Persuade

by Wendi Wilson

  “What were you fighting about?”

  Mom’s voice broke the silence. My heart died in my chest before reanimating and beating double time. It never occurred to me that I’d have to explain their fight.

  “It was stupid,” Jett said.

  “Nothing, really,” Wyatt added.

  “Just brothers being brothers,” Beckett said, reaching over me and pushing Wyatt on the arm for good measure.

  But I was done with lies and half-truths.

  “They were fighting over me,” I said, matter of fact. “Jett and Wyatt thought Beckett had been…inappropriate with me.”

  My mom’s eyes widened. “Beckett? I thought you said you were dating Wyatt.”

  “I am.”

  “Then why…” she trailed off, looking to Dad for support with wide, confused eyes.

  “Please explain, Savanna,” he said, his voice firm.

  “I am dating Wyatt,” I said. “I’m also with Beckett. And Jett. We’re all,” I interlaced my fingers to drive home the point, “together.”

  Dad’s eyes drifted closed, but not before I saw the sheer disappointment on his face. Mom’s face turned beet-red as her eyes narrowed in on each of the brothers, then me. Her quick breaths wheezed in and out through her scrunched nose, giving her a bull-like appearance. And I was the matador waving a red flag.

  “Ab-so-lutely not!” she yelled. “This is not happening. Not my daughter. Not while she lives under my roof.”

  She shot to her feet and pointed at each of the boys in turn as she screamed those last three statements. Under normal circumstances, her temper would either send me running scared or into a temper tantrum of my own. After all, she was the one that passed that trait along to me, and she’d had years longer than me to perfect it. But, at that point, I was too drained to react. I just watched her and waited for her to run out of steam.

  “Say something, Roman,” she demanded when none of us responded.

  Dad looked flabbergasted, to say the least. “Savanna, what were you thinking?” he asked, his voice calm.

  Before I could answer, Mom jumped back in. “She wasn’t! She’s never had a boyfriend and here come these…these delinquents, warping her and talking her into God knows what depravities.”

  “Mom, stop,” I said, my voice calm.

  She was heaving by that point, her anger overriding her common sense, but that was no excuse. I was not about to stand by and let her talk about my boys that way. She didn’t even know them.

  “Savanna?” Dad asked, encouraging me to explain, if I could.

  “We were friends first,” I started. “And you’re right, Mom, I’ve never had a boyfriend before, but I’ve also never had regular friends, either. I was alone. Then these three showed up and everything changed. I had friends. People to talk to, to hang out with. People who liked me for me. People who stood up for me against the popular kids at school who like to torture me. People who made me laugh. Who thought I was funny.” I placed my palm over my heart. “My people.”

  “But—” Mom started, but I cut her off.

  “Mom, let me finish. Each of them wanted to take me out. Me, Mom. Tall, lanky, hot-tempered Savanna from Savannah. So, I agreed. They’d each take me out and then I’d choose.” I paused to smile at each of them. “But I couldn’t choose. I like them all, equally. They may look alike, but each of them brings something special and unique into my life. Beckett,” I said, taking his hand, “is kind and caring, a reader and a musician, who treats me like a queen and writes love songs for me.

  “Wyatt is funny. So funny. We laugh all the time. And he’s sweet and quirky, and adventurous. But there’s another side to him. One that’s protective and loyal to a fault.” I reached across Wyatt to point at Jett. “And Jett, well, he’s the serious one. All cocky and arrogant on the outside, he challenges me.” I smiled at him. “And I never back down from a challenge. Once I got past that tough exterior, I found someone I could talk to, debate with. He’s also a closet romantic and a great dancer.”

  I looked back at my parents. “They respect me. They aren’t trying to corrupt me. The ball is, and always has been, in my court. I decide what we do and when we do it, which,” I gave my mother a pointed look, “at this point has been nothing beyond a few kisses.” That was an understatement, but I figured Mom didn’t want the exact details.

