Page 65 of Boys Like You

Rory left with the promise to call. I can’t help but have this nagging feeling in my gut that something is up with him. Levi reassures me that this is just how Rory deals with stress; he pulls away. He generally needs a week to work his issues out and then he comes to them. I hope that’s the case.

Levi and I head downstairs to make a snack. He decides to make toasted sandwiches. He sets out the ham, grates the cheese and places them in the sandwich press. While they cook, he picks me up by the waist and sits me on the bench, pushing my legs open to stand between them.

“Did you see Rory’s face when he thought we had sex?” Levi asks me.

“I did. I think we all need to have a talk again, because I don’t want any of you fighting over me. Honestly, I don’t know if I could choose one of you, and I don’t know what that will mean for us.” I wrap my legs around his torso, pulling him in as close as I can.

“We’re young, JD, we have our whole lives to grow up, settle down and be adults. Right now, it means you are dating all of us, and we’re okay with that.” He gets this goofy look on his face. “You know, before Lissa and Deacon got together, she was dating a few guys at once too.” That shocks me, Lissa seems like a one-man type of woman.

“Did they know about each other?” I ask curiously.

“I don’t know, but it’s normal for people to date. Some like exclusivity and others don’t. We don’t know what next year holds for any of us.” He is right, I could be off with my family, back in a hospital or still in school.

“Do any of you know what you want to do next year?”

He nods. “Maximus wants to go to university to get a degree in biochemistry; Mercer wants to open his own gym one day so he may do a business course. The rest of us are not as sure. Rory has considered doing an apprenticeship in mechanics, but his mother would be pissed that won’t earn him good money, not that he needs it. Rocky has mentioned giving up athletics to be a physiotherapist. As for me, I’m not too sure. I love sport but I would also like to help kids. I just wonder if I could handle it.”

“I think you could do whatever you put your mind to, you’re so smart.” I lean in for a kiss and pull back. “And you think things through before you act on them.” Kiss. “You’re so caring.” Kiss. “And incredibly sexy.” Kiss.

“Where will being sexy get me?” he asks against my lips.

“I don’t know but it can’t hurt.”

His lips are still against mine when a cough causes me to almost jump out of my skin. We turn and see Deacon standing at the door.

“Shit,” Levi whispers.

***

Half an hour later, Levi and I are seated at their kitchen table with them opposite us.

“Are you two dating?” Lissa asks.

I look at Levi, and he grabs my hand. “This isn’t an interrogation, Liss, you can drop the cop act.”

Lissa laughs and so does Deacon. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to use my interrogation voice.”

I relax a bit, now it’s just Aunt Lissa sitting at the table and not the police officer.

“I don’t know how to explain this but hear me out before you say anything,” Levi starts. “We didn’t say anything yet because we’re just getting a feel for what this is, but we agreed that if anyone in our direct family asked, we would be honest. I am dating JD, but so is Mercer, Rory, Rocky and Maximus.”

“Even Maximus?” Lissa asks. I’m thrown off with that being her first question.

“Even Maximus. We all like JD, and she likes us, but given the circumstances, we decided to get to know each other better… No, Liss, before you ask, we’re not having sex.” I feel my entire face go bright red. “I may as well throw it out there, I’m not a virgin and I don’t need a sex talk.”

I keep my head slightly down, silently mortified that we are having this talk. I’m not embarrassed about dating them, but laying it all out for others has me flushed and not sure how to react. What if Liss blows up and demands Levi stop seeing me?

“I don’t even know where to start. You know I’m cool with dating around, but I am concerned that dating within a group would be complex. Maybe you should do a group session in therapy to make sure you understand how this will affect you all.” She pauses, her eyes flicking between the two of us. “What about Maximus? Are you… physical with him too?” I know she is curious, but I look up at her, feeling protective of him.

“He’s different with JD, they touch, and he’s even spoken to her.”

Lissa’s head whips to me, and I nod.

“I’ve known him since he was almost seven and he has never spoken to me, that is huge.” I swear I see her eyes glisten, but no tears form.

“I know. I don’t think I have done anything different than everyone else, though.”

She accepts what I have to say and turns back to question Levi.

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