“Nash, why are you saying this?” I asked, wondering if this was it?
“Is this it?” Beau pulled his hand out of Nash’s. “Just spit it out if it is, Nash.”
Nash looked bewildered. “What?”
Beau sighed. “I don’t need to be let down softly. I’ve known what this is from the beginning, temporary.”
I clenched my jaw to keep my emotions in check.
“What? That’s not what I’m saying,” Nash said, looking at both of us. “I’m saying I love you. I want this to work. I’ve never wanted anything more and I’m afraid that what I’m about to tell you is going to fuck this all up.” Nash clenched his jaw, but I saw the quiver in his lip. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make this right. I’m sorry.”
“Hey,” I said, cupping his cheek again, the words I love you on the tip of my tongue. “It’s ok, we will face this like we’ve been facing everything else.”
Nash exhaled harshly looking up at me and then Beau.
“Someone’s leaked photos of us and someone’s written an article about it. It’s on a rodeo website, but Jo says someone else has picked it up and it’s only a matter of time before they hitpublish and air our relationship,” Nash said, looking angry. “I’m sorry. This was probably my father getting back at me for going against him. I didn’t think he would do something like this and I’m sorry for everything, Iris. I should have been better for you. I’m sorry, Beau. You don’t deserve to be treated like this or have your choices aired all over the internet. I just…I just…I’m sor?—”
I pressed my fingers against his lips.
“The sins of your father are not your own,” I said, not wanting to hear another sorry from him.
I looked over at Beau who was staring at Nash in disbelief. Or was it fear?
“I know, but his sins are affecting the people I love, so they are my own sins for not protecting you,” he said, his voice breaking at the end.
“Oh, Nash.” I launched myself at him, hating what his father was still doing to him. “I see you and what you’ve done for us. I’m still mad you didn’t tell me about the farm being sold, but you came back for me, and you came to Denver for us.”
“It still wasn’t enough.”
“Don’t say that.” Beau’s arms surrounded us. “You are enough.”
I turned my head to look at him. He had tears in his eyes, but he gave me a small smile. I leaned over to him, laying my forehead against his.
“Whatever happens, we will deal with this together, right?” I asked, needingreassurance.
Nash leaned back, pulling away. “I want this. I know we are married, Iris. We started this relationship as just having fun, but Beau feels like ours too. I never imagined being in love with one person much less two, but I’m all in. I’ve always wanted somewhere to call home, somewhere safe, somewhere I could be myself and I’ve found that in you two.”
“I never imagined I would be grateful to be married to you. It felt like something I wished for but would never happen. Then I met Beau and I never thought I would love two men, but here we are,” I said, grabbing their hands. “I always envisioned what I thought love would be like when I found it and I’m so glad I was wrong. I love you both.”
“How the hell am I supposed to top that?” Beau chuckled. “I don’t know what the hell I did to deserve you and while I thought this was just for fun, I was an idiot for thinking my heart was safe from you guys. I’ve been scared; you’re married and at any moment you might be done?—”
“Never.”
“You’re it for us.”
Nash and I said it together as we grabbed his hands.
“I love you Beau, this doesn’t work without you,” I said, crawling in his lap.
“We might be married, but you were the key to bring us together,” Nash said, kissing his cheek, leaning their heads together. “This is where Iris and I belong, with you.”
“Fuck, I’ve wanted this so much,” Beau whispered.
“You have us,” I said, squeezing him tighter.
We held each other on the floor as we let everything settle in.
“Come on,we need to go to sleep. We’ve been awake for too long and dealt with way too much,” I said, getting off Beau who winced as I got up. “Shit. I’m sorry, Beau.”
