Seriously? That’s all? My hopes are dashed. “Are you worried I’ll never come home?”
Robert’s more intense. He clears his throat. “We want to have a different kind of relationship with you.”
“Yeah, I’m a big adult now, not a minor who needs a guardian anymore. I need to get back to my friends.” I stand up, but Robert puts his hand on my shoulder, guiding me back into the chair.
Charles blurts out, “We want arelationship. We want to protect you, make you ours.”
“Real fucking smooth,” Thomas says.
They say other things, but that’s all I can process. They want me the way I’ve wanted them? The world spins. Thomas rushes toward me and drops to his knees. Robert keeps his hand on my shoulder. Charles leans forward.
“Did you just say…” I refrain from finishing the statement in case I misheard.
Robert says, “We talked about breaking it to you a little easier, but since Charles... Is it ‘spilled the tea’ that your generation says?”
I smile.
“It’s true. We love you, Lillian, and not just from a guardian-ward standpoint.”
“Thomas interjects. “You’re the reason none of us have dated.”
Robert and Charles seem surprised by Thomas’ statement, but don’t deny it. I nod my head, still unable to believe this is real.
“And if you don’t feel the same way…” Charles rubs a hand over my knee, then pulls back, seeming to be worried that the touch might be a problem. “If you don’t feel this way, we’ll still be here for you, supporting you as always. We don’t have to let this come between us if you turn us down. But we’ve talked about it, and all of us feel strongly that you are the only woman for us.”
Needing to check my sanity, I’m desperate to run this past Sherry, my friend across the hall. Have I lost my mind? I’m not sure I can make it to the door. All the more reason to get out of this room and get some air.
“Excuse me for a second.” I wave my hands for them to step away, and they do. I stand, steadying myself, head to the door, then hold a finger up and say, “So you want to date me? I heard that right?”
They all talk over each other, voicing agreement.
“I’ll be right back.” I rush out of the room, close the door, then flop against it, placing my hands flat against the surface oneither side of me while I get my bearings. Then I rush forward and knock lightly on Sherry’s door.
It takes a second for her to answer. “Is everything okay? What’s going on?” She sniffles and blows her nose.
I rush to the end of her bed and take a seat. “You better sit down, too. You’re not going to believe this.”
“I know they’re your guardians. They told me.”
“Yeah.”
“So that’s why you never showed me pictures of them? They’re gorgeous.”
That’s a really good question. “I don’t know. Maybe I just wanted them all for myself.”
“Who wouldn’t, they’re all fucking hot, but why are they banging on your door at midnight?”
If I’m going to hold back, now’s the time. I can’t. I have to talk this out. “They want me.”
“And you’re not okay with that?” Sherry’s brow is furrowed. “I’ll go with you to tell them to leave you alone.”
“It’s weird, right? I shouldn’t do this.”
“Weird, yes, but I didn’t say you shouldn’t do it. I mean, if you’re not into them, send them over here. Well, maybe give me a day for my nose to quit running. Then send them over. I’ll gladly take them off your hands.”
“Can I tell you a secret?”
“Anything.”
