CHAPTER NINE
Ellie
I went with my plan. I ended up getting jobs through a website writing for a variety of jobs. I knew that the house was paid off here, but I wanted to contribute to some bills.
We went to the nearest town in a couple of weeks to go shopping. The guys went into a Costco and loaded the cart with meat and drinks to store in the fridge in the garage. I picked up some vegetables and a few cans of the best coffee they sold. We laughed as we walked through the store but made a point of not acting affectionate towards each other. It was better to let people think that we were friends staying nearby.
The general public didn’t need to know that I was fucking these men regularly. I did it with them together all over the house as well as one on one when things ended up that way. We didn’t have a plan, but we were happy. We went hiking all the time and cooked meals together and even went into the small town nearby for drinks on the weekends.
When a month passed, and we were still happy, I decided to tell Bree about the guys. She was my best friend, and I heard the worry in her voice every time we spoke on the phone. My car was fixed, and I arranged to go meet her in Aurora over coffee to talk. If all went well, we’d have her over for dinner.
I spent the night with my men in the master bedroom, making love until we passed out. It was more than sex now but we didn’t say it. We were still just living our lives and being happy. I didn’t expect us to profess our love or anything yet. I just knew that I wasn’t leaving and my best friend deserved an answer as to what was happening in my life. To her, I left for a break from life and never came back.
I left the morning I was going to meet her, driving with the radio on and the windows cracked. It was brisk outside but the fresh air was amazing. The weather was clear, and I’d have an easy drive there and back. I pulled into Aurora and looked around with a smile, almost missing this place. I had a great apartment with Brent and it was a home that was beautiful but never felt like home to me, looking back. I wasn’t at Bree’s long enough to bond with the place and moved in so distraught to begin with. Now I was smiling and felt good as I headed to the cute little corner coffee shop.
I pulled up to the curb and turned off the engine as I looked around for my purse. The guys bought brand new tires for my Cherokee and I felt much safer than the lost girl that was driving to the cabin that day. I hopped out of the car and glanced down at my worn jeans to make sure they weren’t too wrinkled. I might have spent too much time in the shower with two gorgeous men. I smiled at the memory as a familiar car pulled up next to me. I smiled as Bree bounced out and hugged me, spinning me around.
“Hey, stranger.” She pulled away and looked at me for a long moment, up and down. “Look at you. You look so happy, Ellie.”
“I am. It turns out some time away worked wonders.” I swallowed nervously as I tried to remember how I was going to tell her the rest of the story.
“I’ll say. Did you ever make it to my cabin?” She asked as I laughed softly.
“No but I have the spare key.” I dug it out of my purse as we walked into the shop, handing it to her at the counter. She glanced down at it as I placed my order and paid for the food and drinks.
“So, where have you been staying? Who are these mystery friends of yours?” She asked as we took our plates to a table in the corner to sit down. I glanced towards the counter to see if they were close to calling my name. That was a good way to stall things.
“I was going to your cabin. Do you remember the storm that day?” I asked as she frowned for a moment.
“Yes! I was worried about you until you finally called. What happened?”
“I lost control of my car and ended up in a driveway. It was snowing so hard, Bree. I was cold and scared. I could see that there was a house set back from the street and figured that I could get some help.” I sighed. “I got out with my stuff and saw that my tire was flat. I had no choice but to make a run for the door just to stay dry. I went to the door so sure that I was going to end up at the house of a serial killer.” I paused as I heard my name, going to get the drinks. I needed the break.
Bree was tapping her foot as I came back.
“You can’t leave like that. What happened?” She demanded as I handed her the vanilla latte, placing the coffee down before I sat down.
“I knocked on the door and this guy answered. He was gorgeous, Bree.” Her eyes widened, and she pressed her lips together.
“You had a rebound fling, didn’t you? Brent deserves it for what he did.” Her eyes narrowed, and I froze for a moment, unsure of what to say.
“He wasn’t alone. Chris was the guy that opened the door and he was staying there with Miller. They were taking a break from life for the same reasons that I was, more or less.” I kept going, and she looked thoughtfully at me.
“Which one, Ellie?” She pushed me as I sipped my coffee.
