“When did it happen?” Jared presses.
“Why?” I ask.
“Want to know if I’m right,” he explains. “Nathan and I had a bet going on about when it all started, and if I’m right, he owes me.”
“You sure you want him to owe you right now?” I explore. “Given the current state of things?”
“No,” Jared’s voice shakes. “Maybe . . . .”
“Since the wedding,” Joe offers.
“Joseph,” I yell. My fist projects into Joe’s shoulder, but he doesn’t flinch.
“That’s . . .” Jared pauses to think. “That’s six months, Kitten. Holy shit!”
The three of us exchange a few silent glances for a moment.
“You know,” Jared starts. “I actually thought you guys had sex sooner than the wedding.”
“What?” I question, regretting it as soon as the word leaves my mouth.
“The sex must be good,” Jared muses.
“This is no longer on the table for discussion,” I disclose.
“Why?” Jared inquires.
“Because,” I start. “You came here to talk about Nathan.”
“I don’t want to talk about him,” Jared returns. “Thinking and talking about him makes me sad. And, I don’t want to be sad. I want to be happy. And, talking about you two makes me happy.”
“There is no us two,” I repeat. “And, we aren’t talking about it.”
“Six months means there’s a relationship,” Jared continues.
“Enough,” I return. “We aren’t talking about it.”
“There’s that we,” Jared challenges with a snicker.
“Not funny,” I press.
Joe moves closer, trying to comfort me. I swat his hand away.
“So, tell me more,” Jared coaxes.
“I said we aren’t talking about it,” I demand.
“I say we put it up for a vote,” Jared returns.
“There is no vote,” I reply. “It’s not on the table.”
“Maybe Joe wants to talk about it,” Jared challenges.
“No, he doesn’t,” I command. “End of discussion.”
“You know I’m here, right?” Joe checks.
“Clearly it needs to be talked about,” Jared mentions.
“No, it doesn’t,” I reiterate. “End of discussion!”
“Talking about it will be good . . . for all of us,” Jared suggestions.
“No,” I refute.
“Besides, I bet Joe wants to talk about it,” Jared declares.
“No, he doesn’t,” I counter.
“Guys, I’m right here,” Joe comments.
“Joe gets a vote. He’s a part of what you two are,” Jared comments.
“No. There’s no voting,” I repeat. “It’s not up for discussion. There’s no part of anything to vote on.”
“Have you even asked Joe if he wants to talk about it,” Jared stipulates.
“It doesn’t matter,” I reply. “There’s no vote.”
“I get a vote, beautiful,” Joe challenges. “If it’s about us, I get a vote.”
“There’s no us and there’s no vote,” I return.
Joe moves closer. I try to get away, but he corners me. “I want to talk about it.”
“What?” I gulp.
“Sadie gets a vote,” Joe adds.
“No, she doesn’t,” I counter.
“Yes, she does,” Jared supports.
“No, she doesn’t,” I repeat.
“She’s gotten a vote ever since Oregon,” Joe comments.
“What happened in Oregon?” Jared inquires.
“Nothing,” I answer, staring Joe down.
Joe takes his phone out of his pocket and I watch him thumb through his videos.
“What are you doing?” I inquire.
“You’ll see,” he answers with a devious look.
My eyes fall upon a still frame of Joe, Sadie and me on a bed. “How did you get that?” my voice questions an octave higher.
Joe gives me a wicked grin. He sets the phone on the counter, pressing play for Jared to watch. I do my best to stop it, but Joe blocks me. My eyes stay fixed on the video as it plays.
“You are in so much trouble,” I declare, squinting at Joe.
“Looking forward to it,” Joe says with a seductive grin, pulling me closer. One of his hands grips my ass while the other holds my face still so he can kiss me.
Jared’s laughing catches our attention. “You’re a kinky mother fucker, aren’t you? It’s always the quiet ones.”
Joe doesn’t take his eyes off of me when we hear Jared. His lips slowly connect with mine again and my body melts into his.
“Awww,” Jared sings. “You two are sooooo cute.”
