41. Hayden
FORTY-ONE
“November fourth.”
“What?” Bree’s head pops up in shock. “That’s only in like two weeks.”
“What about November eighteenth?” Brody offers. “My aunt Amalia said she can have it planned without issue. Do you want a big or small wedding? I’m assuming not in a church. We can do a destination wedding. Hawaii, Italy… Puerto Rico is beautiful this time of year.”
Bree’s eyes widen. “I-I don’t know. What do you guys want?”
“Whatever ends with you attached to the two of us for the rest of our lives,” I tell her truthfully. The fact is, guys don’t give a shit about the details. As long as Bree is happy, I’m happy. And since my parents will no doubt have a conniption when they find out I’m entering a polyamorous relationship, they won’t be attending. I haven’t spoken to my father since the day I walked away from Shea Realty. It was the best decision I could’ve made. I never understood how toxic working with my dad was until I walked away.
Without him being able to pit my sister and me against each other, Gretchen and I have finally established a relationship, which has been nice. She hasn’t met Bree yet, but she knows about her, and Brody’s and my relationship with her, and she supports it, wanting me to be happy.
But she—as well as my parents—will meet her tonight at the charity gala we’re attending that Brody’s parents host every year for Speak Up—a nonprofit organization they started after Brody admitted to being sexually harassed by his mom’s ex-fiancé when he was a teenager, which came close to being assault. They hated that Brody was scared to speak up and wanted to find a way to support kids in the same position he was in, so they started Speak Up—and every October is the annual charity gala they host to raise money for it. Tonight, Brody and I will be attending with Bree and her kids.
“I don’t really have many people to invite,” Bree admits sheepishly. “Other than Beatrice and Steven and Lacey and her family. That’s pretty much it. But I wouldn’t want to make everyone travel and on such short notice. So maybe a small wedding at a hotel or something, and then we can go away somewhere?”
“Whatever you want is fine with us,” Brody says.
“I want to be a flower girl!” Evie exclaims, twirling around in her dress that she’s wearing tonight. As soon as she saw it, there was no stopping her from putting it on. Especially since we made sure to have one made for her creepy doll that looks like her. “Molly wants to be one too,” she adds, referring to said creepy doll.
“When we move in, can I keep the room I sleep in now?” Miles asks.
“Oh! Can I have an American Girl room since Mommy won’t be in my room anymore?” Evie bounces up and down excitedly. “And can we get a bed for Molly? She’s so squished sleeping with Mommy and me here.”
“Umm…” Bree glances at us with wide eyes. “We haven’t…We haven’t discussed where we’ll live.”
“Well, your lease is up soon, right?” Brody points out. “And since we’ll be married, it only makes sense that we’ll all live together. And this place can fit everyone.”
“Yeah,” Bree breathes, glancing at Miles and Evie, who are watching and listening. “Can we go talk in the kitchen?”
“What’s going on?” I ask once we’re out of hearing distance.
“You guys didn’t…” Bree swallows thickly. “You’re not rushing this because I have to move out of my place, right? Like, you don’t feel bad and are trying to fix things…”
“What? No,” Brody says, grabbing her hips and pulling her toward him. “We love you and want to marry you. But if you want to wait, then we can wait. Move wherever you want, sign whatever lease you want. And once you’re ready, we’ll marry you. And then wherever you’re living, whatever lease you’ve signed, we’ll cancel it and move you guys in here. Or we can get a new place. A house or a brownstone somewhere…”
“We can do whatever you want,” I add, stepping toward them and cupping her cheek. “All we want is to be with you. If you want to wait…”
“No,” she breathes. “I want to marry you, and I know you want to marry me. I just wanted to make sure you’re not putting a rush on it because of my living situation.”
She pulls her phone out and glances at it. “What about December ninth?”
Brody and I look at each other and nod.
“That’s perfect,” Brody says. “It’s two weeks before Christmas, which will give Amalia and you time to plan the wedding and enough time for you guys to move in afterward and spend our first Christmas together as a family.”
The mention of Christmas has her lips turning down slightly, and I know it’s because she’s thinking of her late husband and how he passed away on Christmas.
“How do you feel about living here?” I ask.
“I’m okay with it. It’s bigger than any place the kids and I have ever lived, and it’s not too far from Heart’s. And maybe we can go on a little trip over winter break with the kids,” she adds softly.
“December ninth it is,” I say, kissing the corner of her mouth. “And we can definitely go away. Whatever you want, baby.”
