14. Discovery
Discovery
Dante
It took almost every night this week, but finally we have our own rooms and bathrooms set up. A pair of rooms are on either side of the living space we’ve created on the third floor. Each of the two sets of bedrooms share a bathroom between them.
Drew got stuck sharing a side with Finn, which will inevitably lead to Finn sneaking in while Drew has Sara in his bed. But that’s their issue to work out. Probably for the best, Drew seems the most willing to share.
Sara walks into my room and sits on the edge of the bed. “What are we going to do on the weekends?”
I smile as she plucks at the comforter. Actually, my old bed. The new one is down in the primary bedroom.
“You really want to sleep all together all the time, pip?” I arch an eyebrow at her. It probably works for her, but waking up to a guy next to me every morning isn’t on the top of my priority list. However, I do like it when I wake up next to Sara.
She gives a shrug and meets my eyes. “I don’t see a problem with it.”
“Drew’s already got a guy in there measuring to turn one of the guest bedrooms into another bathroom for the primary suite.
” I sit down next to her and she tips her chin up to look into my eyes.
“I don’t mind us all sleeping together, but I want you to myself sometimes.
Besides, sleeping separately will be better for our workweek. Less chaos in the morning.”
She pouts but she knows I’m right. And I’m not the only one craving alone time with Sara.
Drew stops in my doorway and leans on the frame. His hands are tucked into his pockets. “What’s wrong, princess?”
“I like sleeping together.” She lifts her gaze to his.
He chuckles and steps into my room, giving me a quick glance to ask if it’s okay. I nod. We’re definitely going to need to set up ground rules. While Sara might be everyone’s, I don’t know that I want to share everything in my life with three other men.
“How about we have a movie night with pizza and popcorn?” Drew sits on her other side.
“That’s the other thing. We can’t go out on dates until this Alexander thing is resolved.”
She blows out a frustrated breath.
We don’t know when he might make a move. We’re safer at home all together.
Her pale green eyes meet mine. “I know what we have will never be truly normal, but I’d like to at least be as normal as we can be.”
“Staying in won’t be so bad, pip.” I brush her hair over her shoulder and a little shiver goes through her.
“We could probably all go out to brunch tomorrow morning,” Drew offers. He already has his phone open and I would guess he’s making a reservation.
“That would be nice.” Sara cracks a small smile but it’s a little sad. “Caitlyn loves brunch. It’s her grown-up time.” She pauses for a second. “Am I being a bad sister for moving out while she’s gone? She won’t even have time to adjust to it.”
I rub Sara’s back. “Caitlyn will be fine. It’s not like you’re leaving the state. She’s a drive away. Besides, she’ll be able to come over and hang out. It will make her feel more grown-up than brunch.”
Sara leans her head against my arm. “You’re right, boss. Change is just hard.”
“Come on.” Drew stands and offers Sara his hand.
When she takes it, he helps her to her feet and pulls her into his arms.
She looks up at him with that look she gives all of us. Like we hung the moon for her. And fuck if we wouldn’t try if that’s what she needed.
“We can make tonight better, princess.”
“How are you going to do that?” Her eyes widen.
“We’ll make it a slumber party. Pajamas required.” Drew glances at me. Not necessarily for permission, but making sure it will fly with the others.
I shrug. We’re on the top floor. If Natasha or Tom venture up here, they get what they get. Us in boxers and Sara in pajamas.
“That sounds like fun.” Sara grins and goes up on her toes to kiss Drew. He sweeps her up against him and deepens the kiss. This feels easy and comfortable. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined sharing Sara not only with Wyatt and Finn, but with Drew Young.
Then again, I never imagined I’d have her at all. Maybe that’s why this works. None of us could have had her on our own. When I stand, Drew releases Sara. She comes over to me and I lift her. Her arms and legs wrap around me as I kiss her.
She lets out a happy sigh as her lips part beneath mine. We deepen the kiss, tasting and teasing each other. I pull back before I give in to the urge to back her against a wall and take what she so sweetly offers.
I rest my head against hers and breathe her in.
“Get dressed, pip.” I lower her to her feet. “Then we’ll go down and make popcorn. I’ll order us some pizza.”
“That leaves me in charge of the movie?” Drew smirks.
“No porn.” I arch an eyebrow. That might be a step too far.
“Killjoy.” He laughs. “What do you want to watch, Sara?”
She flattens her palm over my heart before turning and heading downstairs to the primary where all her clothes are. Drew follows her as she begins to list off movies.
Wyatt comes through our shared bathroom and stares after them. “What’s the plan then?”
“Movie and pizza up here. Pajamas.” I shrug.
“Drew met with Cross today.” Wyatt leans against the doorframe. “We need to have a talk with Tom and all get on the same page. Maybe without Sara and Natasha.”
I smile and clench my hands. “Are you thinking the boxing gym?”
He nods. “Yeah. A safe way to get our aggression out.”
Finn walks past my door but stops when he sees Wyatt and me. “Slumber party. Sara told me.”
“Yeah. We need gym time tomorrow afternoon. Your guys can cover Sara and Natasha?” I ask.
“Not my guys, but yeah, they can secure the house while we’re gone.” Finn narrows his eyes. “We fighting?”
“It’s time we work through this.” Wyatt steps back into the bathroom and through to his room.
“You sure Tom will go for it?” Finn asks me.
“If he wants to repair our friendship, it will be a start.” We’ll never be what we used to be, but for Sara’s sake, we need to figure out how to go forward.
