26. Sarah
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
sarah
I started a pot of coffee right as a knock echoed through the house. My heart leapt to my throat, but then my phone buzzed.
Sammy : It’s me at the door
“Oh,” I breathed out.
The stress over not knowing who was at the door would linger for a while. I winced and looked down at myself. Once again, he’d caught me looking like a raccoon that’d crawled out of a trash can. I wasn’t even wearing a bra.
He’s seen me naked. It’s not like it matters now…
Those thoughts didn’t help. I hesitated before unlocking the front door and opening it quietly.
Fuck, he was hot.
Sammy stood there with a big box in his hands and a tote bag slung over his shoulder. Dawn turned the sky pale purple behind him, while the quiet neighborhood was still tucked in bed. He was dressed in dark jeans and a henley shirt that showed off his forearms, and his lips tugged into a smile. He’s too hot for me.
A cold wind lifted, hitting me right in the chest. His stormy blue eyes slid down to my breasts as my nipples hardened.
“Mm. Good morning, gorgeous,” he said. “I come bearing gifts you cannot return.”
“What?” I hissed. “Sammy…”
He slipped past me before I could protest further. I shut the door and followed him to the kitchen, crossing my arms. He sat the box and bag on the table and started to pull out containers.
I frowned. “What…?”
“So, I hope the boys like it too. But I prepared meals for you, them, and Emma for the next few days. Most of them are chicken fajita bowls, but I also made some sandwiches with chips that they can take to school. I thought it might give you some extra time back.”
I was stunned. I stared in shock, not sure what to say.
“This is too much,” I whispered. “Why did you do all this?”
He looked up at me. “Because I care about you. And you work so damn much. Cooking brings me joy, and for the first time ever, I’ve had people to cook for.”
I stared at all of the containers, thinking about the amount of time he’d just saved me by not needing to cook or worry. It wasn’t even about the time, but the fact he’d even thought that much about me.
And that he’d thought about Davy and Jake and Emma.
He took a step toward me, rubbing the sides of my arms gently. “Is this too much?”
“It is,” I whispered. “But it’s also one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. Thank you.”
I slid my arms around him, all of my earlier insecurities melting away. He cupped my face and kissed me gently, humming as he drew back.
“I heard about your shift last night…”
His smirk made me scoff. “That rat bastard told you everything, huh?”
“Yeah, he did. All I’m saying is that I, too, will be at the cafe with you all day…”
I snickered. “I see. Noted. I’m glad I get to see you today.”
“Me too.”
He kissed me harder this time. I wrapped my arms around him, leaning into him.
“Mom?”
Sammy released me and I turned around, surprised to see Jake up so early. “Oh, good morning,” I said, blushing. He wrinkled his nose at me and Sammy.
It was probably time I talked to him and Davy, right?
“You’re up early,” I said. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I heard a man’s voice and didn’t know Sammy was here.”
Fuck. I hadn’t even thought about that.
“Sorry, bud,” Sammy said. He left my side and held out his hand for a low-five. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I’m not scared,” Jake said defiantly, slapping his palm.
“Can I tell you a secret?” Sammy asked.
Jake’s eyes lit up. “Yeah. What secret?”
“I’m really good at making pancakes. Do you and Davy like them?”
“I want pancakes! I’ll tell Davy.”
He took off running. “Quietly!” I hissed. “Emma is still sleeping.”
Jake nodded and darted up the stairs. Sammy offered me an apologetic smile. “Hope that’s okay.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m not going to complain about being cooked for. I’ll talk to them this week about you and Colt.”
“There’s no rush,” he said. “But of course, I think we’d both like that. Also, Colt and I were talking about vasectomies so you don’t have to stay on birth control. Does it mess with your hormones a lot?”
“It can,” I said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve taken them though. Is that really something you both want?”
He closed the distance between us in one step and leaned down to whisper in my ear. “I want to fuck you and fill you over and over again, so yes. It’s something I’m interested in. And I think our boyfriend wants that too.”
My cheeks flamed. He peppered soft kisses on my forehead, then started to put the meals in the fridge. I stood there like an idiot for a few moments, trying to make my brain work.
“I’ll pull out pancake stuff,” I finally said.
“Okay. But then you should sit and enjoy your coffee while it’s hot.”
Maybe I was becoming spoiled, because I didn’t argue. I pulled everything out for him, poured a cup of coffee, and took a seat to watch him cook.
I sipped my coffee. My shift didn’t start until this afternoon, so I had some time to enjoy the morning. Sammy winked at me as he closed the fridge, with all of the meals organized within.
“Are they picky eaters?” he asked.
“Davy is sometimes, but they’re both pretty easy,” I said. “But no shellfish. Jake is allergic.”
Sammy nodded. “Good to know. I’ll make a note.”
“Okay, chef,” I teased.
I heard footsteps again. Jake practically dragged Davy down, both of them dressed and clearly ready for the promised pancakes.
“Morning, love bug,” I said.
“Hi,” Davy sighed. He eyed Sammy suspiciously and I could see his mind working. “Is Sammy your boyfriend?”
Welp. So much for waiting for this conversation.
“Okay. Family meeting time. Let’s go talk in the living room,” I said, getting up.
“I’ll have pancakes ready in a few,” Sammy said.
“Thanks.”
I led my boys to the living room and pointed to the couch. They took a seat and I opted for the ottoman in front of them, gripping my mug.
Davy crossed his arms and scowled while Jake kicked his feet. It was clear he was anxious too, though.
“I have decided to start dating Sammy and Colt,” I said.
