Page 18 of The Story of You

“Bacon,” I confirm.

His green eyes watch me pull on a grey t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants while he runs his fingers over Asher’s nipples. He’s still dead to the world. His strawberry-blond tresses hide most of his face until Darius pushes them away. If only he were that innocent awake.

My hair—that’s getting long on top—is smooshed against my head. “What time did he crawl in the first time?” I ask. I’m trying to figure out how Asher works.

Darius shrugs one shoulder. “I dunno. Two? Three?”

He needs to just come to bed with us. That’s why we bought the king-sized mattress, which is ridiculous in this room. It’s not a small room, but it ain’t a large one either—our room at Simon and Shane’s, formerly Darius’s room. Asher was staying in it because it was the only room with a bed, but when we got the new mattress, we moved the old one to the spare room along with all Asher’s stuff.

“What would he do if I dragged him to bed with us tonight?”

“Probably twist your balls off,” Darry says.

I shrug. “Might be fun.”

* * *

Wyatt

In the kitchen, Simon has coffee brewing. He’s only half-dressed in pajama pants with a blue-checkered dishtowel thrown over his shoulder, his black-rimmed glasses sit high on the bridge of his nose. He’s in need of a comb and maybe a tan. A few days working on the new greenhouse with us would do wonders for his alabaster skin.

Shane’s like a copper rock at the kitchen table. His long hair cascades over his shoulders, covering his dark bare skin. “Morning, Wyatt,” he says. “Where’s your crew?”

Simon and Shane call them mine even though Asher’s far from being mine. Sleeping in the same bed half the night and loving the same man hasn’t made us belong to one another but guess I can’t deny that I end up leading the pack on most occasions. Must be the major in me.

“Sleeping. Was gonna help with breakfast.”

“Just sit, Major. That’s my job. I was about to put Darry’s bacon on. You can help yourself to coffee though.”

Us living here is still new. I’d got used to Randall Central since I spent so much time there before Darius informed me I was moving in with him. I guess I should have put up a fuss, but what was the point? Darry’s not moving out of either home. I want to be where Darry is. I wasn’t attached to my apartment.

But here still feels like visiting. I need a way to pull my weight to feel like I belong to this place, or I’ll go crazy.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Simon says. “But you’ll have to find some other way to help around here. The kitchen is my domain.”

Fishing a mug out of the cabinet, I pour myself some coffee. “That’s too bad, darlin’. I’m pretty sure something was about to happen up there.” I waggle my eyebrows, knowing I look ridiculous with my hair as it is.

Simon huffs. “Darius told you how much I like morning sex, didn’t he? That bastard.”

I let the smile on my face say it all.

“Maybe I already had sex, huh?” He gestures toward Shane who doesn’t say a word.

Shane shakes his head, eyes filled with mirth.

“Magic eight ball says no,” I say.

He throws the dishtowel from over his shoulder on the counter. “Donotburn the bacon, Major Reeves.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I say with a hand to my heart. He races off and I take over.

Shane’s chuckle is soft, but I catch it. “I’m glad we have you around, Wyatt.”

* * *

Wyatt

It’s while I’m plating up breakfast the loud bellow sounds down the stairs. “Help! Someone call the calvary. Call the major. Daddy get in here!”