Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

MELANIE

D id I really miss that much?

I thought it was just me with a crush on them, but they’re telling me it wasn’t just the alcohol that had them seeing our relationship differently. They’ve always wanted me.

Not only that, but they seemed to have paid more attention to me than I ever did to them. My chest tightens as guilt sets in.

Was I a bad friend?

“Melanie, it’s your turn,” Oliver says, pulling me from my thoughts.

I’m not really in the mood to play anymore, but it could help me understand them more, so I straighten. “I’m a dog person, I was good at schoolwork, and I love to cook.”

“Third one’s a lie,” Simon answers without hesitation. “Drink.”

My eyes widen. “How did you know that?”

Kent chuckles. “You were a horrible cook.”

Oliver smirks. “You’ve made comments about how much you hate to cook and how bad you were at it.”

Holy shit.

They remember offhanded things I’ve said growing up. They do know me better than I know them.

“Fine. It’s your turn, Oliver.” I sink back into my seat before taking another sip of my drink.

“I’ve never eaten sushi, I eat candy when I’m stressed, and I’ve been in love with Melanie since the ninth grade.” Oliver looks at me with a straight face.

I groan. “You guys are playing dirty.”

I’m starting to believe their words more than before, so I think I know the lie. It’s making me feel very small. It’s obvious they paid more attention to me than I ever did to them.

Being in our teens, we were all a bit self-centered. I always assumed they only cared about parties and hot chicks; I refused to fool myself into thinking they saw me as anything more than one of the guys.

Turns out I was wrong. They saw me.

And I was blind to it.

“Are you going to pick one?” Kent asks.

I mentally shake off my shame, feeling defensive about their need to prove me wrong. “Why don’t you?”

“Because I know the answer,” he scoffs. “It wouldn’t be any fun if we kept picking the right one.”

“You made your point,” I grumble. “I should have been a better friend and paid more attention.”

“We’re not trying to make you feel bad.” Simon frowns. “We just want you to know that what we said last night—drunk or not—we meant it.”

“You were our best friend,” Oliver says. “The four of us… Our friendship was great. Without you, it would have been incomplete. Don’t be so hard on yourself. We didn’t want you to know how we felt back then. That’s on us, not you.”

“It probably says how bad of friends we were.” Kent cringes. “We agreed not to tell you because we didn’t want to mess up what we had. We should have told you rather than hidden it and talked behind your back. That was the cowardly way out. We’re sorry.”

Simon and Oliver nod in agreement.

A smile curves my lips. “I did the same thing.”

Oliver jerks his head back. “You did?”

Lifting my glass, I drink what’s left for courage. After swallowing, I nod. “I did, for the same reason as you.”

“Damn,” Simon mutters. “We’re stupid.”

Laughter bursts from me at his seriousness. Kent, Simon, and Oliver join in, our hysterics filling the house. My earlier worries fade, replaced with a slight calmness. It’s the same feeling I had last night as we spent more time together.

I have no career, no idea where my life is headed, and I’m living with my mother again. At an age where I should have everything figured out, I don’t.

But I’m beginning to sense that’s okay. We may have been apart for twenty years, but our connection hasn’t diminished. It somehow feels stronger than it was before. We are no longer holding back or avoiding the hard topics. I feel free, and this time, it’s not because of the alcohol. I only had one glass, so my head is clear. The burden I was carrying before evaporates.

“So, what now?” I ask.

“You still haven’t answered,” Oliver says.

I roll my eyes. “You lived in California. I’d assume you’ve eaten sushi before.”

“Yes, I have.” Oliver finishes off his beer.

“I meant, what do we do now?” I motion to the four of us. “About this. I haven’t dated since I left my ex. It feels weird to be with someone else, especially three guys at once.”

“Our situation is new for all of us,” Kent says. “We don’t have to rush anything.”

“We can just go with the flow,” Simon suggests. “If anyone changes their mind or no longer wants to explore what this could be, we can just go back to being friends, no questions asked.”

“I guess…” I bite my bottom lip.

“What is it?” Oliver asks.

I sigh. “I don’t want anyone to get their feelings hurt.”

“We’re all adults.” Simon sets his empty beer on the floor. “No one is going to judge you or get upset if things don’t work out. Do whatever feels natural to you. Don’t worry about other things. We can deal with the rest later.”

Oliver and Kent voice their approval.

I guess there’s no harm in that.

We decided to call it a night after our talk. I awaken hours later, shivering from the cold. The room is dark, the fireplace no longer lit. I feel around for my phone, but can’t find it. What I do find is Oliver. He’s sleeping quite close to the couch on the floor. My hand touches his arm. For a moment, I’m surprised by its muscular density. I must have been too drunk last time to notice.

I caress downward, visualizing the veins under his skin as I trace them with my fingers. I’ve always loved the sight of them on men and the masculinity they allude. Oliver hums as if he’s enjoying my perusal.

“Melanie,” he mumbles in his sleep.

My lips curve into a smile. He’s thinking of me unconsciously. Something akin to affection stirs inside me.

They said go with the flow, right?

Liking the idea more than I probably should, I scoot onto the floor beside him. It’s a tight fit, so I’m practically on top of him already. As if on instinct, Oliver leans his head toward me.

“Hi,” I whisper.

He groans and moves his hand to grip my leg that’s laid over his. “Hi, baby.”

I giggle, enjoying his nickname for me. “I’m cold.”

“Hmm.” He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me under the blanket until I’m resting completely on top of him. “Let’s see if we can fix that.”

“Good idea.” Leaning down, I press my lips to his.

Oliver pushes my sweatpants over my hips. I reach for his waistband as well. We wiggle, trying our best to stay as quiet as possible as we undress. No longer feeling the cool air, I straddle him and let the blanket fall away. It takes a few strokes to get his cock all the way inside me, but it’s heaven when we our pelvises connect. Resting my hands on his bare stomach, I ride him.

Oliver grips my hips as I bounce up and down on his dick. My mouth opens, gasping for breath. A feeling of belonging fills me.

I’m unsure how the four of us will work together, but I can’t deny that I’m enjoying the exploration of it. Going with the flow was definitely the right path to take.

Oliver and I don’t speak; we just enjoy one another in the most intimate way possible. The sound of our bodies slamming together with each thrust we make fill the room. I’m so lost in the throes of sex, I don’t care if we wake the others. All that matters is basking in the intimacy Oliver and I are currently sharing, bringing us closer than we’ve ever been before.

My orgasm rolls through me, wave after wave. Oliver’s thrusts get harder, tapping that sweet spot inside me and prolonging my euphoria.

As I come down from my high, he pulls out, coming all over my front. There’s just something so sexy about having his seed coat my skin. I never would have imagined we’d take our friendship to this level, especially so quickly after reconnecting, but I’m enjoying every aspect of it.

Sliding off Oliver, I lie on my back between him and Kent. I glance over at him, but can’t tell if Kent is awake or not. Wanting to feel my connection to him deepen as well, I contemplate if I should test his sleep status.