24. Jett
24
JETT
“Are you sure you want to do this alone?” Ez asked.
I nodded, not sure about anything.
The three of us spent the rest of the weekend together, enjoying the bubble of protection our little cocoon gave us.
We’d talked about what we wanted our new relationship to look like, and we’d all agreed that we were done hiding, especially around the people we cared about.
And I was done hiding that I was bi.
I laughed nervously.
“What was that for?” Ez asked, giving the back of my neck a reassuring squeeze.
I loved how open they were with their affection. How they never hesitated to touch me and loved when I took the initiative and touched them.
“Just thinking that telling everyone I’m dating two guys is a hell of a way to come out. I really don’t do anything half-assed.”
Wes laughed at my unintended joke.
“Go big or go home, right?” I gripped the car door and shoved the last of my nerves aside.
I’d texted Quinn last night asking if we could meet up before work so I could talk to him about something. He’d texted back, inviting me to grab a coffee with him at a shop near the site.
“Are you sure you don’t want one of us to go with you?” Wes asked.
I shook my head. “I need to talk to him myself. I don’t have the kind of history with him that you do, but he was the first friend I made at the club and one of the first friends I made after I moved here. He deserves to hear it from me.”
Ez gripped my wrist and leaned in to give me a quick kiss.
When he pulled away, Wes squeezed through the space between our seats to kiss me too.
“See you soon.” With a deep breath, I pushed open the door to the truck and climbed out.
Quinn’s truck was parked near the entrance. I tried not to let my nerves get the better of me as I slipped inside the shop.
It wasn’t busy. Four people stood in line, and only a handful of the tables were taken. That probably had to do with how early it was. The shop was always packed closer to rush hour.
Quinn sat at a table near the door, reading something on his phone.
“Hey.” I came up to him.
“Hey.” He powered down his phone and tucked it away. “Is everything okay? We can grab something to go if you don’t want to talk here.”
“That might be best.” A coffee shop probably wasn’t the best way to announce my sexuality, or my relationship. “But everything’s fine. I hope.”
“That sounds ominous.” Pushing back his chair with a loud scrape, he stood. “Should I be worried?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“You’re not helping my nerves here.” He waved for me to get in line with him. “But we can talk more when we’re outside.”
I tried to think of something random to talk about while we waited, but Quinn didn’t seem uncomfortable or put off by the silence.
When it was our turn, Quinn motioned for me to follow him to the till.
“Hi, what can I get started for you?” the barista asked, his eyes full of appreciation as he looked Quinn up and down.
“Hi,” Quinn shot him a brilliant smile, but that was just his nature. Even this early, when I knew for a fact he wasn’t a morning person and probably barely slept last night, he was still happy and friendly and had a ready smile for everyone.
Hopefully he still smiled at me when he found out I was dating his stepbrother’s best friends. I couldn’t see him having a problem with us being coworkers since he hired Zane and Noah after they’d started dating, but the whole triad thing might be hard for him to accept.
“Do you want your usual?” Quinn flicked his gaze to me.
I nodded.
“Can I get a large chai latte and a large London fog?” He scanned the display of pastries. “And a dozen donuts.”
“Any specific type?” the barista asked, somehow making the question sound suggestive.
“A mix is fine.” He pulled out his wallet. “Should we get anything for Ez and Wes?” he asked, casually thumbing out his debit card.
I managed not to choke or make a weird sound but couldn’t stop my jaw from dropping in shock.
Did he know about us? How?
He shot me a little smirk as the barista filled a box with donuts. “I saw you pull up.” He ticked his chin at the giant window he’d been sitting in front of. “Relax.” He bumped my shoulder with his. “We’ll talk more outside. I’m just letting you know that whatever you tell me will be okay.”
The barista told us our total. Quinn paid, and I spent the time trying to get my head back in order.
He knew about us, and he was okay with it?
That meant he already knew about me.
“Come on.” Quinn tucked the box under his arm and picked up his drink.
Woodenly, I grabbed mine and followed him out of the café.
Rather than turn left toward where Ez and Wes’s truck sat, he turned right and led me to a nearby patio area with tables and chairs.
“Sit.” He put the box on one of the tables and slid into the chair.
I did the same.
“Was that the wrong thing to say?” He wrapped his hands around his cup, studying me closely. “You just looked so stressed out I wanted to reassure you. But I should have just let you say it.”
“No. I mean, it’s fine. I’m just… How long have you known?”
