“Damn Bradley, that’s some crazy shit.” Scout blows out a breath as he leans back in his chair, running his fingers through his hair.
After meeting him at the Bean and Pastry, I spilled my whole story. How I was helping Malcolm get comfortable being out in public so he could get back with his ex, while also developing feelings for him. How he took care of me when I was sick. Then Jefferson and how hot the sex was. It was an instant attraction.
Two men, and how I fell hard for them both. Then, the Earth opened beneath me, giving me one final blow. The exes they talked about were each other.
“How am I so unlucky? From Nana dying, the money issues with the house, and now this.”
I pick up my coffee and take a sip of the lukewarm fluid.
“Do they know that they have you in common?” he asks.
I shrug my shoulders. “Don’t know. If I hadn’t seen the picture on Jefferson’s phone, I would’ve never known. They would’ve just stopped using the service, or if the requests to see me are what I’m thinking, they plan to blow me off face to face.” My breath hitches with those words.
Scout runs his finger around the rim of his cup, his eyes lasered on me, as he presses his lips together.
Suddenly feeling like I’m being judged, I blurt out, “What?”
He takes a deep breath. “You want me to be honest or just blow smoke up your ass?” He asks, giving me a pointed look as he waits for my answer.
“Truth. Always.”
“There are so many things I want to say, so keep your mouth shut until I finish. Please.” He gives me a playful smirk. “First, you’re not even giving them a chance to speak with you before assuming the worst.”
I go to open my mouth, but he shakes his head, wagging his finger back and forth.
“No talking, just listening.” His words come out stronger. “You’re not even giving them a chance to say anything to you. Don’t let your insecurities and fear keep you from having something that could be magical.”
“But they’re exes,” I whine.
“Do you not remember my situation? They were dating as well, broken up. I ran from them, when all they wanted was to include me. To have a relationship with me. I nearly screwed up, and you don’t want to do that.” He pauses. “Trust me.”
I sigh heavily. “But your scenario is a little different. They both knew they were dating you. Malcolm and Jefferson don’t. How do we come back from that? How do I know they both want me, to share me like the three of you do?”
Scout leans forward, resting his forearms on the table. “You won’t know until you talk to them. And hell, maybe they’ve talked to each other and pieced the connection together themselves.”
I bite my lower lip, letting my teeth sink into the flesh, taking the slight sense of comfort the tinge of pain gives me.
“I’m just overwhelmed,” I finally admit. “Trying to save the house. The feelings I wasn’t intending to have for two men.”
“Take today. You still need to rest from being sick and really think about them. Determine if your feelings for them are more than an attraction. Then, talk to them. Hell, do it separately, together, whichever way is easiest for you. But you need to get that closure.”
I nod my head. Because he’s right. I just need to man up and stop being a pussy.
“Bradley, do you need help with the house?”
I do the only thing I can. Lie. He doesn’t need to come and clean up the mess of my life.
“No, I’m good. Already talked to Foxy and opened up more hours and I’m going down to talk to the bank and try to get an extension.”
He just looks at me for a minute, not answering at first, before finally speaking. “If you need help, let me know. I’ll do what I can.”
“I know.”
“Okay. I need to go, but think about what I said and talk to them.”
“I will.”
Scout and I both stand and give each other a hug before he picks up his cup and heads to the door. I drop back down in my seat, not wanting to go home, afraid of running into them.
