by Marla Monroe
“Aw, baby. Why didn’t you confide in us? You know we’ll always be here for you.” Roy looked hurt.
Cynthia realized that he was hurt. She’d disappointed them when she’d kept her fears to herself instead of sharing them with the two men. It had never occurred to her that they would feel slighted. All she had thought about was that she’d always handled everything herself and if she told them they naturally would have denied that she could have had anything to do with it. She could almost feel the disappointment flowing from them as they held her. Shame filled her eyes with tears. She didn’t bother trying to hold them back.
“Hey now. What’s this?” Roy asked when he saw them. “Why are you crying?”
“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I’m just so used to dealing with everything by myself that it never occurred to me that you would want to hear me obsess over something like that. I’m sorry,” she said with a sniffle.
“Shh, it’s okay. Learning to lean on us is going to take some time for you to get used to. We get that. Just don’t keep the important things from us, honey. We want to be a part of everything with you. We’re here for you even when it’s just to listen to your fears,” Aden told her.
She sniffed and nodded. More than anything, she wanted this to last forever. They were wonderful to her and being with them felt right. But deep inside, she was afraid that it wouldn’t. How could two men keep from being jealous over a woman they both cared about? She knew she wouldn’t be able to share either of them with another woman, so how could this be any different?
They cuddled her between them, assuring her that everything was fine until she finally fell asleep secure that they still cared and didn’t hold it against her. She vowed she would remember to include them from now on.
* * * *
Roy and Aden left Cynthia asleep on the couch and slipped into the office to talk. Aden felt as if they’d failed her in more ways than one. First, they hadn’t protected her and second, she hadn’t felt comfortable or secure enough to come to them with her fears. They had to figure out how to convince her that they were serious and that nothing would change how they felt about her.
“She still doesn’t trust that this is serious for us, Aden,” Roy said, voicing his own thoughts.
“I know. I can’t really blame her. This isn’t something that is normal or anything. It’s going to take proving over time before she’s going to believe it will work. In the meantime, we are going to have to constantly remind her that we’re together with this. The more she sees us feeling relaxed about sharing her, the more she will accept it as fact.”
Roy nodded and set forward in the chair. “Let’s talk to her about moving in with us but keep her home so she feels like she has a place to go to if she needs it. While she’s with us, we can work on building her trust in us as a family.”
“That’s a good idea. Now is a good time to suggest it while she’s here recovering anyway,” Aden said with a smile. “I love her, Roy. More than I ever would have thought possible. After Afghanistan, I didn’t think I would ever be able to feel anything good again. Everything seemed bland to me when I first got back. All I could see or feel was in my head and that was a bad place at first.”
“It killed me to see you like that, Aden. I couldn’t seem to reach you. Then Cynthia was there and you responded to her. At first I was so happy to see you interested that it didn’t hit me at first that I wanted her, too.”
Aden smiled. “I still have that quarter we used to flip for her. It’s in the bag with the things I bought locked up in the safe.”
Roy chuckled. “Yep, you were a goner from the start. So was I for that matter.” He sighed and leaned back. “I love her just as much as you do, Aden. She’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a woman. I can see her pregnant with our kids and rocking on the front porch when we’re old and gray.”
“Let’s get her to move in, and then we’ll plan a romantic dinner and propose to her,” Aden said as he stood up.
“I’m all for that.” Roy got up and stretched. “I’m going to finish sharpening the blades on the pruners and check how everyone is doing with clean up. I should be back inside by dark.”
Aden watched the other man walk out of the office before settling back down to work on the inventory list. He felt better about everything now that they had a plan. He prayed it would work and Cynthia would agree to move in with them. She would be closer to the shop and they could help her when she needed it. Plus, waking up with her between them felt damn good. He was going to be much happier when she was healed and they could return to all three sleeping together again.
The night he had to sleep in the other room hadn’t been very restful. He kept waking up and slipping into their bedroom to watch her sleep. He’d needed to assure himself that she was safe in their home. After nearly losing her, both he and Roy almost gone crazy. It had taken every bit of control he had to keep Roy from attacking the bastard in his hospital bed when he’d gotten out of surgery. Deep down, he’d hated holding his friend back. He’d wanted a piece of the man himself.
With a sigh, Aden gave up on the inventory and snuck into the living room to check on his sweet Cyn. She was still sleeping soundly on the couch. He gently pulled the cover back over her where it had fallen off and listened to the soft snore she made. The bruises around her neck were even uglier than they had been at first. He knew they would eventually fade, but until they did, he had a colorful reminder of his failure to protect her. They were going to do a much better job of it from now on. He’d already talked to his friend in Knoxville about improving the system they had there at the house when he finished with her place.
No doubt Cyn would argue with him about it, but until she acknowledged that this was her home as well, she couldn’t really say anything about it. By the time she finally accepted her place with them, it would be a done deal and she couldn’t very well fuss about it then. He grinned. They were going to argue a lot, he was sure. No doubt there would be some doozies, but making up afterwards would be worth it.
