Chapter 18
Lillianna
The rest of November goes by pretty fast with school, the guys’ schedules, plus working a few shifts a week at the bookstore. I’m filling in for the woman who was working for my mom before she went on maternity leave, that is, until Mom finds someone to replace her.
When I have a free moment and the guys are busy, I spend it with Bee. When Bishop is free, but Toby isn’t, I’m with him and the same the other way around.
When both of them are free, we all hang out.
Seeing the two of them slowly work their way back into the friendship they had before makes me so damn happy to see.
Life is good. I’m happy. So damn happy. I’m having more sex than I ever thought possible. These men are beasts. And I thought I was bad. Although, I do give them a run for their money.
The whole school knows I’m dating Bishop now. While his teammates and friends are happy for him, some of the girls are not.
I’ve never received so many dirty looks in my life. Having attention on me isn't something new, though.
Between being kidnapped when I was three and growing up with a poly family, I’ve been in the news and the talk of the town more times than I’d like.
Still, I won’t let any of that get to me.
So why does having so many women who want to claw my damn eyes out bother me?
I shouldn’t let it. I don’t know them. Their opinions of me mean nothing.
It’s the way they don’t respect that Bishop is a taken man and still try to flirt with him as if they could be the ones to make him stray from me.
We went to a few parties this month, and every time girls would come up and talk to him, acting like I wasn’t even there. On the other hand, every time they would do that, he would only respond with a polite hello and that’s it. His whole attention focused back on me. They didn’t like that.
The campus is a big place, so it’s not often I bump into people I already know.
Yet I’ve crossed paths with more than one puck bunny who hates my guts.
But the one person who’s really made me uneasy is Katie. Every time she’s near, she makes sure she’s extra loud when talking, saying things like she’s glad I’m finally in a relationship with Bishop and not drooling over my brother. Or how she thinks that she’s finally going to get her chance. Like fuck she will. Even if Toby and I weren't together, he would never give someone like her the time of day. He has made that clear more than once.
Yet, she never seems to take the hint. Or maybe she sees it as a challenge.
It’s annoying, I hate it. But I’m not going to allow her to get to me, or at least know that she’s getting to me.
This week is Thanksgiving, and yesterday, we spent the day with my family.
Bishop, Bee, and Jonas came over for supper. The parents made a whole feast that was enough to feed a small village. And I guess, in a way, with all of us together, we kind of are one.
Bishop’s family invited Toby and me over to their Thanksgiving dinner today. I’m both nervous and excited to go back over.
Bishop’s dad has gone back to work, so he won’t be there. But Bishop’s uncle, aunt, and cousin will be.
I’m excited to see his mom because she’s the best and has been really great about Bishop and me dating. She’s been texting me often, making sure her son is treating me well and tells me to let her know if he’s not, so she can set him straight.
I think it’s adorable. I can’t help but laugh and smile every time she sends one.
Bishop grumbles about it, saying she likes me more than him, and that has me laughing more.
I think she knows that Bishop wouldn’t hurt me. She really has nothing to be worried about.
“Knock, knock,” Bishop’s voice sounds from the door, his fingers rapping on my bedroom door. “Wow.” He chuckles. “Who died?”
“Me,” I groan. “I died. I don’t think I can move. Just leave me.” I wave him off, feeling like complete shit.
Note to self: don’t get drunk and go back for a second supper after eating a few hours before. Makes the hangover the next day horrible.
“No can do, il mio cuore. ”
“Please!” I groan again, rolling over to bury my face into the pillow.
“Up and at ‘em, shorty.” Bishop smacks my ass, making me grunt.
“You’re mean,” I huff.
“Who’s mean?” Toby’s voice has me peeking up at him. He’s leaning against my door frame, arms crossed with an amused look on his face. Dammit, he’s so fine.
“Him.” I point to Bishop. “Get him. Make him pay.”
Toby looks towards Bishop with a raised brow. “What did you do?”
“Nothing.” Bishop laughs. “Just came to wake her up for the day. It’s twelve in the afternoon. Supper is soon.”
“Noon!” My head pops up, eyes widening. “Holy shit.” I look towards Toby. “You let me sleep that long?”
He shrugs. “You looked cute sleeping. All that drool on the pillow and those adorable little snores.”
“Fuck you.” I narrow my eyes at him.
“No thanks. But I’d gladly fuck you.” His lips quirk into a smile.
