Page 70 of The Pact

“So… you’re dating both Cole and Damian?” I shake my head. “You’re dating all of them?” Cassie’s always been smart and I’m glad for it now. She doesn’t make me spell it out for her. I nod, staring out at the property as it comes into view. I hear Cass let out a long breath. “Let’s get this offer in and we can talk on the drive home.”

The walkthrough goes quickly. We love it as much as we did the first time we saw it. The realtor takes our offer and tells us she will let us know if it gets accepted.

I was hoping I’d have more time before we got back into the car. However, before I know it, we’re driving into town.

“I mean, I know what I saw on game night, but I thought they’d all fight over you or something. This… is not what I was expecting.” Her voice is softer now. Somehow that makes me more nervous. “How? Why?” She can’t seem to find the right question, so I help her along.

“They have an arrangement, a pact. They share everything. Assets, finances—”

“Women,” she interrupts.

“Yes, women as well. When I found out, I took a couple of days to think about it. It was the weekend that my parents came into town and their visit was awful. I didn’t tell you then, but they told me they are the ones who sent Gavin to ‘win’ me back. My mom kept going on and on about how my clock was ticking and I should give him another chance so I can get married and have babies.” Cassie’s face screws in disgust. “And after their visit, I realized I don’t care about any of that. I don’t care about having this picture perfect life I’ve been told I needed. It doesn’t matter if it’s only perfect on the surface. Why would I chase a life with a man who hurts me when I could try this… this thing with four men who treat me like I’m the center of their world? My picture can be perfect. It just might not look like everyone else’s.”

She’s silent for a few minutes. “How does it work? It seems complicated.”

“I thought so too. So far it’s been good. I was worried there would be jealousy or hurt feelings, but there’s none of that. They’re exclusive to me and I’m exclusive to them.”

“And you all do… stuff together?” It’s a valid question, the same one I had for Cole after I decided to give this a try.

“I haven’t really done anything with them, well, except a little with Cole. We’re all just getting to know each other. It’s like having four separate relationships where everyone knows about one another. Everyone helps one another, there’s a support system, and…” I suddenly realize that Damian’s check is part of that. Him showing me I’m a part of them. I now have a support system. “And everyone cares for each other, truly cares.”

Cassie thinks about what I say for most of the drive back to the studio. When she finally speaks, her words are gentle. Still, they’re filled with warning. “Thea, I’m happy that you seem to have found something good, but this feels like a recipe for disaster. I’m worried you’ll get hurt. Getting your heart broken by four guys… I don’t want you to end up in a bad place. At the end of the day, they’ll all still have each other. Who will you have?”

I want to say her. I’ll have Cassie, although I know that’s not what she means. She’ll be there for me, however, she has her own life. She has Anthony, her side of the business, and her parents. What will I have? Myself. That’s all I’ve ever been able to count on.

I don’t want to let her worries get to me, yet I can’t help it. I don’t utter those fears aloud, instead I tell her what I keep telling myself.

“I have it under control.” The lie sits in the air, taunting me. I know I haven’t convinced Cassie either as she stares at me with those worried eyes.

Not all men are the same. They won’t break your heart. I want to believe it, but doubt creeps in. Who will I have if it all falls apart? The thought echoes in my head the rest of the way back to the studio.

I brace myself as I knock on Damian’s door. This is silly. I turn to leave, hoping he didn’t hear, however, I only make it a few steps into the kitchen when it opens. Pausing, I wring my fingers, trying to think of an excuse.

“Need something, princess?”

I turn and find him leaning against his doorway. His auburn hair is falling over his forehead in waves and those ice-blue eyes dance with intrigue. My mind flashes back to him decking Gavin at the carnival, all that power and here he is, smirking at me.

“Um… I had a question, but never mind. It’s probably not something you can help me with. Sorry for bothering you.” I turn around, prepared to go to the guest room and bury my face in the pillow out of embarrassment.

Why does he do this to me? I’ve been able to go toe-to-toe with him up until the carnival. After that night, Damian earned my respect. Not that I condone violence, but Gavin had it coming—he wasn’t afraid to stand up to my ex. Then, there was yesterday.

Cassie revealing that he paid our rent at the studio upset me at first. I’ve never needed a man to cover my bills. The thought of it makes me irrationally angry. Then I started dissecting why that was. Why do I refuse to accept help? Why can’t I be okay with Damian’s kind gesture?

All roads lead back to my parents. While my mom preached for me to settle down and have a cushy life at Gavin’s expense, the way she raised me made me into someone who’d never want that. Their neglect transformed me into an independent woman who doesn’t need help from anyone, least of all a man.

When all of that clicked while laying in bed last night, I toyed with a strange idea. What if I accepted Damian’s help? What’s the worst that could happen? It’s a gift. Take it.

I’ve gone back and forth on whether I could accept it and decided I would. I’d thank him and not give it another thought. Liar. Well, I can thank him and stuff the thoughts into the back of my head where he’d never know.

“Well, that’s insulting. You obviously knocked on my door for a reason. Tell me.” It’s not a request, that’s clear. Shifting uncomfortably, I hate to ask him. He’s already done so much.

Turning, I work to not meet that intense gaze. Instead, I focus on… oh… those arms. His black shirt hugs his biceps tightly, matching the black ink covering his skin. I glance down. “I’m having trouble with my tablet’s booking software. I called customer support, they said the program is working fine. It doesn’t make sense. A bunch of my appointments were changed randomly.” I peek up at him. “You know about computers and I thought you could help, but it’s not a big deal.”

“Do you have the tablet with you?” I nod and pull it out of my satchel that’s on the kitchen island. Damian motions for me to come with him.

I hesitate, but still follow.

Nervousness rises at the thought of being in his room. The place where he spends most of his time as far as I can tell—always with his door closed.

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