He still saw my face every day, just not as early.
“I miss your hot chocolates,” I muttered, frowning to myself.
“That’s what you miss?” He laughed at me.
I shrugged. “Hey, a girl gets used to that kind of treatment. You bought me one every single time.” It did make me wonder how much money he’d spent last semester on hot chocolates for me.
Mason leaned into my ear, whispering, “I was trying to woo a girl I really liked.”
His lips on my ear tickled me. “Oh, yeah? And how did that work out?”
“I’d say it worked out pretty well,” he said, pulling away, giving me a smile that sent my insides tumbling. “Look at us now. Bet you never thought we’d get here, huh?” He took a bit of pizza, chewing almost obnoxiously as he waited for me to reply.
As much as I hated to agree with him, he was right. I never thought we’d get to this point, never thought we would make it this far. In the beginning, I never thought we’d last the week, and every single week he and Calum sought to prove me wrong. I was glad they did.
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, “you’re right. Happy?”
“Always,” he said, shoving more pizza in his mouth. I ate much slower, unable to wolf it down like he did. “You coming over tonight?”
“Depends, you want me over?” A silly question, because we both knew the answer.
Most of my weekends and free time was spent at his place, even when he was working. Calum came every weekend he could, and we spent a lot of time together. My parents knew I was still seeing them both, but I didn’t know if they realized how close I was to each of them. They probably thought I’d choose one eventually, but I didn’t want to.
If I had my way, I would never choose. I loved them both, for different reasons, and yet, in the end, also for the same reason.
They refused to give up on me.
He waggled his eyebrows and said, “Of course I do.” It was the least sexy thing I’d ever seen, and yet I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. Mason stopped trying to be Don Juan, totally serious when he said, “I really do love your laugh.”
Heat crept up my cheeks, and I looked away as I blushed. Compliments still got to me.
“I love you,” I muttered, unable to look at him as I said it. It wasn’t the first time I’d proclaimed it, but still, it wasn’t easy for me to say it. Like, deep down, a part of me was still afraid that he would leave me. They both would. That was a fear I didn’t think I’d ever get over.
When I managed to look back at him, Mason was smiling. Since he was no longer chewing, he said, “I love you, too.” He leaned over, placing another kiss on my lips—this one tasted like pizza sauce.
This was what life should be. Me, content. I’d never get over how much things had changed in these last few months, but you know what? I wouldn’t go back and change anything. These guys knew how much I struggled with things, and they were more than I could’ve asked for: patient and kind, loving and gentle. I couldn’t see myself ever being with anyone else.
Silly of me, because they were my first relationships, and how often did firsts last?
Negativity tried to creep in, but I pushed it away, refusing to let it take hold of me. I would not sit here and think our relationship was going to end. I would buckle up and enjoy the ride, all the while wishing it would never end.
For me, these days, my smiles were real, my laughter genuine. I hardly had to fake it. The sounds of silence that had normally forced me to curl into myself and wish everything was different now made me realize how lucky I was. Calum and Mason had given me the will to carry on, my reason to never give up.
I never wanted to say goodbye to them, and if I had my way, I never would.
Chapter Twenty – Mason
I was picking Bree up from her house in a few minutes. She was at my place all the time, so I shouldn’t feel like I needed to clean it top to bottom, but I did. Impressing her was never not an option; I always wanted her to look at me with stars in her eyes.
These past few months had been crazy. Getting used to being in a weird throuple with Bree and Calum was not something I ever thought I’d have to do, but after a while, it got easier. I cared about her, and I knew she loved me—but I also knew she loved Calum. That green beast of envy did rear its ugly head sometimes, but I beat him down, telling myself I only wanted what was best for Bree…and right now that was the both of us.
Besides, Calum and I were still too stubborn. Neither one of us were willing to walk away from the girl that had trapped us in her heart.
It was as I was scrubbing the counter in the kitchen when I heard my phone go off. I set down the paper towel and went to grab it, finding that Calum had texted me. He apparently wouldn’t make it tonight; he’d be here tomorrow. That meant Bree and I would be alone tonight, while they would have the apartment to themselves tomorrow while I was at work.
I knew enough to not get immediately excited, but at the same time, I couldn’t help it. I was a guy, and I’d been dying from day one to take off all of her clothes and get to know
