Royal

Nash and I are cuddling on the couch with our feet in Zade’s lap, while I read and they watch some weird ass movie that they apparently both love. After their date a few nights ago when they discovered their mutual love for disgusting and disturbing movies I’ve been repeatedly subjected to these emotionally scarring films, just as I feared. But after my stupid little freak out I realized there was no reason for my jealousy. I want Nash and Zade to have things they share between the two of them. I want our relationship to be strong and balanced. I can’t live without either of them in my life, and I want them to feel that toward each other as well.

“Can I tell you something?” Nash asks.

“Of course.”

“I feel like we’re standing in your way, like being with us is keeping you from getting custody of Liam,” Nash admits.

“Stop with that shit, you’re making me nervous like you’re going to leave us or something,” I say, a slight tremor in my voice.

“No one is leaving anyone,” Zade argues, crawling on top of us. “We’re going to get through this together and no one is going anywhere.”

“Listen to Zade, he’s smart.”

“I wasn’t going anywhere. I just wanted to let you know I’m feeling guilty.”

“Don’t feel guilty. It’s that jealous troll who should feel bad, not us,” I say.

“Everything is going to work out so let’s not freak out about it. And no one is allowed to imply that they’re leaving, as a general rule, forever.”

“I think that’s a good rule,” I agree with Zade.

“I can get on board with that,” Nash leans forward and presses a kiss to my lips and then turns to kiss Zade.

When there’s a knock at the door I groan. We’re not expecting anyone and I’m kind of loathe to let anyone burst our happy little bubble. 

“Can you get that, baby?” I ask Zade, giving him a little nudge with my foot.

“Why do I have to get up?” Zade complains.

“Please,” I stick out my bottom lip and give him the puppy dog eyes.

Zade rolls his eyes but gets up to answer the door.

Nash snorts a laugh, which tickles my neck since his face is tucked up under my chin.

“You have that man so whipped.”

“Laugh it up, I’ve got you whipped, too,” I taunt, tweaking his nipple.

Before Nash can protest my statement Zade reappears with Madden beside him.

“Hope it’s okay I stopped by,” Madden says, rubbing the back of his neck and looking at me with an unfamiliar shyness.

“Of course it’s okay. Come here and give me some sugar, Boo,” I tease, opening my arms wide for Madden.

“How do you still have energy to flirt when you've got not one, but two men sleeping in your bed?”

“It's called stamina.” I wink and blow him a kiss.

“Yeah, I don't think Royal ever gets tired of sex,” Nash chimes in.

Madden scrunches his nose and shakes his head.

“More than enough information, thank you.”

Zade and Nash both laugh. I reluctantly disentangle myself from Nash and we both sit up to make room on the couch for Madden.

“How’s it going? I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“I’m good. That was why I stopped by, I felt like we’ve both been so busy we haven’t talked. I thought you might want to go grab a drink or something?”

“Yeah,” I agree. “If you’re up for it?”

Madden rolls his eyes.

“I wish everyone would stop coddling me. Of course I’m up for it, I’m the one who suggested it asshole.”

“Alright, let me get some clean clothes on because I’m like 99% sure there’s a cum stain on this shirt.”

“Gross, dude,” Madden complains.

I grab Madden in a headlock and mess up his hair before releasing him and heading to the bedroom to get changed.

Once I have on a clean shirt I head back out and find Liam in the living room as well, talking to Madden.

“You should come along sometime. You might like getting to know some of the kids there. They’re all about your age, and it’s nice to get a chance to hang out with people who know what you’re going through,” Madden is saying to Liam.

“Yeah, I’d love to tag along. When are you going next?” Liam asks.

“Tomorrow, but I also go like twice a week if not more, since I’m not working at Heathens right now.”

“Yeah, I’ll come with tomorrow,” Liam agrees.

“Cool, I’ll come pick you up around eleven then.”

“Awesome,” Liam fist bumps Madden and I can’t help but smile.

I love my friends for taking to Liam so easily. Whenever he comes to hang out at the shop he and Adam talk art. I had no idea Adam knew anything about photography, but apparently it’s a hidden hobby or some shit. And, Liam and Dani talk about movies and music, which they seem to share a taste in.

“Ready to go?” I ask once Liam and Madden have exchanged phone numbers.

“Have fun, babe, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Zade says before grabbing me by the back of the neck and pulling me into a kiss.

“Call if you guys drink too much and need a ride,” Nash adds, claiming a kiss of his own after Zade is finished with me.

Fifteen minutes later Madden and I are sitting side by side at our usual bar, O’Malley’s, just down the street from Heathens.

“So, what’s it like having two boyfriends?” Madden asks as soon as we have our drinks.

“Hot, awesome, perfect, transcendent…”

“Alright, got it,” Madden laughs, cutting off my list of superlatives. “Seriously, though, it isn’t...weird at all?”

“I get why you’d think it might be, but honestly it’s everything I never knew I wanted. You know I’ve loved Nash forever, but now that he’s my boyfriend instead of just my best friend it’s like a whole other level of love I never would’ve thought was possible. Like, the thought of not having him takes my breath away. And, Zade, god I love him just as much. He’s so awesome and fun, he’s my partner in crime. They’re like two halves of a sexy, perfect coin. Ugh, sorry, I’m going on and on but I just can’t even explain how happy they make me.”

“I get it,” Madden assures me with a knowing smile. “It’s how I feel about Thane, too. I thought I’d loved men before in my life, but this isn’t anywhere in the same realm as anyone I’ve ever been with.”

“I’m happy for you, man.” I put an arm around his shoulder and give him a hug.

It’s good to see Madden happy and healthy again after he gave us all such a scare.

“Back at ya,” he says, laying his head on my shoulder and leaning into the hug.

“And how’s Liam adjusting and everything?”

“Good, I think. I don’t know, he doesn’t complain much or anything so it’s hard to say for sure.” I laugh. “We’re still working on making everything legal, but I feel like it’s all going to work out. And, we put an offer on a house today, so adulting and whatnot.”

“Good, good. Look at us, all grown up and shit.”

I laugh and take a gulp of my rum and coke. And then I settle back and listen as Madden tells me all about some of the paintings he’s been working on.

 

 

Zade

A few hours later I’m half asleep with Nash tucked close to me, when I hear the front door open and close. I open my eyes and wait for Royal, who appears a few seconds later.

He gives me a small apologetic smile when he sees my eyes are open.

“Sorry,” He mouths so he doesn’t wake Nash. I shake my head to let him know there’s nothing to be sorry for.

I watch as he strips down to his delicious blue Andrew Christians. When he notices me watching he turns around and twerks his ass at me. My heart swells with love for this crazy fucking man I somehow got lucky enough to call my own. Then, Nash murmurs something in his sleep and nuzzles closer to me and my heart nearly bursts out of my chest. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, how is this my life?

Once Royal’s done acting like a glorious jackass, he climbs into the empty spot on my other side and I lift up my free arm to let him in.

“Did you have fun?” I whisper.

“Yeah, it was good to see Madden. I need to be better about getting together with him now that he’s not working at Heathens and I’m not seeing him every day.”

“It’s important to make time for your friends,” I agree with a yawn.

Royal kisses my chin and snuggles close, closing his eyes and we drift off to sleep.