Everest not knowing he matched the horse was just enough comic relief that we returned to the horses, switched colors, and moved on to decorate Hercules.
Atlas asked, “So what are you proposing? Tell her the truth while we can control the narrative or wait and risk her mom blowing our cover?”
“I made it clear from the beginning that we needed to tell her who we were.”
Hercules raised his tail and Atlas stepped to the side, allowing him to do his business before Atlas resumed the green sparkle tail paint. “Technically, we didn’t stop you. But you know, if we told her who we were, this thing between all of us wouldn’t have happened. And if she left the Ranch?—”
Everest laughed. “Whoever scared her off would have been the favorite son-in-law.”
Everest and Atlas said they were interested in Penny but weren’t taking this seriously. I couldn’t figure out how to save this situation. “Her stay here is almost over. Our work commitment is almost done. I’m going to tell her who we are the next time I see her.”
Everest drew a pink heart on Hercules’ side. “I could get on board with that as long as all three of us are there.”
“Everything that happened here was authentic for me. Is that true for both of you?”
Atlas said, “I sure as fuck didn’t expect to fall for my stepsister.”
Everest agreed. “Yeah, it just happened.”
Now on to the next problem. “How are any of us going to deal with not being the one she chooses?”
I ran my fingers through my hair, forgetting that I had the glitter brush in my hand until Atlas and Everest cracked up.
“Trying to pretty up so she’ll choose you?” Everest teased.
Enough with the jokes. I set the brush aside and wiped my hand on my hair then tried to get rid of the color by rubbing my fingers on my jeans.
Everest said, “Or the other option. I’ve only heard of it happening a couple of times at Rawhide Ranch, but what if she chose more than one guy?”
“Could you deal with not having her all to yourself?” I stared at Atlas.
“Why are you looking at me?”
“Because you’re the controlling asshole.”
Everest punched Atlas’ arm playfully. “He’s right.”
Atlas sighed and put the finishing touches on Hercules before capping the bottle. “You might not believe me, but I’ve thought a lot about this.”
“And…” I had to admit I was curious.
“I think our stepsister needs all of us. Everest, you’ve got soft skills she seems to love, like massage and music.”
“Thank you for admitting that.” Everest beams.
Atlas turned his attention to me. “Phoenix, you’re not as grumpy as you act.”
“Thanks for the insight, Dr. Phil.”
“Deny it all you want, but you swung big, got hurt, and haven’t gotten back in the game.”
“Hurt? Getting dumped by the woman you intend to spend your life with qualifies as a little more than hurt.”
“Sure, it sucked and you took it really hard, but it’s good to see you’re finally letting your guard down.”
“I don’t want to talk about this.”
Atlas wouldn’t let it go. “Talk about what? That you’re one of the most fiercely passionate people I know… when you let your guard down?”
