I stand there, trying to hold my ground while my insides twist in knots. Indy looks at each of us, her eyes softening.
"Kyler," she starts, and I feel my heart skip a beat. "I love how you always make me feel seen, even when I’m trying to blend into the background. You're quiet, but your presence is loud in the best way. You’ve got this gentle strength that pulls me in." Her words hit me like a ton of bricks and I can barely breathe.
Jacoby chuckles softly, leaning against the doorframe. "Always knew you were a softie, Jones."
I shoot him a glare but before I can retort, Indy turns to him. "Jacoby," she says, her voice filled with warmth, "you’re like a ray of sunshine on the darkest days. Your confidence is contagious and you make me laugh even when I think I can't. You're always so carefree and it’s like you remind me to live a little."
Jacoby's smirk softens into something genuine. "Well, someone’s gotta keep things light around here," he says, but there's no hiding the pride in his voice.
Then she looks at Tres, who stands tall and unyielding. Her eyes soften even more if that's possible. "Tres," she begins, "you’re... solid. Like a rock I can lean on. You’re strong and protective and... you make me feel safe." She swallows hard, her voice catching for a moment. "And you're just as stubborn as me."
Tres raises an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards in a small smile. "Stubborn, huh? Takes one to know one."
"Guess so," Indy replies with a small laugh.
I shift my weight from one foot to the other, trying to process everything she's just said. It's like she's laid all our cards out on the table.
"So where does that leave us?" I ask quietly.
Indy sighs and takes a step closer to us. “I don’t have all the answers right now,” she admits. “But what I do know is that I care about each of you more than I thought possible.”
Jacoby scratches his head. “Well, hell. Looks like we’re in one big complicated mess,” he says with a chuckle.
Tres clears his throat, shifting his gaze from Indy to me and Jacoby. “We haven’t discussed this in depth,” he begins, “but I’d be willing to share her with you both if that’s something she’s comfortable with. She shouldn’t have to choose.”
Jacoby’s face lights up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Hell, I’m all for it,” he says, leaning back against the wall with a satisfied grin. “What do you say, Kyler?”
My mind races, trying to process what Tres just said. Share her? It sounds insane, but the thought of losing Indy is unbearable. I know it's either all in or all out. And out isn’t an option.
“I—” I start, my voice faltering. I take a deep breath and try again. “I’m in.”
Tres turns to Indy, his eyes softening. “What do you want?”
Indy looks at each of us in turn, her eyes wide and filled with uncertainty. She bites her lower lip—a habit she has when she’s deep in thought.
“I don’t know,” she admits quietly. “This is... a lot to take in.”
Jacoby steps forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. “No rush, sweetheart. Take your time.”
She nods slowly, then looks up at Tres. “Is this really okay with you? With all of you?”
“It’s not about what’s okay for us,” Tres says gently. “It’s about what you want, Indy.”
She swallows hard and takes a deep breath. “I care about each of you... deeply,” she says, her voice trembling slightly. “But I don’t know how this would work.”
Jacoby chuckles softly. “Well, we’re all pretty adaptable,” he says with a wink.
Tres shoots him a look that says now isn’t the time for jokes.
“I just want you to be happy,” I say softly.
Indy smiles at me, and it feels like the sun breaking through the clouds after a storm.
"What'll it be Indiana Cooper?" Tres asks.
I take a breath and hold it, waiting for her answer.
40