“Man, I feel stressed out just listening to this. I can’t imagine what you’ve been going through.”
I let out a small laugh. “Yeah, it’s not been easy. Anyway, we tried. She was no longer hiring me, and we all became intimate, and it was fine at first. Then I had a client come into town early. She had been scheduled for a while, and I had to explain to them about that situation. Neither was happy, neither understood why I was still escorting, and they didn’t like that they were being hidden from you guys, my friends.”
“Makes sense,” he acknowledges. “So, why are you still escorting? Why didn’t you tell us? At least me and Jace.”
“I’m not escorting. I quit.”
“What? When?”
I shrug. “A little while back.”
“So, who were these ‘clients’ you talked about? Them?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, so why didn’t you tell us what was going on? Relieve some of that pressure?”
I blow out a long breath. “I don’t know. I just was used to not talking about my life. I wasn’t sure what was going on, and to be honest, I’m still not sure. My job was on the line if people thought I was going around sleeping with men, even if I wasn’t. It was just a lot, and I didn’t want to bring you guys into my complicated life. You all had your own things going on. You know?”
He regards me for a while. “No, man. I don’t know what you mean. We’ve been your friends for several years now. We talk about our shit, man. We don’t keep that to ourselves. We celebrate together, we mourn together, we cry together, and we rise together. Never alone. I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t have you guys in my life. I get why you were concerned about your job, I do. But, you should know we wouldn’t have said anything to anybody.”
“You’re right,” I say after a long pause. “I should have told you.”
“Were you afraid of how we’d react? I know we can be a bunch of boisterous bastards, but come on.”
“I think it just got to the point of me being worried how you’d react after keeping it to myself so long. I never imagined I’d have a relationship with two people that I’ve have to talk about. If I had any relationship that was serious, I feel like I would have talked about it, but I haven’t had one in a while. Then, the first one I have is a three-way one, and…” I stop and just shake my head.
“We just want to see you happy. That’s all. Do I wish you would have just been honest from the jump? Yes. But, I do understand where you’re coming from.”
“Thanks for understanding and being so cool about all of this. I appreciate it.”
“I am a cool kind of guy,” he says with a smirk. “But for real, and don’t tell Jace this or he’ll never let me live it down.” He leans forward and looks around like he’s making sure nobody is around. “Lincoln is a good-looking guy.”
I bark out a laugh, throwing my head back and everything. That was not what I was expecting him to say.
“Yeah he is.”
He smiles wide. “I can admit when a guy is a good-looking dude. I’m just saying, I can see you two together. Now, I need to see this woman.”
I’m still laughing and shaking my head. “You will.”
“Alright, then.”
“You said you spoke with Lincoln when you came by here. What did you two talk about?”
He finishes chewing his food, takes a drink, and then answers. “I was walking to your door, and noticed him still in his car. The window was down, so I kind of bent down and said hi. He forced a smile on his face and said hi back. I asked if we had some sort of business or paperwork to deal with, since I thought that’s why he was here, but he just shook his head. I could tell he was upset, so I asked if everything was okay, and he just said you know how to get him worked up.
“I wasn’t in the mood to delve too deep in conversation at the time, but I could tell by his face, his demeanor, and actions, that he was acting the same way I was. I’m a man in love, Marc. I was worried about my status with Emilie, and was completely concerned that I might have lost her for good. He seemed to be feeling the same way. I took a guess,” he shrugs. “So, what’s going on? Y’all fighting still?”
A man in love. Those are the words replaying in my head. Lincoln in love with me?
“Yeah, we haven’t talked lately.”
“Maybe you should.”
“I will. Nathalia said she’s going to set something up for all of us.”
He nods. “I’m glad you told me everything, but you still need to tell the others. I’ll keep it to myself, because it’s not my place, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“Thanks, Troy. I’ll be sure to tell them soon. I have another surprise. This one nobody knows about, but I’ll tell you all together,” I say with a grin.
“Ah man, now it’s going to be eating at me.”
“Sorry,” I laugh.
“No you ain’t,” he says, throwing a chip at my plate.
We finish eating and hang out for a while, and everything is just as it was before. Normal. The way it should be between friends. I don’t know why I was so worried. I suddenly want to kick myself, but you live and learn.
He gives me a hug before he leaves, and I set out to call Nathalia and see what she has planned. We definitely need to figure this out. I don’t want to be without either of them anymore, but I’m still worried Lincoln isn’t up to it anymore.
Nathalia’s phone rings three times before she answers.
“Marc. I have good news and bad news,” she says immediately.
“Give me the good first,” Marc says.
“Really? Most people want the bad first.”
“Nathalia.”
“Sorry. Good news. I have a plan for us all to meet up together.”
“Bad news?” he asks.
“It’s gonna take a while.”
“How long is a while?”
“Two weeks.”
“Why two weeks?”
I move through my living area and into my kitchen to pull out a bottle of wine. “Well, Lincoln isn’t in Vegas right now.”
“Where is he?” Marc demands.
“California somewhere.”
