Chapter 15
The last thing Reece expected to find sitting on her couch after a day of shopping with Sabrina was Malachi.
She froze in the doorway, bags hanging from both arms. “What are you doing here?” The words came out harsher than she’d intended and Scarlet frowned at her.
Malachi only shrugged and resumed his game. “It’s Call of Duty day.”
“Oh.” She set the heavy bags on the floor, avoiding eye contact with Scarlet, who’d scold her for sounding so rude. But she hadn’t thought through the fact that he’d still come over every Friday and Tuesday to play games with Scarlet. If she’d known that, she might have stayed out longer. Having to see his face, hear his voice twice a week and knowing he wasn’t hers would be difficult. They’d all agreed to stay friends but maybe a clean break would’ve been better.
“Hey, Scarlet,” Sabrina said, pushing past Reece. When she spotted the couch inhabitant, she gave Reece a look then said, “Oh, hi, Mal.”
“Hey, Sabrina,” they both mumbled, keeping their gaze on the screen.
Reece had just explained the whole mess to Sabrina at dinner. She’d told her how she’d come to care for him and how much it hurt to lose him. And now here he was, sitting on their couch like he had so many times before – like the stray dog that just wouldn’t leave. Her chest started to ache.
Retreat! Her instincts screamed.
“What are you doing with all these bridal magazines?” Sabrina asked from the kitchen.
Was she going through her mail? “Picking out wedding stuff, nosy.”
Scarlet jumped in while pressing buttons furiously. “She’s been obsessed with weddings since she was a little girl. She’s picked out, like, a thousand dresses already. Haven’t you, kitten?”
She chuckled. “Yes. But I think I have it narrowed down to three.”
“Shouldn’t someone propose first?” Sabrina asked, coming into the living room, magazine in hand.
“You’d think,” Scarlet answered.
Reece flipped a hand in the air casually. “Details, details.”
Sabrina ran her fingers over the magazine cover longingly and frowned.
“Are you sad you couldn’t have a traditional wedding, Sabrina?” Reece asked her. She’d never thought of that before. It was hard enough for families to accept a lesbian relationship, but add polyamory to that and minds would be blown. It was asking a lot for people to not only accept it but to come to a wedding and celebrate it. No wonder Jude, Q and Sabrina had opted for a small commitment ceremony with only close friends.
After a moment, Sabrina shook her head. “No. Big weddings are a waste of money. Besides, if we want an excuse for a party, we have a million reasons with Zen.”
Reece sighed. “Yeah.” A wedding then a baby. It was the natural progression of things. Of course, they’d have to get creative about making a family. They’d talked about adoption before but they had to get through the wedding first, then a bigger house. “It’s complicated for you guys. I admire you. I definitely couldn’t skip a wedding and I have no idea how you co-parent with three people.”
Sabrina shrugged. “It’s not so bad. It’s kind of nice actually. The whole takes a village to raise a child thing. It’s really true. The more people that love Zen, the better.”
“Make sure you tell her I love her the most cause Auntie Reecey buys her the most clothes,” she teased.
Her friend laughed then handed the magazine over. “Speaking of that... Zen is probably still awake, waiting for Mommy to tuck her in. I should go.”
“Okay.” Reece reached out and hugged her friend.
“Bye, Scarlet and Malachi. Have fun with your little game.” She smirked and opened the door.
The two game addicts barely looked at her as they mumbled goodbyes. Reece spared a glance at her two Doms, er, two used-to-be-Doms then decided to make a quick getaway to her office. Just before she reached the door, Malachi called for her.
“Come play with us, Reecey.” He grinned when he used the nickname.
She rolled her eyes. “Not today.”
“Come on,” Malachi said. “You’re a natural. You almost won last time.”
“All I did was press buttons randomly.”
“Sit with us at least,” Scarlet insisted.
“No. I have work to do.”
“Kitten –” Malachi started but she cut him off.
“I’m not your kitten,” she snapped. “Not anymore.”
Just before she shut her office door, she caught a glimpse of Scarlet’s puzzled expression. She’d have questions later. Maybe it was time to come clean and tell her the truth. She was so deeply in love with Malachi, she couldn’t bear to see him anymore.
***
“Reece,” a soft voice eased her awake. “Wake up, baby.”
“Hmm?” Her eyelids felt glued together but she managed to open them. The office wall was sideways and her cheek was pressed up against something hard. She lifted her head and a piece of paper stuck to her face.
