She starts laughing. Then we’re all laughing. The tension breaks and suddenly it doesn’t matter that lunch is terrible.
What matters is that she tried. That she’s here. That we’re all together.
After lunch, Callum and I need to head out for classes.
Later that day, there’s pizza on the counter for dinner. And we all sit at the couch to watch a movie. Tiger ends up in the middle. I’m on her right. Zephyr’s on her left. Callum’s on the floor leaning against the couch.
We put on some action movie that none of us are really watching.
Tiger falls asleep halfway through, and her head drops onto my shoulder.
I freeze.
I look at Zephyr. He’s watching her sleep with this soft expression I’ve never seen on him before.
Callum whispers from the floor, “We need to talk about what we’re doing.”
“What do you mean?” Zephyr whispers back.
“I mean are we taking turns or...”
“Shut the fuck up, Cal,” I hiss.
Callum just laughs.
“He’s right, Jax,” Zephyr says quietly. “We’re going to have to figure this out eventually.”
Callum adds, “We all want her.”
My jaw clenches. The possessive feeling from this morning comes roaring back. Anger mixed with protectiveness.
“This isn’t the time,” I say.
“When is the time?” Callum asks.
“Not now. She’s still injured.”
We fall silent. The movie plays. Tiger sleeps.
And I sit there with her weight against me, feeling everything I shouldn’t be feeling.
When the movie ends, I carefully slide my arm under her legs and lift her.
She stirs but doesn’t wake.
I carry her down the hall. Extra careful of her injured arm. I lay her down in bed and pull the blanket over her.
She mumbles something I don’t catch and curls onto her side.
I sit on the edge of the bed watching her sleep.
Wondering what the fuck we’ve gotten ourselves into.
Wondering if this is going to work or if we’re all setting ourselves up for the worst kind of heartbreak.
Wondering if I can share her with my two best friends.
Wondering if I even have a choice anymore.
