Page 65 of The Truth of Our Secrets

Chapter twenty-four

Jayce

Emmet and I sandwich her on the bed for maximum comfort. We’re flush with her entire body. Today has been eye-opening.

Emmet is nothing like I expected. He’s maddening and stubborn, but he’s also compassionate and supportive. He makes difficult conversations effortless.

His eyes drift closed on the pillow, giving me the opportunity to study his face. He’s young. But the same age as Madyson when I met her. I’d be a hypocrite to say he’s too young to understand what he wants. He’s probably more mature than I am when it comes to decision-making.

He wears his heart on his sleeve and isn’t afraid to tell people the truth. I’m not like that. My family was all about hiding obvious things. As an adult, I realize everyone in the neighborhood had to know my dad was a drunk. They called the police when the yelling got out of control and saw our bruises.

I could only say I fell off my bike so many times before people knew I was a liar. My mom was so ashamed, as if it were her fault. That she didn’t cook or clean right and it made him mad. Then it was our fault for being naughty.

So much shame to get out from under. How do I keep Emmet and convince him not to tell Madyson what I did? He said you can’t build a relationship on lies and I don’t think I’ve ever had a relationship that wasn’t filled with lies or untruths.

I never lied to Madyson. Instead, I hid the truth. It’s not better. I failed to protect her.

I never wanted her to know what Peter said about her. Of course he told her. I should’ve known he would.

“How about a bath?” Emmet remembers her comment about loving baths.

“If you stay.” She pleads with her eyes.

“I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”

He’s so considerate. It irks me.

If it were me, I’d use every advantage to wedge myself between them. But he constantly brings us together. Never inserting himself unless he’s invited.

I sit up and run my hand along her side, and I don’t stop when I get to Emmet’s hand on her hip. My hand glides over his and the energy changes. No matter my past doubts, our chemistry is ever-present. It’s inescapable. And hard to handle.

“I’ll start the bath.” I swing my legs off the bed and Madyson whimpers at the loss of contact. “You want us in there with you?”

“Yes.” She breathes a sigh of relief.

I nod and mentally calculate the water level so it doesn’t overflow with three people. We’ve never had a third person in the tub.

A thrill runs through me at the prospect of being naked with both of them.

But this is about comfort, not sex, so I’ll need to keep my cock in check.

When I call out, Emmet carries her to me and sets her down.

“Take her clothes off,” I say firmly because if I undress her, things will not be about emotional support.

Emmet raises an eyebrow but helps her out of her clothes. I’m only half dressed, so I’m naked in seconds. Emmet steadies her as she throws a leg over the tub and climbs in. We both look at him expectantly.

His smile is blinding. His entire face lights up and the tension in my gut relaxes as he undresses.

“I was wondering where you hid all your ink.” Madyson reaches for Emmet.

A phoenix rises from black ashes and red-orange flames into a sunny blue sky, inked on his entire back. It’s stunning. And the transition is seamless from dark to light. Ominous to uplifting.

When he moves, it becomes a living, breathing thing. I touch it as he steps into the tub, running my fingers over the flames and the wings until I reach the head at the nape of his neck.

“Gorgeous,” I mutter.

“Who did it for you?” Madyson asks.

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