Page 19 of Theirs to Keep

“We also didn’t know you were a virgin, honey,” Jamison added.

Regan shook her head. “I told you that I had no choice. I lied about my age because no one wants to hire a twenty-two-year-old with only minor cooking experience. I needed to get out of that town and away from Mike. I told you everything; I was honest with you both before we all agreed to be in a relationship. You both have kept this secret from me since we met. I let you have my body, and you never thought to tell me the truth of why you hired me?”

“I wanted to tell you after our first night together.” Ash shot Jamison an angry look. “Jamison thought it wasn’t a big deal, so we kept our mouths shut.”

“It isn’t a big fucking deal. We all agreed on this relationship and everything that it has entailed. We have all told lies, we’re all guilty of that. We need to just move on and figure out a way forward.” Jamison looked at Regan with so much hope and when she shook her head and started for the front door, that hope faded. Ash had a sinking feeling that they just watched the best thing to ever happen to them walk away for the last time.

Regan

Regan knew that she had to get out of there before she listened to her heart and stayed. She was falling in love with both Jamison and Ash but if she stayed, she would never be able to trust that they were being honest with her. Sure, she wasn’t honest when she applied for the job, but she came clean before agreeing to enter into their relationship. They were content to keep their secret from her as long as she didn’t catch on. Honestly, she owed Katie for clueing her in. The guys hired her because they wanted to have sex with her, just like Katie suggested. How could she believe that everything else she heard about them wasn’t true? Hell, maybe they did only hire women to cook, clean, and fuck. She was a fool for jumping into bed with them both so easily.

Regan shoved her meager belongings into her backpack and grabbed her keys. She was going to find a place to stay in town for the night and then she’d figure out the rest. All she knew was that she couldn’t stay at the farm because if she did, she’d end up in bed between the two of them before the night was over.

“Don’t do this, Regan,” Ash begged. “Please just stay in your room tonight. We promise to give you your space but don’t run.”

Jamison blocked the door, stopping her path to escape. “Listen to Ash, honey.”

“Don’t call me honey, Jamison. I’m not your honey anymore,” Regan shouted.

Jamison held up his hands in defeat. “Fine, Regan. I get it, you’re pissed but don’t go off and sleep in your truck because we’re assholes.”

Regan nodded, “You’re right, you are both assholes.” Jamison smirked and a part of her wanted to slap his smug face, but she knew that would only hurt her more than him.

“I can’t let you sleep in your truck again, Regan. And I sure in hell won’t let you run back home to your fucking stepfather.” Jamison flexed his hands, and she knew that he was holding back. Both of the guys seemed calmer than they wanted to be. She was the only one screaming and yelling but that was the only way she felt they would listen to her.

“I wouldn’t ever go back to him or that God-awful town,” Regan whispered.

Jamison nodded. “Then stay here in your room, at least until you can find another place.”

Regan couldn’t think with the two of them staring her down. She didn’t want to spend another night in her truck. She slept in that old thing for almost a week before finding this job. Who knew how long it would take her to find something new? At least, if she stayed in her room, she’d be able to get a good night’s sleep and figure out her next move.

She sighed. “I’ll stay on two conditions. First, you two stay the fuck away from me. No touching, no kissing, and no pet names. Second, I want to keep my job while I stay here. Things will be strictly professional between the three of us.”

Jamison and Ash looked at each other and she knew that they were doing that thing where they silently communicated. Ash nodded. “Fine, deal.”

“How long will you stay on?” Jamison asked.

Regan shrugged, “I’m not sure. I’ll start looking at help wanted ads and when I find something, I’ll give you two weeks’ notice so you can find someone to take my place.”

Jamison smiled at her. “That will never happen, Regan. No one will ever replace you.” He moved out of the doorway, letting her escape from his bedroom and run down the hall to her own. Regan slammed her door like a teenage girl and collapsed to the floor, sobbing. Losing the guys was harder than she expected after just a few days. She had given them her heart, forgetting to guard it safely and now it was breaking.

Three Months Later

Regan couldn’t believethat she still had not found a job. Every lead that she chased down ended up being a dead end. She was starting to worry that her only option was to go back home and face Mike. Pete had offered to give her a job as a waitress and part-time cook, but she knew that she would have to face her stepfather and that thought scared the shit out of her.

The guys had kept their promise for the most part. Once in a while, they would slip up and call her baby or honey, but they kept their hands to themselves and treated her like any of their other employees. Now and then, she would catch one of them in the hallway wearing nothing but a towel or boxers. They were driving her half-crazy with lust. She learned that cold showers don’t work, and she remained in a perpetual state of horny, crazy bitch, most days. Of course, that could have to do with the fact that she was three months pregnant, a little piece of information that she kept to herself. She was pretty sure that she wasn’t goingto be able to keep it a secret for much longer though since her pants were becoming a little snug.

About a month ago, she was waking up every morning and throwing up. After about two weeks of feeling lousy, she decided to run to a clinic two towns over. She had taken two pregnancy tests, having a hunch that her upset stomach was morning sickness. She had never been regular so a couple of months with no period didn’t cause her alarm until the queasiness started. There was no way that she was going to use a local doctor. The last thing she needed was for the guys to find out that she was pregnant from one of the busy bodies in town. If and when she told them was up to her. She had no idea how to feel about a baby especially since she didn’t know who the father was. How the hell was she supposed to explain this to anyone? So, she chose not to until she had to.

She filled her days cooking and cleaning and even found a few hours of downtime in the afternoon to rest. The doctor told her to come back for an ultrasound in a couple of months and she had to figure out how the hell she was going to pay for that. Her job didn’t come with health insurance, so she had to pay for everything out of pocket. Her only saving grace was that she stayed in the farmhouse for free. But it cost her every day. She couldn’t stop thinking about Jamison and Ash especially now that she was carrying their baby. A part of her wondered if she was overreacting but her stubborn streak fueled her temper. She spent most nights in her room alone and worrying about not only her future but now, her baby’s. How was she going to be able to take care of her child when she couldn’t fully take care of herself?

Regan dressed early and padded downstairs to the kitchen, finding Ash helping himself to some coffee. “Hi Regan,” he smiled at her, and she felt her insides go a little gooey.

“Hey Ash,” she whispered. Regan pulled out some stuff to make them eggs and pancakes. Most mornings she had to run to the bathroom to be sick from the sight of the eggs, but her morning sickness was starting to subside.

“Coffee?” He held up an empty mug and she shook her head. The doctor told her to avoid caffeine while she was sick. He told her that the acid wouldn’t be good for her tummy. She got the milk from the refrigerator and poured herself a glass.

“So, any plans for today?” Ash sat at the kitchen table trying to make small talk. This was how most mornings worked, one of the guys met her in the kitchen and tried to keep things friendly and light. At first, she appreciated their effort, trying to keep things professional but lately, it just pissed her off. It was like they just talked in circles most days and often about nothing at all.

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