  I was on a roll, so I decided to go all in. “Nothing you say or do will keep me from them,” I said. Then, taking a deep breath, I added, “I’m in love with them. All of them.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Then I burst into tears and ran from the room.

  I headed straight for the front door, cursing myself for losing it and ruining the image of the strong, adult woman I was trying to portray to my parents. If only I hadn’t gotten so carried away. I threw open the front door and ran out, not stopping to close it behind me. Up the driveway and onto the street I ran, no real destination in my head.

  That was the second time I’d blurted out my feelings about the triplets. At least the first time, I was speaking to them. They never did mention it, so I assumed they took it as an emotional blunder, a bad choice of words, and forgot all about it.

  There was no getting around this, though. I, very calmly and rationally, told my parents that I was in love with them. In love. Those boys weren’t going to let this pass. Or maybe they would, if they didn’t feel the same. I was damned if they did and damned if they didn’t.

  I swiped the back of my hand across my eyes, clearing my vision. I stumbled to a halt, bracing my palms against my knees and taking big gulps of air. Looking around, I realized I’d run right to our park. The park where it all started.

  I yelped in surprise as a tissue appeared in front of my face. I jumped backwards and bumped into a rock wall. Steadying arms grabbed me as I stumbled away and a familiar voice saying my name calmed my nerves. I blinked the remaining tears from my eyes and looked at my three boyfriends.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, not even sure which part I was apologizing for.

  “For what?” Jett asked.

  He led me to the picnic table and sat me down on the bench. I leaned my back against the concrete tabletop and looked at the three of them, standing side by side, identical wide-legged stances with arms crossed over their chests.

  “I…” I started but didn’t get any further. I wasn’t sure what to say.

  “Are you sorry for standing up for us to your parents?” Jett asked.

  “No,” I said, “but—”

  “Are you sorry for telling them that we’re together?” Beckett cut in.

  “No.”

  “Are you sorry for listing all my…I mean, our amazing qualities?” Wyatt asked, signature grin in place.

  I smiled. “No.”

  “Then what are you sorry for, Savanna?” Jett asked, his tone wiping the smile from my face. “Are you sorry for saying that you love us?”

  Three sets of eyes stared at me intently, like my answer was everything. I took a deep breath and released it.

  “Yes.”

  Jett frowned. Beckett’s face fell like someone just kicked his puppy. Wyatt actually took a step back, turning his head like I’d slapped him in the face. Their reactions were perfect and told me everything I needed to know. I stood up and straightened my spine.

  “I’m sorry because it shouldn’t have been that way. It should have been this way.”

  I stepped in front of Beckett and placed my palms on his cheeks. He looked wary but didn’t move as I ran one hand around the back of his neck and the other down to rest over his heart.

  “You are an amazing soul,” I said. “I love your heart, your mind, and your creativity.” I pressed my lips against his, then pulled back, keeping my forehead against his. “I love you, Beckett.”

  “I’m so in love with you, Savanna,” he said, kissing me again and pulling me into a tight hug.

  I released him and moved in front of Wyatt. He slipped his arms around my waist and grinne
d. “Lay it on me, beautiful,” he said.

  I laughed. “You are like a lighthouse. Your smile is my beacon in the storm, bringing me home. You show me the lighter side of things, that life can be fun and exciting and we were put here to enjoy it. To live it. I love you, Wyatt.”

  He whooped, swinging me around in a circle. His lips were on mine before we stopped spinning, making me dizzy with delight. He ended the kiss with a loud smacking noise and gave me a wink.

  “You know I love you, too. Always and forever,” he said, swinging me around again before releasing me.

  I stepped up to Jett but didn’t attempt to touch him. He looked serious, almost annoyed, and I guessed Wyatt’s antics were the cause. I stared into his eyes as he arched one brow. I smiled.

