Page 55 of Boys Like You

“And what if someone feels weird about all this?” I ask.

“We talk about it,” Mercer says. “We all have so many needs, and you seem to get them without even trying.”

“So, is this like an exclusive thing between us until we figure it out, or can we see other people?” They all look at me like I have lost my mind.

“How could you even ask us that?” Levi asks.

“You said yourself, you all use sex as a way to cope, so I didn’t expect you all to be exclusive. I just wanted it to be said out loud, so we were all on the same page.”

“Over my dead body is anyone else dating you.” If I thought Levi was mad, he has nothing on Mercer. I’m confused how this will work if half are exclusive and half not.

“Someone please clear this up. It won’t work unless we are all on the same page. I have no interest in dating anyone else while we figure this out.”

“None of us want to date anyone else either, JD.”

“And what do we tell people?” Because someone is bound to notice.

“Anyone in our direct family; if they ask we tell the truth, we never lie to each other ever. As for everyone else, it’s none of their business. If anyone gives you shit just let us know and we will all deal with it.”

“Levi, you’re so smart.” He winks at me. “Maximus, are you on board with this?” He nods.

“Do we need rules? Like a kiss? Do I have to hide that from the others?”

“How about we see how it goes? I mean I’m cool with seeing you with the others, but maybe we need a code word, so if it is too much, we all know.” Levi is always being the logical one.

“We actually have a safe word already. We haven’t used it much since getting older, but we all know what it means.”

“What is it?”

“Jumanji.”

“I like it. So at any point, you say the word, and I can back away. Maximus, if you walk in and can’t say Jumanji, just clap at us” Well that wasn’t as hard as I thought it’d be.

When they said we continue doing things naturally, that is easier said than done. The touches are more frequent, not that I mind, the secret kisses have been fun too. But I have started to worry I’m not paying as much attention to one over the others.

Maximus:You should sneak up to my room

Me:Should I really? And why is that?

Maximus:Because I can’t come down there

Me:And why is that?

Maximus:Because I might scare my sister with the tent in my pants

Me:Oh you’re a funny man

Maximus:I am, have you found a birthday present for Rocky yet?

I feel the heat rise in my cheeks. I did find something he would find amusing; I bought novelty underwear and the bra is a bow. I’m nervous that it’s too forward, but it’s too late for regrets now. The guys have kept true to their word, sex is off the table and if I’m ready, I have to do it with Maximus, and of course Maximus and I have not spoken about it because he hasn’t spoken to me since our first kiss. He has been practicing small kisses with me every Wednesday morning in our spare. I think the kids at school are starting to catch on that we are more than friends.

Me:Yes

I don’t elaborate.

Rocky’s birthday is on Sunday. We are going to a party tonight, and when I say we, I mean I was invited by Savannah, and the guys are tagging along. So now I’m getting ready at Maximus’s house, yes he was texting me from the other room but he really doesn’t like Savannah’s friends, and I don’t blame him. Becca and Mandy are already here getting ready with us; Naomi is meeting us there. She has somewhat backed off, but it’s clear she still doesn’t like me. I know me being invited is some kind of plan Naomi has up her sleeve and she’s using poor Savannah. But she can bring it, I really don’t care.

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