Sara
The house is huge. I don’t know if it’s what we’ll need down the road, but right now, I’d rather be closer to my guys. Dante came with me downstairs to the kitchen to make popcorn and get some drinks.
“Thinking about adding a small bar with a minifridge upstairs so we can have drinks on hand.” Dante moves confidently around the kitchen like we’ve lived here for years instead of less than a week. I still can’t find anything and I helped put most of it away.
“You want to make changes already? We’ve barely settled into this house. I thought we weren’t even sure if it would work for all of us long-term.”
My insides tighten. I didn’t go away to college. I hid at my parents’ and that worked for me because I didn’t have a compelling reason to move out. Independence didn’t appeal to me after what happened in high school. And I had reasons to want to be home. Safe. Hidden.
“Just talking, pip.” Dante sets some sodas on the island and closes the refrigerator. “We don’t have to make any changes if you don’t want to.”
“That’s the thing, boss. I don’t know what I want. I’m not even sure I’m ready to leave my mom’s house or what this will look like when she gets back.” When I raise my eyes to his, I shrug. “It’s easy to play house when it’s necessary, but when Mom gets home...”
She’s going to have a lot to say about what Tom and I have been up to.
I don’t know how she’ll take any of this.
Or what she’ll do. She was happy when I chose to stay home instead of living in the dorms or finding an apartment on my own.
Part of her still clings to both of us, thinking that will keep us safe.
Which is why Tom’s room is a freaking museum and has been since he finally moved out.
Now that I know what really happened to our father, I understand why.
“We’re in this with you, Sara.” Dante lifts me onto the counter next to the microwave where the popcorn spins.
He brushes my hair away from my face and searches my eyes.
“You’re worried. We are too. We love your mom like she’s our own.
You won’t have to tell her by yourself. And with what Tom has to share, I think we’ll get off easy. ”
I shake my head but smile. “Tom’s going to be in so much trouble.”
“Worse than the time he sold his car.”
I laugh. “Or the time he promised two girls he’d take them to the prom and there was a serious catfight in the living room.”
“Your mom had to wade in and separate those girls. And explain to them that Tom wasn’t worth fighting over if he was going to make promises that easily.”
I slide my hands behind Dante’s neck and wrap my heels behind his thighs to draw him closer. “There are advantages to living with all of you. This week we’ve been really tired with moving in.”
He grabs my hips and slides me forward so I can feel his hardening cock against my pussy through his sweats and my shorts. Fuck, I’ve missed this part of us.
He leans in and bypasses my mouth until his lips touch my ear. “If we weren’t sharing this house right now, I’d suck your pussy until you exploded all over my mouth.”
My breath comes out in a little whimper because I want that.
“Fuck!” Tom’s voice makes us both turn to see him standing in the doorway to the kitchen with his hands over his eyes.
“Do you want us to put a sock on the door?” Dante’s voice is blasé, like he really doesn’t care if Tom sees us together.
Tom uncovers his eyes, but we haven’t moved from our intimate position. He squints and sighs.
“We’re buying a new fridge this weekend. Then the sock won’t be necessary.” Tom walks into the kitchen and passes us on his way to the fridge.
Dante doesn’t release me or move away. I don’t know how to feel about this. I don’t want to hide what we have, but this is my brother. I don’t need to flaunt it in front of him either, but with the way he acts, he kind of deserves it.
Tom grabs a few drinks and a bowl of something before shutting the refrigerator door. He sighs and turns back to walk the other way. His gaze settles on us.
He pauses and opens his mouth.
“No, Tom.” Dante clutches my hips. “You don’t get to say anything to make Sara feel bad for loving us.”
His expression falls into regret. “I wasn’t going to.”
“Sure you weren’t,” Dante says.
“I wasn’t.” Tom steps forward but stops.
“Sara is lucky to have all of you. There’s a reason I kept you as friends all these years.
You’re loyal and protective. I’m lucky to call you my friends.
I’d be even luckier to call you my brothers.
Was I a little disturbed to discover your relationship with my sister? ”
That day in the garden flashes in my mind. He pauses for almost too long before releasing his breath.
“Anyone dating my sister would make me defensive, but you guys… I didn’t handle it well. I don’t know what I would have done if one of you was dating her when I got back, but all of you?” His eyes widen as he looks at Dante. “And Drew?”
I duck my head against Dante’s shoulder.
Not to hide in embarrassment, I’m just tired.
Tired of always ending things in a fight with Tom.
Is this how it’s going to be from now on?
With Tom? With Mom? Outside of this house, in the real world?
A fight to make someone else understand that what we have isn’t wrong? That it works because it’s all of us?
Dante presses his lips to my temple, and I lift my gaze to find his steady on me.
“I’m saying this all wrong.” Tom shakes his head.
I meet his eyes, so like mine. “They’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Tom. They love me more than anyone else ever could. They’re mine. Nothing’s going to change that.”
His eyes soften. “Whether you believe it or not, I do understand.” He glances toward the basement door.
“Love can make you crazy sometimes. Reckless. But it can also make you strong.” His steady gaze returns to mine.
“I’m glad you have all of them, Sara. They’re the best guys I know.
And I’m sure if they accept Drew, he must be one of the best too. ”
Dante’s fingers relax against my hips.
Tom sighs. “I need to get this down to Natasha. The cravings are real and weird.”
I glance in the bowl and see a mixture of mayonnaise and sliced pickles and red grapes.
“Tomorrow afternoon.” Dante draws both of our attention. “We’re going to the gym.”
Tom straightens. “All right. I’ll let Tasha know.”