Page 17 of Conveniently Theirs (Viva Las… Oh, Sh!t)

fifteen

Josh

T he three of us spend a few more days honeymooning in Vegas before heading to Keni’s place in Michigan.

After I discover a purple metallic box in the stand next to her bed, it takes us five days to pack.

She’s got an interesting selection of toys, some of which I didn’t recognize.

Others I’ve seen but still asked her to explain their use.

A couple of those days, the three of us spent more time exploring the options than we do packing.

Devin finally had to tuck the toys away where I couldn’t find them and we loaded up our small rental truck for the journey home to South Carolina.

I went with her when she resigned her job. The short fifteen minutes there were painless. I’m not sure her boss even realized she’d taken the days off to meet us in Vegas.

Her landlady on the other hand stated firmly there would be no return of the deposit.

The cranky old bitch gladly accepted the furniture Keni wanted to leave behind but whined about losing her income from the broken lease.

She appeared at the apartment a couple times a day while we were packing, always finding some new complaint or making thinly veiled threats about taking Keni to court for the broken lease or damaged property.

Without telling either Keni or I until the deal was done, Devin took it upon himself to pay the woman off. Amazing how pleasant she became with eight months’ rent in her pocket.

Settling Keni in my huge house was much easier.

She says she loves her private bedroom but hasn’t spent a night there yet.

Makes me glad. I can’t imagine my wide bed without her and Devin.

We haven’t settled into who sleeps where yet.

Each night’s cuddle is a surprise. I’ll admit I like when Keni sleeps between us best. Those mornings I wake holding Devin’s hand, our arms corralling and protecting our woman.

Even though Devin and I have returned to work, it still feels like we’re on our honeymoon. One I never want to end. There’s so much to learn about being a throuple, both personal and relationship wise. So many things to experience and try. I fall more in love with my adventurous partners every day.

Today we’ve been summoned to Uncle Harold’s office. Not in the business complex, but his private, at home office. The topic of discussion will be my marriage, of course, but on the family level, not how it affects the business or my position within the company going forward.

Devin attempts to avoid the meeting, but my uncle knows him well enough to issue a private summons to assure he attends.

The housekeeper lets us into the spacious, wood-paneled room. Keni and I sit on a leather couch while Devin stands at a window.

Keni squeezes my arm. “Is Devin okay? He seems distracted. And last night there was an aura of—oh, I don’t know for sure—of desperation to his kisses. His touch. Did you notice?”

“Probably worried about today. Even though Harold has always accepted him and our partnership, neither of us are really sure what his real motivations were for his marriage decree. Or what he might expect from us in the future.”

“No matter what we won’t allow Devin to pull away from us. I don’t care about your money or the business. Not if it comes between us. I can’t lose either of you now.”

“That’s never going to happen, darlin’.”

Devin faces us but remains at the window. “No, sweets, it won’t. Remember, nothing will ever come between us.”

A beautiful pink fills her cheeks. “Except me.”

His chuckle is rough but the resulting smile is relaxed and calm. I don’t know how he manages to keep his inner turmoil so well hidden. He moves to sit on one of the chairs. “Except you. We’ll be okay, Keni. No matter what, the three of us are together.”

Lifting three fingers, he presses them over his heart.

After the first night the three of us spent together, Keni shyly added the third finger to the signal Devin and I had used for silent communication of our love.

Now the bond includes the three of us. Keni and I make the same motion, affirming that love.

“Ah, here you are. Sorry to keep you waiting. I was surprised when you actually arrived on time.” Harold’s deep laughter fills the room. He’s always had an amazing presence, commanding a room even when he’s not in charge.

He’s been my father. My mentor. I love the man deeply and never want to disappoint him. However, Devin and Kendall are my life’s priorities now.

Harold draws a chair closer and sits. “Congratulations on your marriage, Joshua, Kendall. I pray you’ll be happy together. ”

“We are, we will be, Uncle.” I glance at Keni then include Devin in my gaze. “We are.”

Harold leans back with his elbows on the arm rests and steeples his fingers. “Your marriage will please the old fuddy-duddies on the board and hopefully shut them up.”

Devin grimaces. “This marriage bullshit was just about pleasing the board? Appointing a new batch of directors would make more sense. Why mess with your nephew’s life just to appease them?”

Harold looks like he’s fighting a grin. Curious. He jerks to his feet, moves to his bookshelf and pours whisky into four glasses. Whisky neat? He’s about to say something seriously important. He sets a wooden box on the tray with the glasses and returns to his seat.

