Chapter 39
NERO
With my turn to say goodbye now that Hoyt’s home from work, and Dex and Siege have driven off to their rental, I pulled Cosette by the waist and gave her a lingering yet innocent enough kiss on the lips.
“I might be teasing you earlier, but if you get to be class salutatorian, I’d be more than happy to lose that one to you,” I muttered as I pulled away, almost feeling her smile against my lips because of how close we were.
“And if you get to be class salutatorian, I’d be the first to ‘boo’ you when you get on stage,” she said, making me laugh softly, shaking my head at her attempt to shatter the moment.
“You’re such a pain in the ass.” I finally pulled away, letting go of her. “Go back inside. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With a soft ‘good night’ out of her lips, she turned around, giving me a gorgeous view of her ass. Only when she was back inside, I turned on my heel and headed to my house across the street.
I looked up just in time to see the curtains by the front window rustling, and I internally rolled my eyes, knowing what that meant.
Unlocking the door with my key, I got inside and put down my bag by the coat stand, seeing my mom in the kitchen, smoothing down her skirt.
“Stalking me again, mom?” I asked with my brow raised, knowing damn well that it was her by the window, snooping.
“What ever do you mean?”
I barked out a laugh, going to her and the tray of cookies she had just got out of the oven, grabbing one to take a bite.
“I bet you’re elated that I’m finally with C,” I said with an open mouth, letting the heat of the freshly baked cookies out to not burn my tongue.
My mom stopped pretending then, squealing as she hurried to my side, squeezing me with her arms wrapped around my torso. “It’s official, then? You really are together? I tried to ask Hoyt, but he was all hush-hush about it.”
“Maybe it’s because of the fact that there’s three of us dating her, and he doesn’t know how to tell you.”
Mom stilled, leaning back enough to look at me. “What?”
“Don’t get all judgmental,” I said, slight warning in my tone though there’s no real bite to it.
“I’m not! Never! You know you have a progressive mother.”
I could tell with the crinkle on her forehead, though, that she’s still trying to process the information I just dropped like a bomb.
“Like… polyamorous? You’re all together?”
“We’re all only with C. I’m not with them, if that makes sense.”
She looked at me for a long time then, and my brow shot up as her stare turned perceptive.
“I’m not gay,” I said in a flat tone, because hey, I wouldn’t be offended if that’s what she’s trying to figure out.
This is a weird setup, and I agree that not everything is black and white in today’s day and age.
“Bi?” She asked, and I just laughed softly, shaking my head.
“Not even a little bit. Those guys are like brothers to me.”
Now, that coming out of my mouth shocked me.
How could I go from hating their guts, thinking they’re nothing but brainless brutes hiding their real identities in the shadows, to thinking of them so highly as to consider them as brothers?
It’s the peer effect and how Dex and Siege are making me jealous of their bromance, I swear to god.
“Whatever you are, Nero, I will accept it. And I am so happy for you. I’ve always liked Cosette for you because I can see how she always brings out the best in you,” my mom said, looking up at me with a smile, and I could tell how she held herself back from comparing C to Andy.
Her grin was infectious as one found its way to my own mouth, and I pulled her in for another hug as she swayed me side-by-side, way too happy with what I told her.
“And if you ever need to tell me anything else—“
“Still not gay, mom.”
“What? I was just watching that series with the teenagers and the drugs, and the big hunky football player ended up having a thing for the beautiful transwoman—“
“Oookay.” I pulled away then, shaking my head. “There’s progressive, and there’s just too much,” I said with a feigned sharp look at her insinuation, though I am sure her heart is in the right place.
“Love you, kiddo!” She called out as I trudged up the stairs to my room, already pulling out my phone to text C about the weirdness that just happened.
Me
Just told mom about our relationship
And how you’re three-timing me
C
Dramatic
How did she react?
I knew C well enough to have an inkling that she’s probably avoided coming over since we got together because she never wants to disappoint my mom.
And if she ever asked C about anything, be it regarding our relationship or something else, she wouldn’t want to lie, and she didn’t want to be met with disgust from my her.
C’s always looked up to my mom, just as I did to Hoyt.
Me
Think the mom in Mean Girls insisting she’s a cool mom
C
Lol
She’s not mad or disappointed, then?
I smirked, because my theory was right.
Me
Nope
Started trying to make me come out of the imaginary closet though, so that was weird
C
Hey, you know she’s just trying to be supportive
And nowadays, you can never tell if someone’s straight or not
I groaned, looking up from my phone just in time to see Cosette in her bedroom across from mine, and our eyes met for a fleeting moment before she started typing on her phone again.
C
But really, Combs
I’m surprised you’re taking this whole three boyfriends thing so well
Thank you
Me
Fucking hated it at first, not going to lie to ya
But they’re good people
Plus, if they turn out to be assholes, I know for sure you wouldn’t settle with that, so I get to have you all to myself, anyway
Looking up at my phone to catch her reaction, I smiled to myself when C threw her head back in a laugh.
C
Harhar. Keep dreaming
Us four? We’re forever.
Me
Or you could say four-ever
C
…
Can’t really blame your mom, Combs
You make it sound like you’re with my guys too
Me
Oh buzz off. Unlike you, I’m perfectly content with just you.
You’re it for me, baby.
Meeting her eyes through our windows, I saw her soft smile that conveyed exactly what she felt right now.
I could’ve waited for a better moment.
Could’ve waited until the next time that we were together face to face so I could tell her what she must’ve been waiting to hear for so long.
But as I pressed on the call button, watching her press the phone to her ear, I decided that now that she has me, I’ll never make her wait for me a single second more.
“I love you, C,” I said as soon as the call connected, and I watched as her smile widened even more.
“I love you too, Combs.”