Page 125 of Perfect Three

“I won’t.”

“Can you grab some milk?We’re gonna need plenty of coffee later.”

“Will do, hon.”

Jack settled back against the pillows.The past weeks had been hell.He and Sebastian had tried forgetting Lucy, but it was impossible.Too many things reminded them of her—the way she’d laugh, the sexy way she’d dance with them each time they went to theme nights, the way it felt to have her between them while they slept.Even driving past the tourist spots like the Three Sisters painfully reminded them of her.

It had surprised him how fast they had both fallen in love with her and how quickly she adapted to their lifestyle.There was no jealousy—she treated them the same.She often said she was glad she’d never have to choose between them because she loved them both.

Time passed slowly.

Jack kept checking on Lucy, but by three-thirty she seemed to have settled into a more natural sleep.Around four, he heard a car door slam.That has to be Seb back.Carefully climbing off the bed so as not to disturb Lucy, he went down the back stairs.

Sebastian was just putting milk in the fridge.

Jack walked over and put his arms around him.“She’s still asleep.”

“Good.”Sebastian’s voice sounded unsteady.

Jack wasn’t surprised at the fear he could hear.Yes, he was always so strong.Nothing seemed to faze him.He would get quiet when he was upset, but this had shaken him to the core.Since they’d found Lucy drunk, it was as if he’d shrank inside of himself.The thought that Lucy was drinking to get enough courage to commit suicide had rocked them both, but after those tears he’d shed earlier, it now appeared Sebastian was folding himself into a ball to hide away.It was obvious exactly how much this had affected him.

Jack worried Sebastian wouldn’t talk to him about his fears.

Jack wrapped his arms around him.“Dearest, she’s going to be fine.We’re with her now and we’ll never leave her.”

Sebastian tilted his head to rest it on his lover’s shoulder, but Jack felt how stiff he held himself.

“She’s going to be okay, Seb.She really will.Let it go, let the pain go, my love.”

“I know she’ll be fine.”

His voice sounded terse.There was a quavering in it, and Jack knew he was trying hard to hold his emotions in check.He pulled Sebastian closer and kissed the side of his face gently.Sebastian resisted at first but then clung to him, and all at once Jack felt him shudder, felt tears fall onto his hand.He held him tight as Sebastian sobbed wildly.

“It’s okay, dearest.We’re back with her.”

After a minute or two of crying, he whispered, “I know.”He sniffed and wiped his eyes.“It just ...it shook me.”

“Me, too.I hate to think what she’s been going through all alone.”

Sebastian shuddered so Jack kissed his head then pushed him onto one of the wooden kitchen chairs.

Sebastian’s voice held such agony as he said, “It scares me when I think of what she may have done.”

“Come on.I’ll make you a coffee.”He set about using the machine Lucy had bought a few months back.In no time, he had an espresso for himself and a short black for Sebastian.

Opening the pantry door, he whistled.“Shit, there’s hardly anything in here!”

“I know.It’s bloody empty.”

Sadness threatened to overwhelm Jack.“Our poor darling Lucy.Let’s go sit in the conservatory.I need to hold you close.”

Jack checked Lucy was still fast asleep then the two men carried their coffee inside and settled on one of the couches after turning the kitchen light on in case Lucy woke.Jack put his arm around Sebastian and let him lean against him.They sat drinking their coffee, both gaining comfort from the other.

Sebastian sighed then said, “Geoff rang me on the way to the club.Allison’s apparently in a state.All he could say was he was thankful she’d come here today.I told her we’d gotten Lou into bed and she was asleep.He kept apologizing, but as I’ve told him plenty of times over the past weeks, none of this was his making.”

“Wonder what made Allison change her mind?”

“Maybe seeing Lucy lately.Like you said, she’s lost weight.She’s got dark rings under her eyes, and her hair’s straggly.It’s obvious she hasn’t looked after herself.”

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