Page 53 of That's the Way Rejection Goes

“Heforcedhimself on you?” I growled. I let go of Calum’s hand, heading for the door. “What fucking room is he in? I’m gonna kill him.”

Sam just rolled his eyes at me. “Oh, now you want to be my protector?” He slammed the dresser shut and walked up between Calum and I. “So, which is it gonna be, huh? Are you my mates and my protectors or are you a couple of guys who fucked me for fun and are moving out?”

“We care about you,” Calum began.

“Then fuckingprove it!” Sam cried, throwing his arms up in the air. “Listen to me and what I have to tell you instead of jumping to wild conclusions and running away at the first sign of conflict! This isn’t a fucking romance novel, and I’ve readtoo manyof them to deal with this miscommunication trope bullshit.”

He grabbed Calum and I by the back of the neck and pulled us into a tight hug.

“I love you two idiots and I want you to stay! You’re my mates! What else do I have to say to get you two to believe me?”

Shame crawled over my skin, making me shiver as I tightened my hold on Sam. I looked over at Calum on his other shoulder and it looked like he felt the same. My heart was in my throat. Had Sam just told us he loved us? I mean, obviously he did, but did he really mean it? We hadn’t known each other that long, but Calum and I were just talking that morning about how we were falling for him. Could such a thing have happened already? And for all of us at the same time?

I took a moment to breathe in Sam’s scent, catching hints of Calum’s and my own mixed in. He was our mate, that was for sure. Scents didn’t mix when there wasn’t a bond to be made. Sam belonged to us, but I was still having a hard time wrapping my brain around it.

“What about Roger?” I whispered.

“What about him?” Sam asked, leaning back so he could look at us both. “He was my mate more than ten years ago. But when he kissed me this morning… there was nothing. Not even a thought of a spark. There’s too much time and animosity between us to bring that flame back to life.” He shook his head, tears forming in his eyes. “And I don’t want it anyway. I wantyou two. I love you both and I know it’s stupid to say something like that so early in our relationship, but I can’t help it. It’s how I feel, and I’ve been trapped in my heart of ice for too long to resist it anymore. I want to be with you two. I want you tostay with me. You are myhome.”

“I’m… I’m sorry,” I stammered, shaking my head.

“Me too,” Calum added. “We were just so scared, and it brought up a lot of emotions and–”

“It’s okay,” Sam said, wiping his eyes. “I get it. I’ve seen hundreds of wolves like you come through this hotel. And I know what it’s like for it to feel like the entire world is out to get you.” He pulled us close once more. “But I need you two to know I’m on your side.Permanently.”

“I love you too,” Calum whispered, kissing his neck. “I think that’s why I was so scared.”

“I’m terrified how much I feel for you already,” I said, leaning back to look Sam in the eye. I reached up, cupping his cheek. “But I love you too.”

Calum leaned back as well, all three of us staring at one another. There were tears on every cheek and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“God,” I said, wiping my face with the back of my sleeve. “Why are we all crying?”

“It’s your fault,” Calum shot back. “You know I almost always cry when you do.”

“I think it’s both your faults for getting carried away and packing your damn bags.” Sam smiled, showing us there were no hurt feelings despite his sarcasm. “Now are you going to help me put your clothes back where they belong?”

“Yeah,” I nodded.

“Good,” Sam said. “Because there’s something I need to ask you and I’m not very good at asking for it.”

“Anything you need.”

“Calum is working for Ace now and will be for quite a while if not permanently,” he said. “And I need…helprunning this hotel.” He reached out, pulling me in for a quick kiss. “Will you help me make this place even better?” He grabbed Calum’s hand. “Both of you. But mostly you Erick.” He let out a long sigh. I’ve been doing this for so long and I just… I need help. I can’t keep working that desk constantlyandrunning everything at the same time.”

“Of course I’ll help you,” I said, pulling him into a hug. “I’ll help you in any way that I can!”

“Me too,” Calum said, wrapping his arms around us both. “We’ll make this place the best it's ever been and then some.”

Sam smiled, tears coming to his eyes once more. “God I love you two.”

“I love you too, Sammy.”

“I love you so much.”

He squeezed us tight, kissing us both on the neck as we held on to him. “How about we skip the unpacking and just fuck?”

“Hell yeah,” Calum growled, holding us tighter.

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