Page 16 of A Simple Love

“Good. Congrats on your engagement, by the way.” I glance down at Pauline’s ring in admiration as she slides her hand across the island for me to see closer. “How about you? Ready to be a dad yet?”

“You know it,” he beams while looking down at Pauline, her hands caressing his chest and her look of appreciation up at him borderline sickening. “I had to lock this woman down before she tried to run away again.”

Pauline scoffs. “Please, like I could run anywhere right now,” she motions down to her belly, enticing a chuckle from me. Her round belly is beautiful and I’m beyond happy for her and Dean. And also, a teensy bit jealous. I want children and a love like theirs one day, all the more reason to encourage me to follow through with my dating charade right now.

“How’d your dates go?” Dean interrupts my daydreaming, the panic instantly creeping up my chest. I swallow hard at the one additional letter. Dates? That means he knows I’m dating both Ben and his brother right now.

“Um, they were good,” I manage to squeak out, promptly reaching for the water to wet my throat.

“Just so you know, both Ben and Mike will be here today. Pauline invited Ben since he works at the bar. And obviously, Mike’s my brother, so yeah. I hope that won’t be too weird for you.”

He reaches forward to swipe a slice of watermelon off a plate. The island is covered in food, which two minutes ago sounded wonderful. Now, I’m afraid my breakfast will be making a reappearance soon. Suddenly the walls feel like they’re closing in on me, the air stripped from the room. Pounding occupies my head and a fuzziness drones through my ears. Panic attacks are real people, and I feel like I’m on the verge of one.

“Um, no. That shouldn’t be a problem,” I smile thinly before trying to stand up too quickly and almost face planting on the tile. “Excuse me, nature calls.”

Rushing down the hallway, I find the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me, crouching down in the fetal position, and taking as deep of a breath as I can muster.

They’re both going to be here? Seriously? How is that even going to work? I mean, I know Mike and Ben have always been friends, and the notion that they both could have been here today momentarily crossed my mind. But I’m sure the fact that they are both currently dating the same woman will not go over smoothly. And yes, they know of the fact, so it’s not as if I’m keeping any secrets. But what do I do if one of them tries to hug me? OR worse, kiss me? Slow and deep breaths are the only thing keeping me from freaking out right now.

A tender knock on the door pulls me back to reality, as Hayley gently nudges the door open to join me, forcing me to move my body over to rest against the bathtub.

“Vic, are you okay?” She crouches down in front of me, placing her hands on my shoulders.

“Hayley.”Take a deep breath.

“How do I handle this?”Take another.

“What do I do?”One more this time.

My pulse is still firing rapidly, but it feels like it’s slowing as Hayley caresses my shoulders and breathes along with me.

“Just breathe, Vic. It’s going to be fine.” Her shoulders rise and fall alongside mine as she keeps talking to me in a soothing manner. “I don’t think either of them is going to make a scene, and who knows if they will even try to do something. Just take it one minute at a time, and if you get uncomfortable, let me or Pauline know, and we’ll hide you away somewhere in this gigantic house.”

Her joke makes me chuckle lightly, relieving some tension mounting in my chest and stomach. But seriously, I don’t know if I’m cut out for this. Dating two men at the same time might be exhilarating to some girls, but I’m not one of them. I’ve only had one date with each of them though, so trying to decide now is pointless. I need to see this through. I need to trust that the answer to my situation will be so crystal clear at one point that I’ll know exactly what to do.

“This is insane, Hales. I never in a million years thought I would be in a position like this. I’m freaking out and I’ve only been on two dates!”

She laughs at me. “Truthfully? Neither did I.” She winks at me before helping me stand. “But I think this is good for you, Vic. You haven’t had much dating experience, and Ben and Mike are both great guys. Remember, there’s no pressure to decide right away. Give it some time and see where things go.”

I splash some water on my face before exiting the bathroom behind her and making our way back out to the kitchen. “You’re right. I just need to relax, which of course, is easier said than done.”

As we pass the front doorway, Mike arrives, pushing his shirtless body through the entry and taking my breath away once more after I just regained my composure.

A smatter of dark hair is sprinkled across his tight and muscular chest, solid and refined, and ruggedly him. His arms are cut in places I didn’t even know a man could have muscles, his broad shoulders flanking his body and signifying his strength from working on wood all day. His dark blue swim trunks hang perfectly on his hips, giving just a little peek at that V that makes women go crazy, myself included in that group now, apparently. His dark brown eyes find mine as I pass him, instantly sensing my turmoil.

“Vic, are you okay? You look pale, babe.” He reaches out to brush my hair away from my face.

Babe. A term of endearment I never thought I would hear come out of Mike’s mouth. It warms me from the inside out, heating me in a much more subtle way than the intense inferno my body just felt minutes ago.

“Yeah, I’m a little better now, actually. Thanks.” The small smile I flash him grants me a grin from him in return before he grabs my hand and leads me back into the kitchen, the trust I feel for him to lead me is inherent. The feeling of his hand in mine is comforting, solid, and reassuring. My anxiety from before instantly dissipates.

Pauline and Dean break away from each other’s lips just as Mike and I come into view, the sight of us holding hands clearly a surprise to everyone.

“Hey bro. Glad you could make it.” Dean glances down to where our hands are joined, ignoring everyone’s surprise by continuing to speak. “Beer’s outside in the coolers and I’m about to start grilling. Come on out and give me a hand, will ya?” Dean gives Pauline one more kiss, and a crook of his eyebrow to me, before turning to head back outside.

“I’m going to go help my brother, but I’ll find you again soon, okay?” Mike whispers in my ear, the feel of his breath on my exposed skin makes the heat from earlier return tenfold, his hand still in mine. Just as I think he’s about to lean in to kiss me, I hear a throat clear behind us.

“Hey, Vic.” That voice means only one thing. Ben. That’s right. Ben just saw Mike and I share a moment while holding hands, and I’m fearful of the look on his face when I turn around. Deep breaths, Vic. It’s going to be okay. Meanwhile, my heart is hammering in my chest and breakfast is slowly making its way up my esophagus.

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