Page 55 of Push My Buttons
"Even though it means sharing me?"I sign, voicing the question that's been lingering since the studio."Even though it's complicated and messy and potentially dangerous?"
They exchange another loaded look.
"I've shared a lot of things with this idiot over the years," Theo says finally, gesturing toward Jace. "Games. Office space. The occasional take-out order. Never thought I'd be sharing a woman with him."
"But?" Jace prompts, a slight smile playing at his lips.
"But for you?" Theo's eyes find mine, surprisingly tender. "I'd share just about anything."
"We'll figure it out," Jace says, his thumb tracing circles on the back of my hand. "You’re safe and we're together. The rest is just details."
The sincerity in their voices, the unwavering certainty in their expressions—it breaks something open inside me. Tears spill down my cheeks before I can stop them, years of loneliness and fear suddenly crashing through the walls I've built.
Jace's arms are around me immediately, pulling me against his chest. Theo's hand strokes my back, his touch grounding me as the tears come.
"It's okay," Jace murmurs into my hair. "You don't have to be strong all the time. Not with us."
I cry harder at that, silently shaking in their embrace. They hold me through it, neither pulling away nor trying to stop the tears. They simply let me break, knowing I need this release after holding myself together for so long.
When the storm finally passes, I pull back slightly, wiping at my wet cheeks.
"Sorry,"I sign, embarrassed by my breakdown.
"Don't," Theo says firmly. "Don't apologize for being human."
Jace brushes a strand of hair from my face, his touch infinitely gentle. "We're going to figure this out. First thing tomorrow, we start investigating who might be behind this. I can check the game code, see if I can trace the intrusion. Theo can—"
"Use my marketing contacts to see if anyone's been asking about Vanta specifically," Theo finishes.
Their immediate shift into problem-solving mode makes fresh tears threaten. They're not just saying they'll stay—they're already planning, already working to protect me.
"Thank you,"I sign, the words feeling wholly inadequate."Both of you."
"You don't need to thank us," Jace says softly. "Just let us help you."
"And maybe let us stay tonight," Theo adds, his usual playfulness returning. "That bed looks big enough for three, and I'm not quite ready to let you out of my sight yet."
I smile, grateful for the lightening of the mood."Only if you promise to actually let me sleep at some point,"I sign, raising an eyebrow.
"Sleep is overrated," Theo says with a grin, but Jace shoots him a look.
"Sleep is exactly what you need," Jace counters, his tone brooking no argument. "We can talk more in the morning. Make plans."
I nod, suddenly aware of how exhausted I truly am. The emotional toll of the revelations, combined with the physical exertion from earlier, has left me drained.
We prepare for bed in companionable silence. They take turns in the bathroom while I change into the oversized t-shirt I've been sleeping in. When we finally settle under the covers, I find myself in the middle again, Jace on my left, Theo on my right.
It should feel strange, this new arrangement. Three people in one bed, three lives suddenly intertwined. But as Jace's arm settles around my waist and Theo's fingers lace with mine, it feels oddly right. Like pieces of a puzzle finally finding their place.
"For what it's worth," Theo murmurs, his breath warm against my ear, "you're basically the physical embodiment of our dream girl. Smart, beautiful, mysterious, and kicks ass in Wasteland Chronicles."
I laugh silently, squeezing his hand in thanks.
"What he's trying to say," Jace adds, his voice soft in the darkness, "is that we're exactly where we want to be. With exactly who we want to be with."
I turn my head to kiss him softly, then do the same with Theo. The tenderness of the moment wraps around us like a cocoon, protective and warm.
"Sleep," Jace says gently. "We'll be here when you wake up."
