All three of us seemed mired in thoughts we didn’t understand how to handle, or at least I was.
I barely knew Penny and I wanted to swing big for her—a ridiculous thought. In a matter of days we’d be back in the real world.
I shouldn’t have even bothered except I had to throw my hat in the arena. If either of these guys managed to make it work with her, and I hadn’t, I’d lose my mind.
There was no way I could face her as a sister-in-law without ensuring she knew all of her options. What the fuck was going on in my head? She was our stepsister.
Atlas sat on the bed opposite me and Everest took a chair. With the tension in the room easing off, I attempted to get us all on the same page.
“Let’s just say that she connected with one of us while we’re at the Ranch, and maybe it could turn into something more… could either of you deal with it if you weren’t the one she chose?” I glanced at Atlas first.
Everest was better prepared to answer. “If one of you made her happy, I would accept her choice. Never cause trouble again, but I’ll do my best to get to know her until then.”
Atlas stood up again, towering over us. “While you’re painting nails and rubbing her feet, I’ll burn the fucking world down for her.”
“Less for you to carry.” Everest’s comment was barely audible.
Atlas stepped closer. “What was that?”
Everest scoffed. “Does a comment like burning the world down work on first dates? Or do you save it for after you’ve forgotten her birthday or something big?”
Back to the arguing. If I didn’t keep them focused, these two would argue the entire time she’s here. It would be a viable way to keep them busy, but also the most likely way to ruin everything. “Just answer the question, Atlas. Would you respect her decision if she chose Everest or me?”
“She’s not that stupid.”
“And yet, I’m the only one who’s spent quality time with her.” Everest peacocked his rare triumph over Atlas.
“Answer the fucking question…. Can you respect that she’s an autonomous human who will make her own decisions regardless of whether they make sense to the world burner?”
“I’m not an ass.”
“Debatable,” Everest muttered.
I motioned for the two of them to return to their corners.
“Taking that as full agreement, let’s get up to speed on Penny. Everest, how did the massage go?”
“It was a massage,” he answered way too defensively.
“Clothes on? Clothes off? Happy ending? Or did she rush out, leaving you alone to jack yourself off after you popped a boner?”
“Do I have to remind you two that I am professionally trained and licensed? It was a normal massage.”
“Would she give the same answer?” Atlas couldn’t hide his irritation that his little brother had bested him.
“She wouldn’t know because it was her first. Don’t bug her about it. She’s not like the women you go after.”
Atlas grumbled but I cut him off. “So what did you find out?” I asked under the guise of getting us up to speed, but on the inside, I was desperate to know everything about Penny.
“She’s… innocent.”
“As in a virgin?” Atlas coughed the question out.
“We didn’t talk about that.”
“Or you just don’t want to tell us?” I wasn’t sure if I could trust Everest.
“It didn’t come up. I was just getting to know her.”