“Okay,” she breathes, smiling sweetly. “I guess I better cancel the real estate agent then.” She glances from Brody to me. “We’re really doing this, huh?”
“Damn right, we are,” Brody says. “In less than two months, we’ll officially be a family.”
“Oh, Bree,” Savy coos. “You look stunning. And look at you,” she says to Evie. “You and your doll look so beautiful in your matching dresses.”
“Her name’s Molly,” Evie says. “And guess what? Mommy said we can be the flower girls at her wedding when she marries Brody and Hayden. And we get more pretty dresses!”
Everyone’s eyes swing over to Bree and straight to her hand, which houses the engagement ring we gave her.
Since Brody tells his parents everything, they already know, but that doesn’t stop them from giving their congratulations since this is the first time they’ve seen Bree since the engagement took place. Amalia croons over how perfect the ring is, and Savy asks if we’ve picked a date yet.
I’m so absorbed in everything that is Bree that I don’t realize my parents have arrived, and based on the way they’re glaring, they overheard everything.
“Hayden,” Mom hisses, confusion and shock marring her otherwise perfectly Botoxed features. “What’s going on here? I don’t understand.”
“We’ll talk later,” I tell her, not wanting Bree to overhear anything negative that will come out of my parents’ mouths.
“No,” Dad says, refusing to let it go. “We’ll talk now. You can’t be serious. Sharing a woman with Brody Fields? What the hell are you thinking? Do you have any idea how bad this looks?”
“Oh, Joseph, Kassandra,” Savy says without missing a beat and saving my ass. “I didn’t realize you’d arrived.” She politely gives each of them a kiss on their cheeks. “Thank you for being here. How are you?”
“We were good…until now,” my dad says. “You can’t really approve of this… arrangement.”
“Actually, we do,” Ben says, stepping into my father’s face. “Brody and Hayden are happy, and that’s all that matters. Love comes in all different forms, and we support their decision to be together.”
“This is insanity,” Dad barks. “How could?—?”
“Enough,” I demand. “Now is not the time or the place to discuss this.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Dad says, “and had you told us, then we wouldn’t be finding out about it now.”
“It only happened a week ago,” I explain. “And we haven’t exactly been on speaking terms since I left Shea. I wasn’t even sure you’d be here tonight.”
“First, you embarrass our family by walking away from Shea over a woman,” Dad spits. “And now I learn you’re passing her back and forth with your friend. What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Joseph, if you can’t drop this, I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” Ben says softly yet firmly, his tone brooking no argument.
“Fine,” Dad says. “Kassandra, let’s go.” He grabs Mom’s hand and pulls her through the throng of people toward the door.
As I watch them leave, wishing not for the first time I was born into a different family, I pray Bree didn’t hear any of that. That somehow, she got pulled away to talk to someone, and when I turn around, I’ll see she’s none the wiser. But when my eyes land on hers, I know she witnessed the entire exchange. Thankfully, when I look for her kids, they’re at the dessert table with Amalia—out of hearing distance.
“Ignore them,” I say, lifting her chin to look at me. “There will always be people who don’t understand, who don’t get it. And unfortunately, my parents will always be those people. All they care about is their pristine image. And unless my sister and I fall into line, allowing them to make us their personal puppets they can pull the strings on, they’ll never support anything we do.”
“I don’t want to come between you and your family,” she murmurs, her eyes showing a sadness I don’t like.
“They did this, not you. It doesn’t matter what I do, I’ll never please them, and I’m done trying. Forget them. I already have. You, Brody, and your kids are my future. You got me?”
“Okay,” she whispers, but she looks anything but okay.
Wanting to somehow salvage the evening, I glance around for a way to distract Bree when I notice several couples dancing on the dance floor. Extending my hand, I bow dramatically and say, “Dance with me, my lady?”
I know it works when a small smile tugs on the corners of Bree’s cheeks, and she nods, placing her hand in mine.
I guide her to the dance floor and wrap my arms around her waist. She’s wearing a gorgeous dress that shows off every one of her perfect curves as well as her entire back. I can’t help but run my fingers along her smooth flesh as she encircles her arms around my neck, and we sway to the music.
“Your skin is soft,” I murmur, dipping my head and kissing the corner of her mouth as my hands descend to the swells of her ass. “And you smell so damn sweet.” I run my nose along her jawline and place a soft kiss to the sensitive spot just below it, leaving my lips on her long enough to feel the thrumming of her pulse. “It’s taking everything in me not to take a bite out of you right here.” I sink my teeth into her flesh, and a shiver runs through her body.
