“Jesus, Cain.” Jasper looks over at me. “We’re taking you out to show you some real country fun. You trust us, right?”
I don’t even have to think before answering him. “Of course I do.”
Tanner stands up and gulps the remainder of his coffee. “Let's get going then.”
“This is not what I was expecting. At all.”
I wipe my face again, trying to get more mud off me. However, all I end up doing it spreading it and accidentally getting some in my mouth. I never ate mud pies as a kid and I definitely don't want to start now.
Jasper walks over and passes me a worn out towel. “Use this to wipe your face. You aren't doing any good wiping mud off if your hands are covered, too.” He’s barely able to speak on account of him trying not to laugh.
“Go ahead and let it out. It was pretty funny.”
A chuckling Cain saunters over. “Oh, baby, it was funny as hell. I’ve seen plenty of people slip and slide in the mud, but I don’t think I’ve ever see anyone doing that ballerina thing you just did. What happened?” He’s laughing so hard now he’s doubled over. He’s lucky I don’t kick him in his crotch.
“I was trying to climb out of this behemoth truck.”
“That doesn't explain the little dance move you had going on.” I’m beginning to worry about Cain. He’s starting to turn a bright red and he could barely breathe out that sentence. If I wasn't so embarrassed by my attempt to become a mud ballerina I’d be laughing too. I lost my footing in some slick mud while I was trying to get out of Tanner’s truck. Instead of landing on my feet like a normal person, they decided to deceive me and slide out from under me. I barely had time to grab a hold of the door before I face planted. Instead, I ended up twirling in a circle with my arms thrown out. I finished up this little performance by falling on my butt in a giant mud hole. I may have sunk a little bit. Okay, Jasper and Cain both had to grab a hand and get me out of the suction hole. Not my finest moment. I’m just lucky the mud didn't steal my shoes. It was touch and go there for a second.
“We’re sorry, baby. We don’t mean to laugh at you.”
I point at Jasper. “You can’t even apologize without laughing!”
A pair of strong arms circle my waist from behind. “I would have given you a perfect ten for that performance,” Tanner whispers into my ear.
Rolling my eyes, I pull away from Tanner and discreetly look at Jasper and Cain for any signs they may have seen Tanner hugging me. Neither of them seem upset by it. I need to stop reading so much into things.
“Right.” Tanner claps his hands once. “How about some food?”
I watch him jump into the back of the truck and undo the bands holding the cooler inside the bed. Jasper climbs inside the truck and pulls out a thick wool blanket and he and Cain lay it out in the bed while Tanner starts to unload the cooler.
“Are we eating out here?”
“Of course, city girl. Where did you think we’d be eating?” Tanner smirks at me.
“I don’t know. I just didn't expect to be eating in the middle of a muddy field while covered in said mud.”
“Catch this, Memphis.” Tanner throws a water bottle to me. “Use that and the towel to get the mud off your hands. I’ve got sanitizer in the glovebox once the mud is all gone.”
I use all the water but nothing is going to get the mud out from under my nails but a scrub brush. I try not to think about it while I use the sanitizer then join the guys at the back of the truck.
“Here, sit on the tailgate then kick your boots off. That way we won't get too much mud back here.” Cain tells me then proceeds to hop up and do the same. Once the four of us are in just our socks, we crowd around the spread Tanner laid out. Sandwiches, bags of chips, and Little Debbie cakes. My breath hitches when I see them but I don't say anything and neither do they. We each grab our lunch and start eating.
The day has been perfect. The rain yesterday dropped the temperature a bit and there's a slight breeze in the air. I never thought I would enjoy riding around in a truck through a muddy field, but I have to admit, this has been one of the best days I’ve ever had. At some point in the day, each of the guys found a way to touch or kiss me in some way. Each kiss was brief, but the feeling of everyone has lingered. I don’t know what to think about all of this, but as long as they seem okay with the others touching me in someway, who I am to question it? For now, I've decided to just sit back and enjoy the time I have here with these three amazing men.
