Chapter 5 Dexter
Dexter
I wake with Andy drooling on my bare chest. Nate has somehow wormed his way up the bed, taking up the space above Andy along their pillows.
His face is buried in against my scalp, his hot breath tickling me and his palm cradling the side of my neck.
I'm afraid to move. I don't want to move. I could stay like this forever.
It's a mindfuck, sure, but if I don't dwell on anything but the three of us on this bed and in this moment, it doesn't bother me. I know once I leave this trailer and go to work, the consequences of what we've done will stare me straight in the face.
We could go to jail for this.
The anxiety of that particular consequence has me sucking in a sharp breath.
I can't lose them. Not my brothers. I'd give up everything, including my life, before I willingly let them go. We'll have to be careful. No one can know.
Gently, I slip out from underneath my brothers to grab a shower before work.
I'm tired and wish I could sleep in, but they need me to keep this job.
I want to make sure my brothers are always taken care of.
That means getting up every day and working my ass off.
It makes me proud that I'm able to do this for them.
I'd give them everything they could ever want if I was able to.
I hop in the shower, regretfully washing the scent of my brothers off my body. I'd wanted to keep their smell on me, but it'd be too distracting at work. I need to be able to focus on all the projects I have going today rather than drifting off to daydream about what we did last night.
All too quickly, I'm climbing out of the shower and drying off. Once I'm dressed, I creep to the kitchen to eat breakfast before a long day at work. Andy is standing at the stove, yawning, in nothing but his boxers, scrambling eggs.
"You're up early," I note, unable to keep my stare from roaming down the curves of his round ass.
"Figured you'd want something better than cereal." He smirks my way.
I step behind him, pressing my body against his. "I'd rather have you."
His body trembles and I fucking love it. There's so much I want to do with them both. The possibilities are endless. It's just fucking terrifying how it could all be stolen away if anyone were to find out.
"What time will you be home?" Andy asks. "I want to make sure to have dinner ready for you."
My heart clenches in my chest. "You don't have to do that."
"I want to. I can go by the store after class."
I nip at his ear. "You're going to spoil me if you have dinner waiting for me."
"That's kind of the point," he says with a laugh. "You spoil me and Nate. It's only fair we have our turn. We're capable of taking care of you too."
The ever-present weight that sits heavily on my shoulders lifts. I've been so busy trying to be the one who took care of them that I think I forgot that they can take care of me too.
Footsteps make the trailer rattle as our brother finds us.
"You making me eggs too?" Nate asks sleepily, hugging me from behind.
"I guess," Andy teases. But I know he will because Nate having an appetite is something to celebrate. This is the first time he's been so...light and happy.
After Andy finishes the eggs, the three of us hang out for as long as we can before I have to head in to work. A gutting sense of loss cuts into me as I start for the door. Like I'm being torn from them. It hurts. Based on the way they hang onto me by the door, I'd say they feel the same way.
Finally, I kiss them each on the lips before I force myself out the front door.
Fuck, this is hard.
Work is long and stressful. My mind isn't on a million other things. Just two. Andy and Nate. I keep replaying each kiss, each lick, each stroke, each hug. I'm dying for more—practically salivating for it. All I care about is getting back home to them.
It's times like these I wish we had phones so I could check in.
One day.
One day I'll give them phones and a television and endless amounts of ice cream. I'll give them whatever they want and need.
I'm damn near grinning when Bert pops me with a greasy rag.
"Break time, kid. You have a visitor."
My heart gallops in my chest. Is it Andy?
The guys here at the shop are amused that I'm one of three triplets.
If they knew what I did with my brothers, I doubt they'd be so amused.
Andy said he'd go by the store, which is near the shop.
It makes me wonder if Nate tagged along or if he's sprawled out in our bed studying.
I'm all smiles as I drop the socket wrench on the bench with a loud clank and saunter through the garage toward the main office.
The smile is torn from my face when I see who's waiting for me.
Dad.
Disgust and hatred ripple through me like a violent wind. I wish for the socket wrench to throw at his huge head. He's just like I remember—massive, protruding gut, hateful eyes. A monster who hurt his children in different, but still sadistic ways.
"How did you find me?" I hiss, fisting my hands, ready to pummel him if I need to.
"Just you?" He laughs, harsh and cruel. "I know wherever you are, your prissy brothers are nearby."
I clench my jaw, not biting. "Leave."
"Ain't no way to talk to your old man, Dexter."
