Chapter 8
Mia
The week is restless between the constant juggle of classes, schoolwork, and my mind being pulled in a million directions.
Well, two directions. Mainly, the two men in my life who won’t stop fighting over me, which is one hundred percent my fault, because I’m ridiculously in love with both of them.
Felicity and Sloane’s suggestion has been an annoying echo in my head every time I find myself thinking about Parker and Leo.
This entire situation is incredibly unfair to all of us, and I know I’ve reached the point where something needs to give. None of us can continue on like this, but I’m weak, and selfish, and desperate to keep both of them.
I sling my bag over my shoulder, walking out of the library after my Wednesday study session, when I see Parker sitting alone on a bench in front of a large oak tree.
My heart rate picks up as I admire him from a distance.
He’s so handsome it’s almost painful. His loosely styled blond hair hangs over his forehead as he peers down at a book.
Probably some old literature he can’t keep his nose out of.
The chemistry between Parker and me is .
. . intense. He’s always understood my needs without me needing to express them.
He’s dominant at all the right times, and supportive and nurturing in all the others.
Leo is a balance of that intensity. Together, they’re the perfect combination of everything I need.
But my needs aside, I’ve never met people like them before.
Parker is considerate and accepting, only wanting the best for everyone around him, regardless of what that means for himself.
And Leo, god, Leo has the most tender soul I’ve ever met, and he keeps it so protected, locked up tight, and I wish more than anything he could embrace it out in the open.
I’m so madly in love with them that it feels borderline painful.
Parker looks up from his book and meets my eyes before I’ve even taken a step in his direction.
He’s always been so in tune with me, feeling me before he sees me.
His lips curl up at the side in a sexy-as-hell smirk that promises dirty, filthy things that I know firsthand he can see through.
Warmth spreads low in my belly as my core throbs. My body is a traitor and a huge hussy.
Parker leans back against the bench, dropping his arm casually across the top as he waits, knowing I don’t resist the call to him, even though I know I need to. What we did in my class wasn’t fair to Leo, and I can’t do that again.
But being with Leo isn’t fair to Parker, either.
Not when he knows how I feel. I’ve known that Leo would eventually be pulled into Crimson Veil, but finding out Parker is there, too, has really rattled me.
I’ve been thinking about what I need to do since we found out a few days ago, but it’s the opposite of what I want, and breaking it off with both of them is going to kill me.
But right now, I need them to focus on what’s important, and that’s surviving whatever hell Crimson Veil and Corvus College are going to put them through.
I’m a distraction. So, I need to remove myself from the equation.
“Hey,” I say as I kick his shoe.
“Sit with me, little rebel. You just made my day.”
“Did I now?”
“If you can’t be naked in my bed right now, then this is the next best thing. Just getting to see you.” A blush blooms on my cheeks, and I bite my lip to keep from smiling. The idea of being naked in this man’s bed does things to me, though, and I have to squeeze my legs together.
Parker grins at me, his eyes flicking down to the apex of my thighs, a knowing look filling his features. Asshole. “Smooth, Park. How are you doing since finding out about . . . you know.”
“I’m fine. It’s not like I have a choice in the matter. How are you dealing with having both of us in there?”
“Me?” I ask in surprise. But then I realize I’ve been so focused on how it affects Parker and Leo, I haven’t processed how it could affect me.
“I just want you two to get through it. Leo has explained it to me, but I still don’t really grasp all of it.
You know me, I’m a firm believer that everyone should have the choice to do what they want, safely, obviously, and it seems like being there takes away your freedom and your ability to live freely.
Honestly, Park, I just want you and Leo to be happy,” I sigh.
Parker reaches out, cupping my cheek, running his thumb back and forth tenderly. I lean into it, accepting the warm comfort he brings me.
“You make us happy. You know that, right?” Do I? It seems like I’m a selfish asshole who’s ruining the lives of two men who only want to be with me. Parker must see the turmoil on my face because he reaches into his backpack, pulling out a pack of Skittles and tossing them into my lap.
“There’s that smile I live for. Life is good, we just need to take things a day at a time. Tomorrow isn’t promised, let’s not waste it being stressed.”
I rip open the package of candy, dropping a few into my hand and picking out the red ones first, handing two purple ones to Parker. He pops them in his mouth, giving me a wink that’s far too sexy for his own good.
It’s so easy being with him, and I miss this comfort between us.
I miss him. My bottom lip starts to quiver as tears prick my eyes.
Even if I found some way to convince both of them to be with me, it would never work.
Society would never allow it. Leo’s parents would never allow it.
And who knows if there’s some ridiculous, outdated Crimson Veil laws about procreating and lineage bullshit.
A tear trickles down my cheek, and Parker notices immediately, scooping me up into his lap.
“You know I love you. But right now . . .”
“Hey, none of that. I know you love me. And I know you love him. It’s okay. We can’t help these things, Mia. You don’t owe me anything.”
“I just want you both to focus on getting through your trials, and I don’t want to be a distraction.”
“You’re the best distraction.”
“But I can’t distract you both from this. It’s too important. I need you two to work together, I need Leo to help you get through this, and neither of you will be able to do that with me between you.”
“Rebel . . .”
I move off his lap, sitting back on my knees, facing him. He reaches out to wipe away the tears. “You know I’m right. Just be nice to him, okay? You don’t know the real him. I need you two to get through this and not want to rip out each other’s throats because of me.”
Parker opens his mouth, and I know he’s going to fight me on it. I put my fingers over his lips, stopping him. “Promise me, Park.” He squints at me before nodding once, opening his mouth just enough to nip at my fingers.
I grab his hand, placing a long, hard kiss to the center of his palm before standing and walking away, leaving the other half of my heart behind.