“It’s tough.”
She nodded. “You may think you want it long term, but it’s hard.”
“How so?” We were still half swaying to the music, but you could tell we were more interested in having a conversation than dancing.
“Callum says you’ve only had one group event?”
“Yea.” I frown and she laughed.
“It’s addicting, but then feelings become real. Attachments form. You will make yourself believe it can be a thing, all of you, but then you have to step outside your bubble and the real world hits you. The world doesn’t see love the same way the guys do. They are all, for the most part, one man, one woman. It’s archaic. Sure, same-sex couples are being accepted more and more, but could you imagine showing up for Thanksgiving dinner with four men or going on a date? The world will put pressures on you.” I could tell she was speaking from her own experience. Is that what happened to her? They thought they could be something more… I knew Europe was more free love and what not… did they get bit?
“Polyamory is a thing, though.”
“Right, but they usually get away from city life, from the public, to avoid the daggers and swords being thrown.”
I sighed. I agreed with what she was saying, but I didn’t want to believe it. I wanted to believe we could make it work. They were all different and I could already feel myself getting attached. It hadn’t been long at all, but it’s easy to get swooped up in their life. Their world.
“I’m not trying to be a Debra Downie. I was you.”
I chuckled at her mispronunciation of Debbie Downer.
“I always get it wrong. That’s what you were laughing about?”
I nodded. “Debbie Downer.”
“Yes, that. But as I was saying, I was you until I wasn’t. I had to make the choice to leave them. It was hard, but we were wrapped up in a cocoon for so long we fooled ourselves into thinking it was all going to be ok.”
“The contract I signed limited our engagements to a few, but no more.”
She smiled. “From what I’ve heard, you’ve already had a few and some, but one group…”
My lips tugged to the side. “Maybe I can just have sex with them one at a time and never have a group play, and then we can go on?” I was mostly teasing.
She gave me a hug. “I don’t think they will let that happen. They have to protect themselves too. They aren’t robots.” She gave me a hug, ending the conversation just as Lizzy walked back.
“What did I miss?” She asked, jumping right back in.
“Oh, nothing much, darling. Want to go back upstairs and rest our feet?”
“Sure.”
We walked upstairs where the three men were waiting for us, looking as handsome as ever.
“We saw you dancing and were just about to come down and join you.” Callum teased.
“You lie.” Sophie booped him on the end of the nose.
“You’re right. They weren’t, but I was.” Knox said.
“We came back up to rest our feet.” Sophie said, walking over to our booth.
“Everlee and I will get you all some drinks.” Callum said, placing his hand on my back as he ushered me towards the bar, but stopped short. “What were you and Sophie talking about?”
I studied his face for a moment. I had thought perhaps he instructed her to lay the groundwork, but now I wasn’t so certain. “Nothing much.”
“Everlee.” His voice lowered.
“She was talking about you all and how I need to be prepared to let you go when this is done. Whenever it’s done.”
