Chapter Forty-One
Reed
Itook a shower, ignored my aching cock, and then dressed in a casual pair of shorts along with a NYC Ballet shirt.
I wanted to wear Cole’s jersey again; I loved the way Whitaker was splashed across the back with the number ninety-one in stark white.
I sadly left it folded up on the bed as I left the room.
Of course, the panties were on, and I had to admit I really liked the way they felt against my skin.
I went down to the kitchen to find something to eat and maybe some coffee, only to come face to face with my best friend sucking face with Tate.
“Don’t mind me,” I teased them.
I moved around them to get to the fancy coffee maker. I glanced over my shoulder to find Tate adjusting his shirt, his cheeks crimson. He flashed me a shy smile, then looked up at Zach.
Zach linked his arm through Tate’s. “Good morning, babe. Sleep well?” He pressed another kiss to the side of Tate’s head.
“How does this work exactly?” I tilted my head as I watched them. “You two are allowed to do whatever when Daddy’s not around? Does that include fucking?”
Tate’s face turned an even darker red. “It’s not...I don’t...Reed, don’t say things like that.”
“Yeah, babe, don’t be cruel.” Zach squeezed Tate closer. “Oscar isn’t our daddy. He’s our...”
“Boyfriend.” Tate finished for him. He ducked his chin, then glanced back up at Zach. “Right?” His green eyes were wide and filled with hope.
Zach nodded. “Right, darling.” And another kiss, this time on Tate’s lips.
Well, that caught my attention. My bestie never really put a label on the men he hooked up with.
And that was usually what it was for him.
A hook up. He didn’t usually do seconds or thirds, except for that last guy who was just more like a friend-with-benefits thing.
This was more than that. I could see it in the way he looked at Tate and the way his eyes just lit up when he spoke about Oscar.
“Are you mad now?” Tate whispered.
My brows shot up. “Mad? Why would I be mad?” Was my RBF showing?
“No, I’m not mad. I’m happy for all of you.
It’s honestly none of my business. I just want the best for all three of you.
” Thought I was a little scared that Zach would break both their hearts, but I decided to keep that to myself this time.
“It was unexpected.” Tate untangled himself from Zach to grab me into a hug. “I’ve never been happier in my life, babe.” He leaned down to speak into my ear. “I promise I’ll take good care of them.”
I met my best friend’s eyes. “That’s all that matters.” Don’t fuck this up, I mouthed to Zach. He simply raised his hand to give me the finger. Classy. “Wait, did you get your nails done?” I grabbed his wrist. “Wait, let me guess who did this. Maybe Ezra?”
He shrugged. “He offered. And who was I to say no to Ezra Bardot?”
“Carey,” I remembered him. “Bardot is only his business name.”
“This calls for breakfast!” Tate clapped his hands together. “Let me just see what Oscar and Cole have for food. I’m sure I can throw something together.”
Zach stepped in. “Or, and this is the idea I like the best because then you don’t have to do anything, what if I treat us all to breakfast? Just the three of us? I’m sure there’s some diner around here that is still serving breakfast.”
“Oh sure. The Pinehurst Diner serves breakfast twenty-four hours a day. And they have the best desserts. You should see the display case. The chocolate mousse is to die for.” Tate perked up.
My stomach twisted. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to go out in public and eat food with everyone watching.
I felt better than I had in a long time since I started seeing Megan, but breakfast was a whole other level.
At the hockey-watching party, I was able to eat what I wanted without worrying about it.
I had no excuse not to go. And I wanted to spend time with them.
“You good?” Zach asked. His brows dipped in worry as he waited for my answer.
I nodded. “Of course. Let’s go get some breakfast.”
THE DINER WASN’T TOO busy for a Wednesday morning.
We found a booth, ordered drinks, and scanned the menu.
I had been here plenty of times as a kid.
With my parents, friends, and the night after prom with my date.
That all seemed like a million years ago.
Now I was worried about calories, fat, and carbs.
Scared that I wouldn’t be able to fit into my clothes if I ate too much.
“You could have oatmeal.” Zach nudged my leg from under the table. He was sitting across from me and next to Tate. “It even comes with fruit. Super healthy, right?”
I chewed on my bottom lip. “I suppose.” But oatmeal was carb heavy, and I wasn’t sure if I could handle that.