“What’s put that smile on your face, baby?”
I whip my head to look at Cain. “I didn’t realize I was smiling.”
“You were and it looks pretty damn good on you.”
“I agree with Cain,” Tanner says. “We haven't seen you smile enough.”
I feel the heat of a blush running across my cheeks so I look down and pretend to study the empty bag of chips in my lap.
“I think you embarrassed our girl, Tanner.” Jasper wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him. He lifts my chin up to look at him. “I have to agree. That smile does look good on you.”
Cain hops up and walks over to sit back on the tailgate and begins to put his boots back on. “I think we just may make a country girl out of you after all.” He reaches back and smacks my thigh. “Come on, pretty girl. Let’s go find us some more mud before we have to head back in for the day.”
Jasper squeezes my shoulder before releasing me. I crawl over to the tailgate and put my boots back on with a smile plastered on my face.
“They're both right. You look beautiful when you smile, Memphis.” Tanner hops out of the truck and begins to walk further out into the field. Before he gets too far, he glances back at me. “Of course, I thought you looked beautiful before with nothing on your face but mud and mascara.”
I groan and cover my face with my hands. I must look like a horrible mess. My lips are dry so I know all my gloss is gone and I can feel mud caked onto my face. I wipe my fingers under my eyes and look down to see mascara smeared on them. Good grief. I probably look like a mud soaked raccoon. I hop down and look in the side mirror on the truck. Awwww man. Tanner is right. There’s two things covering my face and they aren't pretty.
Mud and mascara.
Tonight I decided to treat the guys and make dinner. They’ve been so good to me since I’ve been here, it's the least I can do. I pull up into Tanner’s driveway after my trip to the grocery store. I see Tanner’s truck and another car that I don't recognize. Cain and Jasper won't be here for a few more hours and I know Jim’s old truck. I grab the bags from my Bug and drag them into the house. I hear talking down the hall but I don’t think much of it. It might be one of the guys that works for Tanner here to pick something up. He won't return to work for a few more days and several times someone has stopped by to drop off something or ask him questions about the farm.
I’m emptying the last bag when I hear a throat clearing. I turn around and see Gretchen standing in the doorway. Her pants are again too tight and her top too low. Seriously. Does she have to lay down and have help zipping those things up?
“Memphis,” she says with a nasty smirk on her face. “When will you be leaving? I believe you’ve wasted enough of everyone's time. Especially of my daddy’s and Tanner’s.”
I prop my hands on my hips and try to stand a little taller. I will not let this skanky, too-tight pant wearing, lipstick smeared, heifer get to me. Wait. Why is her lipstick smeared?
The pitiful look on my face must give my thoughts away because she runs her finger across her lips and smiles at me. “Oops. I thought Tanner got it all off.”
“Is there something else I can do for you, Gretchen?” I grit out.
She giggles. Yes, she freaking giggles. “No thanks, Memphis. I just came by to see Tanner. He hasn't had much free time since you're here mooching off of him. We needed to be alone for a while and since you were at the store, it was the perfect moment.” Gretchen tosses her hair over her shoulders and raises her n
ose higher into the air. As if that was possible. “I need to be going. Remind Tanner that I’ll be back in a few days. Try to make yourself scarce again, please. It’s kind of weird when we have an audience.”
With that little stab to my heart, she turns and leaves. Grabbing hold of the counter, I lean my head down and take a few deep breaths. I have to remind myself that Tanner isn’t mine. None of them are mine, no matter what I feel for any of them.
“Memphis? Is that you?” Tanner hollers from down the hall.
“It's me,” I croak out.
My knees almost buckle when he walks into the kitchen. He's currently wearing nothing but a towel hanging low on his hips. “I thought I heard you talking to someone when I got out of the shower.”
“It was just Gretchen. She wanted to let me know to be scarce when she comes back over.” I push back from the counter and grab my purse. “I forgot something at the store for dinner. I’ll be back in a little bit.”