I clench my thighs together as discreetly as I can while holding my glare.
“As much as I’d love to say yes, I’d probably puke on you if I move too much,” I grumble, head throbbing as I sit up.
The room is silent, and it takes a few seconds for my head to stop spinning and for me to realize why.
Both men are staring at me. Well, more like my tits that are proudly on display.
“Shit,” I hiss, grabbing the blanket to quickly cover myself up.
“Really?” Toby asks, eyes dragging back up to meet mine. “We’ve both been inside you, Lilly. We’ve seen you naked plenty of times.” He grins, eyes filled with heat. “No need to hide from us.”
“Yes, but that's when I’m all sexy and clean. Right now, I smell like alcohol, my hair looks like a family of mice are living inside of it, and I probably have dark rings under my eyes.”
Bishop snorts. “You think we don’t find you drop-dead sexy?” He raises a brow.
“Babe, you could have a paper bag over your head and be dressed in a burlap sack, and our cocks would still be hard.”
“Yup.” Bishop nods in agreement.
I smile, shaking my head, then groan at the bad idea. “Someone save me,” I whine.
They chuckle. “How about I help you shower and get dressed for the day?” Bishop suggests.
“I’ll grab you something for your headache and some food to help soak up the alcohol,” Toby offers.
“My heroes,” I sigh heavily, body swaying as Bishop stands up from where he was perched on the edge of my bed and leans down to pick me up, blanket and all.
Toby leans back and checks the hallway before stepping fully inside the room. “Love you,” he murmurs, kissing me on the forehead. “Last night was fun.”
A blush stains my cheeks as I remember us sneaking away to have some very dirty sex in the bathroom. Thinking about it now has my belly warming despite feeling like crap.
“Yeah, it was,” Bishop chuckles. He was outside listening like a little creep. Not gonna lie, I found it kind of hot knowing he was hard listening to Toby and me.
“Okay, take me to the shower before I ask both of you to join me.” I turn my head to the side to burrow into Bishop’s shoulder.
“And that would be a bad thing?” Toby asks with a chuckle.
“Gooo,” I groan. He laughs harder.
“Alright. I’ll go. But tonight, you're mine.”
“But I’m not going to be sleeping here tonight.” I love my family, but all the time I’ve spent there in the past month, between the dorms being out of commission and this past weekend, I need to go back to missing them and living far away from here.
“I’m coming back to the dorm,” Toby says, surprising both Bishop and me.
“Really?” Damn it, Bishop sounds so damn adorably hopeful.
“It’s about time I move back in.” Toby gives him a half grin.
“Fuck yes!” Bishop tries to fist pump the air and nearly drops me. “Shit. Sorry, baby.”
I cling to his neck, laughing. “Come on, you big goof,” I tell Bishop.
A shower and a full belly later, we’re pulling up to Bishop’s place and I feel a hell of a lot better than I did before.
When we get inside, we’re greeted by Bee and Ari.
“So wonderful to have you back, Tobias.” Ari pulls Toby into a hug.
“It’s good to see you too, Ari.”
“Why haven’t you been around?” Ari asks, patting Toby’s shoulders. “We’ve missed you.”
Toby looks over at Bishop before turning back to her. “I’ll be around more often.”
My damn heart bursts with happiness. I’m so proud of him. The more he spends time with Bishop and me, the more he comes around to the idea.
And the fact that he’s going to be moving back into the dorms, rooming with Bishop again, thrills me.
Everything is slowly starting to click into place. One day at a time. We’ve taken this at Toby’s pace, but it didn’t take long for him to start to feel more comfortable with Bishop and me showing affection towards each other as long as I didn’t leave him out.
I’ve never wanted to. I want to show him how much he means to me, how much I love him.
And I sure as hell want any opportunity to put my hands on him. With him staying at the house and with school, hockey, and homework taking up most of our time, we’ve been stealing any moment alone with one another.
There’s been more than one repeat of the library incident.
The idea of someone potentially catching us is thrilling. Not something I thought I’d be into, but it sends a rush through me every time, making the orgasm Toby gives me even more powerful.
Now that he and Bishop are doing better, all they need to do is just have that talk. Even if Toby seems to be a lot more accepting, I think getting everything out on the table would be best. No hidden feelings, no secrets or lies.
