29. Cin

Chapter twenty-nine

Cin

"Oh, I'm sorry RJ didn't tell you about a court order from the other side of the continent and had to have his partners come to the rescue," I wag my finger at the man who felt the need to lecture RJ after what he just went through. "Maybe you should do better at not allowing employees to be assaulted at work."

My little speech is satisfying to get out when the man looks contrite, until I feel RJ tense beside me. Oh, fuck, I just outed him as dating both of us at work. Now I'm the asshole. Maybe they'll think I mean partners like in business?

"You're very right," the woman who is about my size—Ms. Roux, I think the security guard called her—says. I freeze when I make the connection. RJ works for Fantasie Mode , the design house of the famous Ana?s Roux. The woman standing in front of me is Ana?s, fucking, Roux.

"Ah, yeah, I mean…" I stumble on my words and she raises one perfectly drawn brow. "Sorry, Ms. Roux?"

"Don't apologize on my account. I agreed with everything you said and Frisco can be pig-headed at times," Ana?s Roux waves a hand as if to brush off the man's shortcomings. He doesn't seem bothered but also doesn't add anything more. She looks from my face to my heeled boots and back again, clearly assessing me. "You must be the friend I passed on my jumpsuit to. I hope you've found cause to wear it?"

"I have, Ms. Roux, and thank you. It is the best thing I've ever had on my body," I tell her and wince. She raises a brow and I notice the woman RJ called Sarah covering a laugh. "Besides these two," I gesture to Gay and RJ and realize I've stuck my foot in it again.

Cursing under my breath, I turn to look at Gay for guidance. She presses her lips together, hiding a smile, but she doesn't jump in to rescue me from my own mouth.

"Be that as it may, I am glad you came." Ana?s Roux's lips twitch but she doesn't react to my confirmation of our polyamorous relationship. "RJ, I will not see you at work tomorrow. Let your partners take care of you and let Sarah know when you can return."

"Thank you, Ms. Roux," RJ replies, leaning into Gay, who stops putting distance between them.

We see lights flashing red and blue through the lobby windows and Gay straightens. "We probably need to give our statement to the police."

"Do you have the restraining order as a digital file?" Sarah asks, pulling out her phone. She doesn't wait for me to say anything when I nod. "Email it to me at Fantasie Mode dot com, and I'll make sure the police have all the pertinent information."

"Won't they want to talk to RJ?" I ask, though I'm hoping the answer is no as I get my phone out and type in her email address.

"They can wait," Ana?s Roux gives a gallic shrug. "Take care of him first."

With her blessing, RJ's coworkers turn to intercept the officers as we shuffle out of the side door and around the building. I drive so that Gay can hold RJ in the back seat, and I struggle to stay quiet. I feel guilty about outing RJ, but also over not being there when he needed us. Sure, we got there as fast as humanly possible, but still.

Gay is murmuring to RJ, reassuring him everything will be alright as I navigate traffic. I'm only catching a few words until our favorite diner catches my attention.

"Can we stop at Randy's?" RJ's voice catches and he takes a shuddery breath. "I'm suddenly ravenous."

Meeting his eyes in the rearview, I can't help trying to make him smile, "Want a Cincinnati-three-way?"

RJ rewards me with a smirk, and the sense of dread I've been holding in my gut unknots with his words, "Yeah, I do."

When RJ is in the diner bathroom, Gay and I discuss letting RJ take his time to talk. He can eat and get snuggles and we won't ask anything until he's ready. Hopefully tomorrow, before the cops need to interview RJ.

Taking the time while we wait for our food, I make a sign to cancel Pancakes and Pronouns for the first time. A few friends show up when we're walking out of the door, and they offer to stay in case people still want to gather and talk.

"You go take care of your boy," Sammi tells us, without needing further explanation than RJ needing alone time. "We'll make sure everyone feels welcome."

The thought of someone else running the group, even for a night, washes over me with a touch of jealousy. I take it in for only a second and then let it go. Whether or not I'm running the show, they can gather and have the chance to find like-minded folx. The munch isn't about me. Pancakes and Pronouns is a safe space for non-cis kinksters to come and be around the community.

Knowing it can go on without me shifts to joy, and I'm glad I can let the worry wash away so I can focus on RJ.

"Thank you, Sammi. Let us know how everything goes."

With enough takeout for dinner and breakfast, we bring it home and eat on the couch in a companionable silence. RJ snuggles between us, clingy in the most necessary way, and we make sure he's always touching one of us.

Cleaning up the mess in minutes, I join them upstairs where Gay is getting RJ ready for bed. It's hardly past sunset, but I let Gay take the reins on RJ's care. She is much better at this kind of thing, though I do join them in preparing for bed early.

When we're all tucked into our bed with RJ between us again, he sighs peacefully. "Thank you both."

"Of course, sweet boy," Gay tells him with a kiss to his forehead. "We will always be here for you."

"Yes," I agree as I wrap my arms around them both. "We want you with us all the time."

"Really?" RJ asks, biting his lip and turning his head to look up at me through full, dark lashes. "All the time?"

"We'd move you in tomorrow if you'd let us," I admit and then take in a sharp breath at RJ's widening eyes. "Shit, that's probably too soon to say. But it's true. Gay thinks so, too."

RJ's mouth pops open and he turns back to her, "You do?"

"Yes, baby boy," she kisses the tip of his nose and then glances at me. Somehow, I know exactly what she's thinking and I nod. She focuses back on RJ and reaches up to caress his high cheekbone. "We love you, RJ."

"No. I mean, really?" RJ breathing shallows and he whips his head back and forth between us. "Both of you?"

Going up on my elbow so I'm hovering over him, I press a soft kiss to his lips, "I love you, RJ. And I hope you can grow to love us, too."

RJ sniffles and his eyes brim with tears. I worry our declarations are too much until his face splits into a wide smile. He lifts a hand to hold my face and I melt when he replies, "Too late. I already love you."

"Even though I'm the asshole who outed you at work?" I can't help asking, still feeling like shit over the slip up.

"Especially because you care so much you couldn't help claiming me so publicly," RJ giggles and I take his mouth with mine until we're rutting against one another.

As we come up for air, we both look to Gay beside us. She's grinning indulgently at our antics. "I love you both so much."

"I love you, too, Daddy," RJ whispers, and I burst with joy at the way they're looking at one another. Joy for my love and their love fills me to the brim, and I can't help wondering at how a person can feel so content.