Page 9 of Avalanche
“What about the rest of you?” Seth asks, looking around the table.
“I’m off in two days,” Antoine says. “And then I’m taking a bit of a break. Well, five days off, which is apparently a generous sabbatical according to the mountain.” He clears his throat, his gaze drifting studiously to the far wall of the kitchen as he rubs the back of his neck. “I’ve… I’ve got a few things to sort out. You know, since Grand-père died.”
Matty grimaces in sympathy but Antoine waves him off.
“It’s fine. Honestly. We weren’t close or anything. He was actually a complete… well. It’s just… you know… bureaucratic stuff.”
“Still sucks, bro,” Eddie points out. “Even if he was an asshole.”
Antoine hums in agreement. Liam reaches across to squeeze Antoine’s knee under the table. Antoine’s throat bobs and he looks between me and Liam, his lower lip catching in his teeth, his brow furrowed in thought.
“I’m off on Monday,” Matty rumbles, his own hand finding my thigh beneath the table. My pulse flutters hopefully at that light touch, at the idle stroking of his thumb and the gentle pressure of his fingertips. “Maybe we can hang out?”
“I’ll be off Monday too.” Liam’s lips quirk as he looks between me and Matty. “So, the four of us can hang out.”
Somehow, he manages to echo Matty’s innocent proposal in a way that sounds downright lascivious.
My fluttering pulse becomes a violent thundering as hopeful want squeezes tight in my belly. It’s been so long since I’ve spent any real time with these guys. Lately I’ve barely done more than cuddle one or two of them—usually Matty—before passing out from exhaustion.
“That would be nice,” I breathe.
Eddie scowls. “Fucking typical. Those assholes at the mountain rostered me to work this Monday.”
“Just backline.” Liam’s lips curve into a smirk as he adds: “Or don’t. And then I won’t have to share Lily with you.”
Seth gives Eddie a sympathetic look. “I’m working on Monday too. But only until 3pm. You finish at 4, right?”
“In theory,” Eddie grumbles. “Assuming they don’t let me backline.”
“Okay. Cool.” Seth’s fingers drum on the table, callused digits tapping out an almost frantic rhythm. “Um. Well, if you guys are all around on Monday afternoon… I know what we have is still pretty new. But I really want to introduce you guys to my parents. On the phone. Or like, video chat, you know.” He scrubs at his face, and I swear I can see his pulse rabbiting wildly at his throat. “I’ve told them all about you guys, and they really want to meet you.” He gives me an apologetic smile, then adds: “Especially Lily. But the rest of you guys too.”
I stare at him in wordless disbelief, my mind trying to process his rambling admission.
“Also, just to warn you, my mom might say something about grandkids. Ignore her. She’s insane. Wonderful, but insane, okay? I’m obviously not expecting that. I mean, I love kids. I’d love kids. But it’s only been a few weeks, you know?”
“Five weeks, technically,” Matty interjects sheepishly, as if that is the material point of Seth’s speech. Not the fact that Seth’s parents are apparently completely fine with their son being in a six-person polycule. Or the fact that Seth’s mom is already pushing for grandkids. “Well, five weeks tomorrow.”
Eddie’s eyes round and he stares between Seth and Matty as if they’ve both collectively lost their minds. “I’m sorry, what?” he chokes out. “Who is talking about kids? As in us all having kids?” Eddie circles one finger around the table, then gives me a pointed look. “That’s fucking… You don’t want kids, do you Missy?”
I rear back, mild panic tightening my chest.
No. No, I absolutely do not want to have kids. At least, not right now. Not any time in the foreseeable future. I mean, I like kids. I’m not against the idea of having children in general. But right now, I can barely keep myself fed and housed, and it’s taking everything I have to try to create a future for myself as a snowboard instructor.
“I’m only twenty,” I squeak out, shooting Seth a panicked look. “Don’t people usually have a dog first or something?”
Not that I’d be in any position to look after a dog right now, either. Honestly, I doubt I’d be capable of caring for more than a goldfish.
Seth shakes his head, his cheeks bright red as he holds his hands out in front of him. “Oh my god. Guys. I’m not saying we should have kids; I’m just giving you a heads up about my mom…”
Matty’s hand tightens possessively on my thigh as he glares around the table. “If Lily doesn’t want kids, she doesn’t have kids. If I find out any of you aren’t using condoms, or if you’re pressuring her…”
I give an embarrassed whimper, my hands flying up to cover my face.
“I would love to meet your mum,” Liam chuckles, his voice full of dark amusement. “Can’t imagine a better way to end my day off. Wouldn’t you agree, love?”
I give a wordless response, my hands dropping to the table in time to see Liam’s grey eyes spark mischievously.
“Is she… do your parents know about all of us?” Antoine asks uncertainly. “They know you’re dating five people and they’re okay with it.”
