Chapter Twenty-six
A fter five days stuck at home, I know there’s no way I’m going to make it a full week.
It’s Sunday night, and I’ve been cast-free for two days. I’m determined to return to work tomorrow.
While it’s been nice spending time with Wyatt, I’m antsy. Not just because we haven’t left the house outside of getting my cast removed but because I can’t stop thinking about Aidan, Carter, Oliver, and Ty.
Especially Ty. I didn’t like how he looked when the others led him from the house. He’d just shut down.
Shaking my head, I curl into Wyatt’s side, feeling like a terrible girlfriend—mate? Whatever the hell we are to one another .
Here I am, lying on the couch with him as we watch a movie, and I’m thinking about other men.
I hate it. I hate that I can’t stop thinking about them. I hate that I’m not giving Wyatt everything he deserves.
Is it even fair to him if he’ll never have my whole heart?
“Lil, what’s going on inside that head of yours?”
Tilting my head back, I find him looking down at me. My cheeks heat, a flush rolling over my body. “Nothing.”
He rolls his eyes again. “Try that again, but without lying this time.”
“I just … “ Huffing, I sit up and pull my knees to my chest, thankful that my leg is fully healed. “I can’t stop thinking about the four of them, and that feels so unfair to you.”
“Unfair to me? Why?” His brow furrows as he turns to face me fully.
“Because we’re together. I shouldn’t be thinking about other men … “ I trail off at the incredulous look on his face.
Wyatt scoffs. “You can stop that train of thought right there. I’ve known from the beginning you were in love with other men and that I’d never be the only one in your heart. I don’t have a problem with that, nor will I ever. Not only is polyamory the norm in our society, but all I want is for you to be happy. Even if you’re never able to forgive them, I’m aware they’ll always hold a piece of your heart. Just like I know, I’ll never be enough for your heats. I’m okay with all of this and just happy I own even a small part of your heart.”
I melt at his words, throwing myself into his arms. “I love you, Wy.”
“I love you, too.”
“Move in with me?” I ask, pulling back to meet his eyes.
A smile stretches across his face. “Really?”
I nod, excited about the idea. I spent entirely too long pushing away how I feel about Wyatt. Now, I refuse to hold back from anything when it comes to him.
It might seem fast for some, but I feel like we’ve been dancing around this for years.
“I’d love to,” he says, pulling me in for a lazy kiss. “You really know how to make up for lost time, don’t you?”
“Maybe.” I grin, settling back into the couch. “I’m going back to work tomorrow.”
He rolls his eyes. “Of course you are. I’ve known that was going to happen since I brought you home from the hospital.”
“Am I really that predictable?”
“You really are, but there’s nothing wrong with that. This works out because I’m meeting a few friends tomorrow night. Maybe you can go see your parents after you get off work?”
I nod slowly. I’ve talked to my parents a few times since being released, but I know they’re probably worrying since they haven’t seen me. “That’s a good idea. At least you already have a key.”
Wyatt pulls me against his side again. “Sure do. Now, let’s finish this movie so we can call it a day. We both need to get back to work in the morning.”
By the time I pull into my parents’ driveway the next evening, I’m exhausted.
Running a company means there’s always something that needs to be done. Yes, my team ran things perfectly while I was out, but there are things they don’t have the authority to do .
I almost wish I hadn’t already told my parents I’d be by for dinner because I’d love nothing more than to climb into my bed and pass the fuck out.
But even as the thought passes through my head, I acknowledge I need to see them just as much as they need to see me.
My mom and I have never been especially close, but things have slowly been changing between us. It’s like meeting Miguel has brought a new side to both of my parents, and I’m loving it. Not only are they happy, but we’re closer than ever—something I wouldn’t have imagined happening after they met someone new.
I climb out of the car, smiling when the front door flies open to reveal Miguel standing there.
“Your mom was concerned it was taking you so long to come inside, so I told her I’d check on you,” he tells me as I make my way up the walkway to the door.
“Did she think I was going to fall getting out of my car?” I laugh.
Miguel wrinkles his nose. “Maybe.”
We stand there awkwardly for a few seconds before he mutters under his breath and engulfs me in a hug. I return the hug easily .
“I wasn’t sure if you’d be okay with a hug, but I’m a whore for hugs,” he says as he pulls back, a smile lighting up his face.
“Did you just call yourself a whore?” my mom’s voice rings out from further in the house.
Miguel and I look at one another and burst out laughing. He steps back and gestures for me to join him inside. We find my mom walking toward us with a frown.
Miguel sweeps her into his arms and kisses the tip of her nose. “I said I was a whore for hugs.”
“Oh.” Mom flushes as she glances at me. “He really is a whore for hugs.”
This time, I bite back my laughter as I follow the pair of them into the living room.
“There’s my girl!” Dad pushes out of his chair and engulfs me in a hug. “It’s good to see you without the cast.”
I snort. “It’s good not to be in the cast anymore. I was not a fan.”
“And did your incubus take good care of you?” Mom asks.
Narrowing my eyes as I turn to look at her, I consider her. Laughter dances in her eyes as she bites her bottom lip, her mouth turning up at the edges as she tries to hide her smile—rather unsuccessfully, I might add.
“Wyatt made sure all of my needs were met,” I say dryly, leaving the three of them gaping at me. “Now, what’s for dinner? I’m starving.”
