Page 19

NINETEEN

TEDDY

M y stomach growls loudly. I’m fucking so hungry. Though this drink, whatever it is, is so yummy.

Fruity and sweet. I’m so glad they aren’t cocktail drinkers.

“Is there a reason you’re holding that glass like its offended you?” Colin asks me. I have my hand wrapped around the tiny part of the mommy juice glass.

“If I don’t hold it like this, I’ll probably break it.”

“Would you like a different one? A stemless glass?” Colin offers, but I shake my head.

No need to get a different cup dirty. “I’m good.” To prove my point, I lift the glass to my lips and take a sip.

“How long have you been together?” Colin cocks his head and looks between us.

Crap on a cracker.

We haven’t talked about this. We don’t have a backstory ready. So I decide to make something up and run with it.

Sliding my free hand to his leg, I give it a squeeze.

“Feels like forever, you know?” I say, but Rhys says, “It’s new,” at the same time.

Uh oh.

I take another drink, emptying mine, and lean forward slowly to carefully set the glass down without breaking it. I’m about halfway there when there’s a ripping sound and I freeze. Oh no.

Rhys claps a hand over his mouth, holding back a laugh. “That jersey isn’t going to make it through the night.”

“You should just take it off,” Colin says casually.

My eyes shoot up to him at the same time I hear a growl. I think it came from Owen, but when I look at him, he’s rolling his eyes. With my arm still outstretched, I turn to Rhys and see him staring at Colin.

“Are you turning into a furry?” I whisper to Rhys.

Is he into that? Could be hot if it involves me being chased. I force myself to stop thinking about it because I’m already half chubbed. And everyone knows that’s impolite until you know people better.

Owen snorts and pretends to cough for some reason. Colin has a big grin on his face, and Rhys looks at me unamused. I wasn’t trying to be funny. It was a legitimate question.

“Just put the cup down already so you can sit up.”

Oh yeah. No wonder my arm was getting tired.

I set it down carefully and sit back against the couch. Rhys grabs my hand and intertwines our fingers in his lap. It’s so cute. I love when he does that.

“We’re supposed to be getting to know him, not pissing him off,” Owen chastises Colin.

“I am getting to know him. He’s possessive of his boy toy. I know that now.” Colin points out.

Am I the boy toy? He’s younger than me. Doesn’t that make him the toy?

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here.” Rhys sighs. He seems a little nervous about all this, but I don’t know how to make that better.

My stomach growls again.

“Jesus. Are you a bear in a man suit?” Colin raises an eyebrow.

Owen looks at me and shakes his head. “Not a bear. Definitely a jock.”

Why do I want to flex my arms right now? Would that be weird?

“He can be both,” Colin says like it’s obvious.

“Is this really why you wanted me here? To objectify my boyfriend?” Rhys bites out.

Boyfriend?

Did I hear him right?

Is this part of the cover? Or are we boyfriends? That can’t be right. I wouldn’t be boyfriends with the enemy.

It’s fake. It’s got to be fake. But then why is he upset they are objectifying me? I kinda like being objectified. I frown, thinking about this way too hard.

“See, we’re learning things. He’s got some claws,” Colin says to Owen without taking his eyes off Rhys. “Good. Don’t be afraid to use them but use them wisely. We,” he motions between himself and Owen. “Are not the enemy. Out there, in public, all of us with a Godfrey name are a united front. Never show fear. Never show weakness.”

“We aren’t in public now, though, are we?”

Colin smiles knowingly.

Owen takes over. “No, we aren’t. In here, behind the closed doors, is the only place we fight. Oliver is a control freak. His backup plan has backup plans, and they have backup plans. He’s calculated and cold. It’s why he leads.”

“So I’m expected to just fall in line and toe the line I had no say in?” Rhys tightens his grip on my hand and I have to admit, I have no idea what’s going on.

“In public, yes.” Owen leans forward. “You didn’t grow up in this world. You don’t know the players or how people are connected. Not like we do. And frankly you don’t want to go into it blind. They will eat you alive. Welcome to living in the public eye. It fucking sucks. Everything you do could be the next new media story. The snakes among us will try to use you for their own benefit. Don’t let them. Our sister moved to London to get away from it. And I can’t blame her.”