“Hayden,” she half groans, half chides, tilting her head to the side to give me better access. “You can’t say stuff like that here.”
“Why not?” I ask, licking the slight pain away.
“Because…” She leans up on her tiptoes, and her mouth grazes the shell of my ear. “When you talk like that, you turn me on. And I can’t be turned on here.”
She pulls back slightly, and our eyes meet. The desire I see in hers has me pulling out my phone and sending a text to Brody.
Me
Keep an eye on the kids for a few minutes. I’m about to fuck our girl seven ways to Sunday.
Brody
Lucky bastard. On it.
I’ve been to this venue enough times to know the family bathroom is cleaner than most people’s houses and has a comfortable couch.
When I see Brody sitting at the table with his family and Bree’s kids, I take Bree’s hand in mine and pull her off the dance floor. After looking to make sure no one is watching, we slip inside.
“What are we—?” she begins to ask, but before she can finish her question, I slam my mouth down on hers and lift her into my arms, carrying her over to the counter.
“We need to be quick,” I murmur against her mouth.
She parts her lips to argue, but when I tug her panties down her legs and then thrust my fingers inside her, finding her drenched, her argument is lost in her throat.
“Fuck, you’re so wet,” I mutter, trailing kisses along her neck.
As I’m finger-fucking her to make sure she’s ready for me, she clamps down on my hand with hers, so my fingers are inside her, but I can’t move them.
“Wait,” she breathes. “What about Brody?”
“He knows,” I tell her, nipping at her flesh. “Who do you think is watching the kids?”
“I-I can’t,” she says. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do this without him.”
My head snaps up at her admission.
“I know we haven’t discussed it,” she says, “but… I don’t like choosing. I want you both…always.”
I think for a moment, trying to wrap my head around what she’s saying, and then it hits me—every single time we’ve been with her has been together. She’s never been with just Brody or just me. It’s always the three of us.
“Okay,” I tell her, taking out my phone and sending a text to Brody to have his stepmom watch the kids so he can get his ass in here.
“What are you doing?” Bree asks.
“Making sure you don’t have to choose.” There’s a soft knock on the door, and I give her a quick kiss before I open it slightly to make sure it’s Brody. Once I know it is, I let him in and relock the door.
“Jesus, look at you,” he says, walking straight toward her.
“She’s soaked,” I tell him. “Feel her.”
I spread her legs, and Brody sticks a couple of fingers inside. “Fuck,” he groans. “You’re dripping wet.” He leans in and gives her a kiss. “I heard you need to be fucked.”
She nods. “By both of you.”
“How do you want it, sweetness?” he asks. “One at a time, or in both holes?”
We’ve fucked her ass enough by now that she barely needs lube to take us both, but to be on the safe side, we always carry travel packets with us.
“Both,” she says, her cheeks staining pink.
“Then that’s what you’ll have,” he tells her, lifting her off the counter and carrying her over to the couch. “Hayden, sit down and get ready for our girl.”
I do as he says, unbuttoning my pants and pulling my hard as hell dick out. Once I’m seated, Brody hands Bree over to me. She’s holding her dress up, so it’s easy to slide right inside her. She’s wet and warm and fucking perfect. Using my shoulders to steady herself, she begins to ride my cock. I’m so lost in her hot as fuck heat that I don’t realize Brody’s joined in until I feel his cock rubbing against mine through Bree’s walls.
“Is that what you wanted, baby?” I ask, nipping her bottom lip with my teeth. “You wanted to be fucked by both of us?”
“Yes,” she moans. “It feels so good. I feel so…full.”
She continues to fuck me while being fucked by Brody, and I watch as she swivels her hips, working my dick over like a pro. She’s gotten so good at this—taking us both. At first, she was shy, but over time, she’s come in to her own.
“Oh, God, Brody,” she groans. “Fuck my ass harder, please.”
He does as she demands, and she throws her head back, her eyes rolling upward in pure bliss. You’d never know how dirty she is by looking at her. She’s like those cupcakes she loves to bake. From the outside, they’re sweet and pretty, but with one bite, you realize they’re not just simply cupcakes—they’re filled with the most delicious cream. Messy as fuck but worth it.
“I’m close,” Bree gasps. “Oh—” Not wanting to chance anyone hearing her, I cover her mouth with mine as her walls tighten around my cock like a vise, sending me straight over the edge after her.
“Holy fuck,” Brody grunts, just before he pulls out of her ass and finishes in his hand. “Thanks for the invite,” he says with a smirk.
“Don’t thank me. Thank our woman. She said she wants us both…always.”