  “I pretended to hate you when we first met, but it was just an act. A defense tactic. You took my breath away, but you were distant and so arrogant.” I shook my head at him. “So cocky.” I crossed my arms to copy his stance. “But once I scratched the surface, I saw the real you. You protect those you care about, and I feel privileged to be included in that group. You’re too smart for your own good, and you challenge me at every turn. I love all of it, even the arrogance.” I lifted my hand and ran it across his chest, much like I did the night before. “I’m in love with you, Jett.”

  Before the final words left my mouth, I was crushed in his arms. All pretense of casual indifference was gone. Jett kissed me like he was starving and I was the last morsel of food on earth. Pulling back, he looked at me, his eyes full of wonder.

  “I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you, when you called me a jerk and poked me in the chest. I knew you were different from other girls, but I had no idea how different you actually were. You’re perfect.”

  “Hardly,” I said, laughing through the tears that were once again flowing.

  “You’re perfect for us,” Wyatt said as he and Beckett closed in.

  “Absolute perfection,” Beckett added. “Three hot headed Alts and their perfectly perfect semi-Alt girlfriend.”

  I laughed again as we formed a tight circle. “I love you guys. So much.”

  “We all love you, Savanna, and that’s never going to change,” Jett said, and the other two nodded in agreement.

  “Never,” Beckett added.

  “Never,” Wyatt repeated, like they were making a vow.

  “Never,” I said, resolution filling my voice.

  I believed them and felt the same. We may have been young, but we knew what we were feeling. Our relationship was unconventional, but it was ours. And it was filled with love.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Slow and steady. Breathe in. Breathe out.

  I repeated the words in my head as I walked to the gallows, otherwise known as my living room. I didn’t know if I ever had or ever would face anything more frightening than my parents, who had texted me to come home so we could “talk.”

  With some kind words of advice and encouragement, the boys had walked me home then hopped in their truck to leave. It took me at least five minutes to make the short trek from the driveway to our living room, where Mom and Dad were once again seated on the loveseat.

  Spying me hovering in the doorway, Mom motioned me forward. “Come in and sit down, Savanna.”

  I flinched a little. The stern tone of her voice did not bode well for the coming conversation. We were too alike, too hotheaded for our own good. I thanked my lucky stars Dad was there to referee. He could calm us like no one else could.

  I shuffled forward and sat on the edge of the couch, prepared to bolt if need be. I refused to make eye contact with either of them. While I was prepared to defend myself and there was no way I was backing down, I also didn’t want to see the disappointment in their eyes. Just because my choices were different from theirs, it didn’t make them wrong. They needed to understand that.

  “Your father and I talked while you were out,” she said, “and we’ve decided that you’re old enough to make your own decisions.”

  My head popped up and my eyes searched their faces for any hint of deception. Mom still looked pissed and Dad just looked resigned. Goosebumps popped out all over my skin with the thought that I might get out of the conversation unscathed.

  “Really?” I squeaked.

  She held up a hand. “There will be a few ground rules, so don’t get too excited yet.”

  I nodded, relief and excitement flowing through me despite her warning. I wasn’t going to have to live in a warzone, constantly at odds with my parents just so I could see the guys I loved. I would follow their rules. They were treating me like an adult, so I was determined to act like one.

  “Okay, what are your terms?” I asked, making my voice as calm as possible.

  “Your curfew is nine p.m. on school nights, midnight on the weekends. And that doesn’t mean you get to go out with them every single night. We want you to spend some time at home, with us, too.”

  “Agreed,” I said.

  “No alcohol. No drugs. No illegal activities of any kind.”

  “Mom, I’m not a completely different person. You know you don’t have to worry about any of that stuff with me.”

  “I’d say you’re pretty different since those—”

  Dad’s hand on her knee cut her off before she started another fight. I shot him a grateful smile and he nodded. “Just agree, Honey,” he said.

  “Okay. I agree.”

  “And absolutely no kinky…group…sexual things.”