After that, the only thing left is telling our parents and then the world. Two things Toby seems to be terrified of.
I think he’s overthinking how our parents will react. While I don’t think they will all have the same mindset as Rain, I don’t think they’re going to be disappointed or look down on our relationship.
I don’t want to pressure him, but it’s hard not to be able to take his hand when we’re out during a walk on school grounds. To be able to kiss him goodbye when he walks me to class like I do with Bishop.
To have him just wave goodbye and walk away hurts. I know it’s silly, but when you love someone as much as I love my men, not being able to get that affection and comfort when leaving their presence bothers me.
“Good, good.” Ari pats Toby’s cheek. She looks at me and grins wide. “My dear. It’s wonderful to see you again.” She pulls me into a hug, and I squeeze her back. Her motherly touch makes me smile, feeling like I’m at home. “How’s my son treating you?”
“Amazing, Mom,” Bishop huffs. “Like the motherfucking queen she is.”
Ari gasps, eyes widening. “Don’t you say words like that, Bishop Grant!”
“Sorry.” Bishop looks sheepish, and I try not to laugh. Something about watching an Italian mom scold her six-foot, tatted-up hockey player of a son has me amused.
“He’s right, Ari. Bishop is nothing but a gentleman,” I assure her.
A snort sounds from nearby. “If Bishop is a gentleman, then I’m a damn saint.”
“You’re using the wrong word, Bee. I think you meant to say the devil.”
Bee gives him a mock grin and flips him off.
“Now, now!” Ari huffs. “Enough of that. You.” She points to Bee. “Back to the turkey.”
“Yes, Mama,” Bee grumbles. “Nice to see you too,” Bee huffs at me, rolling her eyes.
“I just saw you yesterday.” I laugh, grinning wide.
“Still,” she sighs dramatically. “I feel like my brother stole my best friend.”
“No one is stealing me,” I promise her.
She narrows her eyes. “Better not.”
I just laugh and shake my head as she leaves. “Bishop, do you and Toby mind helping your uncle set the tables up in the backyard?”
“Nope,” Bishop says, wrapping his arm around Toby’s shoulder. “Come on, T-man. Let’s go put these guns to work.” Bishop holds up his arm, flexing before kissing his bicep.
It’s corny as hell, but honestly, I’m a little turned on watching his tattooed muscles bulge.
Toby’s eyes jerk to mine, a horrified look on his face. “Help me,” he mouths, and I snort out a laugh before wiggling my fingers in a wave goodbye.
He narrows his eyes as if I betrayed him, but I just grin wider. Anything to get these two to spend more time together.
“Those two really are the best of friends,” Ari says, moving to my side.
“Yeah,” I say softly. “They are.”
Shortly after all the adults finished eating, they excused themselves and went into the house, leaving Bee, Bella, the guys, and myself outside.
“I’ll have to come to one of your games,” Bella pipes up, interrupting Bishop and Toby’s conversion.
She’s looking at my boyfriend with hearts in her eyes, and it’s taking everything in me not to take my fork and stab her with it.
After I helped Ari with supper, we all came out into the backyard, where there was enough room for us all.
Jonas arrived not long before the food was done and helped bring everything into the back with the guys.
We’ve been sitting down and having a nice supper. All except the very obvious flirtations Bella keeps trying to use on my man.
Everything from trying to find any reason to talk to him to making googly eyes at him. I hate it. I hate her. I want her to leave. Or at least leave Toby alone.
And because, of course, Toby is a gentleman, he’s polite to her, trying his best to answer her questions without being too friendly. Not that he wants to.
If my hand grips his thigh any harder every time she brings her attention his way, this man will have nail prints embedded into his skin.
“Ah, yeah.” He nods. “That would be cool.” He goes to turn his attention back to Bishop when she speaks again.
“You know, I don’t really know how to skate. Maybe you could give me a few lessons,” she asks in a sickeningly sweet voice.
I can feel Bee’s eyes on me, silently pleading with me not to lose my shit. If I do, it would bring up questions that none of us want to answer right now.
But I can’t just keep sitting here and listening to this. Part of me wants to smack Toby for not shutting her down completely, so there’s no indication she has a chance.
“What are you talking about?” Bishop asks, looking at his cousin, confused. “You know how to skate. We all went last year.”
Bella shoots Bishop a glaring look. “Not very well,” she grinds out.