“About you and them, or about you?” he asked softly.
“Both.” My cheeks and neck went hot. I slipped the cup sleeve down, then slid it back in place just to have something to do with my hands.
“I didn’t know, not officially. Not until just now. But I’ve suspected for a while.” He leaned back in his chair. “Do you want to tell me about it?”
“Well, I guess I don’t really have to say this, but I’m bi.” I glanced around to make sure we were still alone. “I’ve known for a long time. I just wasn’t ready to come out until now.”
He nodded encouragingly.
“And Wes, Ez, and I are kind of a thing?”
He smiled. “Is that a question or a statement?”
“Statement.” I scrubbed my hand over my face. “I’m sorry I lied to you?—”
“Nope. I’m gonna stop you there. You didn’t lie to me—or anyone. Sexuality is an incredibly personal thing, and the only one who can decide when and if to tell people is you. Not telling us isn’t the same as lying, not even close.”
“My aunts said that too.”
“They sound like smart ladies. You should listen to us.” His smile was warm and made the last of my fear melt away.
Of course Quinn would be okay with everything. He was one of the smartest and most open-minded people I’d ever met, and one of the most supportive. He’d happily give a stranger the shirt off his back. That was just who he was.
“I know.” I toyed with the sleeve on my cup. “And I’m trying. It’s just hard after everything.”
“I imagine it is. It takes a lot of strength to move past the things you were taught.”
“Yeah.” I sighed. “It wasn’t easy.”
“Are you worried about your job? Because if you are, you can stop right now. Ez and Wes are family. And you’re family. The only thing I care about is my family being happy and healthy and living their best lives. It sounds like the three of you are doing just that.”
All the fear and tension I’d been holding in left me in a rush, leaving me feeling stupid for doubting him.
“Do you want to tell the guys, or do you want me to?”
“We should tell them.” I rolled my shoulders, stretching out the tight muscles. “And you’re sure it’s not a problem, us being together? Not everyone will be okay with that. We don’t want to cause issues.”
“If someone has a problem with anyone on my crew, they can take a long walk off a short pier. I don’t give a fuck who they are.” He patted my arm reassuringly. “But I doubt you’ll have any problems. You’re not the first throuple I’ve known, and I’m sure you won’t be the last.”
I tapped on the lid of my cup, bouncing the part that you pull up to drink from. “Thanks. It means a lot to know you have our backs.”
“Always.” He patted my arm again. “Are you good to go, or do you need a minute?”
“I’m good.” Picking up my cup, I stood.
“Say hi to Ez and Wes for me.” He scooped up the box of donuts. “And tell them to hurry their asses up if they want any of these.” He shook the box. “You know how the twins get around sweets.”
I chuckled and took a sip of my drink. “I swear River would mainline them if he could.”
Quinn laughed. “He would. We’ll just have to entertain ourselves watching him double fist them instead.”
We shared a look, then burst into laughter.
“You good now? Less stressed?” Quinn asked when we’d finally composed ourselves.
“So much less stressed.”
“Good.” He toasted me with his cup. “See ya in a few.”
I waved, still a bit in shock.
Quinn was actually the fourth person I’d told about not only being bi, but about being with Ez and Wes. I’d texted Nick last night and met up with Becca and Chanel for a bit in the afternoon. We were planning on going to my aunts’ house this weekend so we could tell them in person.
Everyone had been as incredible as Quinn. Nick had immediately video called me to get all the tea, his words, and Chanel and Becca had been as wonderful and amazing as I thought they’d be. It had taken a bit for them to wrap their heads around me dating two men, especially since they were a couple, but they’d just gushed about how happy I looked and demanded I bring them along the next time we went out so they could make sure they were good enough for me.
I had the most incredible and supportive friends anyone could have asked for. And the more people I told about being bi, the easier it was.
Hopefully that would apply to the being in a throuple thing soon too.
Taking another sip of my drink and trying not to let my mind wander again, I shot Quinn another quick wave and headed back to where Ez and Wes were waiting.
“And?” Wes asked as soon as I closed the door behind me.
“He already knew.”
Wes’s eyes bugged out comically, and Ez froze, his mouth open like he’d been about to say something.
“That was pretty much my reaction too.” I took a long drink of my latte.
“Did he know about you, or us?” Wes asked slowly.
“Both.”
“Fucker.” Wes chuckled. “Him and Jesse are way too observant.”
“Jesse?” I asked.