He and Roy had already decided that only one of them would ever argue with her at a time unless it pertained to her safety and health. That way she would always have one of them to depend on and go to when she was angry with the other. They never wanted her to be without protection or support. She would always have one of them to hold and comfort her. It would leave the one in the dog house with the ability to get pissed off and recover from it without holding back for fear she would end up hurt.
“Aden? Is something wrong?” Cynthia sat up with a frown across her sweet lips.
“I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to wake you up. I was just checking on you,” he said.
“You didn’t. I need to run to the bathroom. Is everything okay?” she asked again.
“Everything’s fine. Roy’s out finishing up in the barn. I’m going to get an early start on dinner. Got any requests?” he asked.
Her smile filled his heart with warmth. “Surprise me. I love anything you cook.”
Aden bent down and kissed her, enjoying the taste of her lips and the scent of her skin. When he pulled back, she grabbed hold of his shirt collar and pulled him back down.
“I adore you, Aden,” she whispered in his ear. Then she kissed him and let him go.
All he could do was smile like an idiot as she stood up and hurried to the bathroom. He watched her go and felt everything settle into place at her words. It wasn’t an I love you, but that would come. For now he had her adoration and that was a step in the right direction.
Chapter Nineteen
Cynthia stretched behind the counter of the shop as Leslie, her new helper took care of the couple that had just walked in. She was proving to be a wonderful helper. Angie was studying for finals this week and Leslie was working out perfectly. She’d resisted Roy and Aden’s insistence that she hire another person but was glad she’d finally given in now. It gave her more time to work on the online part of the business with Denise and spend
more time with the guys.
Since she’d moved in with them, it felt as if her life had suddenly become easier and more fulfilling. She didn’t understand why, when she was always surrounded by people now. Before, she’d enjoyed her privacy, but it worked. She had nothing to complain about, well, other than their overprotectiveness. Still, it made her feel cared for and loved. She could handle it.
“Hey there, baby girl. How about lunch with your favorite men?” Roy asked as soon as he stepped into the shop.
“Are they here? I haven’t seen them today,” she teased.
He growled and scooped her up in his arms. “I’ll get you for that.”
She giggled like a little girl and held on as he swung her around. The door opened again and Aden walked in.
“Put me down, Roy. You’re going to make me knock something over.” She held onto him while she steadied herself then hugged Aden. “Roy said you’re going to take me to lunch. Where are we going?”
Aden chuckled. “How about Five Guys?”
“Yummy. Can we ask Denise to go with us?” she asked.
“Sure. We’ll stop by there and get her. Bundle up, it’s getting cold out there,” Aden said.
“Leslie! I’m…”
“I heard. I’ve got it,” the young woman said with a laugh. “Enjoy yourself.”
Cynthia hurried to the back and grabbed her coat. When she emerged from the back, Roy was nowhere to be found. She frowned as she walked toward Aden.
“What happened to Roy?”
“He went over to grab Denise. Let’s go, Cyn. I’m starved.” Aden wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they walked out.
When they reached her friend’s door, it opened and both Roy and Denise stepped out. Her friend had on a darling faux fur coat of pink that matched her outfit perfectly. She always wore dazzling clothes while Cynthia went more for the simpler ones. Of course, the things she wore beneath couldn’t be called simple by any means.
“What has you blushing baby girl?” Roy asked in a whisper.
“That’s for me to know and you to discover later,” she said with a smirk.
He nipped her earlobe with a growl.
“Behave, you two,” Denise teased.
When they made it to Five Guys, she was pleased to see that it wasn’t too busy yet. They ordered and then grabbed their drinks and a table. Aden went up to retrieve their food, leaving Roy, Denise, and Cynthia at the table to gossip. When Aden returned, they divvied up the burgers and fries, laughing about a customer Denise was telling them about from the day before.
“Hey, guys.”
They all looked up to see Nick standing in front of them holding a tray. Aden and Roy both stood up with the obvious intent of preventing Nick from getting near the women.
“You need to move on, man. You have no business near her,” Roy said.
“Roy. It’s okay,” Cynthia said. Something about Nick’s stance made her believe he wasn’t there to harass her this time.
“No it’s not,” he began.
“No, Roy’s right. I don’t have any right to be here, but I wanted to tell you I’m sorry about how I treated you and acted. I’m really sorry, Cynthia. I don’t know what got into me. I guess I had thought we were a couple for so long that I felt like you were cheating on me. I know that wasn’t the case, but I’d convinced myself that you were mine.” He looked up then sighed. “I just wanted to tell you that I’m really, really sorry.”
“You hurt me, Nick. I thought we were friends. It never occurred to me that you believed there was more between us than there was. I’m sorry I didn’t realize that you felt that way. I would never have hurt you on purpose, Nick.”
“I know that, Cynthia. Like I said. It was all me. I let you down and I let down the others as well. I guess I went a little crazy. It cost me you, my friends, and nearly cost me my job. I’m really sorry. I hope one day you will forgive me.” He turned to leave, but she stopped him.
