Snickers and mumbling erupt behind me, but I tune it out. We knew coming out about our poly relationship would bring all the haters and mockers out. Back home, we dealt with it some, but we weren’t fully out as a triad at the time. Now we have Matthew, who’s not only older, but our coach.
“Ignore them,” Ford snarls when I feel Dylan tense beneath my touch. “They’re just jealous skanks.”
It must have been some girls making the snide comments. I glance back over my shoulder at the table slightly behind me and see a group of four women leaning in close to each other, whispering. While outwardly they’re attractive, all shapely and appealing to the eye, their cattiness makes them ugly and undesirable.
“We have pizza, cheese fries, wings, and salad. Let’s dig in because we only have forty minutes before Jacob and I need to get to Calculus.” Dylan’s vibrant voice pulls me from my anger toward the bitches. She knows how to get me out of my mood; food and her.
“Are the three of you ready for your first practice?” Matthew asks, taking a couple of wings and a slice of pizza, putting them on his plate before reaching for the salad.
“I can’t wait. How about you, Coach? Ready to show us what you got?” Dylan laughs, bumping her shoulder playfully against his.
“I’m more nervous than anything. I’ve never been a coach, and it’s been so long since I’ve played. I just hope I do the team justice.” I look up and take Matthew in. He’s picking at the cheese on the edge of his pizza as he chews on his bottom lip. If I were to look under the table, I’d bet I’d see his knee bouncing up and down.
“You’re going to be great. I’ve seen some old footage of you from college and high school. You’re an amazing player.” I don’t have to look to know that Ford’s and Dylan’s eyes are both on me, jaws dropped, much like Matthew’s.
“Have I entered an alternate reality or something? Am I being punked? Is Ashton waiting to jump out at me?” Ford slams his hands down on the table, causing us to gain more attention from the other students. Dylan slaps him across his chest as Matthew shakes his head.
“Nah, I was interested in what our coach had to offer us and I looked up some videos. Simple as that. I can acknowledge a great player when I see one. Besides, he's one of us and it was my way of accepting him,” I confess as I pick up a piece of pizza and take a hefty bite, cheese trailing from my mouth to the slice.
“Are we finally becoming a family?” Dylan draws out in a sing-song voice as she places her hands over her heart. God, I love this woman.
“We need to have a family meeting and decide how we want to handle things. I know there are times I’m going to want to have a solo date with you, but I think we should do things as a unit also,” Ford says, as he takes some of the cheese fries and places them on his plate. Looks like he plans to be the family lead, or some shit.
“I’ve kind of already claimed a date.” Matthew clears his throat after speaking.
Both mine and Ford’s eyes jump to Dylan.
“He asked me if we could spend some time together after the dinner I have to give the speech at. I guess I should’ve let the two of you know.” Dylan’s face pinkens as she shifts her gaze to her plate.
“It’s not just on you, Dylan. I should’ve mentioned it to the guys as well. I do think we need a calendar. That way, we can keep track of dates and events. It’ll make it easier to schedule dates and everything. I can pick up one and bring it over to the house tonight with some dinner,” Matthew offers and I have to admit, he’s not the dick I thought he once was. “I also know that Dylan will need some girl time with her friends and we can use that as time for us to bond, even air any grievances we may have between each other without Dylan around. That way, she doesn’t feel like it’s directed at her.”
“I like that,” I boldly state as I lean over, kissing Dylan on her cheek.
“Disgusting,” one of the bitches says snidely, loud enough for us to hear.
Ford goes to stand, and Matthew places his hand on his shoulder, pushing him back down.
“Let them talk. The more we entertain it, the more they’ll talk. Besides, I’m a coach. I can't exactly have you getting in a fight with me present.”
“Fine,” Ford huffs, crossing his hand over his chest as he pouts. “But when you’re not around, don’t think I won’t be setting the assholes straight.”
“So, Matthew’s getting the calendar. We’re having a family dinner and planning date nights and sharing our schedules. Sounds like we have a plan for tonight. Right now, we need to eat, because unlike the two of you, Dylan and I have a class to go to,” I remind them as I take another bite of pizza.
For the first time, I really feel like we’re a complete family. It’s as it should have always been, the four of us.
Chapter 26
Matthew
The door swings shut behind me with a soft click, and I shift my weight, rolling my shoulders to release some tension. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, I tuck my hands into my pockets, trying to look casual.
Jacob walks into the room, giving me a once-over with that easy grin of his. “She’ll be right down,” he says, standing next to me.
I nod, keeping it cool on the outside, but inside, I’m buzzing. "Right down" better not mean forever. I swear, waiting is its own kind of torture. This is my first formal date with Dylan, and I’m way more nervous than I thought I'd be.
Ford comes bounding down the stairs, sliding to a stop next to us. “You’re about to have your socks knocked off.”
Before I can respond, I hear footsteps on the stairs. I glance up, and that’s when I see her.
