Page 25 of Brandishing Beginnings

I didn’t think they minded as I settled into the nest of blankets they had created. The guys had thrown on an action movie, something with lots of explosions and little plot with bad guysvs good guys. I enjoyed the mindlessness of it as I relaxed, feeling some of the tension leave my body.

I was sandwiched between Jason and Nico, like I had been that fateful night we’d been together, only this time I felt awkward knowing I had a boyfriend—even if we weren’t serious.

Halfway through the movie, Jason slid his hand over my thigh and left it resting there. Tired from a long week of remote learning and helping Kara plan a funeral, I ignored his hand while secretly enjoying the warmth of it. I would not cheat on Hunter, but I wasn’t immune to Jason’s touch.

When his hand started sliding up my thigh, I shook my head and shifted away, so his hand slid off my leg inside. “Don’t.”

“Come on, Maya,” Jason groaned. “You’ve refused to touch us all fucking week.”

“Because I have a boyfriend. I told you that.” I shook my head, annoyed that I even had to explain it to him.

“Well, he’s not here,” Jason said.

I sat up and quickly got to my feet. “Fuck you, Jason. Fuck you.”

“Maya,” Nico sighed.

“Fuck you too, Nico,” I shot out, looking down at them. “Cheating’s a hard limit for me; it’s not something I’d ever put up with or do to someone. I have zero respect for cheaters, so you two can fuck off. I’m done.” I turnedon my heel and walked away.

Once I was in Kara’s bedroom, I had to be quiet, as Kara was sleeping, but I was pissed. It took me a long time to fall a sleep that night.

The next morning, I woke up feeling like shit. I barely slept the night before and a headache was already pounding behind my eyes and my entire body ached. I took a quick shower and got ready for the funeral, packing up all the shit I had at Kara’s.

After the initial mad dash to bring Kara home following the news of Lita’s death, I had gone back to the dorms the following morning and packed bags for both of us. The week since then had been busy with helping Kara plan the funeral, while still managing to attend my classes online. Rescheduling my clinical hours had been a bitch, but I’d done it for Kara.

Dealing with Marcos, Nico, and Jason all week, had been a test of my fucking nerves. The three men had been overly friendly and touchy-feely, something I could ignore due to the circumstances, until they drew the line.

My heart was hurting, while anger still roiled through me. I couldn’t believe they’d try to pull something, knowing I was seeing someone. It really made me question their integrity—and made me question if I’d even want anything further with any of them.

It was the last thing I wanted to deal with, on top of feeling like utter crap while I packed up my things and got ready for the funeral.

The sun shone brightly in the sky, though the air was crisp, when Kara and I finished packing my car, and headed to the Church together. Marcos, Nico, and Jason had gone home sometime in the night—probably after I told them off—and left a note in the kitchen, stating they would meet us at the Church.

Kara was pissed, but I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want to add onto the drama of the day. I’d eventually tell Kara about it some other time.

Hunter and all of our friends were waiting for us outside the church, armed with coffee for both of us. I smiled weakly, pressing a kiss to his lips as I accepted the coffee. “Thanks, babe.”

Hunter pressed a kiss to my temple and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me against him. Kara and I greeted all of our friends, grateful for the support. It had been a long stressful week, and I was so happy to see our little ragtag group.

Armed with coffee and Hunter’s arms wrapped around me, I was beginning to feel a little better, despite my still pounding head. That was until Marcos, Jason, and Nico each showed up to the funeral with a woman hanging off their arm.

“What the fuck?” Kara muttered, watching as the three men climbed out of Marco’s F150, and each looped an arm around a leggy slut in various shades of fake-and-bake tans with sky high heels and too short skirts. Fake tits poured out of plunging neck lines. It was utterly disgusting.

I felt my heart shatter in my chest. We weren’t together by any means, and I was even dating someone else, but the fact that they had never once mentioned seeing anyone, in the last five days that I’d basically been living with them day and night, killed me, especially after the bullshit they had pulled the night before.

We might not have been sexual in the five days I had stayed with them, but the lingering touches and gentle caresses had been too familiar if they were each seeing someone. And if they weren’t seeing someone, and this was payback because I turned them down the night before? How fucking petty. I didn’t have time for childish antics from grown men.

They walked toward the church entrance, not glancing over at me even once. Marcos snagged Kara’s hand as he passed, and tugged her along with him. I had to stifle a sob, and turn away, my heart in shambles as utter disbelief washed over me.

Hunter tugged me closer to our group of friends, and turned toward the church to follow Kara and her brother inside. Kara glanced back only once they’d been seated up in the front pew of the church, to see that our group of friends and I had opted to sit further back, giving the family space.

The funeral was a small and quick affair. A simple Mass with readings, celebrating the life of Carlita Candela. One of the women from Lita’s church group stood up and delivered a beautiful eulogy, along with Lita’s sister, Mary.

After Mass we had bundled up for the gravesite memorial. I held Hunter’s hand tightly and purposely avoided looking at Marcos, Jason, and Nico. Decked out in mirrored sunglasses, I had no idea if they even glanced my way, but it didn’t matter to me. I was only there for my friend—Kara.

Later, during the repast at a local restaurant, the women had draped themselves over the laps of what I was consideringmy guys. Marcos, Jason, and Nico didn’t seem to mind, as they chatted with friends and ate their meal.

My head was pounding, a stabbing pain between my eyes. The noise of the restaurant wasn’t helping, and the screeching laughter from the whores on my guys’ laps was nails on a chalkboard for me. “You, OK?” Hunter asked. His hand came out and felt my forehead—gloriously cool. “Shit, babe. You’re burning up.”

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