Falling Together (All That Remains #2) (20 page)

“It
might be easier for you guys to continue this conversation in private,” I
suggest, and Airen smiles at me with gratitude. “So, any suggestions on how to
tell everyone about this?” I ask, changing the subject.

“We
just tell them,” Airen replies. “They’ll accept it or they won’t.”

“Okay
then, I’m going to go make dinner and let you guys talk. I’ll see you in a
little while.” I kiss Airen, and after hesitating for half a second, press a
soft kiss on Joseph’s lips as well. Airen winks at me with a roguish grin on
his face when I glance at him warily. It feels so strange to kiss Joseph in
front of him.

This
is going to be an adjustment for all of us.

* * * *

“Spill
it, girl. You’ve been trying to tell me something all day,” Lexi accuses, handing
me a cup of coffee.

“You’re
going to think I’m a slut,” I mumble, while we take a seat at the kitchen
table.

“Because
you slept with Joseph?” She regards me with an amused grin. “Give me some
credit.” She chuckles, taking in my shocked expression. “You two have been eye
fucking each other for weeks.”

“Lexi!”
Damn, were we that obvious?

“Does
Airen know?” I nod, taking a sip of coffee. “How did he take it?”

“We’re
bringing Joseph into our relationship,” I announce, before I lose my nerve.

Her
eyes widen and her jaw hits the table. “He’s going to let you sleep with
Joseph?” she asks incredulously.

“We’re
all three in love with each other. Joseph and Airen too. Joseph and Walker will
be moving back in with us.” She stares, dumbstruck. Leaning back in her chair,
she runs her fingers along the edge of the table, deep in thought. My stomach
knots waiting for her reaction.

“Lexi?”
I implore, after allowing her a moment to process the bombshell I’ve dropped on
her. “What do you think?”

She
brushes a stray hair from her forehead. “I think you’re the luckiest woman
alive, you bitch.” She laughs. “Oh my god…
Abby
…both of them?”

I
grin and shrug as she shakes her head in awe.

“Oh!”
she exclaims, her face lighting up with mischief. “You have to let me tell
Emma! Or at least let me be there when you break the news that Joseph is with
you.”

“Lexi!”

“Ugh,
I know it’s catty, but she’s been so insufferable. He’s turned her down
multiple times, but ‘no’ is not in this woman’s vocabulary, she’s relentless.”

I
knew she kissed him, but I had no idea she was still pursuing him. That shit
ends now.

“Besides,
I don’t think she cares about him the way you do. She was thrilled to learn
that Troy had left. If she really cared for him she wouldn’t have reveled in
his heartbreak. Anyone can see how hurt he is over how that ended.”

The
thought of Emma celebrating Joseph’s painful breakup really pisses me off. The
worry and guilt is eating at him, and Lexi is right, it’s written all over his
face. “You can tell her, but wait until we talk to the kids tonight.”

She
squeals and hugs me. “You have to tell me everything! I’m officially living
vicariously through you.”

I
take a second to study my friend. Bright, lively hazel eyes and chestnut hair
that falls down her back in waves, ending just below her shoulder blades. I’d
kill for her peaches and cream complexion. She’s pretty, and I’ll bet she
didn’t have any trouble finding a date before the choices became so limited.

“Eric’s
a nice guy, Lex, have you thought about hooking up with him?”

A
sour smile darkens her face. “He’s blinded by the almighty tits of Emma. It’s
funny since she doesn’t seem to notice he exists. Her nose is so far up
Joseph’s ass.”

“Welcome
to the itty bitty titty committee. I’ll teach you the secret handshake later,”
I say with a giggle.

“Bitch,
I’ve been a card carrying member since I was thirteen.” We rock the house with
our laughter. This is one of the things I love about Lexi. She comes off all
shy, but there’s a devious dirty mind hiding beneath that reserved façade.

“Well,
we need to meet some new people and find you a man.”

“Especially
since you’re now hogging two of them.” She grins, giving me a playful slap on
the arm.

“I
never would’ve dreamed of this in a million years.”

“You
deserve it, girl. You couldn’t find two sexier men. And they love you.” She
sighs, gushing like a teenage girl. “You must be so happy!”

She’s
right, of course. I’m over the moon with joy at the prospect of loving and
being loved by them. “Thank you for not judging.” I hug her.

“Anytime,
you slut.” She laughs. “Now tell me about Joseph. How was it? Better than
Airen?”

“Lexi!”

