“Just finish your story, please,” Auston whispers in my ear, nipping my lobe. I shiver delicately, love for these men rippling through me, before I focus back on the topic at hand.
“In this world, he warped my memories,” I begin softly. “He made me think…” Tears once more prickle my eyes. “He made me think I was in love with him.”
I can’t see Auston’s face, but the other three go perfectly still. Braxton’s jaw clenches, but he nods for me to continue.
“And…and I think I do. Love him, I mean.” A part of my soul leaves my body—making me feel bereft—at the heartbroken expressions on my men’s faces. I pull away from Auston and wrap my arms around my stomach. “I don’t know if it’s just because of the false memories or because of the dream world or because of…” I trail off, running my fingers through my tangled hair. “I’m so fucking sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I feel like I cheated on you…but I didn’t even remember you existed until earlier today. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. Please don’t hate me.”
I feel as if I offered these men something invaluable, and now I’m waiting to see if they’ll accept my gift or discard it like trash. What if they hate me forever? I don’t know if I’ll survive if they leave me. The mere thought is like the slash of a whip against my bare back.
Please don’t leave me.
Please don’t hate me.
Please forgive me.
It’s Braxton who steps forward, lips pressed in a grim line. My heart thunders in my chest as he steps closer and closer until his boot-clad toes are touching my bare ones.
“It wasn’t you,” he whispers at last, brushing at my hair. “We know that, Had. He warped your mind, made you believe things that weren’t true. You have nothing to apologize for.”
A sob lodges in my throat as I rip my gaze away from Braxton to focus on the other three. They all smile at me softly, love and understanding emitting from their eyes. I see no judgement or aversion. No anger.
Their acceptance nearly breaks me, breaks the last tenuous hold I have on my sanity.
“Let’s get her some food,” Karston says immediately, stepping up and planting a chaste kiss on my forehead.
“And a bath.” Braxton wrinkles his nose and gives me a long once-over. “You’re a little stinky.”
I release a huff of laughter, watching the men move as a well-oiled machine. Karston and Auston leave the room to grab food from the cafeteria. As a soul, I don’t actually need it, but I appreciate their attempt at giving me normalcy.
Braxton and Preston help me into the connecting bathroom. It’s only then that I remember that I’m still naked. Instead of embarrassment, my body hums like electrical wires are just beneath the surface.
Preston’s cheeks are on fire as he helps me into the freshly drawn bath, the warm water licking at my skin. He moves to sit on the edge of the tub as Braxton kicks off his shoes and—still fully clothed—climbs into the bath behind me. He positions me so I’m in between both his legs, his hands resting on my stomach. His thumb caresses the bottom of my breast, and my breath hitches at the menial contact.
“Let us take care of you,” he whispers in my ear.
The next few minutes aren’t sexual, despite me being completely naked. Braxton and Preston both take turns washing me, their touches painstakingly gentle. When Brax rubs the washcloth against my breasts, my nipples pebble into beaded diamonds. His own evidence of arousal pokes my lower back.
Still, he doesn’t take things any further, much to my relief and disappointment.
Preston pauses the washcloth just before he reaches my pussy lips, eyes widening slightly.
“Never seen a pussy before?” Braxton jests, and I elbow the demon in the stomach.
“I’ll have you know I’ve seen a lot of pussies before!” Preston exclaims stubbornly, puffing out his chest. When he glances at me, fire enters his cheeks once more. “Okay, I’ve seen Had’s pussy before. Not that I just stared at it like a creeper! That’d be weird. But you have a really pretty pink pussy.” He whacks himself on the forehead with his palm. “Someone kill me.”
“You’re already dead, little bro,” Auston teases as he enters the bathroom. His eyes heat as they travel over my naked, soapy body. “We’ve brought some of Hadley’s favorites,” he says at last to the others, wrenching his gaze away from me. His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows.
Braxton pulls the plug from the tub and turns on the shower wand. He tests the temperature, ensuring it's warm, before washing the suds from my body.
Preston races to grab me a towel, opening it up for me to step into. Overcome by the sheer intensity of my emotions, I push up onto my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”
He ducks his head sheepishly. “Anything for you.”
As he interlocks our fingers together, dragging me towards the bed, I know that whatever the future brings us, I’ll always have my men to guide and protect me. To love me. They hold my broken pieces together and make them beautiful.
There’s nothing I can’t face with them by my side.
I wake snuggled between Karston and Preston, the hem of my borrowed shirt brushing my bare thighs. Braxton is at my feet, one hand wrapped around my ankle in sleep, and Auston sprawls out above my head, his wings beneath my cheek.
For a moment, I simply bask in their nearness. In their unconditional forgiveness.
I’d been so terrified that they were going to leave me. Turn their backs on me. This world is a large and scary place, and I’m not certain I’m capable of surviving it on my own.
Braxton grunts suddenly, pulling himself into a sitting position and rubbing at his eyes. His sudden movement causes his wing to hit Preston square in the face, and my Reaper sits up with a startled yelp.
“What time is it?” Karston murmurs drowsily, pulling me tighter into his arms. He sighs in contentment as he breathes in my scent.
“Time for your sorry asses to get to class,” Auston gripes from where he’s still lying at the top of the bed.
“But I’ve been injured,” Kar protests immediately. He rubs his nose against my own. “And I’m Hadley’s favorite. So I get to stay.”
“You’re all my favorites, you big doofus,” I say immediately, flicking his cheek.
Mirth dances in Karston’s eyes. “That’s not what you said when you rode my dick,” he teases. “You went full gymnast on my cock. I’m just gonna call you Simone-fucking-Biles.”
I begin to giggle, even as Braxton lunges forward, knocking Karston off the bed and landing on top of him. As the two brothers begin to play fight, I turn towards a sleepy-eyed Preston. There’re marks etched onto his cheek from the pillow, and his hair stands up in all directions. He looks so fucking adorable and sexy that I can’t help but lean forward and kiss him.
“Is this weird?” he asks me, quirking a brow. “This is weird, isn’t it? You being back. Everything going back to normal…” He scratches at his cheek absently. “I’m afraid it’s too good to be true.”
My smile instantly fades as I stare into his handsome face. Is he right? Is this too good to be true? Maybe a part of me is still waiting for the other shoe to drop and squish me.