Chapter thirty
Cyrus
Ihad to stay late at school to make up an accounting test I missed so I couldn’t pick up Sierra. Thankfully, Rico was able to change the time he was going to the school so he could.
I got so busy I didn’t have a chance to tell her until the last minute. I know she was in class, so she probably didn’t get the message. I just hope she wasn’t waiting outside long before Rico found her.
I’m on pins and needles until Rico messages me that he has her, but she seems upset. It’s the confirmation I need to know something happened today. He’s planning to take her out for dinner, so I decide to message the three musketeers. It’s time for us to have a chat.
As soon as I’m done with my test, I’m out the door, heading to my car.
While she was sleeping last night, I got their numbers from her phone. Not my proudest moment, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. What’s that saying? It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
Phone in my hand, I create a group chat with them. I have to look up every few seconds just to make sure I don’t barrel into someone or trip over something on the ground.
Me: Thought this would be easier in a group chat. But we need to talk. Can you meet?
Braxton: Who is this?
Me: Cyrus. The guy who was at Sierra’s apartment the day the three of you showed up.
Zander: Is she okay? Did something happen?
Braxton: We looked for her after school but couldn’t find her.
I pull my keys out of my pocket as I approach my jeep and unlock the door, climbing in behind the steering wheel. After putting my bookbag in the passenger seat, I start the engine.
Colton: When do you want to meet?
Me: Now!
Me: Are you available?
Braxton: We just need to let our dad know then we can meet. Where do you want it to be?
Me: Somewhere we can talk privately. Maybe eat as well.
Colton: The park on South Street. It’s relatively empty this time of day. We can get some burgers on the way.
Me: That works.
Zander: See you in about twenty minutes.
I sigh. Now all I need to do is see what these guys really want with Sierra and go from there. Once we’re all on the same page, then we can let Sierra in on it. There’s no way in hell I’m ever going to let her get hurt again.
I don’t need GPS. I know exactly what park he’s talking about. Shifting the car into gear, I pull out of the parking lot.
When I pull in, I don’t see them anywhere. But they did say they were getting some burgers. Pulling into a parking spot, I turn my jeep off before getting out and walking across the field to a picnic table.
It’s under a tree and away from the few families watching their kids on the playground. There’s a toddler in the sandbox and then older kids, about Sam’s age, running around, playing tag and climbing on the jungle gym.
One day, that’s going to be me watching our kids play. I know Sierra’s going to be the mother of my child. There’s not a doubt in my mind.
I’m lost in the vision of my future when I hear a throat clear behind me. Turning, I look to see who it is.
“Got you a burger, fries and a coke.” The one that’s not a carbon copy like the other two hands a bag and a drink to me.
Taking it from him, I sit back down on the bench as the three of them sit across the table from me, each with a matching bag and drink. I reach inside, pull out the sandwich, unwrap it, and take a bite. I groan at the first taste of greasy, cheesy goodness.
We sit in silence as we eat, only glancing up every few seconds.
It’s awkward and I know I need to get this over with, wanting to get home to see Sierra. But I don’t get the chance before one of the Sprouse twins speaks up.
“Can we cut to the chase about what you want to talk about?” It’s the grumpy one. I remember him well; he stood back while the other two tried to beat my ass that day.
“I want to talk about Sierra. She’s my girlfriend.” I watch as their eyes go wide with shock. That’s right fuckers, any other time it would be you snooze you lose, but not today.
“I didn’t know she had a boyfriend,” the darker hair one states. I really fucking need to know who is who.
“Okay, first off, let’s get some introductions, then we can continue. I’m Cyrus.”
“Zan.”
“Brax.”
“I’m Colton, and unlike those two, I’m not giving you my nickname. That’s reserved for family and friends and you’re neither.” Yep, I was right. He’s fucking bitchy as hell.
I blow off what he says. It means nothing to me. Little does he know if he accepts what I’m about to offer, we’ll basically be brothers.
“Like I was saying, Sierra and I are dating, but our girl has a lot of love in her heart despite everything she’s been through, and she happens to like the three of you. We’ve talked, and she knows I’m willing to share her.”
“What the fuck do you mean!?” Zander slams his hands down on the bench as he stands, glaring at me. “She’s not a fucking toy.”
