40. Flora

40

FLORA

I sit between Aurora and Nash, still playing with the three interlocked circles at my throat. The main tent has been transformed into a winter wonderland, with twinkling lights strung across the ceiling and garland wrapped around the support poles. The long table stretches before us, laden with more food than I’ve ever seen.

“Stop messing with your necklace and eat something,” Nash murmurs, placing a roll on my plate.

Aurora leans over, admiring the silver circles. “That’s gorgeous. Christmas gift?”

I nod, unable to contain my smile. “From my boys.”

“Boys?” Alice calls from across the table, practically sitting in Lars’s lap. “More like possessive giants.”

Lars tugs her closer. “You’re one to talk, princess. No one beats me when it comes to being possessive.”

“I think it’s sweet,” Lily chimes in beside Cade. “They take good care of you.”

“Unlike some people,” Tilly teases, elbowing Phoenix. “All I got was a new gaming console.”

“Which you love,” Phoenix protests, but a smile plays at his lips.

Sofia, elegant as always, raises her glass. “To found families and unconventional love.”

“Here, here,” Ty agrees, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Gage remains silent beside Aurora, but I catch the way his hand squeezes hers under the table. She beams at him.

“Pass the potatoes,” Remy calls from the end of the table. “Some of us are starving here.”

Colt reaches across Nash to squeeze my thigh. “Eat up, angel. You’ll need your strength later.”

“Gross,” Alice declares. “Some of us are trying to enjoy our dinner.”

“You’re being a prude, Alice. I’m sure you’ll need your strength later, too. I’ve got lots of plans to make you sweat,” Lars says, making me almost choke on my roll.

Alice’s cheeks flush pink as she squirms beside him. I hide my smile behind my glass, grateful the attention has shifted away from us. But then Cade pipes up, his eyes glinting with mischief.

“Will Nash need his strength too, Colt?”

The table goes quiet. I feel Nash and Colt stiffen beside me, their bodies radiating tension. My heart pounds as I wait for their response. We’ve never openly acknowledged this aspect of our relationship publicly.

Colt’s jaw clenches, and he meets Cade’s gaze with determination. “Yes, he will.” His voice carries across the sudden silence. “And if anyone has a problem with Nash and me being intimate, speak up now. It won’t change anything, but you may as well get it done with.”

I hold my breath, my fingers instinctively finding Nash’s hand under the table. His grip is tight, betraying his anxiety despite his calm exterior.

Cade’s face splits into that unnerving grin that makes my skin crawl. His eyes dance with a manic light as he leans forward, still keeping Lily tucked possessively against his side.

“Hey, if you two like dick as much as pussy, have at it. More power to you.” He licks his lips, that predatory gleam intensifying. “Though I gotta say, watching you two perform has a new meaning. All that... gripping and holding.”

Nash’s hand tightens around mine under the table. I feel Colt’s entire body go rigid beside me.

“Careful,” Nash warns, his voice carrying that dangerous edge I rarely hear.

But Cade just laughs, the sound sharp and unhinged. “What? I’m being supportive! Though Flora must be one hell of a woman to turn you both. Or maybe you were always curious about each other’s equipment, and she just gave you the excuse you needed.”

“Cade,” Lily hisses, jabbing him with her elbow. “We all deserve to be happy.”

He ignores her, his grin widening. “Come on, tell us—who tops? My money’s on Nash. Colt seems like he’d make such pretty sounds taking it.”

I feel the tension coiling in both men beside me, but Colt’s shoulders suddenly relax. He lets out a low chuckle that vibrates through his chest.

“We take turns,” he drawls, fixing Cade with an amused look. “Nash has the most magnificent ass. It would be a shame not to enjoy it. And I’m man enough to admit I love it when he bends me over, too.”

The table erupts in startled laughter. Nash’s grip on my hand loosens as he shakes his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips.

Lars raises his glass. “Here’s to versatility.”

Ty clears his throat, commanding attention without raising his voice. “Listen up, you nosy bastards. Who fucks who in this carnival is nobody’s business but their own so long as it’s consensual. We’re family here. We don’t judge or shame and sure don’t make anyone feel ashamed for who they love.”

“Or how many they love,” Sofia adds softly.

I feel tears prick at my eyes as warmth floods my chest. Nash kisses my temple while Colt’s hand moves to Nash’s thigh. At this moment, surrounded by our misfit family, I’ve never felt more accepted.

I lean closer to Aurora as the conversation around the table shifts to lighter topics. Her eyes sparkle with warmth as she turns toward me.

“I’m so glad you joined us,” she says. “The carnival needed another voice of reason among all this testosterone.”

“Says the woman dating the scariest man here,” I tease, nodding toward Gage, who, for once, isn’t wearing a mask. And Aurora’s right, he’s shockingly handsome. It’s natural to assume someone constantly wears a mask to hide something. However, he radiates the same unnerving aura without it.

Aurora’s laugh rings clear. “He’s a teddy bear underneath it all. Just like your two giants.”

“They are, aren’t they?” I glance at Nash and Colt, who are deeply conversing with Ty. “I never thought I’d find this kind of acceptance, you know? Let alone love.”

“The carnival has a way of collecting broken pieces and making them whole again.” Aurora’s hand finds mine on the table. “When I first came here, I was running from my demons. Now I’m surrounded by family on Christmas.”

I squeeze her hand, understanding what she means. In just a few weeks, Aurora has become the sister I never had. She doesn’t judge my unconventional relationship or my dark past. Instead, she offers unwavering support and friendship.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “For being there that day in the bathroom. For inviting me to movie night. For everything.”

“That’s what friends are for.” Aurora’s eyes soften. “Plus, someone needs to tell you when your boys are being overprotective idiots.”

I snort into my wine glass. “Like Gage isn’t just as bad?”

“Touché,” she grins.

I watch the faces around the table, my heart full to bursting. In my darkest moments, I never would have believed I’d ever find this. Not just Nash and Colt’s love, but this entire misfit family who accepts us exactly as we are.