The seriousness of the conversation breaks through the mommy juice on an empty stomach, and I nod. “The snakes are in the pipes. They eat the rats, but if they get hungry, they’ll bite your ass when you shit.”

They all turn towards me slowly, but they get real quiet. Probably absorbing my genius. Colin slaps a hand over his mouth, and he closes his eyes.

Owen cocks his head, one eye squinting a little as he looks at me. He purses his lips and looks like he’s going to say something when the door opens.

“See? I told you they would start before we got here.” The other twin, what’s his name…Oscar? Oshkosh? Oleander?

“Ah, Oliver. So glad you weren’t struck by lightning on the way here.” Colin sighs.

A smiling Isaac gives a little wave when he sees us. “Hi.” Then turns a stern look at Colin. “That was rude.”

“I said I’m glad he wasn’t,” Colin says.

I lean toward Rhys and whisper, “Do they have the pre-food food?”

My stomach is about to eat itself. I’m sure of it.

“Pre-food?” Isaac asks.

“Appetizers,” Rhys supplies.

“Colin, not surprising that you have no manners, but Owen you should know better.” Oliver turns on his heel and goes to the kitchen, opening the fridge. “To not even offer your guest hors d’oeuvres.”

“I told you it was horse dudes.”

Rhys just starts laughing.

Owen makes a disgruntled sound and glares at his twin. “I’ll tell Mom you skipped her last anniversary dinner to get your dick wet with a stranger.”

“Hey!” Isaac yells at Owen and Colin laughs.

I turn to Rhys, wondering how he’s taking all this. The frustrated, determined set of his jaw has relaxed to allow him a little smirk.

“God, I want to eat you whole,” I murmur in his ear.

“I thought you weren’t sure about vore,” he whispers back playfully.

“Vore? Really? That would be a new kink for this family.” Owen turns to us while Colin snorts and chokes on his drink.

How did he hear me? I was whispering!

“I’m afraid to ask…but what is vore?” Isaac drops down onto the couch next to Colin, leaving enough room for Oliver. “It’s not like hucow is it? I can’t go through that again.” He looks like he’s begging Colin to confirm this.

“Oh, sweet summer child.” Colin pats his hand. “I created you a Reddit account. Do you not use it?”

“I do! They have some really good recipes on there. And art prompts.”

Colin sighs. “The power of the internet at your fingertips and you use it for wholesome things.”

“Vore is where you eat someone.” Since no one else is answering his question, I do. “But they have to be alive and it’s my understanding they stay alive, although that part confuses me because there is juice in your stomach and they’d drown.”

“How is that different from cannibalism?” Isaac asks, confused.

“You want to be eaten? I think that falls under the same name. Right?” I look to Rhys who nods yes.

Score. I got it right.

“How is that not cannibalism?” Isaac asks again.

“Because you do it hard. Or wet, I guess, if you have a pussy.” I shrug because I don’t have one and I don’t really know how the mechanics work. “It’s about consent. I think too.”

“So it’s aroused cannibalism with permission?” Isaac looks even more confused.

“This is the worst description of a kink I’ve ever heard.” Owen shudders. “No one ever say that to me again.”

Colin is cackling, leaning over his knees. “No, no, this is amazing. He’s wrong, but it’s hilarious.” He might be crying but I’m not sure.

Vore is nothing to be upset over.

“Hold on, I think I’m getting it,” Owen says thoughtfully.

“You’re welcome,” I say.

“Really?” Colin perks up.

“Yes. You want to role play vore in our Snuggies after everyone leaves?” Owen grips the back of Colin’s neck and pulls him close. “Mine has that big pocket…”

Colin bites his lip and nods in agreement, his hand flexing on Owen’s thigh.

Damn, that look is hot.

“I’m going to have all of you inside me,” Owen says with a growl to his tone.

Maybe being a furry runs in Rhys’ family.

“Can you not? He had nightmares for weeks last time he learned about a new kink.” Oliver says with an annoyed tone as he drops onto the couch next to Isaac and pulls his husband into his side. Turning to look at Owen, he says, “Why would you even want to do that?”

Owen looks over Colin’s head to answer. “I see it as like a really, really deep pressure, full-body hug from inside. And then I can be closer to him than just my dick.”