“Shut up,” I direct with gritted teeth.
“Who taught her that?” Jared inquires.
“Taught who what?” I ask, confused by what we’re speaking about.
“Sadie and the trick in the video,” Jared clarifies.
“We didn’t teach her that,” Joe mentions.
“There’s that we again,” Jared comments.
“Shut up, Jared,” I direct.
“So, I want details,” Jared states.
No,” I object.
“Yes,” Jared responds. “You’ve hidden this from me for six months. I deserve details.” He looks to Joe. “How many?”
“What?” Joe asks confused.
“Orgasms,” Jared articulates.
“Enough,” my voice weakly chimes in.
Jared gives me a look — the I know all about your other conquests and there’s no way I’m not going to hear about this one. “The first time,” he expands.
“The real number or the one I thought?” Joe searches.
“Joseph!” I shout, smacking him in the arm.
“Both,” Jared clarifies.
Joe looks right at me and all I can do is shake my head while he reveals, “I thought four, but she later confirmed five.”
Anger rises inside me and I push Joe away, forcing him a few steps back. He moves closer, but I don’t let him touch me.
“Damn,” Jared remarks. “Every time?”
“I’m not answering that,” I snap.
“Practically . . . unless it’s a quickie,” Joe offers.
“God damn it! Shut up, Joe,” I bark.
“It’s good to not hide it,” Joe comments.
“See,” Jared supports. “You guys need to talk about this.”
“No, we don’t,” I challenge. “We’re done. I knew this would be a mistake,” I confess.
Joe pulls me into him. “You don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do,” I counter, trying to pull away.
Joe’s lips connect with mine and my body surrenders. His authoritative tone and posture are distracting.
“It’s definitely a relationship, Kitten. Especially if he’s the first to make you cum,” Jared shares.
“He’s not the first,” I challenge.
“He’s the first man to make you cum,” Jared clarifies.
I feel the heat gathering in my cheeks.
“When are you going to tell everyone?” Jared inquires.
“It is not a relationship and there is nothing to tell,” I state calmly.
“You’re kidding, right?” Jared questions with a mocking tone.
“Emma,” Joe calls.
“No,” I answer. “I’m not kidding.”
“He’s the first guy you’ve slept with for the longest amount of time,” Jared reminds.
“So?” I peruse.
“So, it’s definitely a relationship,” Jared reiterates.
“No, it’s just sex,” I say firmly.
Jared snickers and Joe grins.
“I’m serious,” I press.
“Do you stay the night?” Jared continues, focused on Joe, ignoring me.
“Of late,” Joe offers.
“Joe,” I scold.
With a smile, Jared announces, “Defin
itely a relationship, Kitten.”
“No,” I argue.
“You’ve never spent the night with a man before,” Jared reminds.
“Yes, I have,” I counter with a smile.
“Nathan and I don’t count,” Jared states.
“Yes, you do,” I confirm.
“Fine,” Jared presses. “You’ve never spent the night with a guy you’ve had sex with.”
“We’re not in a relationship,” I repeat.
“There’s that we again,” Jared teases.
“Fuck me!” I retort, lifting my hands to my face.
“Well, Joe has and I don’t doubt he’d be up to assist if you need it again,” Jared laughs.
“Not funny,” I say with heat in my voice.
“I thought it was,” Jared pokes.
The three of us stand looking at each other for a few seconds.
“So, when are you going to tell everyone?” Jared searches.
“Tell everyone what?” I check.
“About you two and your relationship?” Jared expands.
“It’s not a relationship,” I huff.
Jared looks to Joe. “Monogamous?”
“Yes,” Joe confirms quickly.
“And, her?” Jared checks.
“Does Maggie count?” Joe inspects.
Laughing, Jared verifies, “No, Maggie doesn’t count.”
“Maggie counts," I challenge.
“No one else,” Joe shares.
“It’s definitely a relationship, Kitten,” Jared announces again.
