Page 44 of That's the Way Rejection Goes

“Fuck…” I groaned, wiping away tears. “That worries me a bit.”

Calum reached up, grabbing both sides of my face before kissing me softly. “I don’t think you have any reason to worry,” he said softly, pressing his forehead to mine. “There’s a lot of life-changing things happening in a short amount of time. It makes sense it feels a little crazy.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with all this?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“It’s never going to be just you and me again. It’ll always be you and me and him.”

Calum smiled wide. “That sounds amazing to me. Now I get to taketwobeautiful boys out on dates. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.”

I nodded. “I do too… it’s just… a lot.”

“Well, then let’s take it one step at a time.” Calum was usually the one leaning on me, but in situations like this, he was more than happy to take the wheel and help me through it. In fact, he was really good at it. “Instead of jumping straight into exchanging vows, why don’t we just spend more time with Sam and let things progress naturally? There’s no rush to become anything just yet.”

“We alreadymatedwith him,” I scoffed.

“Yeah, but mating with someone and loving them are two different things,” Calum corrected. “I’ve met plenty of mates that feel no love for each other. Or they once did, and it fades away.”

“Do you think that’ll happen to the three of us?”

“Not a fucking chance. You love me, don’t you?”

“With all my heart.”

“And I love you back just as much and then some,” he said. “But no matter how much I love you, I’m still capable of loving Sam too. Don’t you think?”

I nodded. “It feels… I don’t know…limitlessI guess?” I shook my head, trying to arrange my thoughts. “I love you more than I thought I could love anyone. But I’m surprised to find I still have love to give, and I didn’t have to take any away from you to do it.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

“So, we’re really gonna do this, huh?”

“Babe,” Calum chuckled. “I think we already did.”

He was right of course. I fell into his arms once more, my head over his shoulder as I let out a long sigh. There were so many conflicting emotions fighting for space in my brain that I had to take a moment and release a few of them. I decided to focus on the positive. As I held tight to Calum, I made a concentrated effort to let go of the wrong my parents had done me and all the guilt I was feeling about finding happiness so quickly after such a traumatizing event. I attempted to let go of my worry about caring for Sam too much too quickly. And I tried to allow myself to feel happy for what I had and live in the moment.

I wasn’t sure how successful I was at doing all of that at once, but it was a start. When I finally pulled back and looked Calum in the eyes once more, I felt a little lighter. I leaned down and kissed him softly, letting my affection pour through my skin into his.

“I love you so much,” I said. “Thank you.”

“I love you too, babe.” He took my hand, giving it a squeeze. “What do you need right now? What’ll help you feel better?”

As if on cue, my stomach growled loudly enough that we both heard it over the buzz of the fireplace vent.

Calum grinned. “Let’s go get something to eat then, huh?”

“Okay.” I started to get up before I paused. “And maybe we should get Sam some too?”

“I think that’s a great idea.”

“So… are we polyamorous now?”

Calum just shrugged. “Fuck if I know. I’m just following my heart.”

“How many more mates do you think we have out there?”

Calum’s face dropped. “Don’t even joke about that! I’ve got as much as I can handle with the two of you! My dick and ass are gonna be raw constantly now thanks to you two, I just know it.”

---