A tear rolls down my face, “I didn’t ask before I touched you. Ialwaysask first, and now you might have felt a Match, but I can’t feel that, and I’m scared I’ve trapped you into something you didn’t ask for. Maybe I didn’t, but the possibility that I might have is killing me.”
A small part of me withers at the idea that we might not be Matches. His scent is something I’ve been dying to experience again, but it’s not like I’ve had a chance to get to know him. Why am I so nervous that he might not be a Match? Shit, I need to focus and stop thinking. Simon has been quiet for a good minute now, but I wait for him to talk.
“I… I never thought I wanted a Match. I’ve not wanted a Pack in a long time, so I never thought about a Match. Now, though? I don’t think I can go a day without you. Feeling the Match is… life-changing. I’d like to hang around a little longer, if you’ll have me,” he says, conviction laced throughout his tone.
I feel the smile take over my face before nodding at him.
“I would really love that,” I confess.
We stand like that, my hand still on his chest, and my face still held in his hands, both of us smiling. His eyes flit between my lips and my eyes, so I try to make it easier for him by leaning closer. Simon takes the bait and claims my lips, caressing them slowly, softly, savoring how our mouths move together. It’s slow and sensual, and over way too soon. A separate pair of armswrap around us both, and I remember Vic is still in the room. Oops.
“Fuck, this makes me so relieved,” he says, holding us both close.
“Group hug!” I declare and turn my body so I can hold both of them, their bodies pushed as close to me as we can get them.
My stomach has decided we’ve waited too long and lets out an embarrassingly loud grumble. I can feel the blush on my face, and I apologize for the noise. I get rewarded with laughter, and we move on to the food portion of the evening. Once full, we all collapse onto their sofa, resting and trying to decide what we should watch.
“Can we talk more about all this?” I ask tentatively as Simon flips through the movie options.
“Sure,” Vic says easily, “Where do you want to start?”
“Well, I have three Matches now, and I know Jesse is a bit anti-social, Simon, you’re not sure you want a Pack, and Vic, you’re always so easy going that sometimes I’m not sure what you’re thinking. What do we do?”
“What doyouwant, Josie Girl? I think that’s the most important.”
I think about his question a moment before answering. “I want a Pack that loves me for who I am, not necessarily for a Match. I want to experience life as a unit, always there for each other, and sharing joy. Maybe even kids someday, I don’t know.”
Vic and Simon are both quiet for a moment, thinking through my words. I’m more worried about Simon’s response than Vic’s. Predictably, Vic answers first.
“Honestly? I want the same. If it never happens, I’m also okay with that. I don’t want to force anyone into choosing Pack life, but I can see the life you’ve described, Josie Girl, and I like it,” Vic says.
Simon hums before answering, “I don’t know if I want Pack, honestly. I know I want both of you?—”
“Excuse me, are you guystogethertogether?” I interrupt Simon.
“Is that a problem?” Vic almost sounds angry with his question.
“No, no, just expanding my imagination is all. Maybe plans for later, too.” I hurry to soothe any insult he may feel.
Chuffing a laugh, Simon continues, “I want you two, but that’s as far as I can go right now. I’m open to talking about Pack, but I just don’t know if it’s something I can really commit to.”
I’m disappointed with Simon’s answer, but I also recognize that I don’t necessarily know him as well as I want to. If he’s willing to talk, I’ll take that for now.
“Okay, maybe the three of us and Jesse can talk about it?” I suggest.
“You’re forgetting someone,” Vic chides me.
Henry’s face pops into my mind. I haven’t forgotten him, not by a long shot. But, I don’t know if we’re a Match, and I absolutely am with Simon and Jesse. It doesn’t seem fair to include him without a Match.
“What if he’s not a Match?” I ask quietly.
“Does it matter?” Simon challenges.
I give him a small smile, “I suppose not, in the end. What matters is how we treat and love each other.”
“Damn straight,” Vic agrees.
He pulls me into a snuggle as Simon finally picks a movie, and Simon snuggles in on my other side. This moment feels pretty damn perfect.