“Wait, Nick.” She stood up and moved over to sit next to Roy. “Why don’t you join us for lunch and we can talk about it.”
She felt Roy stiffen next to her, but she put her hand on his thigh. She wanted everyone to be friends again. She missed the nights out they’d had off and on. After the episode with Nick, she hadn’t felt comfortable going, and Denise had said that Nick hadn’t shown up either. It might take her a little while to completely forgive him, but she honestly felt like he meant every word he’d said. If she wanted their little group to continue, it was up to her to mend the fence. She prayed that her men would at least relax around the other man.
“Thanks, but I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Nick said, eyeing Roy and Aden.
She felt Roy sigh next to her then stand up. He stuck out his hand. “Have lunch with us. I’m not going to lie and say I forgive you, but I can understand that you would feel that way about her because Aden and I love the hell out of her.”
Cynthia had heard them say that often enough that she should have gotten used to it by now, but it still felt odd to hear them say it in front of others. She knew how they felt, but somehow it seemed so much more real when they admitted it in public. It gave her a little thrill and a jolt of nervousness as well.
“If you’re sure.” Nick looked from one man to the other before settling his gaze on her.
“Sit your ass down, Nick. My hamburger is getting cold while we sit here staring at you,” Denise said.
Everyone laughed and Nick took the seat next to her. They talked about the weather growing colder and the holidays coming up. Nick told them about having to put out a pumpkin fire out at a campsite on Halloween.
“They were making a circle of pumpkins to call down the moon or something like that,” he said with a chuckle. “I asked them why they weren’t dancing naked, and they looked at me like I was crazy. One of them said they weren’t going to freeze their nipples off for anyone.”
“How did the pumpkins catch on fire?” Denise asked.
“One of them couldn’t get their candle to sit up straight inside, so the idiot piled some twigs under the damn thing to make a flat surface. When it fell over anyway, it caught on fire and spread to the ground around them.”
“When are you going to decorate for Christmas this year?” Cynthia asked Nick.
“They haven’t given us the schedule yet,” Nick said.
“The fire departments help the city put up the Christmas decorations every year. There’s so many of them it would take the city weeks to get them all up without help. Even the cable and phone company helps some,” Cynthia told Aden and Roy.
“What about you girls?” Nick asked. “Are you going to decorate like last year?”
She and Denise exchanged glances then burst into laughter. Roy and Aden frowned. They didn’t have a clue what they were laughing about.
“They started decorating the day after Thanksgiving and were still putting things up on Christmas Eve. You couldn’t walk by their stores without tripping over something. I think they even got a warning from the city council to back off of it some,” Nick told them.
They giggled again. “We’re going to tone it down some this year,” Denise told them.
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Nick teased.
They continued talking for another few minutes, and then Aden looked at his watch and winced before standing up.
“We’ve got to run, honey. Got an appointment in five minutes,” he said.
“Who with?” she asked as she stood up and gathered her empties.
“Um, a potential client. Let’s get you two back.” Aden took the trays, but Nick took them from him.
“You go on. I’ve got the tables. Thanks for letting me sit with you.”
“No problem. Thanks,” Roy said, still a little stiff around the other man.
Aden hurried them back down the street and dropped them off at their stores. Both men kissed the top of her head and told her to behave before hurrying across the street to their truck. She couldn’t hel
p but wonder what that had been about. Normally they told her everything about what they were doing. She shrugged and got busy helping customers so Leslie could take her lunch break. She’d find out later.
It wasn’t until nearly closing that she had time to sit and think again. She realized that she hadn’t missed her little house once since she’d moved in with the guys. They hadn’t balked about her keeping it despite moving in with them, so she’d wondered if they worried their relationship might last either. Then she would have a place to go if they decided it wasn’t working. Most men would have wanted her to sell it to prove that she was serious about them.
It stayed in the back of her mind over the next few days. The guys were acting strange as well. They would suddenly go quiet when she walked into the room where they were talking. It worried her that they were growing tired of her and trying to think of how to end it.
* * * *
Finally, a week after Thanksgiving, Cynthia couldn’t take it anymore. She felt as if she were walking on pins and needles around them. If it wasn’t going to work, then no amount of being on her best behavior was going to change anything. She needed to know what was going on and get on with her life. She and Denise were busy with the online store, and it would only get worse as Christmas got closer. She couldn’t stand the stress and strain any longer.
“Guys, we need to talk,” she said, setting her fork down that Saturday night.
“Sure, baby girl. What did you need to talk about?” Roy asked, taking a bite of baked chicken and rice.
“Us. What’s going on? I feel like you’re not happy with things anymore. Are you ready for me to leave?” she asked, putting it all out there.
Aden dropped his fork to the plate with a resounding clang. Roy spit out his food then choked and guzzled tea while she beat on his back.
“Where in the hell did you get that idea?” Aden asked with a thunderous expression on his face.