I nod. “Rules are always good.” They help me navigate life better.
“No one gets jealous.” Perry holds up a finger. “We’re in thistogether. We talk. If anyone is uncomfortable aboutanything,we talk and come up with solutions. If two of us want to fuck, we fuck. We don’t have to wait for permission from the third. Same with kissing. We can date all three of us or two at a time. If we feel neglected, we say something.” He taps his bottom lip. “That’s all I can think of right now. Thoughts?”
I try to slow my breathing. “You thought a lot about this.”
“I have. And there are so many ways to have a poly relationship too. We’ll just have to figure out what works for us. But the main thing foranyrelationship, poly or otherwise, is communication.” Perry pulls something from his pocket. “I also read up on what’s available on hawks and chipmunks. I’m very organized and wrote up a pamphlet on squirrels for the two of you. If you’re interested. I don’t want to assume anything.”
“Thank you,” I say. “I love this kind of thing.” I take his pamphlet with reverence. “Thank you.”
Perry chuckles. “It was selfish of me, really. I didn’t want you to learn things on your own. There’s one particular thing you’ll find that we do have to talk about soon-ish.”
“Your Heats,” Buckle says.
“My Heats,” Perry repeats with a nod.
My face flames again. “I can go?—”
“No,” they both say at the same time.
Perry pats my hand, and I want to soak up his warmth.
“Squirrel omegas have two Heats a year just like true squirrels. My first Heat should be in about two weeks. But since I’ve found my Fateds it may come sooner.”
Buckle and I swallow at the same time.
“I’m going through the Heat alone.”
“What?” Buckle shouts and bounces to his feet.
Perry glares and I can’t help the giggle.
“We all just met! I want to get to know you both before we get knocked up.”
I nod. “Sensible. It’d be a lot to get to know usanddeal with a pregnancy at the same time.” I keep bobbing my head as my skin grows too hot.
“Exactly.”
“I didn’t think about it like that.” Buckle drops back into his chair. “I just thought about how uncomfortable it could be.”
Perry’s eyes soften. “I’ll be fine. I’ve been doing it on my own for long enough I know exactly what I need.”
“I trust that you know your body. I don’t want you to think otherwise.”
I giggle and bury my face in my hands. Embarrassment creeps up my spine. “Sorry,” I whisper again and again.
“I’m gonna ask again,” Perry starts.
“Twenty-three.” I know how old Buckle and Perry are because of their accounts. I may have sneaked a look at the info. They’ll think I’m too young for them. Too immature. Maybe I am.
“Thirty-five,” Buckle says.
“Twenty-eight,” Perry supplies, but a sob escapes.
Buckle’s eyes shutter closed and I look between them. “What’s wrong?” My heart pounds too hard.
“I’m so sorry, Abel.”
“For what? What’s wrong?” They’re rejecting me because I’m so much younger than them. I push my chair back and almost stumble, but Buckle grabs my hand and pulls me into his lap. I blink up at him. “Why are you crying?” Our Alpha cries.
