47. Freddie
Freddie
“Harry, have you got five minutes?” I stick my head around the door of his office and he nods, gesturing for me to come in.
“What’s on your mind, Freddie?”
I blow out a breath and scrub a hand over my face.
“Oh God, you’re not resigning, are you? Whoever is poaching you, I’ll match their offer. I’ll beat it. I don’t want to lose you. Just name your terms.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa – I’m not in here to quit. Though I’d quite like to revisit that offer in a minute,” I reply as his shoulders visibly relax. The concern remains etched on his face, which means I probably look as rough as I feel.
“Ok. Well, I’m glad to hear it. What’s up?”
“Quentin Reed.”
“What about him?”
“You know I’ve got a new girlfriend?”
“Yes…”
“She’s his daughter.”
“Oh.”
“Yes.”
“Ok.” He pauses. “Well, you are a very fine young man, Freddie. I should imagine any father would consider themselves lucky to have a man like you in their daughter’s life.”
“Thank you, Harry. That’s very kind. But it’s a little bit more complicated than that.”
He frowns. “Go on.”
“Sloane and I are in a polyamorous relationship with each other and… and another man.”
He blinks, then nods slowly.
“Ok, so, she has two boyfriends?”
“Yes. And we are… also boyfriends.”
Saying the words out loud feels foreign… like I haven’t done enough to earn the claim. But fuck it, I’m claiming him anyway.
Cole is mine .
Harry leans back in his chair and studies me for a long moment. “Ok.”
“Ok?”
“Ok,” he repeats.
“You’re ok with this?” I push.
“Freddie, as your employer, your dating life is none of my business.”
“There’s more.”
“More?” He’s starting to look a bit frazzled. “Well spit it out, then.”
“Quentin Reed does not approve of our relationship. He mentioned the morality clauses and… and breaking contracts.” I run my hand through my hair as I watch a few different emotions flicker across his face.
“Thank you for bringing this to me, Freddie. I know this will have taken courage. It is certainly helpful to be aware of the… situation. I’ve got another call in five. Can you close the door on your way out?” He gives me a weary smile and I nod, thanking him as I click the door to his office shut.
My heart’s going like a jackhammer as I walk back to my desk. I just came out. I just told a person who’s important to me that I have a boyfriend. That I’m in a throuple. And that person just happens to be the one who holds my career in his hands.
I think of all the ways I’ll be screwed if I lose my job, and I try to keep my breathing in check. Quentin Reed has the potential to poison my reputation in every circle that matters.
Fuck .