Page 117 of Bodybuilders for the BBW

“Let us.” I pushed myself to my feet, feeling the wave of exhaustion hitting me hard. I’d have to get Rhys to drive us home. Exhaustion was as bad as alcohol for impairing reflexes on the road. “You’ve done all the cooking.”

I shot the other guys a meaningful look, ready to take the rest of the plates.

“It’s alright, us girls have got it,” Janey replied, giving the same kind of look to her daughters. They got up and removed the rest of the plates, but all I could focus on was Katie.

Were we OK? She’d been disappointed by her ex so damn much. Was she feeling like this was just a repeat times three? I had so many plans. As my eyes followed her as she walked back into the house, I remembered each one of them. That we’d be the right guys for her, that we’d never pull the bullshit that Dave did, but today brought an uncomfortable truth to the fore.

We’d opted to create a polycule because each one of us wanted something serious and yet none of us were really able to devote the time required to a serious relationship. By the look on Bill’s face, he was pretty leery of the whole polyam relationship dynamic, but if he could see what I did, maybe he’d relent?

“So…” Bill sat back in his chair, his hand wrapped around his beer. “The three of you think you’re good enough for my daughter?”

“Not really.” Rhett and Rhys shot me incredulous looks. I was going off the very script I’d created with them in preparation for tonight. “I was late tonight, and with my job, there’s every chance I will be again. Your daughter can’t rely on me to turn up when I say I will.” The muscle in Bill’s jaw flexed but he nodded, giving me permission to continue. “It’s why we set up the whole polycule in the first place. My job, Rhett’s, even Rhys’ at times, it means we can’t always be where we need to be, but…” Bronson put his paws on my lap, demanding a pat and I was glad for the warm presence by my side. Maybe he’d get me through this. “Together the three of us will work to ensure Katie has whatever she needs. If I’m not available?—”

“I’ll be there,” Rhett said with complete certainty, “and if I’m not?—”

“It’s a lot easier for me to get away from the gym than a fire or a medical emergency,” Rhys added. He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. “Don’t blame you for being wary. This is a weird situation.”

“But it works.” Rhett stared the man down. “We’ll make sure it works, because nothing, and I mean nothing, will have us hurting your daughter willingly.”

I sucked in a breath, ready to say more. Debate Bill, make him see the possibility that beat hard and fast in my chest, but the man cut me off with a shake of his head.

“I can’t say I understand what’s going on here, but…” A small nod to each one of us in turn. “Three blokes that want to do right by my daughter? Can’t say no to that, can I?”

I sank back into my chair, feeling my heart beat furiously. Adrenaline and oxytocin coursing through my veins made for an intoxicating mixture that rushed straight to my head faster than the wine.

“I’ll drink to that,” Rhys said, holding his beer up high.

Chapter58

Katie

“What?”

I waited until we were in the kitchen to ask the question that was hanging around unspoken. My mum and my sister were all shooting me long looks throughout dinner, ensuring that Dad’s amazing steak tasted like nothing in my mouth. Mum started scraping the plates clean and Mandie filled the sink with water, but I stepped forward.

“You’ve obviously got something to say.”

Mum straightened up and shot me a long look. “The guys seem lovely. Rhett is a quiet one, but he got your father rabbiting on about the differences between LPG gas and smoking meat with wood, so he’s happy. Rhys seems sweet and is very focussed on you.”

“But…”

I waved a hand impatiently, which was rude, but right now it felt like I was standing before an executioner with no means to get away. The axe was going to fall on my bare neck and I wanted the process done with.

“But right now those guys are on their best behaviour,” Mandie said, turning around to face me. The sound of the water filling the sink was setting my teeth on edge, my head pounding in time. “This is as good as it gets.”

Which was amazing, I wanted to say. Rhys and Garrett teasing me as I tried to watch TV, then finishing the night sleeping in Rhett’s arms. I couldn’t have planned a more perfect evening if I tried, and it was clear that neither member of my family could see that.

“Which is pretty damn good,” I snapped. A pause and I shook my head, wanting to control my temper. I hadn’t wanted to bring the guys here yet. To my mind, it was all early days, but now I realised it was more than that. It wasn’t just the guys who were being judged. I was too. “They are so sweet. We have fun, go out and do cool stuff, or stay in and they wait on me hand and foot. Rhys faced down some dickhead who was hassling me at the gym, then rescinded the guy’s membership. Rhett took me hours out of town just to go to a brewery with cute dogs. Garrett is amazing with Bronson.” The dog wagged his tail at the sound of his name. “He’s an incredible cook. We went to yoga…”

My voice trailed away as the two of them heard each one of my pieces of evidence impassively, like I was the accused and they were the judges hearing my case.

“So Garrett was late. It’s not a big deal. He was literally saving people’s lives.”

“No one is criticising Garrett for being stuck in the emergency department, Katie.” Mum’s hand rubbed my arm. “Anyone can see he’s dedicated to what he does.”

“You’re doing it again.” If Mum was good cop, Mandie was the bad one. She stared me down, willing me to see it. “Accepting people’s scraps like it’s some kind of banquet.”

“That’s not fair,” I replied.

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