“You
can tell me. My lips are sealed.” Eyes glinting, she grins and leans forward,
hoping to hear the juicy details.

“Not
better or worse, just…different. He was so sweet and gentle.”

“So
a polar opposite of Airen.”

“Airen
can take things slow too, but…when we get together we sort of…lose control with
each other. We can start out slow and then one of us will attack,” I explain
with a laugh. “He loves me hard, and I adore it. It makes me feel sexy when I
get him so worked up. Joseph treats me as if I’m delicate and breakable which
in any other situation would piss me off. But, with him it makes me feel loved
and…I don’t know,” I mumble.

“Cherished,”
Lexi adds with a soft smile. “You have the best of both worlds, girl. A wild
savage to fuck your brains out, and a sweet boy next door to make love to you.”

“Do
you think I’m doing the right thing, Lex? This could blow up in our faces.”

“Honestly?
If it were anyone else, I don’t think it would stand a chance. But, I see how
they are with you, and with each other. Even if it doesn’t work out, I think
you’ll all find a way to stay close.”

“I
hope you’re right.”

“And
if it all goes to hell, the ride down will be awesome.” She grins, tapping my
cup with hers.

After
dinner, I join Airen and Joseph in the living room to talk to Carson and Jayla.
Joseph has already explained the situation to Walker, who accepted the change
without qualms, as only a child can do. He’s eager to move back in with us. I’m
not sure exactly how I expected the kids to take the news, but I sure as hell
wasn’t prepared for Jayla’s reaction.

“This
is bullshit! Mom! How could you do this? We just got him back and you want to
sleep with his best friend?”

“Jayla,
it’s not like that.”

“This
was my idea,” Airen interjects.

“Only
because you want to give her everything she wants. Dad, you don’t deserve
this!” Her dark eyes fill with tears, her face hardening as she turns to glare
at Joseph. “Why would you do this to him?” she snarls.

“Honey,
I love your dad, and your mom. I’m not trying to hurt them.”

“But
you are! This isn’t right and you know it!” she shouts.

“Jayla,
lower your voice and sit down,” Airen warns in a tone I’ve never heard him use
with her. “We want to talk about this, not have a screaming match.”

“No.”
She shakes her head and glares at me. “You don’t love him or you wouldn’t have
cheated on him.” Her furious eyes regard Joseph. “And you wouldn’t have fucked
his wife.”

“Jayla!”
Airen barks, jumping to his feet. I grab his arm to keep him from chasing her when
she runs from the room and out the front door.

“Let
her cool down.”

He
nods reluctantly. “I’ll talk to her later, make her understand.” I seriously
doubt that it will be that easy. Airen was the first person Jayla connected with
after the plague. She cares more for him than anyone, and she’s trying to
protect him. I understand, but I’m still torn apart by her words. Carson has
remained silent throughout our announcement and the subsequent uproar.

“Carson?
How do you feel about this? You can be honest,” I state.

He
gazes at Joseph. “You love my mom?”

“Yes,
honey.”

“And
you don’t mind?” Carson asks Airen, doubtfully.

“If
it were anyone else, buddy, you’d be helping me bury the body. This is
different. We all want to be together.”

“Why
didn’t you tell me you’re gay?”

For
a moment, Airen is thrown by his question. “Well…I don’t know that I am. To be
honest, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it too. I guess I’m a little
confused, but I know how I feel and what I want.”

Carson
ponders it for a moment. “I don’t see how it’s anyone else’s business who you
want to be with or what type of relationship you have. Just take care of Mom,
and don’t leave us again.”

Airen
nods. “I promise, buddy.”

Joseph
hugs him and Carson whispers something into his ear that makes him grin. “I’d
never hurt her,” Joseph murmurs.

Carson
faces me and smiles. “You and Joseph aren’t going to have a baby, are you?” I
don’t know whose eyes pop farther out of their head. That has to be the last
question I expected.

“I
think you and Lane are plenty, don’t you?”

“Good,
because three different daddies is entering into Jerry Springer territory.” A
smart ass grin cracks his face, and Airen snorts with laughter. I wrap Carson
in a hug before he heads off to comfort Jayla.

Airen
takes a seat on the sofa between me and Joseph, sliding his arms around us.
“Jayla will come around. She’s very young. Don’t worry yourselves over it.” I
nod and Joseph gives a noncommittal hum.

“Lexi
is happy for us,” I state.

