Page 48 of Just Between Us

Once he's gone, she eyes me closely, drying some silverware. “He’s nice,” she says.

“He is,” I say but I can tell she wants to say more.

She sighs, “Levi, I know this is none of my business and I might be crossing a line here—”

“You could never cross a line,” I assure her.

Aleeta used to work for Cole’s grandparents and when they left, she stayed here taking care of the house. She’s as much a part of the family as I am.

She nods. “I just mean, he’s really sweet and I don’t want him to get hurt. I don’t want any of you to get hurt.”

Of course, she would know we’re all having sex. We don’t try very hard to hide it from her but knowing that she knows makes me flush a little. Aleeta is like my mother and I’d rather she not think of me as anything but sweet and respectful, even though the things we do to Kai are anything but.

I know what she means though and as much as we were all clear on this being just sex, I also know that those boundaries have been hazy for a while now. Kai is over all the time. He and Cole have a little book club going. I have lunch with him whenever I can and we’re on the fifth Harry Potter movie. It’s not just sex. It’s a friendship too, but friendship means feelings.

Feelings can get complicated.

So much for surface level, Levi.

We’re teetering on a line—I’m teetering on a line, but I can’t help myself. Selfishly, I want to keep him. I want him and Cole even though I know I shouldn’t.

I try to look reassuring when I tell her, “No one will get hurt.” I want to believe it too.

Aleeta watches me carefully, then nods once, going back to her silverware.

When Cole gets home, Kai and I are having dinner on the kitchen counter. He’s coming from the gym with Kez, his hair damp, and his skin a little flushed. I notice Kai eye him from head to toe and I can’t help the hint of pride that swells inside me. Ideas of what I want to do to both of them tonight pop up in my mind. I wonder how Kai feels about being gagged.

“Kez convinced me to come out with her,” he says, running a hand through his hair.

I raise my eyebrows. Convincing Cole to go out is like trying to convince a cat to take a nice long bubble bath. “How did she manage that?”

He purses his lips. “She beat me at kickboxing.”

“Kez beat you at kickboxing?” Kai asks.

He has a point. Kez is lithe and tall but there is no way she could overpower Cole.

“She is a pretty strong girl,” Aleeta says from the dishwasher.

“She cheated,” Cole says pointedly. “But the condition was if she wins, I have to come with her to a club opening for work. Which means you are coming with me.”

“Here I was hoping we could continue our Harry Potter marathon,” I say. Amongst other things, I don't add because Aleeta is here and I’m still a bit spooked that she knows I’ve had sex before.

“I don’t know what’s worse,” Cole murmurs. I laugh because he has become more invested in the movies than Kai and I.

“Oh, I’ll uh head home then and see you guys another time,” Kai says, looking a little disappointed.

Cole visibly frowns. “Where are you going?”

Kai opens his mouth, then closes it before opening it again, “Oh, I just thought…”

He thought the invite didn’t extend to him. “You’re coming with us,” I say. “Anant’s away and there’s no way you’re leaving me alone with him and Kez.”

Admittedly, in the earlier stages of our relationship, I was unreasonably jealous of Kez, but I get it now. Somehow, she’s managed to break through to a part of Cole even I can’t reach.

Kai looks between us as if trying to land on something to say. “Uh—I have nothing to wear.”

I grin. “Good thing there’s a whole closet full of clothes.”

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