Page 35 of Lucy and Her Wicked Three

She points to a second finger. "He doesn't introduce you to his friends or family. He stays out all night, doesn't come home." She continues listing off suspicious behavior, making me realize how much these things used to bother me, and how much I complained about them to her.

It's all true. Mateo is on his phone a lot. He doesn't come home every night, and before two nights ago, I'd never met anyone in his life, and we live together.

Maybe she's right about some of this. But he's explained a lot of it. He's on his phone a lot because he works a ton, just like I do. As for not coming home every night… the one time I didn't believe him, I found him in his office.

Then again, I did follow him the other night and found him at a sex club.

Admittedly, the surprise and anger at discovering Atrium got washed away instantly once Noah and Silas became involved.But what if I hadn't shown up? What would he have done then? Who would he have spent the night with?

I don't believe Delaney. Or, I don't want to believe her.

I shake my head, "None of this excuses what you did, Delaney. You really hurt me."

Her lips press together, brows furrowing in sincerity. "I'm sorry, Lu. You know I love you, right?" She reaches across the counter and clasps my hands in hers. I pull away too slowly.

We sit in silence before she pushes to a stand. "Alright, I'll give you some space. But I thought maybe we could get together, get a coffee and talk. I just want what's best for you, okay?"

I don't respond. I can't. Because it's not okay, and I don't believe her. But I'm also spinning out. She leaves and it feels like all the progress I made over the last couple of days goes up in smoke. The wordsFuck you, Delaney, sit on the tip of my tongue, but I'm just too mentally exhausted to deal with her.

I try to decide what makes more sense; that my boyfriend actually has intense emotional and sexual proclivities that mean he desperately wants to have a polyamorous relationship, sharing me with his friends? Is that really what makes the most sense?

Or, more likely, he got caught at a sex club after we had a big fight… after he was accused of cheating, and came up with an elaborate lie. Sure, cheating with Delaney didn't happen. But the other stuff she said was true. He's gone a lot. He's on his phone constantly. Most likely, he used the situation to his advantage.

I don't know why Silas came over, but if he's Mateo's best friend, maybe he was just trying to save face.

I don't know what to believe. But I feel like a fool.

Chapter 14

Mateo

I left work early so I could make it home in time for dinner, expecting to beat Lucy to the apartment. I offered to pick her up, but she never responded.

It's not like her. I'm still getting used to this version of her, without her phone always on, but I'd had hopes after Silas spent time with her that she was doing okay. He said she seemed good, and I believed him.

But when I get home, the typically noisy apartment is oddly quiet. The TV, which Silas and Noah often have blaring while they're on the latter end of a project or just to fuck around after work is off. The house smells like Italian food, garlic and tomatoes.

I drop my bag on a chair in the kitchen and walk into the living room, finding Noah on the couch, Silas in a chair. They stare at their phones, the atmosphere oddly tense.

"You heard from Lucy?" Silas asks hopefully, looking up.

"I thought you said she was coming over?"

"Yeah, she was supposed to."

"What do you mean? I thought she wasn't supposed to be here until—" I tug at my sleeve and glance at my watch. "Six?"

"Yeah, I texted her this morning and said six. Then sent her the address. Noah tried texting to ask what she'd want to eat… Idon't know, man. She hasn't texted either of us back. Think she's still coming?"

Irritation bubbles beneath my skin. Not at Lucy, but at the situation, the uncertainty. I adjust my collar, trying to decide what to do. Give her more time? She's not technically late. But Lucy's chronically early. She's also pathologically kind. It seems unlike her to not have responded to either of them.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and call her. It goes straight to voicemail.

I try again. Still, no answer.

"I'll be back," I tell them, then turn to head back out.

"Wait, we'll come with you," Noah says eagerly, climbing off the couch.

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