Page 89 of Brazen Obsession

Sara

Mom and I sit on the couch in the primary bedroom. I try not to glance at the oversized bed or think about what I’ve done in this room, but my insides are still on a steady roil. I don’t know what to say to my mother about the guys. Maybe I never thought the guys and I would get this far. Not because we don’t love each other but because this situation is so unusual.

The door is closed and Mom has that I’m waiting face on. The one that makes me confess all my sins. But I know I haven’t done anything wrong this time. I’m in a loving relationship with four guys. Is that a lot? Probably.

Am I going to break up with them because society might not like it? Hell no.

I clear my throat. “What do you want to know?”

My mom sighs. “You’re in a relationship with all four of them?”

“Yes.” This is the time to be completely honest with my mom. I held back after Verity, and Mom let me. But I can’t hide this. It’s more important than that friendship ever was.

“You’re not being coerced into something you might not want?” She arches an eyebrow.

“No, I’m not.” I take a steadying breath, ready to spill most of the story. “I’ve always loved Wyatt. But I’d given up on him ever wanting me. So I started dating Drew.”

I don’t need to tell her I was looking for a hookup, but my cheeks heat anyway, probably giving me away.

“He’s nice and fun. And then things started to happen with Dante and Finn. It made me remember that, when I was younger, I chose Wyatt because I couldn’t date three guys and especially not my brother’s best friends.”

She waits for me to continue, but this is hard. It’s admitting to my mom feelings I’ve had forever. I don’t need to mention the consent contract or the devirginizing by all four of them. Or that we started this as a conditional affair that was supposed to end.

I’m not sure who we thought we were fooling. These guys were always going to be endgame for me.

“I love all of them. So much. Dante has always been protective. Finn...” I trail off and smile. “He’s playful, but he can be serious when I need him to be. Wyatt would burn down this world for me. And Drew, he’s the one who makes this work. He’s never tried to hide his feelings from me.

“They take care of me and I take care of them. For the first time in a long time, I’m ready to start living my life again. Not hide because someone I trusted hurt me. And that’s because of their love. I trust them to be honest with me. So if you have questions, I’ll answer them, but I’m not about to settle on one guy for the rest of my life, because that’s not what the five of us want.”

She’s thoughtful for a few moments. Then she rubs her temple and closes her eyes.

“I know it’s not what you wanted for me.” I blow out a breath but don’t lower my gaze from her. “Actually, if what you wanted for me was to be happy and have a fulfilling life, they give me that. I’m really happy with them.”

Mom meets my eyes and takes my hand. “All I ever wanted was for you to be happy. I can respect your relationship with all of them. I’ll have to get used to it, but I trust you. What I’m concerned about is, will you be able to handle what everyone else will think? I just don’t want this to end the same as when you withdrew after high school.”

My lips press together. I was so naive when it came to Verity and didn’t suspect my friend would stab me in the back. But the guys are different. They’re mine and I’m theirs. They would never do that to me.

“Sara, when your friend betrayed you, you hid yourself away from life because of what other people thought of you.” She squeezes my hand. “You’re older now, and with those guys, you’ll never have to face those whispers alone. It’s not like you really cared much for society. Tom loved the attention, but you never did. So if these men make you happy, that’s enough to satisfy me. But consider your friend Madison.”

My breath escapes me. With Cooper’s established name and wealth, most people still accept Madison and her men at parties and events. But people like Verity snub her openly. And others talk about her behind her back. The guys will still need to go to benefits and events to network for their businesses. What if our relationship has a negative effect on their companies?

They’ll want me to go with them. Could I handle that again? Could I ignore the whispers? My insides buzz.

But then warmth fills me. If I’m in their arms, the world slips away and it’s just us. But what about when I’m on my own? When they aren’t there to make me laugh or protect me? If Verity had approached me in the bathroom even a year ago, I would have sunk in on myself and let her continue to degrade me.

But I didn’t. I’m stronger and my men give me their strength to stand up for myself.

“Madison doesn’t care what others think about her relationship.” I focus on my mom again. “I don’t know how we’ll be accepted into society or even if we will, but I’m okay with that. What Verity did to me was awful, and at eighteen, I wasn’t ready to deal with the backlash. But now, I have friends who will stand with me, men who will do anything for me, and a family who loves and supports me.”

I hold my breath after that last one.

Mom’s eyes soften and she puts her hand on the side of my face. “Always, Sara. You always have our love and support.”

I lean in and hug my mom, drawing in the smell of home.

When I pull away, I smirk. “Besides, your daughter didn’t just land one rich man. She landed four, which should be enough to keep your bridge club envious.”

Mom smiles but shakes her head. “I don’t care what my bridge club or anyone else has to say. You’re all that matters.”