“She’s
very kind hearted.” Joseph smiles, and leans to drop a soft kiss on my lips.
“Like someone else I know.”

“Plus
she wants the sordid details.” I chuckle, and they laugh along. “Who’s going to
tell Eric?”

“We’re
supposed to play chess tonight. I’ll tell him,” Airen replies.

“How
did it go with Julie?” Joseph asks.

Airen
sighs, glancing from Joseph’s face to mine. The corners of his mouth crease as
he replies, reluctantly, “She doesn’t approve.”

Joseph’s
shoulders slump. “What did she say?” he asks, crestfallen.

Airen
hesitates. “She thinks it’s unnatural and doomed to fail.” Joseph cradles his
head in his hands. He adores Julie. “Hey.” Airen grasps his chin and tilts his
face up until their eyes meet. “Not everyone is going to accept us, you know
that. This doesn’t change anything.”

He
leans his dark head in and plants a soft kiss on Joseph’s lips. “Go get Walker.
You’re staying with us tonight.” Joseph nods and bites his lip.

“Hey,
what did Carson whisper to you?” I ask.

He
chuckles, kissing the top of my head on his way out. “He just reminded me that
he holds a black belt, in case I ever hurt his mom.”

Airen

Jayla’s
reaction to our news definitely put a damper on our night, but I’m confident I
can make her understand. She obviously feels like I’m being wronged and she
should come to my defense. In a way it’s very sweet, but the accusations she
shouted at Abby and Joseph were cruel and uncalled for.

I
know they were devastated when she accused them of cheating. Abby in particular
feels like she betrayed me, no matter how hard I try to reassure her that isn’t
the case. I suppose it will take time. Meanwhile, I need to tell Eric, assuming
no one has beaten me to it.

After
tugging on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, I scoop up my shoes and head
toward the living room. I pause and lean on the kitchen doorway, a smile
spreading across my face. Abby is at the sink washing the dinner dishes. Her
hair is pulled back from her face in a bouncy ponytail that makes her look all
of eighteen years old. Joseph glides up behind her and softly kisses the curve
of her creamy white neck. Her head falls forward, allowing him access while she
hums at the pleasure of his touch. He slips his arms around her waist and runs his
hands under her shirt, caressing her bare belly. I wonder if she knows about
his little navel fetish?

His
whispers in her ear make her giggle, and I feel a pang shoot through me, not of
jealousy, but desire for these two gorgeous people. More than anything I want
to drag them into the bedroom. Unfortunately, I’m barely strong enough to stay
on my feet for half an hour. I need to regain my strength before I jump them
like a horny rabbit.

Abby
turns to throw her arms around his neck, and gives him a light, teasing kiss,
catching his lower lip between her teeth and tugging it. I feel a similar pull
in my groin when Joseph moans softly. Abby notices me loitering in the entrance
and instantly retreats. Joseph follows her gaze, regarding me with obvious
discomfort. You’d think I’d caught them with their pants down. They watch me
warily, without speaking a word as I move toward them, catching each of their
hands and bringing them together.

“I
believe we’ve established that you love each other. It’s okay to show it. Stop
shying away from one another the second you see me, like I busted you sneaking
around,” I huff. A lovely wide smile spreads across Abby’s face—damn I missed
that smile—and Joseph’s dimples bloom like magic.

“You’re
so bossy,” Abby teases.

“Yeah,
he is.” Joseph grins. “I hope you know I’m not taking any of that alpha male
crap that Abby tolerates.” His eyes sparkle with mirth, daring me to take the
bait.

“You’ll
take what I give you, buddy, and like it.”

“You
may want to put on a few pounds before you start challenging me.” Joseph scoops
me up effortlessly, carries me to the bedroom, and deposits me on the love
seat. Fuck, that was humiliating. I have to get back in shape. A smug grin
settles on his face while he straddles me, pinning my arms to my sides. “He’s
at our mercy, baby, what should we do with him?” Joseph asks Abby, when I stop
struggling. He’s too damn heavy. He’s going to pay for this.

Abby
saunters over. “Oh the possibilities,” she taunts.

“I’ll
remember this,” I threaten, cocking an eyebrow at her. I’ll spank her pretty
ass good for this, and she knows it.

“I
hope so,” she whispers. She kisses me long and deep, nibbling on my lips before
sucking a deep red mark on the side of my neck. “I marked you,” she breathes,
her warm breath caressing the wet patch before she pulls away and gets to her
feet. Before I can find my voice to respond, Joseph’s lips are on mine.

