25. Grady
Grady
My shirt has never looked so good. Leah tossed it on first thing this morning before scurrying to the kitchen to make breakfast. Her nervousness is strangely calming. She had me quaking in my boots for so long before that hotel room. It’s humanizing to see her phased by something.
Her music is a little louder than usual, resonating through the cabin while she dances around.
It’s Sunday, which means Parker doesn’t have any training scheduled, so there’s no real pressure to rush.
Except Parker apparently told Warren and Quincy to be here at seven am for some reason.
Sleeping in is a foreign concept to these two.
Honestly, he doesn’t know how to slow down.
Even now, he’s helping her as much as she’ll allow.
They’re worried about nothing. I know my cousins, the real versions they keep locked away.
Deep down, they’re broken, too. Nothing more than bastards in Mother’s eyes—inconvenient lives she had to take responsibility for.
Regardless, they’re likely as eager to belong somewhere—to feel wanted—as I am.
I’ve found it, and don’t mind sharing as long as they agree to the ground rules.
They would definitely love the chance to get out of here, out from under her.
So, if they’re not interested in Leah like that, it’s okay.
They won’t betray us, especially since we’ll be giving them a ticket to freedom.
I lean against the doorframe, openly ogling Leah.
She’s working extra hard to make a delicious breakfast. There’s a sinfulness in the way my shirt hangs loosely over her curves—barely covering her pink-lace-covered ass—bordering on being too lewd for polite company. Good thing my cousins aren’t polite.
They’re going to ravage her if she lets them. Parker will probably watch, maybe even join if they’re into that.
I’m getting hard imagining the things they’ll do together. This relationship is unorthodox by normal standards, but not a damn one of us fits the definition. Nothing that feels this right could possibly be wrong.
I sure hope, mainly for Warren and Quincy’s sakes, they’re on board with all of this. I do miss them. It’s been years since we were what I would call close, but they’re always around and have made efforts look out for me, as much as Mother allows anyway.
“You’re a pancake machine,” Parker says in awe of Leah’s prowess with a griddle.
“House full of hungry brothers, remember?” she responds without missing a beat.
“Did your mother not help? You never really talk about it.” Parker keeps his tone light, but that doesn’t stop her from tensing.
“For a reason. We didn’t have much growing up.
Ranching doesn’t pay super well, and there were five of us kids.
Mama and Daddy did what they could, but there wasn’t much love in the house.
They just weren’t those types of parents.
We were free labor.” She sniffles, adding three more pancakes to the stack.
I can’t stand seeing her upset, so I do the only thing I can think of. Padding over, I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her into a strong hug from behind, savoring her softness.
Parker leans over to kiss her cheek and she hums in my hold. “It’s okay, really. I’m obviously in a much better place, mentally and financially. That’s an entirely different conversation that I’m not getting into right now.”
Parker brushes a loose lock of hair behind her ear. “You don’t owe us an explanation. I’m sorry for pressing.” The doorbell rings and he checks his watch. “Six fifty. I love the punctuality.” A bright, genuine grin split this face.
It’s hard to believe that he hated them less than twenty-four hours ago.
I should probably release my hold on Leah, in the spirit of easing them into all of this, but their minds are about to be blown either way. Subtlety isn’t my strong suit, so I stay put. She’s literally wearing my shirt. If that isn’t telling, nothing is.
I rest my chin on her shoulder as she finishes the last batch of fluffy, golden flapjacks.
Seconds later, Warren comes into view, mouth falling open. “Oh shit. I fucking knew it.”
Stepping next to him, Quincy shrugs. “Well, I guess Parker did too, so our advice was for naught, apparently.”
By the roughness of their voices and unpolished appearances—messy hair, pajama pants, and ruffled shirts—they apparently rolled out of bed and came straight over.
Good, they’re already aiming for comfort.
“Knew what?” Leah tips her head, as if the answer isn’t obvious.
Quincy scrunches his face. “That you’re fucking Grady?”