  I jumped to my feet. “Mom! Gross! How could you even…”

  I trailed off. I actually could see how she would think that. I just told her I was in love with three guys and that we were all together. She probably pictured us having some crazy four-way orgies or something. A shiver ran down my spine at the thought. I sat back down with a sigh.

  “Okay, listen,” I said. “I can’t believe I’m about to talk to you about this, especially with Dad here.”

  “I can leave,” he offered, looking all too eager to escape the conversation.

  “No, stay,” I said. “Mom’ll just tell you later and you might as well hear it straight from the source.” I watched them brace for impact and almost giggled, but that would have been highly inappropriate considering the topic. I must have been getting delirious. “I am not having sex with anyone, nor do I plan to anytime in the near future.”

  “Don’t be naïve, Savanna. They’re teenage boys.”

  “And they love me,” I stated as simple fact. “Not one of them has tried to pressure me into anything. They’ve let me,” I coughed to clear my throat, “explore at my own pace and have told me over and over that I’m the one in control.”

  “I don’t want to hear this,” Mom groaned as Dad hung his head and covered his ears.

  “You started it,” I sassed. “Besides, think about what I am and what I can do. Not that any of them ever would, but if they did try something I didn’t want, what do you think would happen?”

  “You’d lose your temper,” Dad said, a ghost of a smile turning up his lips.

  I smiled back. “And?”

  “And you’d use persuasion to make them stop.” Mom said the words on a long exhale, like the realization calmed a large percentage of her fears.

  “I’d use persuasion to make them stop, and probably do something really humiliating to teach them a lesson,” I said, grinning.

  I knew I’d never have to go there, because the boys kept stopping me when things got too hot and heavy. But the thought of making Jett do something embarrassing when he gets too cocky has some real merit. Of course, I’d never do it. It would be just as bad as an Alt doing that to a norm and I was pissed when I found out Jett had tried to persuade me that first day. Emergencies only. That was my rule.

  “Any other rules?” I asked.

  “None for now, but we reserve the right to add more as we see fit,” Mom said.

  They stood, so I did too. Mom opened her arms and I flew into them. Dad took his turn huggi
ng me next and it felt so amazing, being on good terms with them again. My eyes burned and I fought back the tears. I’d cried enough for one day.

  “Okay, enough of that,” Mom said, sniffing. “Go on. I’m sure your friends are waiting to find out if you’ve been grounded forever or not.”

  Her smile made her eyes twinkle, letting me know that she really had forgiven me. I hugged her again, whispering, “I love you, Mom,” before waving at my dad and running from the room. I pulled out my phone from my pocket, sending Wyatt a thumbs-up emoji with a trail of hearts behind it. My phone started ringing before I even made it to my room.

  “Hey,” I said.

  “What does that mean?” he asked without preamble.

  “Are the others there?” I asked.

  “Yeah, they’re right here.”

  “Put me on speaker, k?”

  “Okay, we’re all here,” Wyatt said.

  “You okay, Savanna?” Beckett’s deep voice asked.

  “Let her talk and you’ll find out,” Jett snapped.

  “Guys!” I said. “Shut up and listen.” Silence. “Thank you. So…I’m not dead.”

  “Obviously,” I heard someone mutter.

  “Wow, Jett, you’re in a crappy mood. Maybe I’ll just let you stew a little longer,” I teased.

  I heard a scuffle and a grunt before Wyatt said, “He’s going to be quiet now. Go ahead, Savanna.” He put emphasis on my name and I could picture him narrowing his eyes, daring Jett to interrupt me again.

  I laughed. “My parents agreed not to fight our relationship.”

  “Really?” Beckett asked, his voice filled with wonder as Wyatt whooped in the background.

  “They just agreed to let us continue?” Jett asked, his voice low and disbelieving.

  “Well,” I said, drawing out the word.

  “I knew it,” Jett said. “What are the strings?”

  “No strings,” I said, “just a few rules.”