Leah
Dmitri fed me breakfast this morning, then said, “It’s time to go fishing.”
“Fishing” at his family cabin isn’t traditional fishing.It means carting lawn chairs, a shit-ton of snacks, and books and other entertainment to the dock.Once there, the people “fishing” throw a ceremonial stick in the water along with some sacrificial Goldfish crackers.Then they lean back and relax.
So that’s where we are now.We’ve been out here for hours.Two folding recliners, snacks between us, the sound of the water lapping at the shore and the dock.I have on cut-off jean shorts and one of Dmitri’s T-shirts.The sun is warm against my bare legs and arms, but a light breeze cools my skin.Dmitri is reading an out-of-date car magazine that was long-ago left in the cabin.I have my laptop open to a webcomic Danica told me about ages ago.I never got around to reading it before, but that’s what fishing is all about—indulging in unnecessary pastimes.
I don’t have any tutoring sessions until tomorrow.I aim to squeeze every second of enjoyment out of this day.
The comic includes sexy vampires and werewolves in an old western setting.The colors are gorgeous, and for cartoon characters, the guys are pretty hot.In fact, I’m pretty sure Gage’s character from AoG inspired the vampire hero in the webcomic.The cheekbones, the strong jaw, the heavy brows over mesmerizing brown eyes—all the same.
Or maybe I miss him so much, I’m seeing him everywhere.
I hold my laptop up to Dmitri.“Does this vampire look like Gage?”
He looks up from his magazine and frowns.“I don’t know, maybe?”
I turn the image back to me.The vampire in question could definitely be Gage, but Dmitri doesn’t see it.I’m only seeing it because I miss him.
It’s a sign.
“Okay.”I close the laptop and set it to the side.“I’m ready to call Gage.”
Dmitri looks up from his car magazine.“Yeah?”
I hold out my hand.“Give me my phone.I’m doing it now.”
Gray eyes dancing, he takes my phone from his pocket and pulls his hand back like he’s going to throw it into the water.
“Dmitri!”
“I’ve been wanting to chuck this thing in the lake since we got here.”
“Don’t you dare…”
He relaxes his throwing arm.“I wouldn’t, baby.But I can’t deny, I’ve enjoyed having you all to myself.”
I pause.Dmitri asked me if I’m capable of being with two men, of falling for them both.“Did you mean what you said, that morning after the Salding party?”
“My apology?”He tilts his head to the side, confused.“I meant every word.”
“The part about sharing me with Gage, about wanting me to fall for you both, and letting you both fall for me.”
He gets out of his folding lounge to kneel next to mine.He lifts my sunglasses so he can see my eyes, shielding the sun with his free hand so I don’t have to squint.“I fucking meant it.I don’t think either of us deserves you, but if you want me, and him—we’re yours.But you can’t blame me for being a little selfish sometimes, right?”
I stifle a smile.“I guess not.Just wanted to make sure.”
“I’m sure.”He kisses me, swift and fierce, then presses my phone into my hand.“Take your phone and call the broody asshole already.Poor guy must be in purgatory without you.”
Before I dial, a text pops up.The first line is one word:Important.Yeah, that already looks spammy, or like something a reporter would send.I swipe it with my thumb to delete it, but accidentally open it instead.
A video starts playing.
“You like that?”Gage’s voice.The camera shifts from Nicola to show his upper body.He’s shirtless.The tattoo on his arm looks fresh.
“Noooo.”Half-whimper, half-moan.
“Good.”
