Page 24 of Gamers' Omega

“We’re all going to dinner and a movie, and wanted to invite you to join us.”

I blinked several times. “Wouldn’t I be interfering with your quality time?”

He smiled. “Not if we all want you there, and we do.”

“Are you sure?”

He nodded. “I wouldn’t have asked if we weren’t all in agreement.”

“Sounds serious,” I joked. “Like you’re asking me on a date.”

Ian rubbed the back of his neck. “We kind of are…”

The blood drained from my face. “W-what?”

Ian sighed. “I know it’s unusual, but we enjoy spending time with you, and we want you around more often.” He paused. “If you’re interested, anyway.”

I licked my lips, unsure how to respond.

“Look,” he pleaded. “Come out with us. We can discuss it as a group. Even if you’re not interested in a poly relationship, you’re still our friend and we want to treat you to something fun tonight. Ok?”

I swallowed, then nodded slowly. “I-I’ll come.”

His smile was radiant. “I’ll text you the details. It’s going to be a casual place, so don’t feel like you have to dress up or anything.”

“Ok,” I whispered.

He reached across the counter that separated us and rested his hand on mine. “You’re our friend first. That won’t change. Ok?”

I nodded again, then quickly finished processing his payment before the moment could get any more awkward.

Ian gave me a weak smile when I handed back his card. “See you tonight?”

“Yeah…”

∞∞∞

I stared at my phone, torn between backing out and letting the guys know I was on my way.

The problem was that Iwantedto go. I’d fantasized about what it would be like to be with the guys ever since Mandy had teased that they were interested. They were kind and fun, and I’d caught myself daydreaming about cuddles, kisses, and hugs from all of them.

However, every time I thought it could work, my intrusive thoughts would remind me about the teasing between them. They were very open about sex…

And I wasn’t.

Would they still be interested once they learned that?

I scrubbed my hands down my face, sent off a message that I was on my way, and changed into clean clothes before I had a chance to second-guess myself.

The guys were my friends, and they’d shown that they were willing to put work into their relationship.

Maybe they'd be able to give me what I needed as well.

The drive to their house seemed to both take forever and flew by. My hands trembled whenever I stopped at a light. By the time I parked in front of their house my stomach was in knots.

Agreeing to a date had been a mistake. The guys were some of the best friends I’d had in years, and I should have told Ian that it needed to stay that way.

I’d go up, tell them I’d changed my mind, and hope we’d be able to pick up without any hard feelings in a few weeks.