I hear him huff. “Okay.”
“I also have to go to California in two weeks. I’ve made plans to meet with him there. You have to come.”
“That actually works out pretty well. My friends invited me to California for a trip. It’ll be around the same time. Where in California are you staying?”
“The L.A. area.”
“Okay, I’ll make it work, and if all works out, you’ll meet the rest of my friends there.”
I hear the smile in his voice.
“That would be great.”
“I think so, too.” He pauses and I take my large glass of wine over to the couch. “What are you doing right now?”
“About to drink my weight in wine,” I answer.
“Bad day?”
“Stressful.”
“I’m sorry, but I have some news.”
“Good?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, then you can tell me,” I say with a laugh.
“I told Troy everything.”
“You did?” I gasp.
“Yep. It was definitely an interesting and surprising conversation, but he took it all in stride.”
“I’m so glad for you,” I squeal. “Was he mad at all?”
“I wouldn’t say mad. Maybe a little hurt that it took me so long to open up, but he understood.”
“Good. I’m so glad. I’m sure you feel a little better already.”
“I do, but I’m going to let you finish your wine and then get some rest.”
A giggle escapes. “Thanks. I’ll drink one for you.”
“Deal. Talk soon.”
“Okay. Love you,” I say, loving the way it feels to be able to tell him now.
“I love you, Nathalia.”
His voice drives me wild. I hang up the phone with a hug
e smile on my face, and the butterflies in my stomach won’t stop fluttering.
The next two weeks go by surprisingly fast, and before I know it, I’m in California. Marc will arrive tonight, and I’m meeting up with Lincoln in the early evening for dinner. He has no idea Marc is coming, but I’ll tell him at the restaurant.
A knock on my door brings me out of room wearing only a towel. I make sure it’s Lincoln before pulling open the door.
“Hey,” he says with a mischievous grin. “You wearing this to dinner tonight? Because if so, you may become my dinner.”
He finds the slit in the towel and runs his hand over the curve of my hip and pulls me to him.
“I don’t think the restaurant would find my attire appropriate,” I respond, wrapping an arm around him.
“Fuck the restaurant. We’ll stay here.”
I pull away and playfully swat him away. “You may have me to eat, but I don’t have anything to eat. I’m looking forward to some good Italian.”
“I never told you I’m third Italian?” he asks.
“Not the same,” I grin.
“Well, hurry up and get some clothes on, because I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep my hands off of you. That towel may slip off and my dick may slip inside of you.”
“Lincoln,” I jokingly admonish. “I’m going, I’m going.”
When I get to the room, I put on my white, strapless dress. The hem falls loosely below my knees and a black sash ties around my waist. I slip on some black, strappy heels and put on some jewelry, and head back to Lincoln. My hair was already pinned to the nape of my neck, and my makeup done softly.
“Wow,” Lincoln whispers. “You are absolutely breathtaking,” he says, striding towards me.
The back of his knuckles gently brush over my cheek bone and then across my jaw, until his thumb and forefinger hold my chin. He brings my lips to his and kisses me softly.
“I’m so lucky.”
I smile into his mouth and pull away. “I’m pretty lucky, too.”
Stepping back, I admire Lincoln in his black-on-black suit. He’s draped head to toe in black and looks absolutely stunning. The only color visible on him are his blue eyes. Eyes that are easy to get lost in.
“We better get going, because if you keep looking at me like that, I can’t be held responsible for my actions,” he says, running his eyes up my body slowly.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Once we’re seated in the restaurant, I debate on when the best time would be to tell him that Marc is on his way. I excuse myself to the bathroom after we order our drinks and appetizers, and give Marc a call to see where he is.
“Hey, beautiful,” he answers, bringing a smile to my face.
“Hey, yourself. Where are you?”
“I’m about thirty minutes away.”
“Okay, then. I’m about to tell him now.”
He laughs. “Good luck. See you soon.”
“Thanks. Drive safe. Love you.”
“I love you.”
I hang up and quickly make my way back to the table. Lincoln sits there studying the menu. He glances up as I’m pulling my chair back and gives me a grin like he’s happy to see me back. I really hope I don’t piss him off.
“Linc?”
“Hmm?” he replies, looking back into his menu.
“I have to tell you something.”
As soon as he looks up at me, I see Emilie walking past our table. I give her a polite smile, but know I can’t say much to her right now. I’m not surprised to see her here, since Marc already told me where his friends would be while on vacation.
“What’s going on?” Lincoln asks, giving me his full attention.
“I called Marc. He’s going to be here soon.”
“You what?” he asks, his voice more stern, but still low.
“Well, he knew to come here a while back. I just called him in the bathroom to make sure he was still on his way, and he’s about a half hour out.”
“Why would you do that?”
He looks around the restaurant like he’s looking for somebody.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Looking for the waiter. We can’t stay here and eat dinner now.”
“I didn’t know he’d be so close. We can just order something and have them deliver it to us.”
“That’s fine,” he says gruffly.
