“I’m afraid I have some bad news.” I force a sad pout.
“What news? Did that asshole try to contact you again?” Gabe jumps into the conversation, sounding a bit distressed.
I place my hand above his that rests on the black marble surface. I love the contrast of this kitchen with the pure white cabinets and black countertops. “No, nothing like that. Victor hasn’t made any appearance since the one in this penthouse. Which is starting to stress me out a bit, but let’s not focus on that right now.” I smile reassuringly.
I take my hand back from Gabe’s, placing it in my lap as I look from one to the other with a sweet smile that holds just a touch of mischief. “You remember those rules I talked about when I first started working here?”
Gabe’s eyes widen in horror as Noah drops his head and groans. “No…” Gabe whispers. “Oh God… no… please not that again!”
I sigh. “I’m afraid so. Noah, you’ve been leaving everything lying around all week. And Gabe, there’s a pile of clothes on the floor in your walk-in.” I pat both their thighs. “You know what this means, right?”
“Please don’t say it…” Gabe begs, clutching my hand in his big ones.
“Tomorrow night, Gabe, you’re off cooking duty. Noah, you’re back on.” I laugh when they drop their heads back and whine, like they’re both in physical agony.
“No whining, you know the rules. Now let’s eat up so that we can get to our first therapy session together, and then we’re having dinner at Cecilia’s place with the gang.” I pat their legs once more then begin to devour my plate with a satisfied smile.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look right now, baby? Flawlessly elegant. Gorgeous. Stunning,” Gabe says, leaning in and kissing my cheek.
“The most magnificent woman I’ve ever seen,” Noah finishes, pecking my other side.
“Aww, thank you, baby.” I turn my head to Gabe and kiss his lips, then do the same to Noah. “Thank you, babe.” I return to my dish smiling, still feeling their eyes on me. “But flattery won’t get you anywhere. I won’t change my mind.” They groan and turn back to their plates.
An hour and a half later, we’re entering my therapist’s office, hand in hand. Her back is to us as she begins to speak. “Hello, Ronnie. I hope you’re having a good day. Mine has been disastrous. Poor Tom was having another one of his meltdowns about his wife. The woman left him twenty years ago, move on already.” I giggle to myself as I listen to her.
This is why I’ve kept her around all these years. She gets straight to the point, doesn’t bullshit around, and whines along with me. She complains to me about her other patients, even though legally she’s not allowed, but she knows I would never tell a soul.
She swears and laughs when I start crying for stupid reasons. Most people would be offended by her professionalism, but then again, she’s not made for everyone. And I love her just the way she is. She’s a breath of fresh air.
“Anyway! I’m glad I end my day with your nutty self instead of him.” She finishes arranging the papers on her desk and spins with a beaming smile, but it drops the moment she notices I’m not alone. “Oh… I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were bringing company.” She looks from one man to the other.
“Dr. Hallaway, these here are my boyfriends, Noah Adler.” I point to him. “And Gabriel Ellis.” I finish toward Gabe and smile back at my therapist. “Boys, this is Dr. Susan Hallaway, my therapist. We’re in need of a group session,” I tell her.
“Oh… OH! Your boyfriends! Oh my… this is some twisted shit right here, if I may say so.” She laughs. “I was not expecting there to be two of them.”
I frown, confused at her statement since I’ve mentioned them a few times already. Then it hits me. “Oh my God! Did you think I was crazy and that they were in my head?!”
“Oh no, dear. I just thought you were dating one man who may have multiple personalities and goes by different names depending on the day.” I gape at her as she smiles and claps her hands. “But all is well now. I’m glad to see you weren’t changing up one crazy guy for another. Although this is an interesting turn of events.”
“Well, let’s not speak too soon. They have their issues as well,” I inform her.
Her brows raise high. “Oh, okay. Like what?” We’re all still standing in the center of her office.
I point with my thumb to Gabe first. “He chokes me in his sleep because of nightmares,” then point to Noah, “he’s quickly becoming an alcoholic because his sister passed away,” and finally turn my thumb on myself, “and Victor broke into our home and left me a message.”
“Wow… okay, let’s have a seat.” Noah, Gabe, and I all head over to the couch, sitting down with me in the middle as Susan takes her wingback chair.
“So… let’s start with the murderous one, Gabriel, is it?” She looks at him with her hands clasped as he nods, then she leans in on her arms. “Have you ever thought about having a therapy pet?”
GABRIEL
“I can’t believe she called me a murderer…” I say, stepping out of the car in Hayes’s driveway.
“Hey, she compared my ass to a corgi’s and said that I needed to pull my head out of it. I can’t even tell if that’s an insult or not. You think that’s any better?” Noah states, following beside us up to the entrance.
“Corgis are cute. So yes, that’s a lot better.” I glare at him.
“I think she was just pointing out that you had a nice ass. I saw her checking you both out when we were leaving.” Ronnie giggles.
