Page 102 of Better When Shared (Kristin Lance Anthologies #2)

Ryker

I stood by the door of the firehouse that had been my home for over four years, wondering, not for the first time, if I was crazy to leave it, to let it all go.

“So when are you leaving us?”

A deep voice came from behind me, and I turned to find my friend Troy standing there. He clapped me on my back.

“I’ll miss you, man.”

My chest felt a little tight.

“Am I being an idiot?”

My phone buzzed, lighting up with Kiaan’s name, and I flipped it over, but not before both of us saw the text.

Kiaan

Miss your perfect cock.

Duchess says hi too, but she keeps saying we need to be serious. When’s our next FaceTime? Naked edition.

Why did Skylar keep asking to talk about the future? My chest felt tight with the possibility that it was bad news.

“I thought your girlfriend’s name was Skylar.”

“Girlfriend’s name is Skylar. Boyfriend’s name is Kiaan.”

“Oh shit, man. That’s like the bi guy fantasy,”

Troy said, laughing.

“You love ‘em?”

“Yeah. So much. I’ve known them longer than I’ve been here. They’re my best friends.”

“What are you hesitating for, then? Chase that. Every town has fire stations, but true love? That shit is rare. And I’ll keep an eye on your sister. Don’t have to worry about pretty little Aimee.”

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“To be absolutely clear, I’m asking you and Rhett to watch over my sister, not fuck my sister. There’s a difference.”

“What? We’d never even think of doing something like that. Rhett and I? We’re gentlemen, through and through.”

“Is that why you have a tattoo of a dick on your ass?”

“That was a small matter of a dare. Nothing at all lascivious happened!”

I rubbed my forehead.

“Fuck. Maybe I should stay in Denver, just to protect my sister from the idiots who are her.”

Troy burst out laughing.

“Nah. We’ve got your back. Chase that joy.”

He clapped me on the back one last time and walked off.

I smiled despite the ache in my chest, then pulled out my phone.

Ryker

Tonight? My shift just ended, and I’m headed home. Miss you both too.

And I have a surprise for you.

Kiaan

Are we going to game?

Sure, but that’s not my surprise.

Is it your cock?

I was still grinning as I climbed into my truck, lost in a daydream on the short drive to my building, about what it would be like to be going home to them after a long shift, instead of to my empty apartment.

I sighed and unlocked my door, hanging my bag and jacket on the hook, and walked toward the bedroom, ready to get naked.

“You don’t have havarti, do you?”

My sister’s voice startled me out of my daydreams.

“Jesus, Aims,”

I sighed, pressing a hand to my heart, as I looked for the source of the voice, finally finding her in the kitchen, head in my fridge.

“What have I told you about letting yourself into my apartment?”

“That it’s acceptable in an emergency, and that’s why I have emergency spare keys,”

she replied cheerfully, popping up with a block of cheese.

“I had a cheese emergency.”

“Cheese emergency?”

“Yes. There was no cheese in my fridge. Emergency!”

She crossed the room and flopped onto my couch, opening her phone with a flourish.

“Anyway, I have a surprise for you.”

I approached cautiously, recognizing the manic gleam in her eyes. My sister was many things—brilliant, outspoken, occasionally overwhelming—but subtle had never made the list.

“What did you do?”

“Me? Nothing!”

She patted the couch beside her.

“But your polyamorous paramours, on the other hand...”

Something cold slithered down my spine.

“What are you talking about?”

“Sit. Listen. Be amazed.”

She tapped a few keys, then turned the volume up. Her familiar podcast intro music filled the apartment, followed by her professional voice welcoming listeners to The Aimee Position.

I sat heavily beside her, a sense of impending doom settling in my stomach.

“Aimee, what is—”

“Shh!”

She slapped my arm.

“This is the good part.”

“Welcome back to The Aimee Position, where no relationship question is too awkward to answer! I’m your host, Aimee Hale, and we’ve got a very interesting caller on the line. Caller, you’re live—what’s your relationship dilemma today?”

A pause, then a voice that made my heart stop dead in my chest.

I cleared my throat, suddenly nervous.

“Hi, Aimee. I’m, um. Kitten, calling from Washington State.”

“Hi Kitten! And you’re in a polyamorous relationship?”

“Yeah. I we’re a triad, as in, we would love to live together you know. All three of us. But I’m not sure what to do about boyfriend being an idiot hero in Denver when he should be home with us.”

It was unmistakably Kiaan, and my heart leapt into my throat.

“What the hell? Did you set this up?”

Aimee shook her head.

“Of course not. I think they were just having fun. And possibly making sure you knew how they felt. Listen.”

Through the phone’s speaker, Kiaan was answering a question about our relationship.

“Both, I guess. We’ve only been together physically for two weeks, but we’ve known each other online for years. Everything clicked so perfectly when we were all together, and now... I’m worried about what happens when we’re not.”

“And Duchess, thoughts?”

Skylar’s voice sounded nervous and a little shaky.

“I’m scared he won’t come back. That real life will get in the way. That he’ll realize this whole thing is too complicated and not worth the effort.”

The naked vulnerability in her voice hit me like a physical blow. I stared at Aimee’s phone, a lump forming in my throat. Beside me, Aimee had stopped grinning, her expression softening as she watched my reaction.

“First of all,”

Podcast-Aimee replied.

