“No matter what Mom says to you, do not go back to Mikey.” I laugh, pulling my coat tighter around myself. “I’m serious. Even if you’re pulling a full Bridget Jones on Christmas morning—wine, pajamas, and ‘All by Myself’ on repeat—do not call him.”
“You don’t have to worry. Not even in my worst state would I go back to a man like that.”
Willow gives me that patented big-sister stare as I tuck my newly shoulder-length blonde hair behind my ears. The cut was my post-breakup rebellion. Nothing saysfresh startlike chopping off eight inches of hair, along with the last two years I wasted on a guy I’m pretty sure I never really belonged with.
“You’re doing better than I expected.”
“I guess that’s what happens when you’re stupid enough to stay in a relationship just because everyone else said it made sense.”
“You should’ve told me you weren’t happy.”
“By the time I realized it, everything was already in motion. The wedding, the house, the life I thought I was supposed to want.” I force a smile. “It felt easier to just go along with it.”
“Nothing is ever too late…” She checks her watch. “Except me. I have to get these kids home.”
She pulls me into a quick hug before sliding into the driver’s seat, and I watch her car disappear down the snowy street until it’s just a speck in the distance.
Later, after a hot shower and slipping into fresh pajamas, I crawl into bed.Love Actuallyplays in the background, the kind of comfort movie I usually fall asleep to this time of year. But tonight, my mind won’t shut the hell up.
What if they come back?
I press my head deeper into the pillow like that might smother the unwelcome thought, but it’s already too late.
What if they show up at the ceremony?
What if they’re not together anymore?
Or worse—what if there’s someone new?
Some other woman they all felt drawn to?
I roll onto my side and stare at the blinking Christmas lights I strung above my window last week.
What if I have to sit there, smile politely, and pretend it doesn’t gut me?
Ugh. Don’t go there, Addie. Jesus.
Still, I can’t shake it.
Whether I’m ready or not, after five years of silence and space, I might have to face the three men who took pieces of me with them when they left to chase their dreams.
CHAPTER
FOUR
ROMAN
“Fuuuck… that’s it.”My head hits the wall with a thud as my eyes roll back, fingers twisting hard in both their hair.
Jasper’s got me buried so deep down his throat his eyes are glassy, spit slicking his chin as his lips stretch wide. Below him, Zeke’s tongue moves slow and dirty over my balls, like he’s trying to draw the orgasm out of me one flick at a time.
“You’re sharing me so fucking good.”
They pulled me from sleep and had their mouths on me before I could even open my eyes.
“Whose mouth am I filling?” I rasp, barely holding it together.
“Mine,” Zeke growls, pulling off my balls with a pop.
