Page 169 of Ink Me Three Times
Small town gossip?
It’s a constant hum in the background, and no matter how many times I remind myself that I don’t give a damn, it’s hard to ignore when you’re living under the town’s microscope.
But hey, at least they’ve stopped looking at me as the walking scandal.
I guess that’s progress.
We’re in this beautiful house now, just on the edge of Coyote Glen. It’s big enough for me, Penny, the babies, and all three men who, for some insane reason, decided that being a part of my life was a good idea.
It’s quiet out here, and there’s something peaceful about it that makes me feel like maybe I can exhale.
The nursery is almost done, thankfully. Giraffes are everywhere. Timothy’s pick. I mean, I get it, the guy’s got a soft spot for animals, but giraffes? Really?
I’m almost positive I’ll end up staring at those goofy creatures more than I care to admit. At least they’re cute.
Penny loves it here.
She runs around as if she owns the place, which, given her personality, she does. I swear, the girl’s going to rule the world one day, and none of us will be able to stop her.
But what’s really getting to me is howrighteverything feels. This is the calm I never thought I’d get. A real home. It’s not perfect, sure. There’s still a lot of mess, physical and emotional, but it’s ours. And for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel like I’m just passing through. I don’t have to keep my guard up all the time.
And then, there’s them.
I don’t even know what to call this. Sometimes, we’re just figuring it out as we go. They all want me in different ways, and I want them, too. But it’s messy. It’s complicated. And maybe it’s a bit insane. But I wouldn’t change it. Not for anything.
Freddie, Mitchell, and Timothy… they each make my world spin in different ways. They bring things I didn’t know I needed. They make me feel seen. Whole. And I guess that’s the part I never expected. I didn’t think I could ever belong anywhere, with anyone. But here, in this house, with them, I do.
Jesse knocks before he even steps onto the porch, as if he’s still not entirely sure whether he’s welcome. He said he’d come, but I wasn’t sure he really would…
He stands outside for a long moment, just staring at the door, trying to talk himself into coming in.
The tension between us has been thick ever since that night he walked out, words left hanging in the air.
He’s tried, I know that. But there’s a difference between trying and truly accepting. And Jesse... he’s not the type to make peace until he’s ready.
When he finally steps in, he’s easing into a space he’s not sure he belongs. He doesn’t say much, just a grunt of a greeting, eyesflicking over the living room, still getting used to the sight of all of us in one place.
The men are scattered around the house, each of them in their own little world, not quite doing anything but just being here, in the background.
Pickle barks once when Jesse enters, but even he knows better than to get too excited. This isn’t a moment for jumping and wagging tails. This is a moment for careful steps.
Jesse hesitates for a second and then sits on the couch. He’s quieter than usual, but the air between us feels less heavy. Maybe it’s the soft hum of Penny laughing in the other room, maybe it’s the fact that he’s been here long enough now that the awkwardness has started to fade. There’s still a distance between us, a space he’s unwilling to cross, but it’s not the chasm it used to be.
“How’s the house?” he asks curiously.
The words don’t come with judgment, though. They’re just... curiosity.
“It’s good,” I say, shifting on the couch to ease the back pain. I place my hand on my swollen stomach, a small smile taking over. “It feels... like it’s ours. You know?”
He nods slowly. It’s the first time he’s acknowledged the good in any of this without the edge of sarcasm or disbelief.
That’s something.
“I’m glad. You deserve that,” he mutters, glancing at Freddie, then Mitchell, then Timothy.
His gaze lingers on them for a beat too long, but it’s not hostile. Just... calculating. Testing the waters. He’s not fully on board yet, but he’s getting there. And for that, I’m grateful.
Freddie leans against the doorframe, casually watching the scene unfold. He knows what this means, too. Hell, they all do. This isn’t a moment of absolution, but it’s a moment of progress. The kind we’ve all been waiting for.
