Page 122 of Hard to Judge

As Hailey did a moment ago, I place my hands over both their mouths before they burst with words.

“Before you answer, I’d like you to see what I’ve had done. It’s not finished yet, but it should be by the end of the month. Maybe two months.”

Hailey nods while Hota’s features are slacked as though he’s in a daze.

“Do you want to see?” I ask with a major hint of begging interlaced.

I pull my fingers from their lips.

Hota finally nods as though he can’t form syllables.

I burst out the car door and practically drag them through the street and up the steps. We’re met at the entrance by Leo, who’s arguing with the foreman that he needs another hard hat while holding one in his meaty hand and balancing one on his head while said head bobs back and forth. “See?” He hikes a finger at the three of us. “Told you I needed another one.”

“They can come in two, and then one. Or one at a time,” the foreman shouts. “I’m not stealing one from my working guys just so they can traipse through here wanting more changes.” He pulls in a deep breath. “Or better yet, get me an OSHA violation, which would piss the boss right off.” His hand slices through the air like his word is final.

The changes I requested have been many. Can’t fault him there. Every few days, I’d think of something new to accommodate three people in a relationship. I have paid handsomely for their time and talents.

I stick out my hand. “Give me yours.” I nod toward the street. “Go take a break and charge me for your overtime.”

His shoulders slump, but he gives me his hard hat and slides between us out the door.

“Thank you, Leo.” Hailey beams as he too hands over the hardhat from his head.

“Hailey.” He nods, offers Hota the other one, and heads for the car.

“I can’t believe we need these.” Hota holds the hat up. “What are you having done?”

“Come see.” I place the protective gear on his head, make sure Haley’s is in place, and urge them along after me.

In seconds, I’m running up the stairs. My pulse drums in my ears as Hailey’s heels strike the marble with purpose. Hota grabs Hailey’s hand as they sprint after me, and my heartbeat doubles.

When we get to the new entrance to what I hope will be our oasis, I stall. My hands wring in front of me. “I wanted it to be finished. I wanted it clean and perfect. Maybe you can see the vision, but if you can’t, we can come back.”

Hota presses his body, chest to hips to legs, against my backside, and then pulls Hailey to my front. He seals us together. “Yes, is my answer. Yes, I love you, Arlo.” He peeks over my shoulder. “I love you, Hailey.” His lips press to my neck. “I want this to be our life.” His arms shake around us. “Us. This right here. No matter what and no matter where. From this day until our last days, this is our life.”

Hailey’s arms squeeze me and Hota tight. “Our life together.”

And like the fucking baby I am, I sob. My lovers hold me and cry too, for how long it took us to get here, for how far we still have to go, for all the years missed out on, and all the years to come.

One by one, we quiet, and Hota pulls us into a circle facing each other. Something about all of us standing in the doorway of our future with clunky hats on our heads pulls a laugh from my belly, and we’re all laughing.

I wipe away their tears, and they wipe away mine. I pull them into the dust-covered room where tile is stacked hip high and a vanity lies uninstalled diagonally across the bedroom floor.

“Three sinks?” Hailey squeals.

I point where my old bed was. “Imagine a nine-by-nine custom mattress and frame.”

“Nine feet by nine feet?” Hota’s jaw goes slack and a little crooked.

“Big enough to comfortably sleep three, plus room for activities.” I smirk, then tug them into the unfinished bathroom with not only a three-sectioned vanity but also three heads in the to-be-retiled shower and a bathtub to fit three.

“A kid could swim laps in that thing.” Hota points at the tub.

“One day.” I nod.

Hota’s grip sinks into my shoulder, and he turns me to face him. “You’d actually want children after everything you’ve been through?”

“I never did until you thought Hailey was pregnant,” I admit.

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