Page 41 of Liberation

Several conversations have to take place between the three of us—sooner rather than later—so we can decide what to tell people and when. That’s unfortunate since things are going really well in their undefined state, but if we ever hope to make things official, which Jace and I do, we’ll have to talk about what the three of us are to each other. I’m both excited and terrified for that discussion.

Jace hasn’t touched me during sex since that first night, so while I don’t have a reason to think Becca would object to the two of us being involved, we don’t know enough to think she’d be okay with it, either. One thing’s for sure, the longer we go without addressing it the worse things will be, so something has to happen, and quickly. I’m just not sure whether we should bring it up in conversation or“get lost”in the moment while the three of us are together as a way to open that door.

Either way, Jace and I agree it makes sense for the town to get used to seeing the three of us together, and the concert in the park tonight is the perfect excuse. No one will think twice about me bringing my new roommate and boss to the event, and the three of us can do something outside the confines of my house. Win, win. Now I just have to convince Becca.

“You want to take me on a date? Both of you, together?” She pauses mid-shovel with a leery expression when I casually mention the invite while we’re clearing the trail.

“I want you to come with us to the weekly concert in the park.” I veryspecificallydidn’tsaydate,but it’s interesting that’s what she heard. I’ll have to tell Jace.

“Is that a good idea?” She dumps the loose dirt to the side and scoops up another.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” I lean on my shovel, waiting for her to look at me.

“I didn’t think this thing with all of us extended beyond… you know.” She talks to her shovel as she works, though I can see the pink creeping into her cheeks under the brim of her ball cap. It’s cute that she still gets flustered talking about our arrangement when she’s anything but when the three of us are together. “And I barely know anyone here. What will they think if we show up together?”

“They won’t jump to you sleeping with both of us if that’s what you’re asking.”

Her nose crinkles as she squints up at me. “How can you be sure? I know how small towns work, and my car has been parked at your house a lot recently.”

“Your car is easy to explain. We’re trying to make progress on the bike park; I’m trying to be friendly since you’re new in town; take your pick. Besides, it's not there overnight, and even if you were to stay over that’s easy to explain, too. You crashed on the couch because you were exhausted.”

“They’d buy that I stayed over platonically instead of driving ten minutes home?” She shakes her head with an exaggerated eye roll.

“We could always say you had too much to drink.”

“I hate that that actually sounds better.”

My shovel falls to the ground as I step toward her and take her hand in mine. “Are you having second thoughts about this?”

“No.” Thank God. She sounds confident. “But I’m not ready to have my private life on display. I’d feel that way no matter what, not because of our…” She waves her hand around instead of finishing that thought.She’s cute in her little hat with a smudge of dirt on her cheek.

Wrapping my arms around her waist I pull her to me, her shovel clattering to the ground. “I get it. It’s different, and people don’t always accept different well.”

She has no idea how closely that hits home for me. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her—to get everything out in the open—and while a conversation needs to happen, I think having it within the first few days is rushing it.

It might scare her off to learn that our motives were just as much about the connection we feel to her as they were about lust, especially since lust seems to be a primary motivator for her. So, for now, keeping this about sex feels safe. Besides, I feel like she needs to be able to talk about the three of us without blushing before we bring up dating. Still, I’m taking the fact she used the worddateas a sign we’re moving in the right direction.

“I’m not suggesting different is bad. You know that, right?” She worries her lip between her teeth.

“I know that. You just want to be known as Becca and not the girl sleeping with two roommates. Plus, you’re not the type of person to make everyone jealous of all the amazing sex you’re having, so out of respect for them we’ll pretend we’re nothing more than friends.”

Becca slaps a hand to her mouth to stifle the bark of laughter she couldn’t quite contain, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop my mouth from stretching into a proud grin for making her laugh. “Come here.” I wrap my hand around the back of her neck and pull her to me, wiping the smudge off her cheek with my thumb before sealing my lips over hers. It’s a firm, brief kiss since we’re out in the open, but it has my chest heaving with desire all the same.

“Tonight, we’re three friends hanging out. No one will say more than that, and even if they do it wouldn’t be malicious. There’s just not much else to talk about here other than what activity the weather is good for and what people are doing on any given day.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself with those words, but they do the trick.

She pulls out of my grasp with a shy smile and retrieves her shovel. “Okay. I’m in.”

***

A mixture of relief and excitement floods my veins when I spot Becca weaving through the crowd, making her way toward us. Heads turn to follow her movements, which may be due to the pink hair, but for me it’s the way she looks both sporty and delicate in her casual overalls with a tight little top that draws my attention. It’s so uniquelyherthat it’s hard not to stare. A quick peek at Jace tells me the same thought is running through his mind, and I elbow him in the ribs as I swallow down my own reaction, hoping no one noticed our momentary lapse.

“Hi.” She stuffs her hands in her pockets and rocks back on her heels as she stops before us, eyes darting back and forth like she’s unsure what to do next. Before I can panic, Jace leans in to give her a brief hug hello.

“Glad you made it.” He pulls away and steps aside, both of them looking to me for guidance. At a loss for words, I motion for them both to follow me and spin toward the direction of my usual spot, where the rest of my friends should be gathering. They all look up as the three of us approach—new people have that effect—and of course Deacon, playboy that he is, jumps right up to greet Becca.

“Pink Panty Dropper, nice to see you again.” He squeezes by me to give her a hug.

“We haven’t established that as my drink.” She shoves his chest—playfully—though it has the effect of putting some distance between them.

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