Page 277 of Fragments

Colson clears his throat, standing up and padding barefoot over to Tauren. “May I speak with you for a moment?” The evil twin suddenly looks and sounds a lot more polite and subservient than one would expect.

Tauren’s eyes lock with Colson’s, some visible heat moving between them as they share a wordless conversation. Eventually, he nods, and the two of them stalk inside the house.

I’mitchingwith curiosity right now. Especially after the rumors from all those years back, about Tauren and Colson having a physical relationship.

But where does that leave Cyrus in all this??

I’m dying to ask, but I know it’s not my business to pry, not when they’ve so graciously invited us into their home.

My boyfriend, however, has no problem doing it.

“Is your hot brother banging your hot stepdad?” Ren asks Cyrus, without an ounce of shame or social etiquette.

God, I love him.

Cyrus spits out his sip of water. “Uh… No.No, that’s not…” He seems a bit flustered, and of course, he changes the subject. “Listen, don’t worry about Tauren. We’ll smooth things over with him. As far as I’m concerned, bros before… the law?” I chuckle, and he grins. “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to. We’re in Cali for a little while longer, anyway.”

“How much longer?” I ask.

“Open-ended,” he hums. “We kind of just go wherever the mood strikes, whenever it strikes us. Take as much time as you need. Plus, this place is huge. More than enough privacy.”

“Good, ’cause we just got out ofprison.” Ren smirks. “The amount of fucking we need to do to make up for lost time could be considered rude when you’re a guest in someone else’s home.”

I laugh, shaking my head.

Cyrus blushes, mumbling, “Trust me, I get it.”

Ren peers at me.

Okay, yea. They’re definitely both fucking the stepdad.

How does that even work?! God, I’m so curious!

Tauren and Colson return a moment later. Tauren is brushing his messy hair back into place and Colson is flushed with visibly swollen lips. He plops back down in his chair, shooting a wink at his brother.

Tauren purses his lips at us, then sighs. “Let me show you to your room.”

Cyrus wasn’t wrong. This house is ginormous.

I guess I’d expect nothing less from a damnrentalacquired by Tauren Vance.

The three of them gave us a tour, then offered us something to eat, which naturally we accepted and scarfed down because we went years without a decent meal. I swear to God, everything tastes like heaven in my mouth compared to the gross food of Alabaster Penitentiary. Cyrus said we can go for tacos tomorrow, and I burst into tears.

It was a little embarrassing. Let’s move past it.

They also gave us beer. And while it wasn’t my first drink—I partook at a few parties in college… Okay, I sound like a total nerd—I also turned twenty-one in prison. I’m not exactly a drinker. But I was excited to try a delicious local microbrew while Ren stared at me, giggling.

And now I’m drunk.

We’ve adjourned to our new bedroom, upstairs, on the other side of the house. It’s decorated nicely, modern and not too ostentatious. The view of the ocean from our window is gorgeous, and running my fingers along the comforter, I think I’m actually getting a hard-on from how damn soft it is.

Ren closes the door and locks it. And we stand there, gazing at each other. Smiles so wide we look deranged, eyes all lit up and shimmery.

I bite my lip, and he bites his.

I cannot fuckingbelievewe’re here. I still can’t.

Ren and me… Together. Alone in an actual bedroom with an actual nice as fuck bed.