“I see it a bit like canning,” I add with a nod.

“I’m going to be ill,” Oliver says in a groan.

“Vore bothers you?” Owen sounds genuinely interested in the answer. “I didn’t think any kink bothered you?”

“No, your sex life bothers me.” Oliver looks a little green.

I hope he doesn’t puke. I cannot deal with puking but I chuckle at his answer. It’s something Tobi would say to me. Shit. Tobi. Guilt swirls in my gut along with hunger pains.

Colin squirms and his cheeks turn pink.

“Stop being aroused in my presence,” Oliver demands, glaring at Colin.

“I guess? But also no,” I say to Isaac when I realize no one has answered his question again.

“Well, that makes everything a lot clearer.” Owen pulls Colin tighter against him.

“What kink gave you nightmares? Was it a scary one? Like people who want to be chased by masked intruders?” I have to know.

Isaac’s eyes widen, and he turns to Oliver in horror. “That can’t be a thing.”

“Oh, kitten.” Oliver pats a hand down his head and pulls Isaac’s face to his chest.

Colin laughs, turning to look at Isaac. “Ever wonder why some of us decided to try fencing?”

Isaac’s horrified face snaps to Colin. “What?!”

“You never wanted to get chased by a sexy Captain Hook, captured, and fucked until your legs gave out? Bullshit,” Colin scoffs.

“No! No, I did not!” Isaac all but yells.

That does sound pretty hot actually.

“Pretty fucking weird knowing who you married,” Colin says as he gets up and heads toward the bar cart.

“I’m unclear if you are calling me a villain or a pirate. Neither are an insult.” Oliver raises an eyebrow at him.

Damn, that’s a family thing. It’s exactly the same as Rhys, but Oliver’s doesn’t make me hard. He’s kinda scary actually, and I do not like to be scared when I have sex.

“To be honest, I was calling you an asshole with a control kink, so pick one.” Colin shrugs, refilling his glass. “Anyone want another drink?”

“Are you all always like this?” Rhys asks.

“Yes,” Colin, Isaac, and Owen all say in unison.

“No,” Oliver says after a pause, “Colin is usually worse.”

Colin hands out drinks to those who wanted them but doesn’t sit. He looks at his watch and nods. “Let’s eat before this one.” He points to me. “Wastes away.”

Everyone else stands up easily, but I can’t get my arms to work right. I can barely lift them or bring my hands together. The stupid jersey I stole from Tobi is too tight and it’s cutting off my circumcision.

“You okay?” Rhys asks, looking skeptical.

“My arms don’t work.” I try to flop them, but I can’t. “It’s my circumcision not working right!”

“Circulation?” Rhys chuckles and offers me a hand up.

“That’s what I just said.” I take it and let him help me up. When I get to my feet, I’m in his space, still holding his hand. He tries to take a step back, but I don’t let him. I want to breathe him in for a second.

He’s so damn pretty. And smart. And talented.

I shouldn’t want him. Or I should have the control to not act on it. For Tobi. For the boys!

We have to stop doing this. Stop pretending or whatever this is. I shouldn’t text him anymore, either.

“What?” He’s looking into my eyes, probably reading my every thought on my face. Instead of answering him, I wrap my arms around him and squeeze.

The jersey tears with an audible rip and finally gives, allowing me to breathe and wrap my arms around him more.

Rhys chuckles and hugs me back. “You’re never boring, I’ll give you that.”

“My arms are so tingly. Is that bad?”

“I’m not a doctor!” Rhys glances at my arms around him and gasps. “Your arms are purple!”

“Is that bad?”

“Let me see your hands,” Colin says busting back into the room.

Rhys and I detangle, and I hold out my hands to Colin.

“How were you functioning? Your hands look like they’ve had the circulation cut off for hours.”

“Only about…” I try to do math in my head, but that doesn’t work. “As long as I’ve been here, plus… how long was the car ride, Rhys?” Time isn’t real.

“About an hour?” Rhys says.

“At least it ripped. Had you worn that any longer, you’d need to go to the hospital.” Colin steps back, shaking his head.

I wave him off. “I’ve had so much worse on the ice.”

“We can tell,” Oliver mutters when we join them in the dining room.

