Page 19

HALE

It took a long time to get used to having three romantic partners. My brain took several months to adjust, always trying to make sure everyone was getting equal time with me and not neglecting anyone. Now I just roll with the punches.

The first few months were rough. Every sleazy magazine and bullshit gossip site had photos of the four of us in the diner, and poorly blurred versions of the photos were everywhere I turned.

Though Colby tried to ensure our twisted affair was cleaned up properly, being caught in the middle of the act itself wasn’t something we considered.

I could barely open any social media app without being confronted by my own features twisted in pleasure, all with some version of the same raunchy headline.

“NEON CHERRY’S LEAD FUCKS HIS STEPSISTER!”

Our parents weren't thrilled, but we don’t talk to them much these days anyway. Now that the drama has died down, we’re back on the road, and I finally get to do what I love, watching my two amazing boyfriends and girlfriend perform. It’s truly a fucking dream.

Sydnee lets me try fun styles with her hair now, the boys don’t bitch too much when I veto their outfit choices, and I have full rein of Neon Cherry’s social media, meaning the filtered word list is long.

We upgraded the tour bus too, one that has a much bigger bed for the four of us. Not that we’re in it much for anything besides infamous group activities, but it’s nice to have when the mood does strike.

Even now, we all sit on the bus, doing our separate things, but it’s beyond comfortable.

Syd and I are curled up on the tiny sofa, her writing music, me online shopping.

Both very important jobs, of course. Colby is at the small table, eating his cereal like his life depends on it and going over the surprise single that they’re dropping this week, and Jackson sits opposite of him, testing new chord progressions.

It’s pure bliss. Despite how unsure I was, and how we all promised it would be a one-time thing, I’m so glad that the two knuckleheads didn’t give up on me and that Sydnee rolled with the punches to grow our connection too.

I may not know what six from now looks like, but I sure as fuck hope it looks a lot like this.