Scarlet chuckled from behind her then pulled off the paper. Reece rubbed her eyes and yawned. She must’ve fallen asleep while she was working.
“What time is it?” she asked.
Scarlet came around to her side. “One thirty.”
“It’s late. What are you doing up?”
Grabbing her hand, she pulled her to stand. “I’m off tomorrow. I can sleep in. Come on. Let’s get you to bed.”
Too tired to argue, she let Scarlet lead her out of the office to their bedroom. She groaned as she rolled her head and stretched her neck. “Remind me never to do that again. I’m gonna need a chiropractor tomorrow.”
The bed looked so cozy, she stripped down to her underwear and climbed in without bothering with a pajama top.
“We need to talk,” Scarlet said. “Either now or in the morning. You pick.”
Playing dumb seemed a good idea for the moment. “What do we need to talk about?”
Scarlet pulled on a tank top and boxer shorts then slid into bed next to her. “Why you were so rude to Malachi tonight.”
Reece rolled onto her side so she could avoid eye contact. “I was just in a bad mood, that’s all.”
It was quiet for a moment. She stiffened, waiting for Scarlet to respond.
Finally, Scarlet sighed. “Why are you lying to me, kitten? We tell each other everything.”
The hurt in her voice made Reece feel like shit. Scarlet was right. They had always told each other everything. But when she opened her mouth to answer her throat closed up and she couldn’t find the words. How did you tell the one you love that you love someone else too? Tears pricked her eyes.
Scarlet began stroking her hair softly. “Do you have feelings for him?”
A tear fell as she nodded.
“I do too.”
What? She rolled over to face Scarlet. “You do?”
Her girlfriend’s nose was pink, like she was holding back tears too. Reece flung her arms around her neck and pulled her down so Scarlet’s face was nuzzled in her neck. “But that’s a good thing,” Reece said. “Maybe he wants us too. Maybe we can be like Jude and...” She trailed off when she felt Scarlet shake her head.
After a deep breath, Scarlet tugged out of her embrace and lifted her head. “He’s getting back together with Ivy. He told me tonight that he’s going to ask her to move in with him again.”
“Ivy? Didn’t she break his heart?”
She nodded and sat up then looked down at Reece. All evidence of crying was gone like she was trying to put on a strong front for Reece. “But you know he loves her. He told me tonight she visited him and begged him to take her back. He decided to give it another chance.”
Reece’s heart jumped in her throat. “But she’s bad for him! We’re better. We make him happy. Our kinks line up. We’re good together.”
“I know. But he loves her. Really, really loves her, and has for a long time. We can’t mess up this chance for him. If we get in the way, he’ll never know if it would’ve worked with her.”
She scowled. “She doesn’t deserve him.”
Her girlfriend flopped down onto her back with a sigh. “If we love him, we’ll let him go.”
Reece turned and rested her head on her elbow to look at Scarlet. “And if he comes back, we know he’s ours? Isn’t that a little Hallmark for you, Romeo?”
A hint of a smile played at Scarlet’s lips. “Smartass.” Without warning, she swung her body onto Reece’s and straddled her hips.
When Reece sighed and went to push her off, Scarlet grabbed her wrists and pinned them on either side of her head.
“Not tonight, Scarlet. I’m too tired and sad.”
“Mmm,” she purred. “But I can cheer you up.”
Mind on everything but sex, she shook her head. “How are we gonna handle hanging out with him twice a week just as friends? I could barely look at him tonight without bursting into tears.”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” she mumbled sadly then pushed away. “I have a feeling once he’s back with Ivy, that’s the last we’ll see of him.” Scarlet lay back down next to Reece but pulled her against her chest and wrapped her arms around her.
“Really? But he seemed so adamant about staying friends.”
“Think about it.” Scarlet ran her fingers through Reece’s hair, making her eyes drift shut. “What woman would be okay with their man hanging out with two kinky bi girls he’d played with numerous times?”
“Oh.” She yawned. Part of her wanted to pound her pillow as she screamed then collapse onto it and sob, but she was too tired for such theatrics. Maybe tomorrow she’d dredge up more emotion. This wasn’t over, she knew that much. The pain was just beginning to surface. As the realization that he was truly gone struck fully, there’d be more tears.
For now, Scarlet’s petting lulled her into a deep sleep .