My mouth opens, but fails to say anything. I move away from them, but Joe snatches me by the wrist. He gently tugs me toward him, surrounding me with his arms. I try to get away, but the smell of his body is intoxicating. Joe takes my face, forcing me to kiss him. My brain fights for a few seconds, but my body succumbs to his touch.
“You two are soooo cute,” Jared sings.
When Joe releases my lips, I look to Jared and can see the pain in his eyes. “You okay?” I check.
“Yeah . . .” he huffs.
Wanting to help my friend, I suggest, “Why don’t we make your favorite popcorn?”
“Don’t tease me, Kitten,” Jared returns with a smile, perking up a little.
“I’m not,” I testify.
“Do you have the ingredients?” Jared checks.
“I should have some. Whatever’s not here, I can call Anna and she’ll bring them,” I mention.
“Anna? Anna who?” Jared inspects. He doesn’t give me the chance to answer. “You mean Anna, Joe’s maid?”
“Yeah. Why?” I ask.
Laughing, Jared states, “You have your lover’s maid on speed dial?”
“He’s not my . . .” my voice fails to say the word lover.
Jared cracks up. “And . . . you think you’re not in a relationship.”
“Out,” I command, not amused.
“What?” Jared inquires.
“Out,” I repeat. “Both of you.”
“What did I do?” Joe searches.
My eyes narrow. “Out.”
“You’re going to kick me out . . . during a sensitive time like this?” Jared accuses.
“Yes,” I confirm.
“Beautiful,” Joe coaxes.
“Don’t,” I command. “I want you out.”
“Bullshit,” Jared challenges.
“Don’t try me,” I press.
“She doesn’t mean it,” Jared claims. “She’s bluffing.”
“I’m not bluffing,” I say. “And, you’re drunk enough to make getting you out of here really easy for me. I’d barely have to do anything.”
“Joe will help me,” Jared announces.
“No, he won’t,” I argue.
“Don’t speak for him,” Jared states. “Joe’s allowed to talk for himself.”
“Well, if he and I are in a relationship ship like you claim,” I begin. “Then, I can speak for him. I can speak for the both of us.”
Jared chuckles. “Ha. So, you admit it.”
“Admit what?” I ask, looking back and forth between him and Joe, who are both smirking.
“That you and Joe are in a relationship,” Jared clarifies.
“Only for this instance,” I state.
“You can’t pick and choose when you are and aren’t in a relationship,” Jared claims.
“Yes, I can,” I counter.
“No, you can’t,” Jared rebuts.
“I’m a woman. It’s one of our rights,” I share.
Joe comes up behind me, placing his lips on my cheek. “I’ll take it if she’s offering.”
“I’m not offering anything,” I reply.
Joe chuckles, “We’ll talk about it later.”
“No,” I argue.
Joe gives me the stern, authoritative look. We have a battle of wits, staring intently at each other.
“So . . . how about that popcorn,” Jared recommends, changing the subject.
I choose to end the battle, happy that we’re at least moving on for the time being. Joe calls Anna, handing me the phone when I need to tell her the ingredients. The three of us don’t say much as we wait for Anna to arrive — like we’re not sure where to pick up from here with regards to our conversation. Jared snuggles with Sadie on the floor, playing with her to keep himself occupied while Joe helps me with the popcorn. The need to text Nathan is apparent, but my phone is with my purse, which is close to Jared. If I text anyone, he’ll know who I’m reaching out to and the last thing I want is a fight.
“Hey, Jared,” I call.
“Yeah, Kitten,” he returns.
“It’s ready,” I mention.
“Yay,” he half-heartedly cheers. He reaches forward, snagging a large, messy handful. “Mmmm.”
“How about . . . we watch a movie?” I suggest, trying to come up with anyway to help him recover.
“Which one?” Joe and Jared ask at the same time.
With a warm smile, I infer to Jared, “Your favorite.”
“Seriously?” Jared asks, perking up.
“Yep,” I encourage.
“Yes,” he cheers, grabbing the bowl and heading into the bedroom.
