Page 107 of Something So Strong

“You alright?” Kai whispers, grabbing two large disposable cups.

“Fine.” I bow my head. “I told you I was ready for them to know. Maybe not so abruptly, but it’s cool.” Looking at him, I force a smile—from nerves, not shame.

With my cup slowly filling, Kai opts for the sub-par filter, which leaves the pot empty. Squatting down to the supply cupboard beneath the bench, he grabs a new filter and fresh grounds. “You finish our coffee, I’ll refill the machine and get us something to eat. That’ll give you a few minutes alone.”

Right. I nod again.

Moving silently, I take six packets of raw sugar and tear off the tops.

Two in Kai’s and four in mine.

Milk for me, none for Kai.

Stir.

Lids on.

Time to go.

Just breathe…

Turning, my eyes meet Romeo’s with a gulp.

“Mate, you look like you shit yourself,” he chuckles as I sit both coffees on the table and take the seat beside him.

“Just let me tell Sax, okay?”

“Fuck, Jess. Just take a deep breath and chill.” His strong and familiar hand strikes me in the back and my shoulders jolt forward from the impact. “It’s not like I didn’t have any idea.” He returns to shoveling cereal into his mouth. “You pair aren’t exactly subtle.”

My eyes widen in denial.

With another laugh, Romeo returns his spoon to the bowl. “Jess. The last two weeks at the pub, the pair of you weren’t even trying to hide it. It’s kinda cute.”

With my fingers wrapped around the edge of the table, I force out the words, “I’m not gay.”

“Ah—yeah. I know,” Romeo confirms with an I’ve known you for fourteen years, mate. I know you like girls, look.

“So…” I begin, unable to finish. Not even sure if I have the words in my vocabulary.

“I don’t care. If that’s what you wanna know.”

I exhale deeply. I knew he wouldn’t, but hearing it still makes me feel better.

“And, yeah. I approve. Kai’s a great guy. Took some time for me to warm up to him, but we got there in the end.”

“Is it safe for me yet?” Kai asks, his raspy voice penetrating my soul. Always so masculine in the morning, all gravelly and shit.

“Sure, Mate. Our princess has settled…Congrats, I guess,” Romeo says, his brow and shoulders rising in unison. “At least I don’t have to pretend it isn’t happening anymore.”

Leaning his elbow on the table, Kai looks first to me, then Romeo, before turning his lips up in an I was never trying to hide anything, smile. “It’s hard for me to keep my hands to myself,” he agrees, tapping the toe of his boot against the side of mine beneath the table.

“So I know for certain that this one has always liked pussy.” Romeo gestures to me with his spoon. “And you insist the same. But is Jess really the first guy you’ve messed around with?”

I know Romeo is prying, and honestly, I don’t care. It’s even giving me the warm fuzzies. Like he’s put on his big brother jacket and has assumed the role of my protector.

“One hundred percent,” Kai confirms, tearing apart the croissant in front of him. “Jesse is the first guy I’ve ever chosen to be with.”

My gaze darts to Romeo. His eyes are squinted, and his eyebrows are almost touching in the middle.

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