“You know, with school and hockey, I don’t really have much free time. And any free time I have, it’s spent with Lilly and Bishop.”
Bella’s face falls a little. Me? I’m fucking beaming on the inside. Would it be too much to puff out my chest and say, ‘Take that, Bella’ ?
Okay, yeah, maybe a little. Doesn’t mean I don’t feel like doing it.
“You know, every second Sunday, I give lessons to the kids down at the rec center. You’re welcome to join us. I’d be more than happy to teach you how to skate better.”
Bella looks at me, nostrils flaring just a little bit. I can see the irritation rolling off her in waves.
“That's a good idea.” Toby places his hand over the one that’s got a death grip on his thigh. “Lilly is a wonderful teacher.”
“I’ll consider that.” Bella forces a polite smile.
Toby goes back to talking to Bishop. The hand over mine curls, lacing his fingers with mine, sending me a silent reminder that he’s mine, only mine, settling the jealous rage inside me.
A little while later, the parents come out, and we sit around the fire like we did the last time I was over.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Bishop, putting my hand on his shoulder.
“You okay?” he asks, looking up at me with a concerned look.
I nod and smile. “Just need to pee.”
He grins. “Need help?”
“Gross.” I laugh, shaking my head and heading into the house.
Once I’m done, I get ready to go back out when someone pushes me against the wall.
My heart jumps in my chest, eyes snapping up to see who it is. My body settles when I look into Toby’s eyes.
“What are you doing?” I ask breathlessly.
He steps closer, boxing me in. “Do you know how fucking sexy it is to watch you get all possessive and jealous?” he murmurs, his voice low and husky.
Heart pounding, breathing shallow, a wave of arousal hits me. Now is not the time to be turned on.
But when he’s looking down at me with that intense heat in his eyes, I can’t help but want him to kiss me.
“You’re mine,” I breathe out. “I don’t like when other girls try to take what's mine.”
“Fuck,” he growls, rolling his hips forward so that I can feel his stiff cock against my stomach. I whimper, clamping my thighs together. “That's right, Baby Girl. I’m yours. Only yours. I’ve always belonged to you. No one else.”
My stomach flips, panties growing damp at his admission. I knew this already but I love hearing it again.
He cups my face, brushing his thumb against my cheek. “You’re mine, Lilly. No other woman in this world could ever compare. You don’t have to worry.”
“I know,” I whisper.
“I think you need a little reminder.” His lips press against mine in a demanding, possessive kiss. I moan, parting my lips, allowing him to take the kiss deeper.
Our lips work together frantically as his free hand roams my body.
I want him so damn bad. I’m seconds away from begging him to take me away, anywhere we can be alone.
“Oops, so sorry,” a voice says, and it has us ripping our lips apart.
Chests heaving, our eyes snap over to find Bella standing in the hallway. Her eyes are wide with shock.
“Shit,” Toby curses.
My stomach sinks as I wait for him to react. I’m not going to lie, tell her it’s nothing. I won’t. I can’t. It’s one thing to keep things to ourselves, but I won’t lie to keep us a secret.
Unable to look at Toby right now for fear of what he’s going to say, I look down, hands fisted at my side. Is he going to lie? Tell her it was nothing?
“W-what is this?” Bella asks. “Is this a joke? You’re brother and sister,” she huffs.
“Step-siblings,” Toby mutters. “We’re not related.”
“Still.” She crosses her arms, her shocked expression morphing into anger.
“You wanna know what this is?” Toby asks, surprising me by pulling me into his arms. “Lilly is my girlfriend.”
Holy shit. Oh my god. He’s admitting it. He’s telling someone I’m his. My eyes snap up to his, tears filling them. Happy tears because this is a big step for him.
“But she’s dating Bishop.”
“Yes.” Toby nods. He’s looking at her, but I’m unable to take my eyes off his handsome face. I want to kiss him again, to tell him how much I fucking love him right now. “But she’s also dating me.”
My heart is racing so damn fast I feel like I’m going to pass out.
“She can’t do that. She can’t date two people at once.” Bella sounds like she’s seconds from throwing a tantrum. That gets my attention.
“Ahh, yeah. She can,” Toby counters, sounding confused.
“You do know my family is polyamorous, right?” I ask her. I swear she does. It’s not a secret. Bishop’s family knows all about mine.