“I can tell you with absolute certainty that he has been head over heels for both of you for years. Literally years.”

“Aimee!”

I protested, shooting her a betrayed look.

She shrugged, unrepentant.

“What? It’s true. You’ve been mooning over them for an eternity.

I couldn’t argue with that. I’d talked Aimee’s ear off about Skylar for years, and later about Kiaan too. About their brilliance, their humor, the way they made me feel seen and understood in ways no one else ever had.

“I think we want to be together,”

Skylar’s voice continued, making my heart skip.

“As partners. All of us. But we haven’t really talked about it.”

The recording continued for another minute before Aimee closed her phone, looking at me expectantly.

“Well? Aren’t you going to thank me for this invaluable insight into your partners’ minds?”

I leaned back against the couch, processing what I’d just heard.

“They miss me.”

A smile spread across my face despite my embarrassment.

“They want me to come back.”

“Of course they do, dumbass.”

Aimee rolled her eyes.

“The question is, what are you going to do about it?”

I took a deep breath, then met her gaze.

“I already gave my notice at the station.”

Her mouth dropped open.

“You what?”

“Yesterday, on my first day back.”

I ran a hand through my hair, nervous energy making it impossible to sit still.

“I knew I wanted to move the minute I got home, so… I’m moving to San Juan Island. I just promised the chief I’d stay for a few weeks so they’re not short-staffed.”

Aimee stared at me, speechless for possibly the first time in her adult life.

“But... your career. The department. You’ve worked so hard to get where you are.”

“There are fire departments in Washington state, Aims,”

I said gently.

“I’ve already applied to San Juan Island Fire and Rescue. And to the closest island over. I guess some people commute by boat or ferry?”

“And you didn’t think to mention this minor life change to your only sister?”

Her voice had gone high and tight, the way it did when she was trying not to show she was hurt.

I reached for her hand, squeezing it.

“I wanted to be sure first. Make sure it wasn’t just post-vacation brain making me crazy.”

I smiled crookedly.

“Turns out, it wasn’t. I’m crazy about them, Aimee. Both of them. In ways I never thought possible.”

She studied my face, then sighed, squeezing my hand back.

“I can see that. You look... different. Happier. Even sitting here pining over them.”

“I am,”

I admitted.

“Happier than I’ve been in years.”

“What about this place?”

She gestured around my apartment.

“Are you selling?”

I shook my head.

“Subletting. To Rhett and Troy from the station.”

Aimee’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“No. You’re kidding. Please tell me you’re kidding.”

I suddenly became very interested in a loose thread on my jeans.

“What? They’re great guys.”

“Ryker James Hale,”

she said, voice dangerous.

“Please tell me you are not subletting your apartment to your firefighter bros so they can keep an eye on your baby sister.”

I couldn’t look at her.

“They needed a place closer to the station,”

I mumbled.

“It’s convenient for everyone.”

“Oh my god.”

She shoved my shoulder, hard enough that I rocked sideways.

“I’m twenty-five years old! I have a master’s degree in human sexuality! I run a successful podcast about relationships! I do not need babysitters!”

“They’re not babysitters,”

I protested weakly.

“They’re... friendly neighbors who happen to be trained in emergency response.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

She flopped back against the couch, arms crossed.

“Mom’s been gone for five years, and you still can’t stop trying to parent me.”

The mention of our mother sent a familiar pang through my chest, but it wasn’t the crushing grief it had once been. Time had softened the edges, and now the pain came with fondness too, with memories of her smile, her laugh.

“Old habits,”

I said softly.

“I promised her I’d look out for you.”

Aimee’s expression softened.

“I know. But I’m okay, Ry. Really. You don’t have to put your life on hold for me anymore.”

“I’m not,”

I assured her.

“That’s what Rhett and Troy are for. They’ll help with my guilt over leaving.”

She studied me for a long moment, then nodded.

“I’m happy for you. Truly.”

A wicked grin suddenly spread across her face.

“But seriously. I can handle myself. Are you sure about this? Moving across the country for a relationship that’s only been physical for such a short time?”

I paused, beer halfway to my lips.

“It’s been six years of late nights talking. Of sharing everything. Of building trust. The physical part is new, yeah, but the rest?”

I shook my head.

“They know me better than anyone except you. They’ve seen me at my worst and still want me.”

“Because you’re worth wanting,”

she said fiercely, all teasing gone from her voice.

“You’re the best man I know, Ryker. They’re lucky to have you.”

I felt a lump form in my throat.

“Thanks, Aims.”

“But if they hurt you, I’m flying to Washington to kick both their asses. I will end them.”

I laughed, the tension breaking.

“I’ll let them know.”

“Good.”

She stole my beer, taking a swig before handing it back.

“So, two weeks, huh? That’s not much time to pack up your life.”

“I don’t need much,”

I said, realizing as I spoke how true it was.

“Most of this stuff...”

I gestured around the apartment I’d lived in for five years.

“It’s just stuff. What matters is already waiting for me on that island.”

“God, you’re disgustingly romantic.”

She rolled her eyes, but her smile was genuine. She stood, taking the cheese with her.

“I can’t wait to meet them. Now go call them and tell them, because they’re freaking out. You need to learn to communicate!”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,”

I said, but the smile on my face was huge as I pulled out my phone.