“Remember how I told you Jesse knows and everything is cool?” Wes smiled guiltily. “Well, it was kind of the same thing. I didn’t so much tell him as he told me.”
I looked between him and Ez. Ez looked just as surprised as me.
Wes had met up with Jesse while I’d gone to talk to Chanel and Becks. Ez had taken the time to visit his parents and ease them into the idea of there being three of us now.
The only thing I knew about their visits was that everyone had taken it well. Ez’s parents had even demanded they bring me by for dinner next weekend so they could welcome me into the family properly.
My chest tightened a bit at the memories. Ez’s parents had never met me, and they were already more supportive than my own parents had ever been.
“I should have said something, but I didn’t want to freak you out and make it seem like we were being obvious while we were figuring stuff out or anything like that. But he totally knew before I said anything. And he one hundred percent enjoyed watching me splutter after catching me off guard.”
“Same with Quinn.”
Ez started the engine. “We’d better head to work. You’re sure it’s okay?”
“Yeah.” I did up my seatbelt. “He said it’s not a problem at work, and he has our back if it is.”
“Ready for round two?” Wes squeezed my shoulder from the back seat. “I know this is going to be harder for you since you’ve known them way longer.”
“I’m ready. I’m done hiding who I am.”
Ez shot me a proud smile. “Good boy.”
I shifted in my seat, my dick perking up at both his words and his tone. “You don’t play fair.”
“Nope.” He drove out of the parking space. “But I am proud of you. This is a big deal, and it’s not easy.”
I shrugged, but my goofy smile gave away just how much his praise meant to me.
The drive to work was less than ten minutes, and we were the last to get there.
“Morning!” River waved enthusiastically. “Come get a donut and save me from myself.” He shook the box at us. “I once saw a meme that said I’m an adult. I can have cookies for dinner, and no one can stop me . Then the next picture said I ate cookies for dinner, and no one stopped me , and the guy looks like he’s dying.” River grimaced. “That’s going to be me if you don’t save me. Only it’ll be breakfast and not dinner.”
“That was a lot of words for this early in the morning.” Gray snatched the box out of his hands and passed it to Wes.
“What can I say? I like donuts.” River grinned.
Ez took a bite of one of the donuts as Wes extended the box to me. I grabbed one without really looking at it.
“So, I have something I need to tell you guys.”
Everyone stopped and turned their full attention to me.
I’d figured telling them all at once would be easier than one at a time, but now I wasn’t so sure. Having all of them stare at me was unnerving, but I wasn’t going to back down now.
“So.” I cleared my throat. “I’m not sure how else to say this except to just come out and say it, but I’m not straight. I’m bi.”
“Awesome.” River held his fist out for a bump. “Welcome to the club.”
“And,” I continued when no one else said anything. “I’m kind of not single anymore.”
“That was a convoluted way of saying you, Ez, and Wes are making the beast with three backs.” Zane guzzled something out of his thermos.
Wes started choking beside me. He’d picked the wrong time to take a bite of his donut.
“You knew?” I gaped at Zane.
“Were you trying to hide it?” He chuckled. “We work with you. We’ve seen the looks. I swear sometimes I get a contact boner just from being in the same room as the three of you.”
“Contact boner.” River snickered.
“Did anyone else know?” I looked at Quinn incredulously.
He popped the last bite of a donut in his mouth and delicately wiped off his hands.
Noah raised his hand as Gray said, “Yeah.”
“I didn’t.” River looked around at the group. “But then again, I didn’t even know when I was dating a guy, so it’s not surprising I missed whatever was going on here.” He waved his hand at us.
“And everyone is okay with it?” Ez asked.
Gray leaned against the twins’ car. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
“Because there’s three of us?” Wes looked around the group.
“So what?” Noah shrugged. “As long as you’re happy, that’s all we care about.”
Zane and River nodded.
Gray swiped the last donut out of the box. “Done freaking out?”
“For now.” I smiled as the weight of my secrets was lifted off my shoulders, leaving me feeling light and buoyant and happy.
So damn happy.
I had the best friends I could have ever asked for, who treated me better than my family ever had. And I was in love with the two most incredible men I’d ever known.
It was a far cry from what I’d thought my life would look like and worlds apart from where I thought I’d be when I left home all those months ago, but I wouldn’t change a single thing.
My path might not have been traditional or easy, but it brought me here. And there was nowhere I’d rather be.
I’d finally found my true family, and for the first time in my life, I didn’t just feel like I belonged. I knew I did.