“Oh!” She chortles. “Sorry, I kind of forgot it’s a whole secret thing.”
Why is she acting like this? Is she embarrassed all of a sudden?
“Who wants to tell them?” She tips her head to the side, looking me in the eye.
Oh, I see what she’s doing. Sassy, as always. I laugh silently and shake my head, releasing my hold. Warren is already staring directly at her hardened nipples. Heat fills his face as he peels his attention away.
They’re so in.
“Eyes up here, hot stuff.” She puts one hand on her hip, wiggling a finger in a circle at her face.
“Fuck, sorry.” His blond brows pull together.
“Sh-she’s j-j-just p-picking,” I say, holding my breath in preparation for insults.
Both of their faces shift the slightest amount—happiness of some sort creeping in. They haven’t heard my voice in so long, I should have known they’d be elated.
“As long as you don’t kick our asses for looking,” Quincy jokes, but it’s awkward, letting his genuine worry show.
“She’s b-beautiful, right?” I flash a bright smile, willing my mouth to keep working. “Y-you should s-see her b-b-between us.”
There it is.
They look at Parker first—eyebrows lifted, lazy smirk, gorgeous eyes sparkling. Then their attention flicks between Leah and me. She’s biting back a grin while I pull her into my side.
“B-both of you?!” Warren sputters, brows sky-high. “Actually, I can see it. She seemed totally down for both of us back when we first met her. N-not saying that’s a bad thing.” He raises his hands in defense.
Quincy offers a tight smile, clearly envious. “Yeah, I mean, good for you guys. It’s hard to find genuine connections nowadays. Especially given the circumstances.”
“Well, now that the cat is out of the bag, I made a big ole breakfast. Let’s sit and talk, shall we?” Leah grabs the platter of pancakes, pecking my cheek as she passes.
I gather the plate of bacon and bowl of grits, following her to the table. Parker trails close behind with the crispy hash browns and fluffy scrambled eggs in hand.
Excitement sparkles in my cousins’ eyes. I understand the feelings they’re experiencing all too well. This is the first real, home-cooked, made-with-love meal they’ve ever had. I’m pretty sure Quincy is holding back tears.
Warren, always the braver of the two, like a true big brother, looks at the three of us. His face says everything his mouth can’t begin to. Gratitude and adoration shine in his teary gaze. I’ve never known him to be rendered speechless, but this simple act of kinship and care has done it.
It’s settled. He’s in, wholeheartedly. They both are.
Leah, radiating compassion, steps between them, juice in hand. Holding back poorly-concealed emotions, they tip their heads toward her. Quincy’s chin shakes as he fidgets with his fork.
“Y’all thirsty loves?” she asks, voice gentle as ever.
The way they soften at her tenderness is spectacular. Her ability to know what people need is one of my favorite things about her.
Warren blinks, eyes dancing across her freckled face. Still wrestling with the urge to break down, he nods.
Quincy definitely wipes a tear away but manages to speak, “Y-yes, please. Sorry, this is… nice.”
She pours them both a tall glass of orange juice and, having completely dissected their nerves, presses a feather-light kiss to each of their cheeks. Obviously confused, since we haven’t even started the conversation, they jolt at the contact.
She doesn’t react. To ease their tension, she circles the table to fill Parker’s glass and mine, lips meeting our cheeks as well.
Surely they’ve decided this is a prank by now.
Leah takes her seat between Parker and me, relaxing in her chair.
Parker rubs her back and begins, “So, here’s the thing, you two caught me off guard yesterday, and I came home and talked to the beautiful people sitting next to me.
We collectively decided on two important things.
First off, this—” He motions to the spread around us.
“—could be yours every morning, a nice breakfast, good conversation, stolen kisses, and sometimes even a quickie if we have time.” He pops a piece of bacon into his mouth, letting the words settle.
“E-excuse you?” Warren stammers, eyes doubled in size.
Quincy, stiff as a board, chokes out, “What he said.”