I run out of the house before he can stop me. I don’t know where I’m going, but there's no way I can stay in that house right now. I try to shake it off so I can focus on my destination. Before I know it, I’m downtown by the river. After I lock my purse up in the trunk, I walk down to the banks of the Mighty Mississippi and sit down.
He lied to me. I asked Tanner and he told me there was nothing going on between him and Gretchen. I was so stupid. I know he doesn't belong to me, none of them do, but did he have to lie to me? Why not just be honest so I know up front. I should just go home. I can call Jim, and even come visit him again. Heck, he can always come up to Wisconsin and visit. He’s already told me how much he loves football. I don't need to be here anymore. It seems like everytime I get used to staying, when I start to let go and actually enjoy being here, something blows up in my face.
I don’t know how long I sit here, watching the river and the occasional tugboat and barge go by but it must be a few hours. The sun has gone down, the stars are out, and so are those pesky mosquitoes. I’ve felt sorry for myself long enough. Getting to my feet, I drag myself back to the Bug and head back to Tanner’s. I don't owe him any explanation, but Jasper and Cain should be there and they don't deserve me walking out and worrying them.
I see all three of their vehicles when I pull into Tanner’s. I barely have time to put the car into park when my door is yanked open. I turn my head and look at the face of a very angry Cain.
“Where the hell have you been? We’ve tried calling you but you wouldn't answer. We didn't know if something had happened to you and the police wouldn't help because you haven't been gone long.” By the time he’s finished, Cain’s nostrils are flaring.
Pushing past him, I get out of the car and retrieve my purse and phone from the trunk. “I drove down to the river and left my phone in the car.” I walk past him and into the house. Tanner is sitting on his couch with his head in his hands and Jasper is pacing in front of the TV. Both of them look up when I walk in. “I’m sorry I worried you. I just needed a moment to myself.” I continue to walk towards the hallway but stop and turn back to look at them. “I apologize about dinner tonight. I’m tired and going to bed.”
“Memphis,” Tanner calls out. “Tell us what happened. We deserve to know what caused you to leave without telling us anything.”
I snort at his words. He doesn't deserve anything from me, but he's right, Jasper and Cain do. “I felt like I was in the way, Tanner. After all, Gretchen did tell me it was weird when you had an audience and I didn’t feel like staying where I wasn't wanted.”
Jasper gets up in Tanner’s face. “What is she talking about, Tanner? Why was Gretchen here?”
“She stopped by to ask why Memphis was still here and I told her it was none of her damn business. I have no idea what Memphis is talking about.”
“Really, Tanner?” I ask. “I was here for a good fifteen minutes before she waltzed from the back of the house with her lipstick smeared all over her face. I guess you had hopped in the shower before she left so you missed the little speech she had for me.”
“Memphis, I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about. She knocked on the door, I answered her question and told her to leave. She didn't step one foot into my house. I got in the shower and you saw me as soon as I came out.” Tanner uses his fist to punch a hole in his living room wall. “I swear to you, Memphis. Nothing happened. She must have come back in when I was in the shower. I didn't lock the door because I wasn't sure how long you would be gone.” He stomps over to me and places his hands on my face. “She is nothing to me. She never has been and frankly, I’m sick and tired of having to defend myself when it comes to her. I don't know what she was trying to accomplish, but if I had to guess, it looks like she got her way. Memphis,” he pushes a lock of hair behind my ear, “there is no one else but you. Do you hear me? No one but you.” He punctuates his sentence with a searing kiss on my lips. Once he pulls back, he studies my face. “Do you understand when I say only you? That goes for Jasper and Cain as well. We don't want anyone else but you.”
“Huh?”
Tanner snickers and pulls me back into the living room. “Jasper, you want to try explaining this?”
I look over Tanner’s shoulder to see Jasper. Tanner lets me go and gently guides me toward Jasper.
“Hey, pretty girl.” Jasper leans his head down and kisses me soft and slow.
“Huh?”
“Is that all you're able to say right now? It’s okay. I need you to just listen to us for now. Hear us out and keep an open mind. Can you do that for us, Memphis?”
