But obviously, if you need us, the Breakdown Couch is available
Me
Okay. Wish me luck. I want to throw up
Avery
You’ve got this, babe. We love you
June
Love you SO much. Madi and Dallas are rooting for you too
I breathed in and exhaled slowly, trying to temper my pounding heart. It’d been a while since we’d used the Breakdown Couch. Those cushions held enough tears, both sad and joyous, to fill an ocean.
My hands were sticky and I was sweating, but I finally gathered the courage to get out of my car and head up the steps of his porch.
I really wanted this to be forever.
I wanted the three of them. I loved Austin. I loved Nick. I loved Matthew. I was so insanely in love with them, and the very idea of losing it all made me nauseous.
My cheeks were hot. Worry was weighing me down, freezing me in place.
When I met Nick, I had no idea that he was going to change my life. I had no idea that months later, I’d be wanting to move out of the house I’d been in for years to be closer to him. And not just him—but Austin and Matthew too.
Fuck.
The door swung open and I squeaked. Nick was on the other side, and he was the face I needed right now. He cocked his head, studying me.
“It’ll be just fine,” he whispered. “Come on. Austin’s pacing a path into the floor.”
“Oh god,” I mumbled, letting him pull me inside.
Breathe, breathe, breathe.I was trying to. I slid out of my boots and smoothed my hands down the front of my dress. Nick paused to admire me, the corner of his mouth tipping up. It didn’t quite reach his eyes though. He was just as stressed as I was, but he was better at hiding it behind his attitude.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured. “As always. How was work?”
“Busy,” I said. I squared my shoulders. “Okay.”
He nodded and led me to the living room. Matthew was on the couch and turned his head, patting the cushion next to him. Austin paced back and forth in front of the TV, his brows drawn together. He wassweating.
I sat down next to Matthew, and Nick sat on the other side of me. Instinctively, my hands intertwined with theirs. Matthew’s thumb found the inside of my wrist, rubbing small circles there, calming me down.
“Austin,” Nick said. “You’re killing us.”
Austin looked up, his eyes widening.
“Are you breaking up with us?” I blurted out.
Nick and Matthew stiffened on either side of me.
His mouth dropped. “What? No. Oh my god.No. Of course not.”
I immediately melted, the tightness in my chest loosening. Matthew ran his hands over his face and Nick simply folded over to the side, his head landing on my lap.
“Jesus Christ,” Austin mumbled, raking his fingers through his hair. “You thought I was gonna break up with you?”
“I got scared,” I said. “I got so scared.”
