Chapter Fourteen
Indy
Seth and I extended our trip another two weeks.
We needed time to figure things out with Bram.
If I thought about the future, my mind became overwhelmed.
I only had the energy to focus on the now.
We needed to get to know Bram. Seth and I had a relationship for years.
How Bram fit into it to make us whole was top priority.
My phone blew up with calls and texts from Dad. I answered only one, addressing it to him and Papa, telling them I needed more time before I came home for good. I told them I was not going to answer calls or texts for two weeks. I revealed no other information.
Dad kept texting questions and worries. As did Papa. I pushed all that to the side. My mates needed me. Right now. Our lives were changing. At this time, it was nobody’s business but our own.
Seth, Bram, and I sat arm in arm on the big bed in the hotel room.
The comforter was draped over us, but we were naked underneath.
Our lovemaking had been electric. All-consuming.
But we didn’t fall asleep right away. It was still light out.
Dinnertime loomed, though we weren’t anxious about it.
Instead, we leaned in to each other and talked.
We spoke about whatever came to mind, our thoughts, our feelings.
“I think it’s only fair, since Seth and I know each other well, that we each take as much time as we need to get to know you, Bram. Both separately as well as together.”
Both men looked at me.
“What do you mean by separate?” Bram asked.
I reached up to run my fingers through his hair. “I mean spending time one-on-one.” I glanced at Seth, hoping he didn’t take my words wrong.
Seth met my gaze. “I agree. I think it’s only fair. There’s two of us and one of you, Bram.”
“But I love being with both of you. We’re a triad. A throuple. We’re together. Like really together.”
“Of course we’re together,” I began. “Equals. Please, don’t get the wrong idea. I just meant, I would love to spend time with you Bram, focusing on you 100 percent.”
“He’s right,” Seth interjected. “I want that, too. I want to focus on you, Bram. See you as an individual.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Date nights,” I said.
“Huh?” Bram still didn’t seem to be on the same page, although the bond we now shared projected he was flattered and intrigued.
Seth clapped, grinning. “Brilliant idea, Indy. Date nights. We each get a night to take Bram on the town and wine and dine him. Or whatever he chooses.”
Seth always came through for me. I was relieved there would be no residual jealousy or possessiveness on his part or mine.
Or, for that matter, Bram’s. Relationships could be tricky that way, but Fate had set it up so we three were amazingly compatible.
With our bond forming so quickly, it was nearly impossible to experience any real sense of separation even if we did do one-on-one date nights.
“Indy, it’s your idea. You go first. Take Bram on the ultimate date of his life,” Seth said.
Bram was between us, but that didn’t keep me from leaning across his chest and kissing Seth right on the mouth. Seth put his hand on the back of my head and pulled me in, while Bram squeaked at being suddenly squished.
That settled it between all three of us. And the very next day, which was Bram’s night off from Animals, I made plans to treat Bram to a wonderful day of shopping and eating, then a walk on the beach. I insisted on paying for everything.
I loved having Bram at my side as I walked through the Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego, acting like the tourist I was.
Bram had not lived here long, so much of it was new to him, too.
There were a lot of specialty shops in the mall.
We went into a few, and I offered to buy Bram anything he wanted, but he was uncooperative and didn’t want a thing.
We ate on the patio of a restaurant: fresh greens, fish, and, for the wolf, a large steak cooked rare. We shared a chocolate sundae and were still talking after we finished, so I ordered us coffee.
I asked him lots of questions about his life and his feelings.
“Do you miss your pack?” I asked.
“I’ve put that out of my mind.”
I switched the conversation to another subject. “What’s your favorite thing to do?”
“Like a hobby?”
“Yeah. Like that.”
“I love to swim and read. I love my job. I guess I’m also pretty good at drawing.”
“Do you draw figures? Would you draw me?”
“I’d be very inspired to draw you,” he replied.
Our conversation continued.
“I almost didn’t go to Animals that night we met,” I confessed. “Seth felt the need more than I did.” I bowed my head.
“Why?”
“I was sad.”
His eyes grew deep as he looked at me. “Because you and Seth were going to break up.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yeah. It made me feel such deep pain. I wondered if I could even live through it. I didn’t tell him that, though. We both had our birthrights to honor. If I died of a broken heart, I almost didn’t care.”
“Because life wasn’t worth living without him. I can sense what you felt through our bond. Right here.” He tapped his chest.
I nodded then took a sip of my coffee to clear my throat. “We were two alphas. We were required to marry omegas. Arranged marriages and all that. We had no idea as two alphas, we could ever be actual fated mates.”
“But it felt like that, right?” Bram asked.
“Definitely.”
Bram took a few deep breaths then reached across the table to where my hand rested next to my coffee cup. He put his palm over it and said, “Now you know you were both right all along.”
“Yeah.”
“You know what I think?”
“What?”
“I’m the luckiest omega in the world. Two unicorns. It’s magic. Who knew?”
We both laughed.
After our big meal, we drove to the beach to catch the sunset. We talked nonstop, and again, I had the feeling I’d known Bram all my life but had somehow forgotten all the details.
We got our feet wet in the foamy tide then sat on the sandy boardwalk wall and watched the orange sun plunge into the faraway ocean depths.
Back in the car, we shared a passionate kiss.
I felt Seth through the bond. He had been happily watching a comedy in the hotel room and catching up on his sleep. Now that it was dark, he was waiting for us to return. Something told me he had a surprise up his sleeve.
When we walked in the room, Seth had transformed the room with strings of lights, silver and gold balloons, and champagne on ice. There was a fruit plate and a charcuterie tray.
“Wow.” Bram grinned and grabbed one of the balloons, making it sway.
“Missed us?” I went straight to Seth and kissed him.
Seth shrugged. “Just thought you’d like to have a little party to celebrate your date.” He tilted his head at me. “How was it?”
“The best.” I took both his hands in my own. “And now that we’re here with you, it’s even better.”