Epilogue
Four months later…
Bailey
The long, hot days of summer have given way to sweater weather, crimson leaves, and pumpkin everything. I turn left onto my street and smile at the thought of the enthusiastic greeting waiting for me when I step into what was my grandmother's house and is now our house .
Duke and Stellan officially moved in last week. It makes sense. We spend all our time together, so there's no need to have two places. Since Mimi's house means so much to me, they're going to put theirs on the market, and we're going to live together in the house that holds so many good memories for me and is now filled with the promise of a lifetime of more to come.
I pull into the driveway and shut off the engine. Before I manage to step out of the car, Stellan is there, like always, his face beaming, holding out a hand to take my briefcase.
"Hey, baby. Welcome home. I missed you."
Our fingers brush as I hand him the suitcase. "The three of us met with contractors and then had lunch together," I remind him.
"Exactly. That was a whole four hours ago."
Working for Stellan and Duke is the best thing ever. I'm finally in a job that allows me to utilize my skills while being challenged and learning a lot. Plus, I'm doing something good. Forty affordable homes are going to make a real difference in people's lives, and I'm so appreciative that I get to play a role in making that happen.
We kiss and then walk inside. Duke is in the kitchen and stops plating up when he sees me, a smile overtaking his face. He's not as excitable as Stellan, but I know the love he has for me runs just as deep and strong. Both men love me with all their hearts, just like I love them with all of mine.
"Hey, baby," he says, wiping his hands on his apron and striding over to us.
"Hey, Duke. Something smells good."
"That'd be you," he replies with a sly grin.
Can't say I've ever met anyone who enjoys sniffing me out, but when Duke does it, it's so unbelievably sexy.
He stands until the three of us are facing each other.
Okay, so this next bit might be kind of cheesy, but it's something we do every day, and I don't care how it looks. It's my favorite thing ever.
"I love you," Duke begins, looking at Stellan, kicking off the ritual.
"I love you," Stellan returns to Duke, before sliding his palm across my cheek. "And I love you."
My chest fills with warmth. "I love you, Stellan. I love you, Duke. And I love both of you so much."
Duke slides his hand over my other cheek. "And I love you, baby."
We switch up the order every day with a different person starting things off, but I can't get enough of this little moment we create in our day where we share our deepest, truest feelings with each other.
I love these two men with every fiber of my being, and I know that we belong together. For now, and for always.
I take a quick shower and get changed, not into my usual crewneck sweatshirt and comfy joggers since it's Friday night and we're going out. Over dinner, we discuss remodeling plans. As much as I love this house, now that I live here full-time, and now that it's our house, it's time to update a few things and put our stamp on the place.
Stellan has ordered a custom-sized ultra king bed, which arrives next week. He'd also like a hot tub on the back patio, while Duke and I talk about more sensible, non-sex-related renovation ideas like updating the kitchen, refreshing the creaky flooring, and modernizing the bathrooms…with extra-large showers. Stellan's input, naturally.
After dinner, I watch as the guys get dressed for our first evening out as a throuple. Normally, watching them get ready would turn me on so much I'd have no choice but to fall to my knees and worship my two men.
But not tonight.
Tonight, I'm nervous.
"Hey," Duke says, coming over to sit beside me on the bed wearing only socks and briefs. "How are you feeling?"
Stellan shrugs on a black shirt and sits down on my other side.
I love how they've both picked up on my nerves without me having to say a word. "I'm a little anxious."
"That's perfectly normal," Stellan says, stroking my leg. "But I think an LGBT night at the local bar is the safest space for us to make our public debut."
"Are you guys worried at all?" I ask, knowing how much they value their privacy.
"I agree with Stellan. I've spoken to a few people in town, and I get the impression that it's a low-key night without any judgment. In fact…"
"What?" I ask.
He grins. "Let's just say, we might not be the only throuple there tonight."
"Really?" I perk right up. "That'd be great."
As safe and loving and amazing as it feels when it's just the three of us, part of me is scared about what will happen when we break out of our cocoon and have to deal with reality. Will people gawk at us? Whisper behind our backs? Judge us? Judge me ?
If there is another throuple there, it'd be great to connect with them. Maybe we could even become friends, and I'd have someone to talk to. Someone who truly gets it.
