36. Selena
Selena
The moment Sam walks through the door, relief crashes through me so hard I almost start crying.
“Can you give us a minute?” I ask, looking over to the three men who still haven’t left me alone for a second since waking this morning. “Alone.”
They glance back and forth at each other, like they’re having a conversation with their eyes. “Yeah, we can,” Eli says. “We’re going to go grab something to eat from the cafeteria, then we’ll be right back.”
I don’t miss how he emphasizes being right back. It’s not like I wasn’t expecting it since I haven’t been able to get them to leave yet. Like they told me earlier, they’re off all day. Eli even told me they’re getting tomorrow off since the doctor is releasing me in the morning.
The second we're alone, I focus my attention on Sam as he pulls the chair to the side of my bed and sits down, taking my hand in his.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to check on you. I took the first flight back."
My stomach drops. He dropped everything for me. Including Jose.
"Sam, no."
"Once I know what's going on, I'll call Jose and let him know and then he’ll drive home."
Guilt hits me immediately. They’ve been planning this trip for months.
It’s not just a vacation, and I know something that Sam doesn’t.
Jose’s planning to propose to him on this trip.
He has it all planned for their last night there.
And if they come back here, that’s not happening.
It's one of the reasons I refused to let them cancel in the first place.
"No."
Sam’s brows furrow.
"No?"
"Go back and finish your trip," I tell him, hating every word that I’m about to say. "My new stepbrothers have already taken off work and plan to take care of me. When you get back, I can come stay with you until I find a place."
"Selly—"
"Please,” softly slips from my mouth, not giving him a chance to finish. “You and Jose deserve this trip. I’ll be fine. I can make it through a week with them."
His face softens. "Are you sure?"
I nod.
"What about Chicken Nugget and Jalapeno Popper? What if they find out about them? What if they have questions? Are you ready to answer them?"
My hand instinctively drifts toward my stomach. My little babies. Sam has a point, and I don’t know the answer. I suck my lower lip in my mouth as I bite it. If I don’t tell him something, I know he won’t go back to Jose, and I need him to.
"They won't. I'm not showing since I’ve had this horrible morning sickness." I force a smile. "I can keep it hidden for a few more days."
He studies me for several seconds, still debating before finally relenting. "Only if you're sure."
"I am." As much as I want him to stay, I love him too much to ruin this for him.
Sam sighs heavily before lifting his hand and running it through his hair.
“How are my nieces or nephews?” he asks, his hand reaching out and covering mine.
“Good. Strong, even with how sick I’ve been. My doctor prescribed some different medication for the morning sickness. Which, since I’ve been on IV fluid, I haven’t had. He’s also going to have me come in for more frequent appointments.”
"That’s good.” He pauses for a minute. “You know I’ll always be here for you and the babies, but why don't you tell the guys about them?” I look away, not wanting to answer. "Selly."
"Because they're my stepbrothers,” I say quickly. “Okay?”
"And?" he asks immediately and I stare at him like he’s grown two heads. "It's not like they're blood-related."
He’s right; they aren’t, but it doesn’t solve the problem that comes with being pregnant by one of them. The issues it will cause with our parents. "There's also three of them," I add.
"And? What's wrong with that?" he asks with a wicked grin.
I open my mouth to tell him exactly what's wrong with that when a knock sounds at the door. The handle turns slowly before opening up. All three of them step inside with takeout trays and bags.
"We picked up some things for you," Eli says.
"What things?" Sam takes his hand off mine and I scoot up in the bed.
"Toothbrush. Shampoo. Body wash." He starts pulling items out one by one and sitting them on the tray at the end of the bed. "Some clothes too. Well, what the gift shop had."
"We figured when you get released you'll need something to wear," Jay adds.
I gaze at the items on the tray and my eyes start to water.
"Thank you." Seriously. How can they be so thoughtful? From saving the picture of my dad, to calling Sam. Little things, but huge at the same time. And with each act of kindness, they etch their way deeper into my heart.
"Thank you for taking care of my girl," Sam says and they take their attention off me to look at him. "She told me you offered for her to come stay with you when she's released.”
“We did,” Zeke says as he takes the items off the table and sets the takeout boxes on it.
"We’ve talked and Selena’s insisted I go back and finish out my trip. So she’s going to take you up on your offer."
"She is?" Jay asks with a smile.
"I am," I confirm, forcing a smile on my face. “But only until Sam is back from his trip. Then I’m staying with him.”
“That trip must be important,” Eli says with a snark.
“It is. Sam, you should get going. I know you need to get a flight back. Once I’m released and settled at their place, I’ll let you know.”
Sam sighs, and I can feel the uneasiness in him. He doesn’t want to go and does, all at the same time.
"Yeah. I'll call you later." He gives my leg a pat then stands and starts toward the door.
He’s just taken hold of the handle when Eli speaks up. "No goodbye kiss?"
Sam freezes and I bury my face in my hands.
“He’s not one to give affection in front of people,” I quickly tell them, trying to ease the situation.
"Come on, Sam. Give her something to remember you by while you're gone," Zeke goads him.
I can see his shoulders rise and fall, before he turns around, a smile on his face as he steps back over to my bed. He leans down and presses a quick peck to my lips.
"That's it?" Jay questions. "Come on, man. That's something a friend or parent would give. Give her a real kiss.”
Sam rolls his eyes, then bends lower, his face leaning in close to me. He buries his head in the crook of my neck as he whispers. "Maybe I've changed my mind about the fuckers.”
I press my lips together to keep from laughing.
"Just so the two of you know, we're not idiots." Zeke clears his throat.
Sam and I both freeze.
“What do you mean?” I ask them.
"We know you're just friends," Eli speaks up. “We’ve been in your apartment. Saw your pictures. And unless you like taking pictures of your boyfriend kissing men, then you’re not a couple."
My eyes widen. Fuck. I knew nothing good would come out of letting them in my apartment.
"You can give up the ruse with us," Eli continues. “So was the story of having a boyfriend for us or your mother?”
“Selly, I love you, but I’m going to leave this for you to explain.” Sam dashes out of the room with his parting words.
“Well?” Eli asks after Sam’s gone.
Lie or truth. I need to make a decision.
“Both.” I go with truth. Well, partial truth; they still don’t need to know about the babies. Not yet anyway. Not until I know for sure how I’m going to handle it.
“Now that we got that out of the way, we picked up some food for you.” Zeke wheels the cart over to the side of the bed and positions it so it’s in front of me.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
“Just so you know, we’re not going to tell your mother he’s not your boyfriend,” Eli tells me as he picks up his tray of food.
“I’d appreciate that.”
And I let out a sigh of relief, one that quickly dissipates when he speaks again.
“Not until we tell her you’re dating the three of us.”
What? Did I hear them right.
“Yep,” he says matter-of-factly.
“Dating?” I whisper.