It turns out Miguel is the one who cooked the paella we have for dinner, and it’s magnificent.
“Damn, Miguel,” I say with a grin, running my hand over my very full belly. “I love my mom’s cooking, but I wouldn’t be disappointed if you cooked when I came over, either.”
He flushes, head ducking as Dad reaches over and squeezes his hand. “I’m the luckiest man alive, Lila, I’m telling you. I have not one but two mates who can cook. Don’t be surprised if your old dad gets fat.”
I scoff, rolling my eyes. I’ve seen Dad put away a lot of food over the years, and he’s never gained a pound. He’s practically ageless, not having changed since I was little.
“Yeah, okay, Dad. That seems likely.” Rolling my eyes, I twist in my chair to face my mom, only to find her already looking at me.
“Lila, why don’t we let the men clean up? The two of us can have a glass of wine on the back deck. ”
I don’t know how she knows—maybe it’s some superpower that only moms have—but she knows I need to talk to her.
It wouldn’t be a big deal if Dad and Miguel were there for the conversation, but since Miguel and Carter are related, it’s probably best if he isn’t included in the conversation.
“You know what, Mom? That sounds amazing.”
Miguel jumps up from the table as we stand. He comes back carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses. “I know this is your mom’s favorite, but I can grab something else if you’d like,” he says as he hands a glass over to Mom.
“I’ll take a glass of it as well,” I say with a smile. Mom has been drinking the same Moscato d’ Asti for as long as I can remember, and it’s about the only wine I can stand.
He pours the second glass for me as Dad begins to clear the table. As soon as I have my glass in hand, Mom is leading me out the back door.
We settle into side-by-side chairs as we each take a long sip of the wine, and I sigh.
“It’s been less than a week since I saw you last,” Mom says, “but I feel like I’ve missed something important. ”
I take a longer drink of my wine before setting it on the table between us. I stare up at the stars, unsure if I can tell her everything while looking at her.
“Carter, Aidan, Oliver, and Ty have been seeking me out regularly so they could explain why they disappeared without a trace. I haven’t been ready to hear them out, so I’ve been pushing them off.” I sigh. “But Wyatt helped me understand I might not ever be ready, and I needed to just get it over with. We had them meet us at my house when I was released from the hospital.”
Mom hums. “That’s definitely something important. Do I even want to know what they had to say?”
Snorting, I shake my head. “You might not believe me. You might even think they’re all batshit crazy—“
“Language,” Mom snaps, but there’s no real heat behind it. It’s almost like she’s just saying it out of habit. “I’ll never forgive those damn boys for turning you into someone with such a vulgar vocabulary.”
My head snaps toward her as I gape. “You just said damn.”
She grins, waving me off. “Whatever. ”
“Not whatever. My mom just cussed in front of me. It must be the end of times.” Reaching over, I grab her hand and squeeze. Never in a million years would I have imagined sitting out here with my mom and joking with one another. Things really have changed, and I’m so happy about it.
Steeling myself, I explain everything to Mom.
“Yeah … if it was anyone besides you who was telling me this, I’d think the person needed some mental help.“ She shakes her head. “But you believe them?”
I nod. “I really do.”
Mom considers me for a moment before nodding. “Then I believe them, but what does that mean for you?”
“I have no clue. I’m glad I heard them out, but I don’t know if it changes anything. I don’t know if it can.”
She hums but says nothing.
“In happier and less confusing news, I finally pulled my head out of my ass and told Wyatt I loved him.”
Mom lets out an ear-piercing squeal that has me wincing. “You did? ”
“Yes, Mom. I did. In fact, I asked him to move in last night, and he said yes.”
“It’s about time,” Mom says, still grinning. “I told you to lock him down, didn’t I? I’m glad you listened to me for once. I know I don’t get involved in your life because it’s not what you want from me, but I’ve known how you felt about him for a long time. Just like I knew you were hurting so very much when those boys disappeared. I was so afraid we’d lose you in one way or another until you met Wyatt. Everything changed then.”
Grabbing my glass, I take another sip of wine. “It really did. Just like everything changed for you and Dad when you met Miguel.”
She flushes, lifting her glass to her lips as if she can hide behind it. “It’s amazing what meeting someone special can do for your life.”
It’s only then I realize I hadn’t told her about Ty’s big revelation.
“Oh, Mom! Do you know what the worst part of talking to them was? Just before they left, Ty told me we were all fated mates, but Bria did something to our bond so we wouldn’t recognize it when we met for the first time.”
“Huh.” Mom sets down her glass, brow furrowed as she thinks. “It’s not the first time I’ve heard of a bond being suppressed. Although, it’s the first time I’ve heard it being caused by a goddess. This changes things, Lila. You know that, don’t you?”
Frowning, I finish my wine and set the glass down a little too hard on the table. “Why does it have to? I don’t have to choose them.”
“No, you don’t. But that will make life miserable for all five of you. I’m not telling you that you should just forgive them, but you should do some research on rejected bonds before making a decision. It might change your mind.”
I settle back into the seat, staring up at the stars once more as I consider my mom’s words.
I don’t know if it’ll change my mind—because, really, I haven’t made up my mind yet—but it would be best if I was more informed before making a decision. I guess I have some research to do.