“Is it my face? My nose is a little off center now, isn’t it?” I take my seat and then whisper to Rhys. “This is fancy.”

Rhys laughs.

“Why do you laugh every time I whisper?”

“I told you, you’re not whispering.” Rhys kisses my cheek.

I look around at all the fancy food and cannot tell what any of it is. Good thing I like all food. We start to serve ourselves and I realize no one has answered me. “Is it my nose? The whole thing moved an inch to the side. I’m sure of it.”

“The whole thing moved an inch?” Oliver asks.

I nod vigorously. “Can’t you see it’s closer to this eye?” I point.

“An inch?” Oliver says again, but I can’t figure out why he’s repeating himself.

“That’s what I said, right…” I look at Rhys.

Isaac smacks Oliver.

Oliver grabs Isaac’s hand. “That’s going to cost you.”

Isaac gets pink. They must have one of those bondage, dominance, shih tzu, macaroni relationships.

“No one’s going to get him a shirt?” Oliver asks as we all dig into our food. “Are we just going to pretend like this is normal?"

“I don’t think we have one that would fit him if I’m being honest, which I never am.” Colin smiles over at Oliver. “But you’re more than welcome to go through our closet at your own risk.”

“I’ll pass.” Oliver shakes his head. “So then we’ve just decided to be civil and pretend to be a family while his nipples are looking at me? I guess I’ve done worse for family.”

Owen cracks up. “His nipples are kinda looking at you.”

“I can’t help it. It’s cold in here.” I tuck my hands into my armpits, using my palms to cover my nipples.

“Don’t worry,” Rhys says through his teeth. “No one is making fun of you.”

“I was,” Oliver corrects. “Playfully. You’ll have to get used to it. It’s the only way we pass time.”

“I didn’t think he was making fun of me. My tits are great. I bench press the guys every morning to be sure.”

Colin turns to stare at him. “You do what?”

“I bench press the guys.”

“What a horrifying thought.” Oliver brings his napkin to his lips and dabs in a way I’ve only ever seen someone do in a movie. That can’t be effective.

“It’s pretty fun. They get to feel like they’re flying.” I try some of the food and it’s not too bad but I still can’t tell what it is. Very creamy though.

“Teddy, that’s the sauce for the fish. Would you like some fish to go with it?” Owen offers.

I hold out my plate, and he puts a piece of fish into my plate of runny sauce. “That makes a lot more sense. Bone apple titty.”

“His nipples are haunting me.” Oliver rubs his forehead.

“Ditto, but I like it,” Colin says.

Owen nods. “I’m with my husband.”

Rhys is growling again. It’s got to be genetic and I can’t blame him. My tits are great.

We finish up dinner, and it was great. Colin and Isaac gave me their numbers and I totally fit into rich society. I could be a duke.

Maybe Rhys would role play that with me… No, Teddy, what are you doing?

I clearly need to give myself a pep talk.

“What did you think?” Rhys asks me as we ride the elevator down.

“They all seem nice. Even Oliver.”

Rhys blinks at me. “Really?”

I nod. “He’s one of those tough exteriors, but I’ll crack him like a nut.”

Rhys growls again. “Please don’t.”

“Is that a furry thing? You didn’t answer earlier. You don’t have to be embarrassed. I like to be chased.”

Rhys’ entire expression changes. “You like to be chased?”

“I do.”

“I’m going to tuck that away for another day since I don’t want to get arrested for chasing you through Mid-Town.”

“Fair point.”

“I don’t think they like me.”

“Owen, Colin and Isaac do,” I reassure him.

“Yeah, but they just let Oliver do whatever he wants. I don’t want to just fall in line.” Rhys says and looks sad, so I wrap him up in a hug. “At least put on a coat.”

I glance outside. “Nah, I’ll be fine in the car.”

He hesitates before walking out of the building.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I don’t want to go back to my dorm.”

“Why not?”

“Because Tobi is going to be there waiting for me to fill him in.”

I narrow my eyes, not sure what he’s getting at. “Huh? I thought you liked Tobi?” Had I got that wrong? What was the whole best friends thing about then?

“I do like Tobi—that’s not what I mean—I want to eat you whole.”

“Ohhhhh.”

I guess we’re doing the vore thing.