Chapter 29

Asher

Nothing will humble you more than your job.

Returning to school on Monday is exactly the thing I don't need to burst the bubble Sawyer, Reece and I created for ourselves over the weekend. I can't go around flaunting this thing between us, I realize. Linksfield High is ‘forgiving' of my ‘lifestyle' and the undercurrent from certain teachers has never gone away. I don't want to ruffle any feathers any more than I need to, so we'll have to be careful, even if we're doing nothing wrong.

I exit my car, wondering if it's showing on my face. My happiness. Gerald will let me know, I'm sure.

"Yo, coach." Sam catches up with me in the hallway. "You still on the summer camp committee?"

"Sure am. Why?"

"Just checking. Hey, have you seen my Instagram?"

I chuckle. "Yeah, I don't have time, Sam."

He whips out his phone anyway, scrolling through a whole lot of videos of me on the field, coaching them. Some are old. Others from the sidelines during the last state championship. "Not this again, Sam," I groan. "I'm married, remember?"

Sam laughs, and his teammates join him from behind. "You all in on this too? I'm not the mascot, ya'll know that, right?"

Elliot, our wide receiver, pats me on the back. "Every time we post you, we get over a hundred k views. You're our viral guy, Coach."

"Yeah, well. I don't need to see the comments section this time, okay?"

"Wait, wait. Here's a good one," Sam bellows, and I know what's coming.

" ‘Can Coach Cameron bite his lip again? I was busy giving my toaster a bath, so I missed it' ."

Elliot grabs the phone, howling with laughter. "Hey, here's another one: ‘Okay, but *how* married is he?' "

I shove him playfully. "Get to class."

The boys cackle all the way down the hall, yelling, "You're the best, Coach."

"Don't know what those boys would do without you," Principal Watson says, falling in step. We make our way to the teacher's lounge. "Especially Sam."

"Yeah. They're all good kids. They just need someone to believe in them."

"Sam's mom is coming up on one year sober. All because of you, Cameron."

We each grab a cup of coffee. "It was Sam. He was brave enough to ask for help. I just got him connected to the right people."

"And look where he is now."

"Yeah. Good kid. All of them, good kids."

Nurse Wilson walks into the lounge, her face breaking out into a fantastic smile no one buys. Principal Watson groans and makes his getaway. I'm not so lucky.

"Well, good morning, Coach Cameron."

"Morning, Valerie.

"Have you seen Gerald this morning?" She inspects my face. I don't like that.

"No. I haven't." Thankfully.

"Well, if you see him, tell him to come by the office." I don't like the smile she gives me. "There's something I need to ask him," she murmurs.

"Sure." Although, I'm definitely not going to do that. I won't be facilitating any gossip sessions.

After school, I pick up some ingredients for dinner and then go next door to Dotty's for a cake and apple pies for Sawyer.

"Everything alright?" Dotty asks as she packs up my box.

"Sure," I tell her.

"That pretty baby still workin' with Sawyer?"

"Sure is."

"Okay." She gives me a long look. It's enough for me to shift nervously. "What, Dotty?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "I put a piece of chocolate caramel cake in there for you. And just be careful, okay, Coach Cameron? Deliah's been runnin' her mouth again and I don't want no trouble for you boys."

I give her a sharp nod, wishing for once we didn't live in a town that watches everyone so closely.

At home, I get started on dinner, get the laundry done and clean up a little. I'm back downstairs, finishing dinner, when Sawyer's truck pulls up to the house.

I greet them in the entry hall. Sawyer first, because Reece is hanging back. "Hey, nice to see you," I tell Sawyer with a smile and a kiss. He laughs. "Nice to see you too." He reaches back and takes Reece's hand in his, pulling him forward.

I give Reece a grin. "You're still so shy, beautiful."

He scoffs, but his face has bloomed to a precious pink. "Not that shy," he mutters, pulling his lower lip into his mouth.

I laugh. "Yeah, not that shy. I remember. Okay. Come here, then."

He steps up next to Sawyer, and I take their clasped hands and pull Reece closer to me. Sawyer leans in to kiss my shoulder while I bring Reece's face to mine. "Hey, beautiful," I murmur against his lips.

"Hey," he croaks.

"Can I kiss you?"

His eyes flutter to Sawyer. "If Sawyer doesn't mind," he says. There is a touch of playfulness in his tone. My heart skips. Reece is lightening up. He's so sweet when he's relaxed.

Sawyer reaches over to kiss Reece. I watch the touch of their lips, and I'm instantly hard. As they kiss, Sawyer reaches up his other hand and sinks his fingers into the back of my head, pulling me back in. When our faces are close together, he leaves Reece's lips to kiss mine. Then, he draws back slightly, gently bringing my face closer to Reece's, until my lips touch his.

It's a sweet kiss, facilitated by Sawyer. Sawyer drops his lips to Reece's neck while I explore Reece's mouth. It's still unreal to me that I could enjoy kissing a man who is not Sawyer as much as I do, in much the same way I couldn't believe it when I kissed Sawyer for the first time, all those years ago, hardly believing that I could enjoy kissing someone who wasn't Reece.

And now, I can kiss them both, and both feel like an awakening each time we touch.

When we pull away, I touch my thumb to Reece's lower lip. Then, to Sawyer I say, "Thanks for bringing Reece over."

"I like him," Sawyer says with a grin. And then, "I need to shower. I told Reece he can shower here and offered to let him borrow some of your clothes."

"Is that okay?" Reece says.

I chuckle. "Like you haven't worn my clothes before."

Reece grins, but he looks at Sawyer unsurely.

"We'll work out the details as time goes on," Sawyer tells him gently. "We can't work out the boundaries and allowances out here in the hallway on the first day, right?"

Reece expels a breath. "Yeah. Of course. Sorry. This is all still just blowing my mind."

"Ours too," I say. "Why don't you use the guest bathroom? I'll leave out some clothes for you. We can have dinner after. And I thought we could talk later."

Sawyer kisses my cheek. "Sounds great." And he heads upstairs.

Reece stands awkwardly in the hallway. I pull him into my arms. "It's just me, Reece. It's just me and Sawyer. He's the most beautiful person you'll ever meet. You can let your guard down, love."

He settles into my embrace and it feels just like it used to.

"Thank you for changing my life, Ash," he whispers. "You were always there for me when we were kids and you made me so happy. And you're doing it again as an adult. I'm so grateful for you and Sawyer."

"Well, we're grateful for you too."

He steps out of my embrace. I drop my hands, immediately feeling disconnected from him through the small space.

He still doesn't move. So, I take his hand in mine, pointing out various parts of the house as we walk – a house tour of sorts – until we reach the guest room. "The bathroom is in there," I say. "Take your time. I'll leave clothes for you on the bed. All the toiletries you need are either in the bathroom or on the dresser."

I leave Reece to get into the shower and when I return with a pair of sweats, a t-shirt and underwear, the shower is running.

My heartbeat accelerates when I imagine Reece, naked in the shower just behind the door, and Sawyer naked in the shower upstairs. My stomach rolls as images of them race through my head.

Soon, I tell myself. Soon, it'll all be more than just fantasies.