“Okay, I get all that, and I would have understood you guys deciding to go somewhere else for school, but again, why not talk to me?” I can’t help but feel left out, like I’m the backup plan.
“We almost did a few times.” Felix motions between himself and Remy.
“But I never went with them to see you,” Grayson adds.
“And we thought it should be all of us,” Remy continues, completing their statement. It’s just more proof of how close they still are.
“This is… This is a lot to take in. I’m not sure how I feel about any of this. Frankly, it’s hard to believe you’d want this after all this time, especially you.” I gesture to Grayson. “You are borderline hostile when you decide I’m worth speaking to. And don’t you have a girlfriend?” It’s not like I can forget about her.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Grayson denies.
“Does she know that?”
“She’s not his girlfriend,” Remy insists.
“How manynot girlfriendshave keys to your house?” I try to make my face look innocent, but I’m sure they can hear my skepticism.
“Only a couple. Witchy Maid, Remy’s PA—”
“Ash,” Remy interjects, giving his PA’s name.
“I think that’s it.” Felix nods.
“And Julia,” I remind them. Let’s not forget her.
“Not anymore, I asked for it back.” Grayson levels me with a stare. “We can talk about her if you want to, but I wasn’t sleeping with her, no matter how bad it looks.”
Hexes, I want to believe him, but it’s not that easy. “I really, really don’t want to talk about her.” I shake my head. It was hard enough to think about them with other people at a distance, but seeing her wrapped around him was hard to swallow. I think leaving the past in the past will be best for all involved in this circumstance. We were apart for a long time, and things happened—things I never want to know about, like ever.
Grayson blinks a few times as if I’ve surprised him with my answer. “Uh, okay,” he mumbles.
“He was only being a dick because he was afraid of how you were going to respond. Now that it’s settled, we should eat. This should still be warm,” Remy says conversationally, then returns his attention back to the stove.
“What exactly is settled?” I ask.
“That you’ll finish the ritual and come home.” He looks over his shoulder at me like I’m crazy for even asking.
I choke on a breath, and Felix pats my back with his palm. “When did that get settled? Who settled that?” I look around at the three of them, wondering how the hell he reached that conclusion.
“We did just now. Are you trying to say you don’t want to be with us?” Remy scowls and crosses his arms. “Because that would be a lie, Bishop.”
He’s kind of got me there. “I’m saying I don’t think we should jump into anything. What if we don’t even like each other anymore?” I can’t help but peek at Grayson.
Remy spins to face the stove again and waves his hand in the air. “Let the courting commence! Gray, you have a lot of work to do. For starters, quit being a dick.” I’m stuck staring at his back. He makes it all seem so easy. When he turns to face me again, he extends a plate with two tacos stuffed to the brim with meat and veggies and topped with cheese, a side of beans, again topped with cheese, and a small helping of Mexican rice. My mouth waters. “Not to gloat, but I’m already winning.” Remy smirks as I take the weighty dish from his hands.
Not going to lie, he kind of is.
Chapter 23
When masturbation has lost its fun, you’re fucking lazy.
I’m staring at the computer screen, but my mind is a million miles away. After eating, I excused myself to my room under the guise of needing to work and speak with my supervisor. I still haven’t called in. I thought if I went over the case notes again, it would help me focus on the reason I returned home and not the three men somewhere in the house and the prospect they presented me with.
I shove my laptop away and pick up my phone. Avoidance only works for so long. The line rings twice before a gruff, female voice picks up. “Lo.” She doesn’t even get the full word out. I’ve worked with her for a few months now though, so I’m used to that. SSA Lewis is always busy. I swear I don’t know how she keeps everything straight, since it seems like she runs our entire field office from her phone at any given time.
“Evening, Lewis, this is Agent Bishop. I’m checking in.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I cringe. Why did I say agent?
She sends a harrumph through the line, and I hear her shifting papers. She’s probably still in the office. “Which translates to ‘I need a little more time,’ correct?”
