I reach in and scoop the tiny thing into my hands, bringing her out. Edie is instantly by my side, talking to her and scratching her head.
“Alex suggested that maybe what you needed to help with your anxiety was a puppy. We spoke to your therapist, and she said it was a great idea. We could have her certified as an emotional support dog, so you can take her everywhere with you,” Riku explains, getting down with us and cooing at the puppy as I rub her nose against mine.
“Oh, and wait!” Alex tries to scramble off Shane’s lap, but his firm lover wraps his arms around him and holds him tight, allowing Jace to bring out another gift box.
“We picked out some cool accessories and things for her. She’s up to date on vaccinations and worming treatment, and Harlow said she’ll do the spaying when it’s time.” He passes the box to Edie who opens it up and starts digging around. I put the wiggling puppy down when Edie finds a rubber chicken and squeaks it for her. The puppy barks with delight and runs her tiny, stumpy legs toward it only to tumble over in her haste.
“You need to think of a name for her.” Cole’s leaning over the back of the couch, smiling. “I’ll bet Spencer will ask for one now too.”
“I’ll think about her name for a few days. I want to get a feel for her nature.” I shuffle across the carpet on my knees until I get to Alex and Shane, then I lean in, putting my arms around both of them. “Thank you,” I whisper into Alex’s abs. “It’s the nicest present anyone has ever given me.”
“Well, while you’re down there…” Alex nods in the direction of his dick, but Ash reaches over and slaps him on the back of the head.
“Dude, my sister.”
“Rain check,” I promise him.
Edie and the guys were thrilled with their gifts from me, and I can’t wait to take Edie for her makeover. We FaceTime with everyone back home, which was a noisy and long affair, and I was thrilled to see the smallest baby bump developing on Harlow’s stomach. Of course I made her lift her shirt to show me.
Edie was a little overwhelmed, but Nana had her coming out of her shell, and I can see that she’s going to be another one my family adopts as their own. She already has a date with Dad to go riding when we eventually return.
And that was the big question of the day. When are we returning? Soon, but I’m not quite ready yet, and it’s with this in mind that I make the next suggestion.
“I’m a little sick of the cold. How does everyone feel about South America for the new year?”
“Yes!” Alex shouts in tandem with Jace.
“Are you sure?” Riku assesses me with his serious gaze, and I shrug.
“Yeah, I mean, why not? We need to deal with the property down there. We might as well.”
“I think what Riku means is that there could very well be coke in that house as well.” At least Cole is diplomatic enough to whisper that while Edie is distracted by Alex and Jace. It’s not that I plan to keep my addiction a secret from the people who are important, or will be important, in my life. It’s just that I need to take each step on my own time. I’ve been working on confronting my problem and the roots of it, and being open and honest about it to other people will be the next step I take once I’ve worked up the courage to do it.
“Colombia is well known for its drug trade,” Shane says just as quietly.
“I’m fine, I swear. It wasn’t that I was addicted to the coke for the coke, but for how it made me feel when I went out. I didn’t use it when there was no chance of me running into anyone, and I think I’ve pretty much worked through most of that anyway. I’ll keep up with my therapy and my NA meetings just to be safe,” I say to the men I’ve grown to love. It costs me nothing to make this promise, and I mean those words. It’s not bravado or denial or coke-driven confidence. I’ve honestly made genuine strides that let me say these words with a real belief that I can and will follow through.
“Then I say let’s go,” Ash says, nodding to Edie, “as long as she can come.”
“Ash, I said it before, but I’ll say it again. We are not leaving her behind, ever,” I assure him and then sigh. “I was pushing this conversation off because, well, it’s a complicated one, but I think we need to talk about our relationships going forward. Hey, Edie,” I call out, and she stops her banter with Alex and Jace to look at me.
“Do you want to head upstairs and pack anything you want to take with us? We may not be coming back here for a few months. Oh, and can you keep the puppy with you for the moment?” I ask, and she jumps up, bending over to pick up the toy poodle.
“Sure, but I don’t need a distraction. Just ask me for some privacy next time.” She’s smiling as she walks away, and Riku shakes his head, smiling after her.
“That girl is way too astute for her own good.”
“So, what is it you wanted to talk about?” Shane asks, wrapping a strand of my hair around his fist and tugging me toward him for a blistering kiss.
“Oh yeah, I can get on board with this. Orgy!” Alex starts to strip off his shirt, and I pull away from Shane.
