I’ll do anything too if it means I can live in this world with them. I’ve reached a point of desperation where nothing matters except being with Harper and Felix.
For two whole weeks, I haven’t stepped a foot outside of the speakeasy, nor have I seen sun. My existence feels strange, like I’m living outside of reality. The Scarlet Mirage—a place I was not so long ago shunned from—has now become my haven. It’s a place where Felix, Harper, and I exist as… I don’t even know what we are. I don’t question it. I just enjoy what I have.
They spend most of their time sitting in bed with me, the three of us laughing as we talk and play card games. Harper spoke about taking emergency leave fromRomeo and Juliet, wanting to be with me around the clock, but I insisted she keep performing, knowing she’d be sitting around while I rest.
There’s been no sign of Ferguson, but bodyguardscontinue to follow Harper to and from the theater, along with Felix. Each night when they return, they fall asleep in my bed with me. Each morning, I wake with Harper nuzzled into my side and with Felix’s arm around her waist.
Felix tells me he spoke to our father on the phone a few days after I was shot, omitting details of my injury, only informing Dad that he suspects Ferguson died in a car crash. I like that Felix hasn’t told the family I was shot. While they deserve to know, there’s a selfish part of me wanting to keep them at bay. They would rush to my side, when right now all I want is to hold on to this reality where only me, Harper, and Felix exist.
Tonight, The Scarlet Mirage is on the quieter side. The hour is late. Harper and Felix should be returning from the theater soon. While they’ve been gone, I had my last checkup from the doctor. My wound is healing into a scar. He instructed me to take it easy and continue to get lots of rest, but his care is no longer needed.
I take a seat at the bar, finding comfort in the scent of liquor and cigars. Musicians are on stage performing mellow jazz. There are a handful of people swaying on the dance floor. A few customers occupy the booths. It’s not long before I spot Harper and Felix’s return.
Harper’s eyes light up when she sees me. Smiling, she prances up to me with a gentle hug, always careful of my injury. “I missed you tonight. How are you feeling?”
Without asking, she’s pulling up my shirt to check my injury. God, I love her hands on me and how she treats me like I’m hers.
Harper frowns when seeing the bandage still inplace. “I thought the wound was doing well. Did the doctor say otherwise? I knew I should have stayed back to hear what he said.”
I want to touch her. Kiss her. But I’m unsure of whether my advances will be received well. Harper and I haven’t kissed yet. The three of us haven’t had any discussion about what we are. They’ve been too concerned with my health to focus onus, understandably. I’m okay with taking this slow. I can’t fuck this up again.
“You worry too much about me,” I tell Harper, keeping my hands to myself. “I’m fine. The doctor says I need to take it easy but that I have the all clear. I’m wearing the bandage as a precaution.”
Felix slinks an arm around Harper’s waist and kisses her right in front of me. My dick twitches. I should look away. Or maybe I shouldn’t. I don’t know what the protocol is.
“Good to hear, bro. Harper, I need to have a word alone with Tyler.”
Harper smiles at the two of us. “Sure. I’ll be on the dance floor.”
Felix taps the bar, nodding for the bartender to serve him a drink, then leans against the counter, watching Harper as she leaves us. “She’s beautiful on stage. Now that you’re stronger, you need to see her dance as Juliet.”
Harper twirls to the music, her pretty dress fanning wide. Her eyes are closed with dreamy bliss. The sight of her is breathtaking. She’s happier than I’ve seen her in years. And yet, I’m filled with melancholy.
While I’m pleased to behealing from the bullet wound, there’s also a sense of loss within me. Now that I don’t require a caregiver, I’ll need to return to my apartment. This world I’ve been living in with Harper and Felix is about to end.
“Something wrong?” Felix asks me when his drink arrives. “You look like someone died.”
“This will sound strange. My recovery has been rough, but these last two weeks with you and Harper have meant more to me than you’ll ever know. Returning home will be a shock to the system.”
He raises an unimpressed brow. “Have I not made it clear that you’re staying here with me and Harper?”
I pause with shock. “I… didn’t want to assume anything. I thought you meant I’d be staying here only while I heal. I still don’t fully understand what’s happening with us.”
“You, Harper, me. Like the old days. That’s what’s happening here. I told you, she’s ours.”
I’m staring at him, trying to comprehend that what he says is real. “I know what you said but… are there boundaries? You needed boundaries last time.”
Felix sips his drink, smirking around the rim. “Jesus Christ. Stop acting nervous around me. We’re good, bro. Do I really need to spell this out? You and Harper can fuck whenever you want, however you want. As for those boundaries, they’re non-existent. If Harper wants to get fucked by both of us at once, I’m more than willing to give our girl what she needs.”
My dick hardens, visualizing everything Felix has said.
He continues, but without the depravity. Seriousnow. “You were right, what you said about Harper not being truly happy without both of us. From the moment she came to me, yes, she was happy. But there was something off. She woke in a panic each night. It didn’t take me long to figure out why.Youweren’t there with her. With us.”
“She’s been a terrible sleeper for years, tormented with dreams over how she lost you.”
“She’s slept perfectly every night for the last two weeks.” Felix downs the last of his drink. “We’ll do this the right way this time. There will be no secrets. No shame or hidden relationships. We’ll go public. We’ll all be equals.”
I shake my head, knowing it won’t be that simple. “I want to make sure you’ve thought this through. Harper wants to get pregnant, be a mom, and have a family. We fucked this up so badly the first time. How?—”