Braxton is giving much the same look, while Colton seems confused, not quite sure what to say.
“Chill. I know she’s not a toy. I simply mean I’m not going to make her choose. I’m confident in the feelings we have for each other and the relationship we’re building. Sierra has enough love for me, as well as the three of you. The question is, are you?”
I don’t say anything more, just watch as they process what I’ve told them.
It’s up to them to make a choice. Do they go for the most amazing girl in the world, and learn to maneuver the intricacies of a poly relationship? Or do they let the best thing that they could ever have walk right out the door before even giving her a chance?
“Wow, for a minute there, I thought you’d jump on it, but I guess I was wrong. Just know, whatever you decide, I’ll never let anyone hurt her again. I’ll live my life making it my mission to make sure it doesn’t happen.”
“Is this what she really wants?” Zander slowly lowers back down.
“She has strong feelings for you. She knows I’m okay with it. But you have to show her you want her as well. That you’re man enough to handle being in a multiple relationship without jealousy or conflict. Because if you can’t talk out any issues with all of us when they happen, then it won’t work.”
“I want to do it. I’ve wanted Sierra since the moment I saw her in the shoe store.” Braxton’s voice is firm and confident.
“Me too,” Zander adds.
Then, as if we had all planned together, our heads turn to Colton. The final one to answer. And if I have to guess, the one who’s the least sure of what he wants. I wonder if they would choose Sierra over him if he doesn’t want to be a part of this.
He blows out a deep breath, opening his mouth before closing it again. Colton does this several times before any words finally leave his mouth.
“I want to be with her. But first I need to show her I can be her friend. That I can stand by her when she needs me the most and be her rock. Then and only then if she wants to be with me, I will.”
His lookalike places his hand on his back, showing his support.
“Looks like you might turn into a decent man. If what you said is true. Each of you needs to start learning more about her. Sierra has had a hard life and there are a lot of things you don’t know.
Hell, some of them I’ve just learned myself.
And if you try to judge her or make her feel bad, I’ll kick your fucking asses. ”
“How do we start? How do I get close to her?” Colton asks again. Guess he’s serious, and I pegged him wrong.
“Do what you’re doing, be there for her. Talk to her. Come see her at her apartment and let her open up to you. What you’re doing for her and Sam is a good start. It means so much to her and I want to thank you for that. Seeing her smile when she watches the videos is the highlight of my day.”
I pick up my burger and take the final few bites of it. The squeals of children as they play in the park, and the overprotective mothers yelling at their kids to be careful and not get hurt are the only noises around us.
It’s inevitable. Children are bound to have accidents. It’s how we learn what not to do.
“We come over, talk to her, and date her. All four of us?” Braxton speaks up.
“That’s it,” I reply.
It’s a lot really, but I need them to think I have it together. This is all new to me, but I’ll do whatever it takes for the woman I love.
“And if one of us has concerns or feels like we’re not getting enough time?” Zander asks now, as he rests his forearms on the picnic table.
“Then you speak up and we all come together and talk about it and figure out a way to deal with it. That’s the only way this is going to work. Communication.”
“Communication. It sounds so simple,” Colton mumbles under his breath, but we all hear it.
“It’s why relationships are hard. You have to work at them, and communication is how you begin to do it.
We have to be able to talk, especially with there being four of us with Sierra.
There are multiple solo relationships going on as well as the overall group dynamic.
Not to mention, each of us will proceed at a different pace with the sexual component of it, especially within a group setting.
” Before I can go further, Braxton interrupts.
“Hold on, hold on. I’m not having sex with my brothers and sorry man, but I’m not into men. Nothing against you if you are.” I shake my head at his innocence.
I look over at his brothers, each of them with their heads down as their shoulders bounce up and down. They’re laughing and fighting hard not to show it.
“Hate to burst your bubble, buddy. I’m not into men, nor did I plan for you to have sex with your brothers.
What I’m trying to say is that there will be times we’re all having sex with her as a group.
All of us naked, around each other while we pleasure our woman, so we need to be comfortable being around each other. ”
“Oh.” His mouth forms an O as he realizes what I mean.
“So, are we doing this?” I ask them.
They all nod.
Guess our girl has her own harem. Now we just have to tell her.