The guys finish getting ready, and then we jump into Duke's Range Rover for the short drive into town.
The great thing about Cumcircle is that it has everything you need, like a good public school, community hospital, and a main street with a great diner, general store, and a cozy library, without flocks of tourists year-round like the neighboring towns attract. It's also a place where people are open-minded and don't stick their noses into other people's business. I'm really hoping that's the case tonight. I'd like to meet some people who are nice and friendly and who don't judge our relationship because it might not be right for them.
We approach the bar, and before we step in, I take Stellan and Duke by the hand.
"Are you sure, baby?" Duke whispers, glancing down at our joined hands. "We don't have to make a grand entrance."
"It's not a grand entrance," I correct him. "It's a real entrance. I may be a little apprehensive about what sort of reaction we'll get, but I'm not prepared to hide who we are. I love you both, and I want the whole world to know it."
Stellan grips my hand. "We love you so much, too."
I force a smile and suck in a deep breath, bracing for whatever happens next. "Let's go inside. If it's cool, we can stay and hang out. If it's shit, we'll go back home, and you two can fuck me senseless for hours."
"Or we can just do option B right now," Stellan suggests, causing Duke to frown.
"No. We are going in, and everything will be fine," he states firmly.
As it turns out, Duke was one hundred percent right. We went in, and it was a totally low-key vibe. The place was busy but not packed, with a nice mix of people of all different flavors. Yes, we got some attention as we made our way to the bar, but to be fair, Stellan and Duke turn heads everywhere they go, whether it's hockey fans asking for a selfie or horny moms enjoying the eye candy. They've grown used to it, and I'm growing used to it. I'm completely secure in our relationship and trust them both completely. Just because I'm greedy and need two men to satisfy me doesn't mean I'm open to sharing them with anyone else, and they both know it.
"I like this music," Duke says, bobbing his head, which I'm guessing is about the extent of his dancing.
"That's because it's old and he can recognize it," Stellan teases, shimmying his hips in a way that suggests that's only the beginning of his dancing moves.
"Shut up," Duke retorts with no heat.
"Um, excuse me."
Our heads swivel to the guy who's just approached us. He's my age with a mop of messy bright-red curls, friendly eyes, and is a little on the thicker side. Behind him stand two guys who give my two guys a run for their money in the height department.
"Holy shit," one of the tall guys says as he locks eyes with Duke and Stellan. "It is them."
"No way," Stellan responds, nudging Duke with his elbow. "Look. It's Draper Fassmacher and Jax Anderson."
"Who?" I ask.
"They're two of the hottest NHL players," Duke tells me.
"They play for the Thunderhawks, the same team we played on."
The red-haired guy beams. "And they're also my boyfriends." He sticks his hand out. "Hi. I'm Cloyce."
"Hi, Cloyce." We shake hands. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Bailey. And these are my boyfriends"—side note: Holy shit! Announcing them as my boyfriends out loud to another living person is the best thing ever—"Stellan and Duke. Would you guys like to join us?"
After shaking hands, the hockey guys make sure Cloyce and I are good for drinks before diving into a hearty conversation. Snippets like, "You guys are fucking legends," and, "Your stats this season are incredible," and "That game-winning goal in the playoffs was unforgettable!" flow around Cloyce and me.
"Can I say something totally uncool?" he asks.
I grin, getting a good vibe from him already. "Go for it."
"I've been watching you guys all night. Not in a creepy way, and not in an I want to sleep with you way since we're monogamous and I'm a very possessive bottom, but in a Look, there's another throuple, and I hope they like me so I can have a friend who actually gets me way."
"Cloyce." I hook my arm around his shoulder and grin widely. "I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship."
"I'm so glad. I was a little scared about coming out tonight."
"Oh. Why's that? Are you guys a recent thing?"
"No. We met last summer, but we've had a few bad experiences. People have been cruel online, so I was on edge."
"That sucks. I'm so sorry." My heart aches for him. "Well, you're safe here. This is a judgment-free zone. Now tell me, how did you guys meet?"
"Well," he says, the tension on his face giving way to a smile. "You won't believe it—it was the wildest thing ever…"
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