That night, a few weeks ago, when we all had sex and slept in the same bed, I felt more connected to them than I ever have with anyone else.
What Hadley has with her men is vastly different than what I have with “mine.” She has a future with them, and I truly believe they will be together forever.
Her guys were a family before she came into the picture, and she fit in as the missing puzzle piece.
Tucker, Grayson, and Warren are three different puzzle pieces to three different puzzles. They will never come together to make the same picture.
The realization hurts a lot more than I thought it would. My feelings for these men have developed far more than they should have.
I need to focus on the fun side of things with them and not the way my heart is rapidly filling with emotion whenever they cross my mind.
Hadley shakes my shoulders. “Are you okay?”
I guess I zoned out for longer than I thought.
“Yeah, my stomach just doesn’t feel great,” I tell her, which isn’t a lie.
I haven’t felt great all morning, and the thought of food just makes it worse. I probably should go get something, though.
“Are you getting sick again?” Hadley asks, holding her hand to my forehead.
“No, I just need to eat. I didn’t eat breakfast.”
“Want to go grab some lunch?”
I nod and move to grab my purse. I don’t know if I’ll be able to eat much, but I’ll try.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Warren
I graba birthday present from the pile, handing it to Jackson. He tears into the wrapping paper, pulling out a huge magnet tile set.
His eyes pop wide, and he mutters a hushed, “Wow.”
“Go tell all of them thank you,” I say, pointing to the couch where Hadley, Conrad, Austin, and Brooks are sitting.
He gives all the guys fist bumps and Evelyn a high five. When he gets to Hadley, he hesitates for a second but gives her a small hug when she scooches to the edge of the couch.
He starts to walk back toward me, but spins back around to where Cash is lying near Hadley’s feet. He kneels beside him, wrapping his arms around the fluffy dog’s neck. Jacks giggles when Cash nuzzles his face against him.
I can’t believe he’s four. It’s hard to believe I had a life before he came around because everything I do is for him now.
Well… other than everything going on with Sienna. That’s just for me.
My eyes catch hers from across the room. She looks gorgeous tonight in a pair of jeans and a burnt orange sweater that falls off one of her shoulders. Her hair is pulled back with little pieces hanging around her face.
Jackson insisted on inviting her to his party. I’m pretty sure she’s one of his favorite people now. Not that I questioned inviting her. Having her here in our home makes it feel more like a home than it does with just the two of us.
Jackson plops down beside me, opening a few more presents.
He opens gifts from Tucker, Grayson, some of the other firefighters who couldn’t be here, and from my parents, who also couldn’t make the trip right now. We’ll see them over the holidays.
Sienna looks at me from across the room, silently asking if it’s time. I give her a small nod, and she ducks out through the kitchen into the garage.
“Hey, bud. Are you ready for your last gift?” I ask him.
He looks confused until Sienna walks into the living room carrying one of the puppies Jackson fell in love with at the school fair. He doesn’t even say anything. He just sits there, frozen beside me.
