Page 15 of Buddy System

Skyler answers, “I still go to physical therapy once a week and practice lots of stretching and strengthening exercises, but I could look into using some kind of grip. Thanks.” He turns to Levi and adds, “There is a terrific PT clinic right here in town. I meant to tell you that.”

Levi chuckles, “The Honeybee Hollow Ambassador is at it again. You’re not going to rest until Brooke and I move here permanently, are you?”

“It’s crossed my mind.”

Jack also smiles and adds, “I’ve never been happier since I moved here. It’s a great town. And now I’m in love, have a thriving business I created for myself, and I’m building the house of my dreams with the partners of my dreams. I highly recommend this place.”

After a tour of the gallery, Levi is getting a look on his face like he needs to sit down for a bit, so I suggest, “Guys, we need to hit the Piggly Wiggly before too long. Are you about ready to go?” We all say our goodbyes to Jack and promise to make plans for the Fourth with them. He really is a great guy.

On my suggestion, we leave Levi in the park under a shady tree, happily equipped with his Kindle and a new book (I had it in my purse just in case), and Skyler and I make the groceryrun. I couldn’t force Levi to wander around the market when he’s obviously starting to hurt.

Once again, I find myself marveling at Levi’s transformation since we arrived here. Just a few days ago, if I had mentioned the possibility that he needed a rest, he would have spiraled for hours. But when we finished shopping, we found a well-rested Levi greeting us with a smile.

After an easy dinner, we curl up on Skyler’s comfy couch to watch a movie, but we all end up falling asleep about halfway through. I wake up to the realization that both men have their heads on my shoulders, and I’m getting pretty toasty between them. As soon as I stir, they both wake up, and Skyler looks embarrassed. I kiss him on the cheek because he looks so sweet and bashful and then help Levi up.

In bed, we don’t have anything like the night before, but Levi is cuddly and sweet before he falls asleep again.

Shopping with Juniis more fun than I’ve had in a long, long time with a girlfriend. She has a great sense of humor as well as a terrific sense of style. We hit all the boutiques—including a vintage clothing store—and try on everything under the sun. After three hours and a few purchases, Juni asks me if I’d like to relax with a margarita or a beer before heading home to Skyler’s place.

“Sounds good,” I tell her, and she leads me to a popular watering hole called The Hive. It turns out they have the best salsa and chips I’ve ever tasted. The margarita goes down pretty easy too.

“We’ll all have to come back here for some music and dancing one of these nights,” Juni says. “They always have reallygood bands play.” Then she shoots me a questioning look and asks, “So…you and LeviwithSkyler, eh?”

It takes me a moment to process what she’s asking, and I sputter, “Oh, no. I mean, not…uh…not…”

“Not yet? Not ever?” She laughs. “Not officially? Look, it’s none of my business, but I see the way he looks at you and Levi, and we heard alotabout Levi from Skyler before he went and dragged you guys down here from Militaryland, or wherever you were. He clearly adores your husband. And Levi couldn’t take his eyes off my men and the way they were treating each other. You have to admit there’s an interest there, even if it hasn’t been acted on yet.” She pauses and takes a drink while I ponder what she’s said, before adding, “Just tell me to butt out if I’m making you uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s fine. You’re not at all. I’m just surprised it’s obvious. We haven’t talked about it with all three of us together, and nobody has actually done anything, but the idea is intriguing, and it’s certainly something Levi has mentioned to me.” Realizing I’m rambling, I clear my throat and lower my voice to a whisper. “Apparently, he’s fantasized about sharing me with Skyler, and I think it sounds pretty interesting. I have no idea how it would work, but having all the attention on me is a little too much for me to imagine.”

Juni gives me a big smile and says, “That’s the beauty of it. Have you ever heard of compersion?”

“No.”

“When three or more people get together in a relationship that is based on more than just sex, and each participant is equally attracted to all of the members of the union, they all get as much satisfaction in seeing their partners enjoy one another as they do for themselves. When I see my men together…God, it’s such an amazing rush, and a total turn-on. They’re beautiful together. And then they turn that same attention onme, or one does while the other is pleasuring him, and it’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Compersion is that sense of completeness and joy you have in seeing your partner give and receive pleasure. And believe me, it can be just as powerful as physical pleasure.”

“Do you think that’s why Skyler wanted us to come stay with him so badly?”

“It might be part of it—even if it’s not something he thinks about consciously. The other part could also have been that he missed Levi horribly and wanted him to get far away from the Army base, so he’d get over his PTSD. I know Skyler has suffered from it. He’s a lot better than he was a few months ago, and he’s definitely having fewer migraines. I see that same strain in Levi’s eyes. Those poor guys are never far from those terrible memories that bombard their thoughts.”

“So you think I ought to encourage having a three-way with them to get them to be more relaxed?”

Juni smiles and shakes her head. “I’m not saying it’s a cure-all, Brooke. And I’m only suggesting it if you’re willing to work at it and interested enough in it to begin with. Not everyone is cut out for polyamory. And just like with any relationship, not all of them work out. Asher and I both had failed three-way attempts a long time ago. We learned, and this time it’s been wonderful.”

“Oh. Wow. Were you looking for another…what did you call it…triad?”

“No. That wasn’t a priority of mine at all, but when I saw them together, it was like magic. I knew Jack a little, and Asher not at all, but we immediately gelled and had to try it. I’ve never been sorry. I highly recommend it if you’re open to it.” She winks at me, and I get all fluttery inside—not from her but from what she’s been saying.

Just then, my phone buzzes with a text from Levi asking when I plan to come home and eat the wonderful trout dinnerSkyler is preparing. I laugh and tell Juni, “Thanks for everything today. I had a great time, but I’m being summoned to dinner, and I don’t even have to cook.” I grab the check, take care of it, and give Juni a big hug. “I’ll see you soon, and thank you for your…um…encouragement!”

Chapter

Fifteen

Levi

Since Brooke is gonefor the afternoon, Skyler and I decide to do some fishing. He has a great setup out at his creek. There’s an easy path to get there, so we wheel our tackle box, poles, and a cooler out there in a wagon. At the water, there’s a comfortable bench his grandfather built where we can set up. Someone has trimmed the lower branches of a graceful willow tree so we can sit beneath it, shaded from the hot sun. And best of all, the sky is brilliant blue with not a single noisy aircraft marring the peace of the day. I could get used to this.

Skyler does have some dexterity issues with his right hand, so I tie our hooks to our lines and load them up with bait. He busies himself with putting our chilled beers in koozies and opening them. Skyler’s grandfather must have enjoyed his beer as well because the arms of the bench have built-in drink holders. It’s not a terribly large bench, so we keep brushing our arms against one another. I’m finding that I don’t mind this at all; his nearness is a comfort.

---