He
licks delicately into my mouth and I feel his grin when I respond feverishly.
Imitating Abby, he draws on the side of my neck, leaving another love bite.
He’s seated on my hips and I know he feels me harden beneath him. Releasing my
arms, he grins triumphantly. “Isn’t Eric coming over soon?” Abby giggles, and
Joseph climbs off the sofa.

“Payback
is a bitch,” I growl, adjusting myself without looking at either of them. They
follow me with identical self satisfied smirks as I move to look in the hallway
mirror at the two bright red hickeys adorning my neck.

“So
everyone knows you’re ours,” Joseph murmurs. Abby answers the door when Eric
knocks.

“Hi,”
she chirps. “Air said you were coming for a game of chess. We’ll just get out
of your way.” She tugs Joseph toward the bedroom, their laughter fading down
the hall.

“Do
I want to know?” Eric asks, eyebrows raised.

“Nope,
let’s set the chess board up in the kitchen.”

A
few minutes into the game, Eric glances at me curiously. “What’s the matter
with you? You seem distracted. It’s not typically this easy to lure you into a
trap.”

“Joseph
is moving in with us,” I announce.

Eric
frowns and leans back in his seat. “Did I piss him off somehow?”

“No.
We’re in a relationship.” I keep my eyes glued to the board, but I can feel
Eric gaping at me.

“You’re
leaving Abby?” he asks, incredulously.

“No.”
I stare into his eyes pointedly. “The three of us are in a relationship
together.”

He
stares at me for a moment before taking his turn and capturing one of my
knights. “Like polygamists?”

“Not
exactly.” I chuckle. “I suppose you would call it polyamory since we aren’t
married, but we’re going with the term ‘plural relationship’ for now.”

After
a few moments of silence, he mumbles, “I don’t know what to say.”

“You
don’t have to say anything.” We return to the game and play for a few minutes.

“So…you’re
gay?”

“I
don’t know what I am,” I reply honestly. “I suppose I’m bisexual, but I really
haven’t had time to consider what that means or how I feel about it. I don’t
feel like I’m attracted to other men, just Joseph.” My whole body is on fire
when I confess my attraction to Joseph. I don’t know why I feel so embarrassed.
I’ve never considered sex between men to be wrong, so why am I ashamed to admit
it?

“Sorry,
I’m just trying to understand.”

“I
realize this isn’t exactly normal, but…” I shrug.

Eric
snorts. “I don’t think anyone has ever accused you of being normal. Besides,
normalcy got blown to hell nearly three years ago.”

“True.”

He
looks me in the eye. “Is that why Troy left?”

“No,
we decided after he was gone.”
About five minutes after
. Eric nods,
looking skeptical.

“We
know everyone isn’t going to agree with this…lifestyle, and I’m not asking you
to be okay with it. We just don’t intend to hide it.”

“Hey
man, whatever makes you guys happy. I’m not judging you. If you’re masochistic
enough to juggle a wife and a boyfriend then I wish you the best of luck.” He
grins.

“Thanks
a lot.”

“You
aren’t going to try to drag me into your kinky den of iniquity are you?”

“Unclench.
I do have standards. Lexi, however, seems willing to overlook your unfortunate
face and stench.”

Eric’s
eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Lexi?”

“Yeah,
you know, dark haired girl? Kind of quiet? Maybe you haven’t noticed her, what
with all the time you spend drooling over Emma.”

“Maybe
I’ll just have them both,” he replies flippantly.

“Walk
before you run, buddy. Not everyone has my irresistible charm and gorgeous face.”

He
snorts. “Don’t forget your penchant for modesty and humility.” He shakes his
head. “Emma’s hung up on Joseph.”

“These
are the days of our lives,” I tone.

Joseph

My
head is spinning with the events and revelations of the past weeks. Airen’s
acceptance and forgiveness over my affair with Abby was an overwhelming relief,
but his proposition was nothing short of astounding. It floored me. Jolted me
to my core, and I’m still trying to get my mind around it. Of course it’s what
I want, more than I’ve ever wanted anything, but did I make the right decision?
It’s so hard to consider it rationally when every atom of my heart is crying
out in hope and desire.

I’ve
been offered the chance to have both Airen and Abby. To love them openly. No
matter the consequences, I just can’t walk away. Julie appears to be disgusted
with me, and Jayla is seriously pissed off. Airen says to give them time, but
it’s hard. I struggled for a long time to accept myself and my sexuality, and
it feels like a punch in the gut to be judged for loving them. Eric’s easy
acceptance came as a welcome surprise.