Still unable to speak, I nod and then take a seat on the couch beside Cain.
Japer goes to his knees in front of me. “The three of us have feelings for you, Memphis. We understand you only came here to find Arthur and you have no intentions of staying, but we want you to reconsider it. I know it’s a lot for you to take in, but believe us when we say that we don't want anyone but you.”
“He’s right, baby.” Cain grabs my hand and places a kiss on top of it. “There isn't anyone but you. I want to try with you. The three of us want to try to be with you, baby.”
My eyes find Tanner and watch him as he walks over and sits on my other side. “I’ve never touched Gretchen. I swear to you. We have strong feelings for you, and I think you feel the same. Could you pack your bags and leave us for good without even seeing where this could go?”
“I..I mean. This is crazy.”
“Do you have feelings for us, baby?” Cain asks me.
Nodding my head, I tell them the truth. “I do have feelings for all three of you. But that doesn't make it right. Why would you three want to have a relationship with just me.”
“I never told you about my grandparents.” I look back to Tanner. “My Meme was married to my grandfathers, as in plural. At the same time. It’s not normal, but that doesn't mean it's wrong. Who cares what we do in the privacy of our own homes? What we care about is that you feel something for us. Besides, these guys are my brothers. We always knew we would end up loving the same person.”
A finger moves my chin until I’m staring at Jasper again. “Stay with us, pretty girl. None of us have ever felt about someone like we do you. You came in and knocked us all on our asses. Don’t we deserve the chance to see where this could lead?”
“Baby,” I look back to Cain, “could you love us? The three of us? Could you be with us and be happy? If there’s anyway you could, then why not try? What's the worst that could happen?”
“You could crush me, Cain. I don't know if my heart can take another blow.” Looking at all three of them, thinking that after I leave I will never see them again, that someone else will have this opportunity to love the three of them breaks me in two. I don’t know if I can do this, but I know I can't just walk away from them. Jasper is right. We do deserve to see if this is something. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Jasper asks. “Okay what?”
Deciding that now is the best time to test the waters, I lean up and
brush my lips across Jasper’s. “Okay. I’ll see what this is and where it takes us.” Jasper jumps up and Cain reaches out for me but I hold my hand up to stop them. “Just remember, I have a job I love back in Wisconsin. I can’t just walk away from that or my home. I have to be back in three weeks to set up my classroom. I can’t stay a single day later or I could lose my job.”
“We accept that, baby. We have three weeks,” Cain reminds me. “Be ready to be swept off your feet and never want to leave us. We’ll have you looking for a job here before you know it.” He grabs my face and gives me a scorching kiss.
Before I can worry about what the other guys think, Tanner is lifting me off the couch and delivering his own branding kiss. I guess that answers that question.
Jasper smacks Tanner on his back. “Alright, man. I don’t know about y’all, but I missed dinner and I'm starved.”
“I’m really sorry about that.”
“It’s alright, baby. I can call the restaurant and have them fix us some burgers and go pick them up. I’ll be back in no time.” Cain kisses me once again before running out the front door.
“I’ll get the table set,” I tell them and hustle to the kitchen. I need a second to catch my breath. Can I do this? Be with all three of them? If I’m being honest with myself, I do have feelings for them. Strong feelings. This isn’t normal, but what is normal anymore? This is my decision. To heck with what anyone else thinks. Am I really going to do this? Try to have a relationship with Cain, Jasper, and Tanner?”
Doggonit, I reckon I am.
(Cain)
“Well, what do you two think?” I lean back in the chair I’ve been occupying on the back porch for the last half hour. After Memphis went to bed, the three of us grabbed a few beers and came outside to discuss our talk with her.
“I don’t know, Cain. I hope she sticks with the plan and stays. I can understand her being reluctant. I mean, we’re asking her to take on not one of us, but all three. For someone who has never been around this lifestyle, I image it’d freak her out.” Jasper is forever the voice of reason.
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