“I like the breakfast burrito.” Tate closed his menu. “When I come here with my brothers, we always get that. We each pick a different one so we can share.”
Zach gave him a bright smile. “Darling, that sounds like a great idea. Which is your favorite? I’ll get that so you can have half.”
“I like the bacon, egg, and cheese one. I’ll get the sausage one.” Tate beamed happily at my best friend. “The cheese is so melty and tasty. You’re going to love it.”
Zach grabbed his hand as he glanced at me. “Babe, are you going to pick the oatmeal?”
“I think I’m going to get the spinach, mushroom, and feta burrito.” The description sounded amazing. “What?”
Zach shook his head. “Nothing.”
“I’ve never had that one. The one with feta.” Tate reached for his coffee. “Can I try a bite? I mean, only if it’s cool with you. I understand if you want the whole thing. I bet it’s amazing.”
While he dumped six sugar packets into his drink, I watched him. “You can try it. But only if I can try yours. And Zach’s, too.”
Zach’s lips spread into a massive smile across his face. “You don’t even have to ask.” He chewed on his bottom lip and opened his mouth just as the waiter showed up. We placed our orders and then when he was gone, I straightened my shoulders.
“I have an eating disorder.” The words slipped from my tongue before I could stop them. “I mean, I’m seeing a therapist about it. And she’s great. But things are still weird with me, you know? Like, ordering food to eat out in public. With you two watching me.”
Zach reached across the table to grab my hand. “It’s not like I didn’t notice. I knew a while ago that you were struggling. I didn’t say anything because I knew you would tell me when you were ready. Babe, I’m so proud of you.”
“You shouldn’t be. Not for this.”
“Reed, you’ve already started the healing process.”
My throat grew tight. “I mean, it’s going to be a long time before I’m normal.” I shook my head. “I just...I wanted to tell you.”
“Move.” Tate pushed at Zach’s arm. “Please, I just...I need to get out of this booth,” he whispered.
And then he was slipping into the spot next to me, his arms going around me in a tight hug.
“You are normal. You’re so normal, and you’re getting the help that you need.
Telling us was a big deal. I bet you feel so much better now, too. ”
I sniffed as tears stung my eyes. “Now that you mention it, I think so, yes.” I smiled at Zach as he watched us. “And my therapist is amazing. Cole is supportive, along with my family, and I think I feel much better now than I did at school.”
“You’re not coming back to New York, are you?” my best friend asked. When I didn’t answer, he sighed. “That sucks.”
Tate released me to go back to his boyfriend. “That just means you have another excuse to come back here. Not just for Oscar and me, but for Reed, too. When you graduate, you can move here permanently.”
“I know.” Zach’s voice was thick with sadness. His blue eyes glittered with tears before he blinked them away. “Not that I’ll need an excuse to come see you, darling.”
Tate giggled happily when Zach pretended to eat his neck.
I had no idea how he was going to work out these issues he had with his family, but that wasn’t my problem to worry about.
Not when two giant hockey players stepped through the front door of the diner, and Cole’s face lit up like sunshine when he spotted me.
Then he was kissing me and holding me against his thick body.
“How did you know we were here?” I asked. When I looked over at Tate, he ducked his head. Guess that was my answer. “Not that I’m complaining.”
Oscar had his arm stretched across the back of the booth so he could touch both of his guys. “We missed you.”
The waiter came back with our food and nearly dropped the three plates when he saw Oscar and Cole. “Oh.” He gave a nervous smile as he placed the food down. “Did you gentleman need to order?”
Cole and Oscar ordered, and when the waiter was gone, I nudged my boyfriend. “He was totally freaked out. Ten bucks says he asks for your autograph.”
“Twenty says it’s a selfie,” Zach piped in. “What? Did you see the way his eyes were undressing you? He’s into you, Oscar.”
Oscar blushed. “He’s...not.”
But sure enough, after the five of us ate our food, while laughing and having a good time, the waiter came back. He not only asked for an autograph but a selfie, too. His eyes literally lit up with huge hearts when Oscar put his arm around him.
In the car ride home with Cole, the other three having gone their own way, I reached over and linked our fingers together.
It would be a touchy road to get over this eating disorder, but I had a great support system.
My family, my best friend, and my boyfriend. I felt like I could take on the world.