“You
don’t seem all that surprised,” I remark as he helps me move back into Airen
and Abby’s house.

He
grins at me. “When Airen was sick, he talked a lot. The fever made him
delirious, and he called out for you almost as much as he did Abby.” If my
heart gets any fuller it’s going to burst.

“You
know, Eric, some shit you can keep to yourself,” Airen grumbles.

“Oh,
but it’s so sweet,” Eric sings, hugging himself and batting his eyelashes,
earning himself a middle finger from Airen.

“Keep
laughing, dimples, and you can finish this job yourself. This is the last time
I’m moving your shit,” Airen gripes, lugging in the last box of Walker’s
clothes.

“What
are you complaining about? Eric and I lifted all the heavy stuff.” Ooh shit. If
looks could injure, I’d be missing a limb. Julie put a stop to his little
exercise regimen when Abby told her he was doing crunches and push ups to
rebuild his muscle, and it’s taking him longer than he expected to regain his
strength. He’s supposed to be resting and recuperating for a few weeks first.
Though he’s already beginning to fill out again, I think he’s self conscious.

I’ve
spent every night in their bed since we announced our intentions to everyone,
but there has been no sex. Airen needs time to heal and put on a little weight
before doing anything strenuous, and Abby and I agree it wouldn’t be right to
do anything without him, no matter how much he encourages us…and he does. There’s
a dirty voyeur hiding beneath that pretty boy shell. Still, we want to start
this new relationship with all of us together, and we can wait. The nights are
wonderful, but I’m often the last to fall asleep. It’s just so comfortable
snuggled between them, our arms and legs tangled together, that I hate to waste
it by sleeping.

“Maybe
if you and Abby didn’t hover over me like two old women, I’d get more
accomplished,” Airen complains, still pissy over being stuck shifting the
lighter boxes.

“Yeah,
like a relapse.” Judging by his reaction, my sarcasm is unappreciated.

Moving
faster than I would have thought possible, his chest barrels into mine, shoving
me forcefully against the wall. His hand grips my hip hard enough to hurt while
his other fists in my hair, pulling my head back. My feeble attempt to shove
him off of me elicits a wicked grin. I’m pinned, completely immobilized and at
his mercy in less than a second.

“You
don’t want to underestimate me.” An involuntary shiver runs through my body at
the threatening tone of his voice, the sensation of his steamy breath against
my ear. “Does this feel weak to you?” His hips grind into me, and I feel his cock
swell against mine. “Don’t make me show you who’s in control here. Ask Abby
what happens when you try to take the upper hand.”

Fuck
. My mouth is dry.
Being trapped beneath this sexy domineering man has stolen my ability for
speech. My hips press forward into his, searching for friction to relieve the
sudden ache and pressure he’s caused.

“This
weekend. We send the kids to Julie’s,” he demands, and I nod, breathless by his
sudden attack. A wolfish grin appears on his face before he kisses me hard,
nipping at my lip. A squeak from the porch door alerts him of Eric’s return,
and he releases me, sauntering away, and throwing back an arrogant, self
satisfied smirk as I peel myself away from the wall. Holy shit. This weekend
can’t come fast enough.

Walker
is asleep in his new room, happily curled up with his giant stuffed Spiderman
when I slip into Airen and Abby’s bedroom. Abby dries her hair while Airen
reclines on the bed, his head propped on his arm, a small smile on his face, watching
her, staring as if he’s trying to burn her image permanently into his brain.
Since he returned, he rarely takes his eyes off her.

“Hey.”
She smiles at me, oblivious to the fact she’s being gawked at by her husband.

“Hi.”
I kiss her cheek before perching on the edge of the bed. “Listen,” I glance at
Airen, “you two haven’t had a night alone since Airen returned from the dead.
I’ll stay in the extra bedroom tonight so you can have your room to yourselves.”

“Our
room,” corrects Airen. “And no. Get your ass ready for bed.”

Abby
laughs and gives me a sweet smile. God, she’s so adorable. “I appreciate what
you’re trying to do, Joseph, but we’ve already talked about this. After our
first night…um…together this weekend, we’ll start alternating.” She checks to
be sure Lane’s baby monitor is turned on before crawling into bed. Her light
blue T-shirt rides up just enough to give me a peek of her smooth belly and
navel above her little panties.