Page 53 of My Five Daddies

“I see her sometimes. I take care of her, you know? I resent her for not protecting me from my father, but I’m not going to hold it against herforever.”

“That’s good. I bet that was hard foreveryone.”

“Definitely. I have a younger brother that got it worse though. I always tried to stand up for him, but my father, he wasn’t the kind of man you messed with. At least, not until I hit my growthspurt.”

“When wasthat?”

“Oh, tenth grade? I got big then. And that’s when he sorta backed off me and focused onMitch.”

“That’s your little brother?” I askhim.

“Four years younger, yeah. I think he was a mistake, though my mom won’t admitit.”

I laugh softly. “You’re pretty open aboutthis.”

“It was all so long ago. Plus, I want you to knowme.”

I nod, totally understanding. “I want thattoo.”

“Now, your turn. Tell me aboutyourself.”

I lean back in my seat and tell him about my childhood. It feels good to get it all out, start to finish, and when I’m done I feel like we actually know each other. Of course, my upbringing wasn’t so traumatic, but it was mine. And I want to share it with all five ofthem.

We eat together, sharing a simple meal. Chris pays and we head back out. He walks along with me, taking me backhome.

“I love the city around now,” he says. “Warm, but not too hot. People are all comingoutside.”

“I know, I loveit.”

He holds my hand. It feels so natural, sosimple.

“Look, about earlier,” he says. “Were you okay with allthat?”

I nod. “Honestly, I love it. I didn’t know Iwould.”

He smirks at me. “I knew youwould.”

“So whyask?”

“Because it’s polite.” He stops and turns to me, pushing me up against the wall of a building. He kisses me then, deep andpassionate.

“What was that for?” Iask.

“I just want you,” he says so simply. It feels so good to hear thosewords.

He walks me back to my apartment, and at the door, he kisses me like a gentleman. “I’d ask to come in, but I think you need abreak.”

“I think you’re right,” Iagree.

“See you real soon, Tori,” he whispers in myear.

“Seeyou.”

He kisses me again and headsout.

I watch him, thinking to myself. Each of these guys are a mystery to me, Chris the biggest one of all. But each one is special in his own way. Together, I feel complete with them, but on their own I feel just as good. It’s confusing and strange and sometimes painful, but I love it, and I can’tstop.

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