“Lincoln, we all know that you two need to talk. He’s coming out here to talk to you, to be with us. Doesn’t that say something? It’s time we get this crap handled already. I’m so tired of feeling like I’m shuffling between you two.”
He huffs and runs his hand over his face, but doesn’t respond with words. The waiter appears at the table, and I decide to speak because I know Lincoln will come off rude if he says anything.
“Hi. I’m sorry. Can we just get our food delivered to our room please?”
“Sure, no problem,” the waiter responds, pulling out his notepad. “What would you like?”
We give him our order and room number and are told the food will arrive shortly. As soon as the waiter takes two steps from the table, Lincoln pushes his seat back and walks away.
“Lincoln, why are you so upset?”
“I’m just not sure why you felt it necessary to do that.”
“Maybe because it needed to be done.”
I know Emilie is behind us, because I saw her coming down our way when I got up from the table. She may be wondering who I’m with, but I know soon she’ll have all the answers. I just need to get these two stubborn men to talk to each other first.
“You know what’s going to happen,” Lincoln sighs.
“You don’t know what’s going to happen, but we’ll find out soon enough,” I say, hoping for fireworks. They’ll fight, I’m sure, but the chemistry they have is undeniable. They’ll be on each other in a heartbeat.
“Only because you decided to take it upon yourself to call him,” he huffs.
I know he’s happy. Somewhere deep down, he’s excited to see Marc again. Something akin to excitement passed over his features when I told him Marc was on his way.
I turn my head around and notice Emilie is closer than I thought. “Men,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Nice to see you again, Emilie.”
“You too,” she responds. “Good luck,” she calls, gesturing towards an angry Lincoln who has stormed ahead.
“Thanks,” I laugh.
We get to the elevators and the silence is deafening. He won’t look at me, but it doesn’t bother me. This thing between us three is getting figured out tonight, no matter what.
As soon as we’re in the room, he goes straight for the liquor and downs a shot. I roll my eyes and go to the room to change. So much for wearing my nice dress tonight. I end up in some gray leggings and an off-the-shoulder white shirt.
Lincoln has pulled off his coat and tie, and they rest across the back of a chair. He’s holding a highball glass with a dark liquor. Scotch, if I know Lincoln. A few minutes later the food is delivered to us, but we don’t even bother eating.
We know Marc will be here any minute.
I pace through the kitchen with my scotch in hand, waiting for Marc to arrive. I’ve been avoiding talking to him for a while now, knowing damn well that’s all I’ve wanted to do. I’ve been pissed off, though. We were being generous in giving him time to get his shit together, and yet he takes several months without word of what’s going on. Our brief encounter on Christmas was fantastic, but I had hoped that he would have had made a decision shortly after. Clearly, he was still interested in keeping things secret; afraid of what his friends thought, or more concerned about being an escort.
While he was out of the picture, Thalia and I continued our relationship, but we both felt his absence. Thalia and I love each other, and our friendship is stronger than ever, but I can see the sadness in her eyes sometimes. She misses him. I miss him, but I don’t say anything. I fear what will happen between Thalia and me if the thing with Marc
fails to develop into what we had hoped for.
I know she loves him, and I know she loves me. Would she be forced to choose one of us? Or would she be with both of us at the same time? I don’t know if I would be okay with that. I suppose I understand Marc’s apprehension to get involved in the first place.
My pacing comes to a halt when several knocks on the door echo through the room. Thalia and I share a glance before she begins walking to the door. I down the rest of my drink in one large swallow, place the glass on the table, and put both hands in my pockets.
“Hey,” Thalia greets sweetly, stretching up to her tiptoes to give Marc a kiss.
He rests his hand on her lower back and returns the kiss. When he pulls away, they share a smile, and then he looks up and I wait as he looks around the room. His eyes find mine and we’re locked onto each other.
I barely notice as Thalia makes her way back to the couch, because Marc slowly begins walking towards me. His facial expression doesn’t give much away, but he never breaks eye contact.
He stops about a foot and a half in front of me. “Linc,” he says in way of greeting.
I only lift my chin slightly, unsure of what he’s about to say.
“I’m sorry.”
His apology catches me off guard. I wasn’t expecting that to be the first thing he said, and while my initial reaction is happiness, I don’t let on. I still don’t know what’s going to happen.
“For what?” I ask.
He sighs. “Everything. For putting my job before yours and Nathalia’s feelings. For not telling me friends as soon as I developed feelings for you both. For…everything.”
The breath that I must have been holding rushes out. “Feelings?” I ask, too chicken shit to ask him out right what his feelings for me are.
Marc turns and looks at Thalia, who’s watching us from the couch. He stretches his arm out and signals her over. When she reaches us, he puts an arm around her and looks at me.
“I told Nathalia that I love her.” Thalia places her hand on Marc’s stomach and looks up at him and then smiles at me. “She loves me too, and I know she loves you.”
Nathalia reaches her hand out, and I release mine from my pocket and entwine my fingers with hers. I can’t help but smile as I look at her smiling face.
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