42. Stasi #2
After the ceremony ends, the married couple sneaks off for pictures. Their metalhead friends are set loose on the open bar, but nothing really picks up until Hail and Z return.
I’m pretty sure Z’s cheeks will remain flushed the entire reception.
Max joins in the dancing with Felicity in his arms. She’s all giggles and spastic arm movements, and his eyes are brighter than I’ve ever seen them. He looks at her like he’s holding the entire world in his arms.
Hard times are coming for him, but it’s evident he’s going to rock this single dad thing, regardless .
Malek and Griff are nonstop energy. They spend the evening wrestling and piling their plates with an ungodly amount of food.
Maria slips into more Spanish with every cocktail she downs. We all nod like we understand her passionate words.
A woman named Selma flew in from London. She’s perched at the bar with Atonement’s band manager, Sondra. They’re not related, though their names are similar and they both seem to have dominating personalities.
Before I can slip off the dance floor to rest my feet, Liam catches me around the waist and spins me around to face the DJ.
Only, it’s Beau standing front and center, holding the guitar Liam bought him. His eyes fall on me, and a warm smile spreads on his beautiful face. My knees just about buckle.
I settle my weight against Liam behind me as we watch our man perform.
His song is slower than anything I’ve ever heard him play, but I recognize pieces he’s been tinkering with over the last few months, fighting through therapy, headaches, sleepiness, and depression.
The harmony is so beautiful. I feel like I’m breaking apart.
Splitting at the seams to spill out too many emotions all at once.
Beau was convinced he would never get up in front of a crowd like this again. Now he’s winning over hearts with his performance.
And good lord can the boy perform. Listening to him play in a quiet setting is one thing, but seeing him manipulate a crowd of a hundred-some musicians with a single song is quite another.
An achy pain blooms in my chest. If Beau’s back to where he needs to be, do I have any reason to stay at Liam’s house?
Liam turns me in his arms and leans down to my ear. “What’s wrong?”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “It’s nothing. ”
“Anastasia.” He nudges my chin with a knuckle, bringing my gaze to him.
I’m so fucked.
I’m so in love with both of them.
I don’t want to leave them.
I don’t want to move out.
“I should probably get my stuff from your house.”
His dark eyes shine with something indistinguishable, and my heartbeat falters.
“Or you can break your lease tomorrow and move in. Permanently.”
“Liam…”
His thumbs stroke along my jaw. “Is that what you want? You want all three of us together in my house?”
My fingers curl into his suit jacket. My brain tells me to shut down the offer. He’s just being his normal provider self. I don’t want to pressure him into an uncomfortable situation.
But then I remember Iris’s words. You need to speak up. Tell them what you want. Be brave. Make demands.
I nod frantically. “I want it. I want it so bad, Liam.”
“Then we’re picking up your boxes tomorrow.”
Liam presses his lips to mine, and we softly sway to the rest of Beau’s song in a sea of other couples. I haven’t felt this light on my feet since I can remember.
When Beau finishes performing, Liam gives me a nudge. “Go get him.”
I rush to wrap my arms around Beau. I’d hop into his arms if this dress allowed it.
“You’re incredible,” I exclaim .
Beau grins, peppering me with kisses. “Wouldn’t have gotten here without you.”
Liam joins us with ice waters from the bar, and we wander over to an empty red couch by one of the stone fire pits.
As we sit, Beau rests his head on my lap and slings a leg over Liam’s muscled thigh.
I run my fingers through his shorter hair, loving the texture of the buzzed sides and back.
I bend down to press my lips against his.
When I lean back up, Liam takes my chin in his hand, bringing me into a soft kiss.
“Hotel room or our home tonight?” Liam asks, his other hand sliding over the bare skin exposed through the slit of my dress. Heat rushes between my legs.
“Um…I vote for hotel room…” I say, blushing.
Totally not already picturing us wrecking it.
“Want,” Beau replies eagerly. “Want so hard.”
Glancing around the party, I wonder when it would be appropriate for us to slink off. Probably not until Hail and Z take their leave.
I can be patient. I have forever with my two men.
Eventually, the old Atonement crew wanders over. Always one to ruin a mood, Malek sprawls over Griff’s lap to get closer to us, a predatory jungle cat creeping on its prey.
“So, Liam. Let me get this straight. Or not straight.” A flash of sharp white teeth. “You’re fucking him, and he’s fucking her, and she’s fucking you?”
Griff jabs a hand into Malek’s ribs, and Malek curls up like a centipede.
“What? Everyone knows I have no filter,” Malek says.
“I wish you’d find one,” Hail complains, absentmindedly playing with his husband’s bowtie. Z’s smiles have come freely today. I notice his fingernails are painted the same shade of red as Hail’s dress shirt .
Relationship goals.
“My sex life isn’t up for discussion,” Liam replies.
“Yeah, asshole. Don’t ask people who they’re fucking.” Griff smacks Malek's head. Malek reaches a hand up to pinch at Griff’s nipple.
As soon as Hail ushers Z inside the hotel under the guise of resting up for their honeymoon flight out of DFW in the morning, the party starts to wind down.
Which means our night can begin.
Liam slides a room key into Beau’s pocket, letting his hand linger there. “Room 708.”
He leans over to kiss the hollow behind my ear. “I’m the only one allowed to peel that dress off you, understood?”
I nod desperately as Beau takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. “Let’s go, sweetheart. Our boyfriend wants to play.”
Reaching out, Liam grips Beau by the tie and tugs him down close to his mouth. “You can kiss her. You can touch yourself, but you don’t get to come until I say so.”
With Beau’s tiny growl of frustration, he leads me away.
I glance back at Liam as he takes a seat at the bar for a glass of sweet tea, knowing he’s about to make us wait for him.
Thankfully, it won’t take years this time.