“Using everything he could find,” Marco adds. “The fires. Her unemployment. The living situation.”
“We’ve already hired her a lawyer,” Theo continues. “Best family law attorney in the state. She’s meeting with Rachel this afternoon.”
I process this while we walk to Cole’s truck. “How bad is Derek’s case?”
“On paper? Bad enough to get a hearing,” Marco says. “But we’ve got character witnesses, documentation of Derek’s abandonment, proof that Rachel’s provided stable care. The lawyer thinks we can win.”
We.Not she.We.
I notice it but don’t comment. Not yet.
The drive to their house is tense. They fill me in on Ryan’s arrest, the investigation, and how Rachel’s been completely vindicated. How she’s been applying for jobs, how Tommy’s thriving, how things have been good.
But there’s something they’re not saying. I can feel it.
We pull up to the house. Rachel’s car is in the driveway. Through the window, I can see Tommy playing with blocks in the living room.
“Before we go in,” Cole says, killing the engine. “We need to talk to you about something else.”
“What else could there possibly be?”
The three of them exchange glances. Some silent communication I’m not part of.
“Just come inside,” Marco says. “We’ll explain everything.”
Rachel’s at the kitchen table when we walk in. She looks exhausted. Stressed. She stands up when she sees me.
“Jake!” She hugs me tight. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Cole told me about Derek. We’re going to fight this. He’s not taking Tommy.”
“I know. The lawyer seems confident.” She pulls back. “But there’s something else we need to tell you.”
“I’ve heard that more times today than I have in my entire life. Can someone tell me what’s happening?”
“Sit down,” Cole says.
We all move to the living room.
Rachel sits on the couch. Cole, Theo, and Marco stand near the fireplace like they’re facing a firing squad.
“What’s going on?” I look between all of them.
“There’s no easy way to say this,” Rachel starts. “So, I’m just going to say it. I’m involved with all three of them. Romantically. And they’re involved with me. All of us together.”
The words don’t process at first. “What?”
“We’re in a relationship,” Theo clarifies. “The four of us. It’s been developing since she moved in. Since before that, actually.”
My brain short-circuits. “You’re—what?”
“I have feelings for all of them,” Rachel says quietly. “And they have feelings for me. We’re making it work.”
I stand up. “You’re telling me that my three best friends have been sleeping with my sister? All of you? At the same time?”
“It’s not like that,” Cole says.
“Then what is it like? Because it looks like you took advantage of her when she was vulnerable. When she needed protection and you used that to—”
