Page 5 of The Billionaires' Gamble

Closing my eyes for a moment, I count to five and remind myself, one thing at a time.

I ignore the dumpster fire on the other end of the airway and the dread that fills my stomach like hardened concrete.

Somehow, when I’m with my guys, the chaos of the world melts away and I completely forget that it exists. That there are problems that need fixing and issues that need to be dealt with.

But all that will have to wait because right now, my best friend and my boyfriend are my priority.

“I’m following your lead, King. Both of you, actually.” I cover Gabe’s hand with my own, lace our fingers together and hold on tight. “My trailblazers.”

Gabe drops a kiss on my shoulder. “You say that like coding is harder than facing the bigots of the world.”

I close my eyes again, soaking in his touch and his words. Shame heats my cheeks. Of course, it’s not as easy for them. Then again, I’m dating three men. The world is not ready for that either.

Do I care?

I would love to say no. But I’m not built like that.

Lifting his hand, I pull Gabe closer, wrapping his arm around my middle. “You’re right. But if we’re in this together, we can handle it. Right? Stronger together and all that jazz.”

“Should we do jazz hands?” King asks, fluttering his fingers.

“God, I hope not,” Gabe murmurs.

“Figure out what you want,” I cut in. “What both of you want. Is it each other? Is it each other plus me?—”

“I don’t think she’s getting it,” Gabe says.

“I told Ava I’m poly,” King chimes in.

“Wow.” My jaw drops, and I smack my lips closed. That’s a big step. And it feels right that he’d sort out some things with his sister. Siblings can make great sounding boards. “That’s big.”

Gabe reaches around me and squeezes King’s shoulder. “Good for you, man.”

Seeing them together, feeling them, sends my hormones into overdrive. There’s something about your lovers also appreciating each other that makes for the most incredible feelings. Like puzzle pieces just fitting better.

And watching these two find each other, like I said, two peas in a pod. They’re like magnets. Unable to stay away from each other.

And I’m the sliver of metal trapped between them.

“Proud of you,” I tell King. “That couldn’t have been easy. It’s a good first step. I know this has been so fast. I’ll try to be patient.”

“Patient?”

“For you guys to decide what you want. How your relationship will work within ours.” I wave my finger around in a counterclockwise circle. “I’m this close to begging you to let me come along for the ride. But maybe you guys need some time just the two of you.”

“Now you’re both spinning,” Gabe grinds out. “Stop talking, both of you.”

Oh, thank goodness. I’m kind of tired of talking.

I open my mouth to ask them if we can get back to the kissing/welcome home cuddles I’ve been craving.

That’s when King drops another verbal bomb in my lap.

3

KINGSTON

Who is this fiery maven, and what has she done with my best friend?