“Still,” she scoffs. “This is... this is... ugh!” She, honest to God, stomps her feet and lets out a frustrated noise before spinning around on her heel and storming off.
“Well, that was... something.” Toby blows out a breath, running a hand through his hair. He looks down at me, brows pinched. “Are you okay?”
“Am I okay?” I ask, looking up at him with wide eyes. “Hell yeah, I’m okay. I’m so damn turned on right now it’s not even funny.”
He grins something feral. “Oh really?” His voice drops as he pulls me closer. “I can help with that.”
“Not here,” I breathe out, arousal spiking.
“Wanna get out of here?” he asks.
I nod. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“For what?” He leans over and presses a kiss to my nose. My heart about to burst.
“For not denying what we are.”
“Lilly,” he murmurs. “It’s one thing to not outright tell people, but if something like that happens, and someone finds us together, I won’t lie. I won’t try to make it anything other than what it really is. I won’t disrespect you like that, disrespect us.”
“I fucking love you, Tobias Munro,” I say, voice choked up as I grip his face and kiss him hard.
I say my goodbyes to Ari, Bee, and Lizzy before heading out to the front to wait for the guys as they finish up saying goodbye. Leaning against the pillar, I take in the stunning sunset.
“How could you?” an angry voice causes me to jump. Spinning around, I find a very pissed-off Bella.
“Sorry, what?”
She steps closer. “How could you do this to my cousin? He’s not enough, so you’ve got to go fuck your brother, too?” she spits in disgust.
Breathing in, I try to steady my heart as my stomach drops. Just because I don’t care about what people think of me in the long run doesn’t mean the words don't hurt in the moment.
“You have it all wrong.”
She scoffs. “Really? You’re going to try and tell me you’re not a slut for fucking two guys.”
“It’s not like that. I love them both.”
“You love to fuck them both,” she spits. “I know a whore when I see one.” She looks me up and down like I’m the dirt on her shoes. “You couldn’t have left him alone, could you? Your own brother. God, you're sick. I’m going to tell Bishop’s family. They’re going to shun you like they should have from the beginning.”
And that was a blow to the gut, for sure. I try to hold back the tears at her cruel words, but they fall free.
“That's enough!” Bishop’s booming voice has Bella spinning around. “Don’t you fucking talk to her like that.” He’s pissed. No, he’s fucking seething.
Toby steps out of the house, looking like he heard every word, too. He wastes no time coming to my side and wrapping me in his arms. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying not to cry. Because if I cry and let him see that her words hurt me more than I’d like, then he’s going to worry. And this is exactly what made him hesitant about allowing something to form between us in the first place.
Toby guides me to the car while Bishop yells at Bella in Italian.
He opens the door, and I get in. “Are you okay?” Toby asks, grabbing my seatbelt and buckling it up for me.
“I’m perfect.” I smile up at him, but I’m not convincing when my eyes are blurry with tears.
He lets out this low growl before gripping my chin and kissing me hard. “She’s wrong, Lilly. So fucking wrong.”
“I know,” I whisper. And I do. None of her cruel words ring true, but it doesn’t mean they don’t hurt.
He closes the door and heads over to Bishop and Bella.
Bella was yelling back at Bishop, but as soon as Toby gets in her face, she takes a step back.
He doesn’t yell, but I see his mouth moving.
Whatever he’s saying to her has her looking all kinds of embarrassed.
A few moments later both boys are joining me in the car.
They don’t say anything, and I’m grateful for it. I don’t want to talk about it. Nothing they say will change what was done.
I just want to move on and put it behind me. That's how I’ve learned to carry on all the times I’ve heard people talk about my family. About me.
If I sit and replay the words, I give them power, and I refuse to.
When we get back to the dorm, I head towards my room. “I’m going to spend the night in my room,” I tell the guys, feeling heavy and exhausted from today's events.
“No, you're not.” Toby grabs my hand and pulls me towards his room. “You're sorely mistaken if you think we’re going to leave you alone right now.”
I don’t resist as he pulls me into their room. They work together to pull me out of my clothes. Bishop puts me in his t-shirt and Toby in a pair of his boxers.
Toby scoops me up and tosses me into Bishop's bed, where they each take a side.
Trying not to cry at how much they know me so well and what I need, I close my eyes and let my men surround me with their love and support. This is how we need to be, this is how we get through all the nasty comments people will send our way.
As long as we have each other, we’re going to be okay.