It’s to protect them, I remind myself.
I step into my room, with the three of them on my heels, and see my duffle bag on the bed. I pick it up and set it on the dresser, knowing we’re going to have to have this conversation sooner rather than later.
“I’m leaving,” I tell them, turning around and leaning against the dresser.
“Cool,” Ashton says. “Where are we going?”
“What?” I splutter in confusion. “No. I’m leaving.” My gaze bounces between the three of them. “My stroke and heart attack don’t change what happened. A video circulated around campus of the four of us dancing… of Brayden kissing me.”
“You’re right,” Brayden says. “Your stroke and heart attack don’t change what happened, but the four of us being together changes everything. If you leave, so do we. It will suck leaving with only one semester left of college, but…”
“But we don’t give a fuck,” Ashton finishes, “because this relationship is more important than anything else.”
“I’m only a semester in.” Mia shrugs nonchalantly. “I can transfer anywhere. Where are we going? I hear Colorado is nice this time of year. Oh! Or we could go to Florida, enjoy the sunshine. I’m not really sure about this whole snow shit.”
Ashton snorts and Brayden chuckles.
“You guys…” I’m at a loss for words. These three have become my entire world, but I can’t let them do this. I can’t allow them to fuck up their futures for me. “Maybe after you graduate.” I look at Ashton. “And you get drafted.” My eyes go to Brayden.
“Nope,” they both say in unison.
“We don’t care who knows we’re all together,” Brayden says, stepping over to me. “You’re ours and we’re yours and anyone who gives a shit can go fuck themselves.” He kisses my lips and my heart soars. I’ve missed his touch so much.
“Agreed,” Mia says, walking over to me. “I’ve seen way more scandalous shit in Hollywood.” She kisses my cheek, but when her lips linger, I turn my face, connecting our mouths for a few too short moments. She tastes so good. Like sweetness and comfort.
“So, what’ll it be?” Ashton asks, joining the three of us. “Are we staying or leaving?” Like them, he kisses me as well. On my neck, his tongue darting out and quickly licking my flesh. My dick stirs, and I let out a low groan.
For a long minute, I look between them, all willing to face the fire with me. Because of their love for me. They’re right. Our love is the most important thing and if they’re willing to put everything on the line to be together then I need to fight with them, not against them.
“Leaving,” I tell them. “In six months when we find out where Brayden’s getting drafted.”
“If I get drafted,” Brayden points out.
“You will,” I assure him. “You’re too talented not to.”
“I’m down,” Ashton says. “I can continue school anywhere. It’ll be nice to have a fresh start out of this town.”
“Me too,” Mia adds. “I don’t care where I am as long as I’m with you three.”
“Then it’s settled,” Ashton says. “In six months we’re the fuck out of here.” He glances over at Brayden. “Try to get picked up somewhere fun, like Miami or New York.”
Brayden rolls his eyes. “If I get picked up, I won’t have a choice.”
“Whatever.” Ashton shrugs. “Let’s go watch one of those cheesy Christmas movies Mia loves so much. I’ll make us all some hot chocolate, extra marshmallows.”
“You love those movies too!” Mia slaps Ashton on the arm as he walks out of the room. “I saw you shed a tear when we watched the one with Santa’s daughter.”
“Bullshit,” Ashton argues. “I had something in my eye.”
Brayden, Mia, and I sit close to each other on the couch. Brayden takes my hand in his and brings it up to his lips to kiss it, while Mia drops her head against my shoulder, surfing the channels to find a movie. A few minutes later, Ashton comes over carrying mugs of hot chocolate. He drops onto the couch next to Mia and throws her feet over his legs. I look around and know there’s no way I ever could’ve left these three. Even if I had run the other day, I wouldn’t have lasted without them. They’re my lifelines, a part of me, and I’m the same to them.
I couldn’t survive without them by my side.
I almost didn’t.
Seven Months Later
“Do I season both sides?” I ask Dad, my phone trapped between my ear and my shoulder. “Not gonna lie. It looks like shit. I’m probably going to poison everyone.”
Dad laughs. “It’s raw meat. Of course it looks like shit. Season both sides and let it sit in the marinade for an hour or so. Make sure your grill is nice and hot. You’ve got this.”
When you live with three other people who also don’t know how to cook very well, you have to step up your lessons and fast. Ashton and Drew make a pretty damn good breakfast. Mia and I usually handle dinners using Mom and Dad as our emergency help hotline. Somehow, we’re adulting when it comes to cooking meals.
“Okay,” I say after I season the other sides of the steaks. “We’re good to go. Tell Mom I love her.”
“She sends her love. We both do. Take care of the kids for us.”
I laugh and we both say bye as two strong arms wrap around me from behind.
Drew.
Warm. Strong. Intense.
I never take his embraces for granted. Not anymore. Each one feels like a gift. Now that he’s doing great, having adjusted to a higher dosage of medication, he’s the same ol’ Drew we know and love.
“Can you grab my phone so I can wash my hands?” I ask, trying not to get distracted by the dick pressed against the back of my swim trunks.
He kisses the back of my neck and then sets the phone down on the counter. While I wash my hands, Drew puts the meat back in the fridge.
“It’s boring out there without you. Ashton’s being Ashton and Mia’s sunbathing,” Drew tells me, grabbing my hand and tugging me to him. “At least you’ll play with me.”
I smirk at him, loving the lust glimmering in his gaze. “We’ll convince them to play with us.”
We walk to the back door, hand in hand. Our new house is fucking amazing. Drew technically bought it, but we all pitched in in some way. Because I got drafted to the Minnesota Arctic Lions, I had a nice chunk of cash to buy us some furniture to fill this big-ass house. Ashton poured his money into gaming consoles and televisions, naturally. And Mia? That girl custom ordered us a monster of a bed for our bedroom.
It’s home.
Our home.
And we’re all here. No one left behind.
As we step out into the backyard, I find Ashton and Mia doing as Drew said. She’s in a tiny yellow bikini that barely covers her and he’s flying through our pool like the dolphin he is, swimming laps. Drew lets go of my hand to grab us a couple of beers from the outdoor fridge. After he pops the tabs, he hands one to me.
“I like it here,” I tell him, tipping my beer at him. “What about you?”