I rush to get my phone, text Nathan that Jared is with me, mentioning there’s a challenge and to wait for my next correspondence. Joe followed Jared and when I enter the bedroom, I stand, staring at the bed for a moment, trying to figure out how the four of us are going to fit — I mean, I know we’ll fit, it’s just — God, this is awkward. Joe takes his side that is closest to the door and Jared stands next to me since he got the movie ready.
“Do you think maid service comes this late?” Jared says with a playful tone.
“Why?” I inquire, not understanding him.
“To change the sheets,” Jared says with a smirk.
“You’re kidding me, right?”
“What are you two talking about?” Joe inquires.
“No, I’m not kidding,” Jared answers. “You two had sex on that.” He points to the bed.
“You can deal with it,” I charge.
“I might get cooties or something,” Jared teases. “You never know.”
“This coming from the guy who never changed his sheets for me when we shared a tiny one bedroom apartment, especially after having sex in his own bed . . . in our bed?” I comment.
“It wasn’t that bad,” Jared chuckles.
“You sweat like a beast,” I add.
Jared kisses me and jumps on the bed, curling up on the opposite side from Joe. “Come on, Kitten,” Jared calls, patting the middle of the bed.
My attention bounces between the two of them, not sure about this setup since it’s so unfamiliar to me. If Joe was Maggie, there wouldn’t be any hesitation.
“It’s okay,” Jared soothes. “You can snuggle with your man.”
I take a deep breath before replying, “He’s not my man.”
“I’m good with sharing,” Jared states playfully. “How about you, Joe?”
/> “Sharing is good,” Joe agrees with a laugh.
“I guess you’re used to sharing,” Jared quips. “At least with Maggie.”
“Jared,” I scold.
“What?” he feigns.
“It’s not like that,” I declare.
“I know,” Jared reminds. “I was just joking.”
“I’m right by the iPad,” I remind. “I can change which movie.”
“You wouldn’t?” Jared checks.
“I would,” I challenge.
“What movie are we watching?” Joe questions, breaking our play fight.
“Galaxy Quest,” Jared reveals.
“Only if you promise to be good,” I reprimand.
“I’m always good,” Jared replies in a mocking tone.
“What’s Galaxy Quest?” Joe asks innocently.
“What?!” Jared snaps. “It’s only the best movie, ever! You’ve never seen it?”
“No,” Joe laughs, amused by Jared’s reaction.
“I don’t know if I can allow you to continue to fuck my best friend with a response like that,” Jared announces.
“Jared!” I yell.
“Okay,” he corrects. “I’ll let him fuck you only if he likes it.”
“Jared,” I repeat, my face beginning to burn from embarrassment.
“I’m sure I’ll like it,” Joe interjects. “Emma and I have very similar tastes.”
“I bet you do,” Jared hums.
Shaking my head, I leave the bedroom for a moment.
“Where are you going, Kitten?” Jared inquires, but doesn’t follow me.
I grab the bottle of wine and a single glass, knowing that I’m going to need to drink to be able to handle the rest of the night.
“You okay, beautiful?” Joe asks sweetly, joining me in the kitchenette.
“Yeah,” I huff.
Joe lowers his lips to mine and I’m instantly distracted by his touch and the smell of him. My body conforms into his, desperate for his unwavering ability to calm me with his caress. I feel Joe’s restraint despite giving me enough of what I need for the moment.
“Get a room,” Jared interjects with a laugh as he stands in the doorway.
“Shut up,” I say, not looking at him.
“Are we going to watch the movie or are Sadie and I left to ourselves while you two get it on?” Jared teases.
I don’t verbally respond and just follow him into the bedroom, grabbing the wine glass, the bottle of wine and my phone on the way in, placing them on the nightstand. Jared slumps on his side while Joe offers for me to climb in first. Joe snuggles up to me, having me lay against him. The three of us devour the popcorn — thank God I made a really large bowl. It doesn’t take long for Jared to reach for my hand and I happily accept his, encouraging him to move closer. He shifts, rolling toward me and places his head on my chest. I wrap my arms around him, running my fingers through his hair.
Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set Page 97