“Leah likes both of you. We see how you watch her when you’re surveilling us for Henrietta,” Parker spits her name out like it’s toxic.
“Sh-she wants y-y-you too,” I say since Parker’s explanation leaves a lot to be desired.
“Right, but you have to understand that she loves us, we love her, and—” He spares me a glance. I nod with an easy smile. “—Grady and I love each other.” Pausing once more, he allows them a minute to process the info-dump.
Quincy stares with intent, mind working. “So… What exactly are you proposing?”
Warren speaks up, “Yeah, I mean, I’m not against sharing, and you’re a decent-looking guy, but I’m not about to suck your dick.”
“No. I don’t expect anything like that. You’re both hot as hell, and I won’t say no. But it’s not a requirement. However, if you want to be with Leah, know that we’re part of the deal.”
“Well, Grady is family. I know it’s been rough, but he’s still practically a third brother to us.” Quincy’s eyes meet mine, filled with longing and silent apologies.
“I d-don’t hold it against y-y-you,” I say, giving them the most earnest expression I can.
“The things she did to us when we tried to stay close to you were cruel. I’m also sorry for anything shitty I’ve ever said or done. We’re giant pussies who don’t deserve this kindness.” Quincy works his jaw, face hardening as he fights the memories.
Throat tight, I work to say, “I f-forgive you.”
Quincy almost breaks, chest heaving with each forceful exhale.
Warren grips his shoulder, exhaling slowly.
“Leah, you’ve been quiet through all of this.
Obviously, we’ve been interested in you since day one, and fucked it all up out of fear of Henrietta.
I’m so sorry for the lies and deceit. The last thing either of us want is to hurt you.
Are you sure that you want us, too? We’ll understand if you don’t,” he mutters, body rigid.
“Oh, I hated it when I found out who you were because I definitely felt a spark when we met. Then you were jerks, and it was a huge turn-off, but you made up for it by showing up and apologizing. Grady told me about your history and how you are treated, and Parker said he believes that you’re actually decent guys.
So, if you’re serious about this, then yes.
But, just so you know, I’m familiar with at least three ways to break a kneecap.
So if you cross us, you’ll never walk again.
” Her sweet smile only adds to the seriousness of her threat.
She’s not being subtle, I wouldn’t expect her to.
“Fuck, you’re so hot. I’m in.” Warren groans and takes a bite of pancake. “I mean, the promise of breakfast would have been enough, honestly.” His eyes roll back as he hums around his food.
“I don’t know, having a real relationship, instead of settling for sneaky hookups behind Auntie’s back, sounds sweet to me.” Quincy beams. “Hell, I might actually kiss Parker if that’s what it takes.”
“No need for all that.” Parker laughs. “But, I mean, if the situation arises, I’m not against it. Hell, I’m down with sucking your dick. Leah would enjoy the show.” He shrugs, tone deathly serious.
Warren chokes on his food, gaze darting between his brother and the relentless flirt next to me.
Leah sighs dreamily between us, making a laugh rush out of me.
“You’re into that?” Quincy’s brows shoot straight to the ceiling.
“Yeah, she is.” Parker winks, and surprisingly, Quincy raises a shoulder.
“Alright, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but enough sex talk. Let’s eat. Then we can get to the real reason you’re here,” Leah interrupts the eye-fucking Parker is giving Quincy.
They’re going to be trouble. Not that she’ll mind. Hell, the thought of Parker fucking them, too, does sound hot… once I get past the fact that we were raised together. But it’s not about them, it’s about seeing the people I love being loved in return.
My cheeks try to flush, but I wash the images from my mind.
“You’re right, Star. We’ve got all day to… figure out what works for everyone. Food first, business second, then if you’re both good, maybe we can help relieve some of that pent-up sexual frustration.” Parker shoots a smirk across the table before diving into his—definitely cold—eggs.
It doesn’t matter. We all devour our breakfast as if it’s fresh off the stove.
Leah worked hard to make it, and every man at this table is beyond appreciative to have someone who cares.