It's only been four months, but I've bulked up since we left.
Andy and Nate could never take him, though I'm pretty confident I could whip his ass if need be.
He must sense the violence thrumming through me because his eyes narrow as he sizes me up.
I crack my neck and the bones pop in an intimidating way.
"Tell Nathan that Daddy misses him."
Bert steps into the office, clutching the back of my neck. "Is there a problem, kid?"
I'm sure he can feel the tension in my muscles because he gives me a supportive squeeze.
"He was just leaving," I grit out. "Right?"
Dad glowers at me. "You boys need to get your asses home. This has gone on long enough."
"Last I checked," Bert says, quickly picking up the hostility coming from my father, "they're eighteen. That means you need to go. You're not welcome here. Show up here again and I'll call the police."
I swallow hard, refraining from attacking Dad. I can't lose my job no matter how much I want to choke my father to death.
"I'll see you and your brothers around, Son," Dad growls. "That's a promise."
"Get lost," Bert snaps.
Dad glares at me for a beat longer before waddling out of the office, taking his sweaty stench with him.
"You going to be okay?" Bert asks, finally releasing the back of my neck. "Your pops seems like a real prick. I didn't realize you two had beef. Had I known, I would’ve never called you out to see him."
"It's okay," I assure him. "But, um, do you think you can give me a ride home tonight? I'd rather not walk home."
"Consider it handled, kid. You're a grown ass man now. You can do what you want and that piece of shit has no say in your life."
I suck in a calming breath.
Bert's right.
My life. My life with Andy and Nate. I'll be damned if I let Dad try and fuck up our world again.
It’s dark when Bert drops me off in front of the trailer.
I give him a wave and then wait until he’s gone, listening for any sounds or car engines.
Nothing but crickets chirping. Relief floods through me.
Hastily, I make my way up the rickety steps of the porch and go inside.
The scent of something savory greets me, making my stomach grumble in appreciation.
After locking the door behind me, I make my way to the kitchen where Andy's at the stove stirring something and Nate is perched on the counter, reading a textbook.
Seeing them so happy and relaxed nearly brings tears to my eyes.
This is how it's supposed to be.
How it was always supposed to be.
Dad was the monster in our life and I'll be damned if I let him try to trample on us again.
"Smells good," I say, making my way over to Nate. "Miss me?"
Nate's grin makes my heart twist in a delightful sort of way. "Duh."
Our lips meet for a chaste kiss. Then, I break away to meet Andy. He's also smiling. So fucking happy. This kiss is short and then he's back to fussing over his boiling pot.
"What's for dinner?" I ask. "I'm starving."
"Chicken and dumplings," Andy replies. "An old lady at the grocery store told me how to make it. It's pretty inexpensive and goes a long way. I hope it turns out okay."
At this point, if it tasted like shit, I'd still eat the hell out of it because it smells so damn good.
"I'm sure it'll be great." I give his ass a pat. "I'll grab a quick shower and then we need to talk." Andy tenses and Nate sucks in a sharp breath. "Not about us. We're perfect."
The sighs they release are relieved. I'm not having second thoughts about what happened last night. Repeating it every night and more was all I could think about today.
I leave them to finish up dinner and hurry through my shower.
After dressing in a pair of shorts and no shirt, I make my way back to the kitchen.
Chicken and dumplings have been served into bowls.
Each bowl has a small plate of salad beside it.
It's so fancy looking. We're adults having real dinners and a real, happy life.
"Wow," I praise as I sit between Nate and Andy. "This is amazing."
Andy preens and Nate smirks. We dive in without much conversation, the three of us eager to share this delicious meal.
It's quite possibly the best thing I've ever eaten.
I'm shocked Andy can cook so well. The three of us fly through our meals and even go back for seconds.
Once we've finished and cleaned up the kitchen, I guide them to the bedroom.
"Why do I feel like this talk is going to hurt?" Andy asks as he strips down to his boxers.
I scrub my palm over my face. "Because this talk is going to hurt."
"Are you okay?" Nate asks.
Staring down at my feet as I stand beside the bed, I shake my head. "Dad came to the shop today."
"What?" Andy hisses. "Are you fucking serious? How did he find us?"
"I don't know," I murmur, lifting my gaze. "But I won't let him touch either of you."
Nate and Andy wrap themselves around me, squeezing tight.
I'd kill Dad with my bare hands before I'd let him breathe the same air as my two brothers ever again.