“ Both of them?” Davy asked.
“Yes,” I said. “The three of us are dating each other. There are different kinds of romantic relationships, and what we’re doing is called polyamory. It means that you love more than one person.”
“Is that even possible?” Jake asked.
“It is,” I chuckled. “I love both of you, don’t I? I care about Colt and Sammy and I want them in our lives. I know they want to get to know you more too.”
They looked at each other. I couldn’t imagine what either of them were thinking. This was one of those moments that only the two of them could have.
“I want you both to know you can ask me anything,” I said. “You boys are old enough to understand what polyamory means. I’m still learning about it myself.”
Davy pressed his lips together. “I guess it’s cool. I like Colt and Sammy.”
“I do too,” Jake said. “Do we have to call them dad?”
“No,” I laughed, grinning. “We’re still figuring this out, so I think it might be a little soon for that. Don’t you think? Besides, you’re still getting to know them too.”
“Yeah,” Davy said. “They make you smile. That makes me happy. ”
“Me too, baby,” I said.
“Why isn’t Colt here?” Jake asked.
“I think he’s busy this morning.” I leaned forward to pat his leg. “Maybe we can plan dinner with all five of us at some point.”
“With pizza?” Jake asked. “And games? I showed Sammy our games and he liked them.”
Davy shook his head. “He was probably just kidding.”
“I don’t think he was,” I said. “But you should ask him. Give him and Colt a chance. They’re not like… Well, they’re nothing like David.”
Jake and Davy both frowned. “Are we safe?” Jake asked.
“Yes,” I said, my chest squeezing. “Uncle Cameron’s brother, Hunter, is going to install more cameras around the house. And the two of you are super duper safe.”
“Are you safe?” Davy asked.
“Yes. Sammy and Colt are helping keep me safe.”
Davy nodded. “Okay. I’ll give them a chance then.”
I smiled as the two of them got up and headed back for the kitchen. I sat there for a few moments, trying to decide if I’d handled that well. Some parts of parenting were really just guessing. I’d never thought I’d be explaining why I’m dating two men to my kids, but here I was. And it seemed like it worked.
There were a lot of things to be worried about right now, but if Sammy and Colt could win me over, they could win Jake and Davy over too.
I leaned forward to see Sammy cooking and chatting with the boys. My heart leapt as he handed the spatula to Davy and showed him how to flip a pancake.
Seeing them together healed a part of me I’d never realized was broken until now.
I took another sip of coffee and smiled to myself, taking a mental snapshot and tucking it away. I never wanted to forget this.
After pancakes and dropping the boys off at school, I took my time getting ready. Sammy sprawled out on my bed, his feet hanging off the edge, watching me as I got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. I’d closed the bedroom door for some sort of privacy and to hide from the smirk Emma had when she saw Sammy cooking breakfast earlier. She’d left a few minutes ago to ‘run errands’.
“What if I stole you from the cafe and made love to you all day?” he asked.
My eyes widened and I gave him a look that said ‘ hush .’ “Sammy,” I hissed.
He smiled as I pulled my hair up into a bun. I glanced at myself in the mirror and flopped on the bed next to him. He rolled over, snaking his arm around my waist and tugging me close.
“You’re beautiful.”
He ran his thumb over my bottom lip before kissing me. While his touch was soft, it was also electric. Tiny shocks scattered over my skin as I arched against him, so desperately wanting more.
“I have to get to work,” I rasped.
“I know,” he murmured. “Are you sure you can’t be late? We have the house to ourselves…”
He was right. We were alone.
I glanced at the clock. “I only have twenty minutes. I don’t think we have time, Sammy, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, angel. We’ll find time today or this week then,” he said, kissing my forehead.
I nodded and slid my arms around him, hugging him tightly for a few seconds before peeling away. The bed creaked as we got up and he followed me downstairs.
I smiled as I opened our shoe cabinet, taking a seat on the bench right next to the front door. I reached for my tennis shoes, and froze.
They looked brand fucking new.
In fact, as I turned it over to study the bottom of the shoe, I realized there was no way that these were mine. I scouted around for my beat up pair, but they were nowhere to be found.
Where the hell were they? And where did these come from?
They were the same size too.
I stared at them and then shook my head. Was I imagining things?
Someone had bought me new shoes.
Sammy frowned. “What’s wrong?”
I held up the shoe. “Did you do this?”
He raised a brow. “Did I do what?”
“Buy these?”
“Nope.”
Dammit. Who had? Colt? I pulled my phone out and immediately texted him a picture.
Me : Did you do this??? Why would you buy me new shoes?
Colton : Sugar, that’s just the first gift of many.
I scoffed. “I can’t believe he did this.”
A wide grin split Sammy’s face. “I approve.”
“How did he even pull this off?” I asked.
“I don’t know. That man is full of surprises. Clearly.”
I sighed and unlaced the shoes. The moment I slipped them on, I closed my eyes, holding back tears. I wasn’t sure how long I’d kept the other pair, but the immediate relief in my feet was too much.
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with the two of you,” I whispered, looking down at the shoes. I wiggled my toes and bit back tears. “You’re both too good to me.”
Sammy knelt down in front of me and slid his hand over mine. “We want to take care of you.”
“But why? What do I do in return?”
“What do you mean? You’re a gift just by being you, Sarah. That’s what you give in return. Your presence, your smile. That’s all we need.”
I pressed my lips together, but nodded.
Even with the hell-storm around us, I felt hope. I longed for the happy ending I’d dreamed about as a teenager.
With Colt and Sammy, maybe that could really happen.