Page 97 of B is for Beg

Corey opens the fridge. “What’s brought this on?”

I bounce on the balls of my feet and grin. “They said they love me.”

He pulls a carton of milk out and pours some over his cereal. “Do you love them?”

“Yes. At least I think so. I’ve not dated anyone for long enough to know what love feels like.” I dip my gaze to stare at my half-drunk hot chocolate. “Whatdoesit feel like?”

Corey puts the milk back in the fridge and hunches his shoulders.

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

I didn’t mean to open up old wounds. To my knowledge, Corey has only been in love once, with Caroline, the woman who broke his heart into a million pieces when she left him and Lexi.

“It’s like walking on sunshine,” he whispers. “You carry this constant happy feeling around with you, even when things are tough. You know you can get through anything if the two of you are together.” He sighs.

“They make me happy,” I whisper. “I get giddy and grin just thinking about them.”

“Then you probably are in love,” Corey says. “I’m happy for you. Is that what you wanted to ask me?”

“No… I wanted to talk to you about how to introduce them to Lexi.”

Corey frowns. He takes his breakfast to the table, and I join him.

“What do you mean?”

“Would you be okay with me telling her they’re my boyfriends? Or should I introduce them as friends?”

Corey purses his lips. He loads his spoon up with cereal but doesn’t make any attempt to eat it. Instead, he stares at it, and I imagine he’s fixated by the way the milk drips from the spoon back into the bowl. Or maybe that’s just me.

I didn’t think it would be such a tough question. We’ve all been open with Lexi about our sexuality. Even though she sees that most of her school friends have a mummy and a daddy, she knows there’s more to relationships than men and women loving each other. But I’d understand if introducing her to a polyamorous relationship is a step too far.

“You should tell her,” Corey says eventually.

“Really?”

“Yes.” He eats the spoonful of cereal. “Gabe and Calvin are a part of your life. An important part. You shouldn’t have to lie to her about how you feel about them.” He looks me in the eyes. “If you hide it, it implies there’s something wrong with being in a poly relationship. I don’t want Lexi to grow up thinking that. You’re happy and in love. That’s all that matters.”

My heart squeezes, and a lump of emotion forms in my throat. I’m not sure whether to thank Corey, hug him, or burst into happy tears.

“Thank you.” I clear my throat in an attempt to dislodge the emotional knot.

“When do you want us to meet them?” Corey asks.

“I was thinking we could go out for lunch today. Get Sunday dinner at a carvery or something.”

“Sounds good. You’d better call Archie. Are you going to invite Hamish?”

“Yes. What about Spence?”

Corey shakes his head. “Lexi hasn’t met him yet. Besides, we’re not as serious as you and your Doms.” His eyebrows twitch together. “We shouldn’t call them that around her. Openness is one thing, but she’s far too young to know about BDSM.”

“Agreed.”

“I’m taking Lexi to the zoo next week,” he says. “With Spence and his niece and nephew.”

“A low-pressure first meeting. I like your style.”

“That’s the idea anyway.” Corey gnaws on his lip. “Do you think she’ll like him?”