Brody’s brows rise at that information, and I shrug.
“Is that okay?” Bree asks, her head resting on my shoulder while my dick softens inside her. “I don’t know how it’s supposed to work, but I like being with you both.”
“Whatever you want is what you’ll get,” Brody says, walking around and kissing the top of her head. “You want us both, you’ll have us both…always.”
“That’s what I want,” she says, sighing in contentment.
After we clean up, we head back out, and if anyone notices our absence, they don’t mention it.
With my parents and their negativity gone, we’re all able to relax.
A few people give Brody, Bree, and me a curious look, but everyone thankfully keeps their questions and opinions to themselves.
“Have you thought about where you want to have the wedding?” Savy asks Bree over dinner.
“I’m not sure. Maybe at a hotel or somewhere cozy, like the bed and breakfast we went to,” she says, glancing at Brody and then me.
“Oh, that would be sweet,” Amalia says. “I’ll add it to the list of venues to look at.”
“We’d like to pay for your honeymoon as your wedding gift,” Ben says. “Brody said you guys are going to go away over winter break once the kids are out of school, but we’d like to pay for a trip for just you three.”
“And if Beatrice can’t watch the kids, we’d love to,” Savy adds.
“Oh, we couldn’t ask you to do that,” Bree says, shaking her head. “That’s way too much.”
“We want to,” Savy says, placing her hand over Bree’s. “We tried to pay for the wedding, but Brody refused.” She glares playfully at Brody. “Any ideas where you might want to go?”
“I don’t know,” Bree says. “I’ve never been anywhere.”
“Really?” I ask.
“Nope, I don’t even have a passport.”
“Well, we need to change that,” Brody says. “What about Italy or Paris? They’re both known for having amazing food. Right? Maybe you can meet some of those crazy chefs on that food show.”
At his words, Bree’s face falls. “Excuse me,” she breathes. “I need to use the bathroom.”
She takes off, and Brody and I exchange a look before we get up and follow her.
“What’s wrong?” I ask when we catch up to her in the bathroom.
She’s standing in front of the mirror, tears sliding down her cheeks as she tries to stop them with a tissue.
“I’m sorry,” she says. “I didn’t mean to?—”
“Hey,” I say, turning her to face us. “Don’t apologize for getting upset. Tell us why so we can fix it.”
“It’s not something you can fix,” she says. “I was supposed to go to France. Pete paid for me to study with some of my favorite chefs. It was his Christmas present to me. He had just given it to me right before he…” She chokes out a sob. “Right before his heart stopped.”
Oh, fuck.
“I never went. Beatrice offered to watch the kids so I could go, but I couldn’t find it in me to leave them. With Pete gone, I was all they had. It was just too hard.”
“I’m sorry,” Brody says, wiping under her eyes. “I didn’t know. Fuck Paris,” he jokes. “Nobody wants to meet those over-the-top chefs anyway.”
Bree snorts out a laugh. “Actually, I totally would,” she says with a watery smile. “Your words just caught me off guard and brought back memories of that day.”
Brody and I pull her into a hug and hold her until she’s calm and ready to go back out and join everyone.
The rest of the evening goes smoothly. We talk and eat and dance. At the end of the night, Ben and Savy give a speech, thanking everyone for coming out and supporting a cause that’s close to their heart, and then we take off. Since it’s the weekend, Bree and the kids spend the night. Bree cuddles with us until she’s ready to fall asleep, and then she moves to the bed she shares with Evie.
“We should order a bigger bed,” I say to Brody once she’s fast asleep. “I don’t see her wanting anything other than to sleep with both of us once they’re living here.”
“You okay with that?” Brody asks. Despite us being best friends, and me making it clear I’m okay with everything we’ve done together, he sometimes worries that his attraction to me will push me away.
“I’m more than okay with it,” I assure him. “I’ll start checking out beds, so we can have one here before they move in.”
As I’m pulling my phone out to do a search, a text comes through from my dad:
I need to see you in my office Monday morning at eight
I must make a noise of disgust because Brody asks if everything’s okay. “Yeah, just my dad and his bullshit.” I send a quick text back letting him know that’s not happening, then set his contact to mute, not wanting to deal with his crap tonight.
“Let’s look at some beds,” I say, clicking on the internet. “It needs to be big and comfortable.”
“Make sure it’s waterproof too,” Brody adds. When I give him a brow up in question, he smirks. “You see how wet our woman gets? Just wait until we have her in our bed every goddamn night.”
And because he isn’t lying, I add waterproof to the search.