Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“Who could blame you? I hear you were entertaining a lovely lady last night,” I say with a wink. We catch an older couple sitting across the aisle throwing me a dirty look at the comment, clearly eavesdropping. If only they knew what really happened last night – that Brandon was not only with a woman, but with me, too, they’d probably lose their hearing aids. It’s funny to think about their reaction, but it also has me thinking how bad things will go for Muscle Nation when we do decide to come out.
I spend the entirety of the flight daydreaming of a day when we won’t have to hide who we are. When we can love each other without fear of repercussions. The day when I can hold Brandon’s hand in public and kiss him as I do Jane is a day that I strive for. I don’t know when it will happen, but hopefully soon because I adore two people, and our love deserves to be in the open.
10
Jane
Mattie and I get off the plane at JFK and find Kade and Brandon before making our way to baggage claim. We have two hours until we have to be on the train to make it back to Poughkeepsie. While waiting for my bag to circle around, it hits me that I’m going to be away from my men. It’s only been a couple of days since meeting them, but I already feel like they are huge parts of my life. I gnaw on my lower lip in thought until Kade tugs at that lip and kisses me briefly.
“It will be okay,” he assures me. It’s as though he’s in my head.
“I know,” I say, sounding more confident than I feel.
“We’ll call. We’ll text. We’ll video chat. And you’ll be back here next week,” Brandon says, overhearing the conversation from where he stands on the other side of Kade. I nod, knowing he’s right.
“We have a girls’ night tonight,” Mattie adds. “Netflix and ice cream on your couch.” I smile, remembering that my best friend is a great support system.
“It’s going to be fine,” I say, believing it far more now. “I’ve survived on my own for my whole life until today,” I say with a wink. After all, I’ve got my guys and my best friend ready to support me. I’m a lucky lady.
Once we have our bags and head to the exit, Kade and Brandon offer to drive us to the train station. Mattie and I follow them out of the terminal and to the parking garage where they’ve parked. We come to a black Range Rover that flashes lights as Kade hits the key fob button to unlock it. The men load up our luggage in the trunk before Brandon opens the passenger side door for me.
“I want to say goodbye here,” he says. “So Kade can say goodbye at the train station. Okay?” I shake my head yes, understanding how it might look if I were to be kissing both men goodbye on the curb. Brandon wraps his thick arms around me and I bury my head in his solid chest. I feel tears prickle at the back of my eyes, but I know this is only temporary.
“I had a great weekend,” I tell him, the sound muffled by his shirt. Somehow, he understands me, anyway.
“I did, too,” he agrees. He leans back and brings his face to mine, pressing his lips to my own. A hand comes to cup my jaw as I fist the fabric of his shirt in my hands. His hot tongue just barely grazes mine before he’s pulling back, looking me in the eye as he speaks again. “Next week.”
“Yeah,” I say. “Next week.” I pull on the back of his neck for one last kiss before stepping up into the vehicle. Kade is already sitting in the driver’s seat, looking at me with a smile. Saying goodbye sucks, I decide. When I’m buckled and Brandon has climbed in the back with Mattie, Kade reaches out to take my hand. His thumb caresses over my knuckles as he skillfully backs from the parking spot.
Traffic, uncharacteristically, is light for the city. We reach the train station quickly and my time with my men doesn’t feel long enough. Brandon gets out to unload our luggage as Kade comes around the front of the car to open my door for me. He immediately embraces me in a tight hug, almost as though he is unwilling to let go. We kiss softly before returning to the hug, trying desperately to drag out this moment. I feel one last press of his lips to my forehead as he pulls away and takes a deep breath.
“We’re going to make it work,” he promises. I smile because I know he is being sincere. Brandon rolls my suitcase to me, pulling me in for a side-hug in one last goodbye. When Mattie and I pass through the doors of the station, I chance one last glance back at my alpha males, both of whom stand staring as I disappear.