Page 82 of Mayhem
“That I would have to push harder if I was trying to get rid of you or come out and say it.”
“Right, which means you’ll have to leave us if you want out. We’re in this for the long haul, Angel.”
“We aren’t little boys having fun. We came into this being honest and transparent with you,” Cruz stated. “Why would we do that if we weren’t invested in the relationship, if we didn’t want it to grow?”
Erin nodded, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. “I suffer from autophobia. It’s the fear of being abandoned and stems from my anxiety over those I care about leaving me, which started when I lost my sister and became worse when my mother died. Then, after a while, I could manage it better, but lately, it’s been gnawing at me.”
“Manage it how?” Paetyn questioned.
“I kept six people that I let in and no one else. I never let anyone else get that close, allow them that deep, but I’m letting you in. I’m getting attached, and I’m sorry.”
Cruz furrowed his brow, reaching over to the loveseat and pulling her up. He brought her to sit on his lap, facing Paetyn. “Why are you sorry?”
“Because it makes me…clingy, possessive, and probably annoying until I can convince myself that you aren’t going anywhere.”
Paetyn took her hands while Cruz ran one of his up and down her side. “Why don’t you let us convince you we aren’t going anywhere,” Paetyn stated. “And who said we didn’t like possessive and clingy.”
Cruz wasn’t sure she realized it, but she had already exhibited those traits. When either of them got up and sat back down, if they weren’t as close as before, she would move to them, make sure some part of them was always touching no matter where they were or what they were doing. What she called clingy didn’t bother them. Cruz was sure that touch was her love language. They also couldn’t fault her for being possessive when they werethe same. He understood what she was telling them. She needed reassurance; she needed to know they wouldn’t leave a void in her if she gave in and allowed them to do for her, give to her, and be there for her.
“We understand, but you have to understand that buying things for you, giving you things, doing things for you is all part of us convincing you. Of us showing you you’re safe with us,” Paetyn concluded.
Erin was quiet as she thought about it for a moment. “Okay,” she stated with a nod.
“That means it won’t be an argument anytime we try to do anything mentioned earlier, right?” Cruz asked. They needed to hear her say it.
“Yes.”
“Even if that means sending you on shopping sprees and spa days to relax or buying you a new car?” Cruz inquired.
“There’s nothing wrong with my car,” Erin countered.
“You told me three days ago that you have four lights on,” Paetyn reminded.
“So, it needs some maintenance. That doesn’t mean I need a new one,” Erin responded.
“Needing and wanting are two different things, and we plan to get you things you want. All you have to do is tell us,” Cruz told her. “There isn’t much we can’t give you. I told you once; it’s the perks of—”
“Of the two of you making ten figures together,” Erin interrupted. “Yes, yes. I understand, but when I start taking you up on that and want things, don’t blame me if you go broke.” Cruz and Paetyn shared a look, and Erin caught it. “What?” she questioned.
“He makes that by himself. So, you can try, but I don’t think you’ll succeed,” Paetyn supplied, and Erin turned to look at himwith a look that said she’d ceased to function for a moment, and he refrained from chuckling.
“You okay, Maly?”
“Yes, I don’t know why this is just sinking in. Maybe it was because I thought you made it half and half, which is still overwhelmingly rich, but you’re disgustingly wealthy.”
Both men laughed as she shook her head. Cruz had never been called that before, and the fact that she was only realizing that was amusing. She could have looked up his net worth at any point, though the numbers would have more than likely been a bit off. The fact that she hadn’t just proved that she wasn’t with them for what they could give her, which was why they wanted to.
“Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s watch some movies, and later, we’ll order takeout,” Paetyn said.
Erin slid off his lap to grab the remote, sitting between them when she returned. The first official disagreement was resolved. Check.
22
Erin rang the doorbell and waited with her sacks. She’d decided to surprise Paetyn and Cruz with dinner since she still felt terrible about what she said to them a couple of days ago and how she responded. She knew Cruz was still at work, but she’d checked to see if Paetyn was at home without giving away the fact that she wanted to stop by and cook for them.
“Hey, Angel,” Paetyn greeted when he opened the door. He kissed her briefly. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“I wanted to see you both and make dinner for you,” Erin responded, lifting the bags she held. Paetyn took them from her and stepped aside to let her in.