We join him in a silent toast. Devin takes a long sip. Keni pretends to drink and wrinkles her nose. I hold my glass between my cupped palms. “Uncle Harold?”

“I need to tell you a story.”

We wait in silence for him to continue. He drains his glass before speaking into the empty container. “Long ago, in the late sixties, I fell in love. The old proverbial head over heels. Times were different then. Society was changing but certain relationships weren’t openly spoken of.”

A frown tightens my forehead. This almost sounds like Harold?—.

“Yes, Josh. I was in love with a man.”

“Harold?” Devin begins.

My uncle waves one hand dismissing whatever Devin was about to say.

“Like Josh, I realized I was gay at a young age.

Or perhaps I should properly call myself bisexual.

I think I caught on to that aspect of myself earlier than you did, Josh.

My lover never claimed to be attracted to women.

Except to a girl we met at an anti-war rally. He always called her his one exception.

“The three of us had almost two wonderful years together before his number came up in the draft. He was sent to Vietnam. Less than six weeks later his body came home in a box. Our woman said being with me made her miss him too much. She disappeared. Couple years later I received a postcard. She’d joined some commune in Idaho. ”

He gets up and takes Keni’s glass. “Sorry, dearheart. I forgot you don’t care for whisky.” He refills his glass, then mixes orange juice and vodka for Keni. After a few sips, he sets his drink aside and moves the wooden box to the arm of his chair .

After a deep breath, he opens the lid and pulls out a tattered postcard, carefully laying it on the coffee table.

Then he removes a folded envelope and places it next to the postcard.

“I never knew, but she married. This letter came to me about six years ago. From her husband. Telling me she’d passed. Cancer.”

“Oh, Harold, I’m so sorry,” Keni says softly.

He shrugs. “I was surprised she’d told her husband about me and that he cared enough to let me know. I’m… glad she had a happy life.

“A couple years ago, I received this.” He holds up a set of dog tags on a ball chain. “From his mother. She’d hated me from the start. Probably blamed me for turning her son gay. There was no letter. No explanation.”

We’re silent as he returns his treasures to the box.

“So you see, Josh, I understand you better than you thought.” He flashes a twinkling smile at Devin.

“Either of you. Now, I’ve never had another serious relationship with either a man or a woman.

This empty lack wasn’t something I wanted you to experience, and I was delighted when you brought Devin home.

“But I sensed there was something missing. I started paying attention and noticed your reactions whenever Kendall came to visit. I had high hopes for you once you understood your bisexuality.”

“But I never said anything.”

“Didn’t need to. I simply knew. The way you watched her told me everything.”

I’m not sure I appreciate where this is going. “So you manipulated us into this marriage?”

He shrugs. “Someone had to do it. Especially when Devin began mooning after Kendall as well.”

“I did not moon after anyone.” The affront in his expression nearly makes me laugh.

Harold rolls his eyes. “Fine then, you watched her with hopeless, lust filled eyes.”

“I…” Devin shakes his head. “I probably did.”

Harold turns his fierce, fake glare on me. “And you didn’t notice because you were so wrapped up in your own forlorn desires.” He leans back and grins at Kendall. “I don’t know about you, dear, but as quickly as the three of you came together…”

She chokes on her drink, coughing and ducking her head. “Harold,” she finally manages. Her face bright pink, she fans herself with her hand. I glance at Devin, and his cheeks hold a ruddy color. He’s rarely embarrassed.

Drawing my brows together, I look at my uncle. His innocent expression and how his eyes are tracing the line where the wall meets the ceiling confuse me a moment. Then the echo of his words fill my mind, chasing heat to my face. The cagy old goat. Three. Came together .

He slaps his palms to the arms of his chair.

“Well that’s settled. Now, on a serious note, a visit to our attorney is due.

Your lives are stretched before you. Enjoy that life.

Enjoy each other. But be prepared. Since the three of you can’t be legally married, you must make the proper legal arrangements for your future. ”

Devin nods. “It’s on my list.”

“Good man.” Harold leans forward with his hands clasped between his knees. “Enough business. Now, let’s plan a spectacular party to celebrate your nuptials.”

Shaking off the lingering embarrassment, I figure there’s one way I can get back at Harold for his teasing. I’ll let him worry for a few minutes, then tell him the truth. But for now…

“That wedding we planned for in Vegas? It was fake.”