“Both.” Her mouth dropped open as I swallowed the hot liquid and waited for her reaction.
“Both as in you have had something with each of them? Did you sleep with one of them?” Bree leaned close to me, knowing that I was a private person.
“There was something there from the first night. I don’t know if it was what happened with Brent or not, but there was whiskey. I drank a lot and ended up messing around with both of them,” I whispered as I glanced around. “It happened again and again… I have been with them this whole time. We have something.”
“What the fuck? Who are you?” Bree demanded as I jumped, a deep pink flushing my cheeks.
“I don’t know, but I like it.” I admitted as she took my face in closely.
“I can see that. You look so beautiful and happy.” She reached down for her cup.
“It’s so strange. For me, especially. I couldn’t fight the attraction and we are happy with things.” I explained as she frowned.
“Do they get jealous?” I shook my head. “Do you do it with one at a time or are they okay watching each other?” Her eyes widened. “Are they buy?”
I glanced around, relieved that the music was on the loud side and the room was mostly empty. I did notice a couple people working on computers though they seemed focused on their work. I groaned as I wondered if they were writers and this would end up in a book. I used to write at coffee shops all the time.
“No, they are just best friends. We do it however it happens at the moment. I like when it’s both but sometimes it’s just Chris or Miller, it depends.” I loved when both of them were touching me. I’d finally enjoyed them both inside of me, riding Chris while Miller slipped inside of my ass after some preparation. That was the first time, and they switched the second time.
My friend looked shocked as she stared at me in silence.
“So, you wouldn’t sleep with Brent but you went there and got into a threesome? I… I’m stunned. You look so happy but I can’t help but wonder how confusing this must be.” I reached out and covered her hand with mine. “You look happy.”
“I am happy. I was never attracted to Brent this way. You know my parents set us up, right? They wanted me married with kids for my five year plan but told me to wait until we were married. Can you believe that? I was surprised when they told me to move in with him but he was Brent. He was their ideal.” I smiled sadly as I thought back to the last year.
“Wait a minute. Did they want you to forgive that asshole?” Bree demanded as I nodded slowly. “Did they know what he did to you?”
“I told them right away. Mom said that it happens with men sometimes but there is more to marriage than being faithful. Brent would take such great care of me. I am certain that she’s overlooked a few things with my dad. I can’t do that.” I shrugged and sipped my coffee again as something played through my mind.
“Good for you. That’s a smart choice but is this confusing to you?” She asked as I looked back at her. “It’s hard to imagine my Ellie like this.”
“I know. I’m living it and sometimes I think the same thing. But we’re friends and we laugh. They take care of me but I work too. I help out. I adore both of them and they make me feel so… wanted. So beautiful.” I sighed as she stared at me.
“You love them.” Bree said in a whisper as I smiled.
“I don’t know. We haven’t said that, but it’s only been a month. We’re just living day by day right now, but we haven’t left their cabin. They have places in Denver but we can all work from the house up there. Why leave?” I asked as Bree nibbled on her lip with an intense look in her eyes.
“You’re all in. What if this ends?” She asked me as I tried not to think about that.
“Then I figure it out. I am writing for several clients right now and making some good money, most of which they insist I put into my bank. They have money and have some companies they help with. They are set for life and they’re spoiling me rotten.” I smiled, and she nodded at me.
“I can see that. You’ve never looked like this before, Ellie. Certainly not with Brent.” She frowned, and I laughed. “I thought he destroyed you.”
“He never meant that much to me. I dodged a bullet by catching him. I couldn’t see that in the beginning but I do now.”
“What about your parents?” Bree asked as I shrugged.
“I won’t do what they want. Not with Brent or any other man that choose for me. They’ll never support this.” I told her as she looked sadly at me.
“Most won’t. You know that, right?” Bree asked as pain hit me hard in my chest.
“I know. We don’t flaunt it when we’re out, Bree. It’s all behind closed doors.” I assured her as she frowned again. Bree had the most expressive green eyes, and I saw every doubt that she was considering for me.
“Will that be okay long term?” Bree asked as I reached for my coffee again.
“I’m not sure.”