Page 22 of Dream Girl
Which meant that my hypothesis was correct and I was in another world. Buthow?Even if I had proved those theorems, how had I actuallybroughtmyself here?
I curled up on the couch, the movie still playing, the food abandoned, nausea washing over me, as I tried not to hyperventilate at my world being upended. “2643383279.”
All I could think of was that it had to do with whoever was chasing me.
“5028841971.”
My breathing slowed. Closing my eyes made it better, though the nausea remained. I hurt all over, and my head ached.
In some ways, seeing him was reassuring.He was real. I tried to wade through my sleepy brain to recall if Fade was correct about me having those theories as a little girl.
“6939937510.”
Those memories I wished I didn’t have reminded me that some harsh methods had been used to convince me that it was all a fantasy. It had taken a whole lot of therapy to get me where I was now. That made it difficult to just accept everything.
Part of me wanted to. Wanted him.
“Grace, Peaches, come here.” Evan came into the living room and launched his giant frame onto the massively oversized couch, hauling me into his arms and covering us with a fuzzy blanket.
While Fade hadn’t been small, Evan wasbig. Fade had a fierceness to him, under his church-boy good looks. Evan was a giant teddy bear. An exquisite, muscular teddy bear, with light brown skin, giant brown eyes, and short, very curly, dark hair.
I shouldn’t let him hold me. But I felt miserable.
Also, I shouldn’t have come home with a strange guy and his boyfriend. But there was something about him that was comforting. Like Fade had been so compelling all those years ago.
“I… I used to date your husband,” my voice went soft. “I didn’t know, I…”
“You can have him, but you get me, too,” he laughed. “I’m sure this is confusing for you. We’ll figure all this out, okay? Spencer will help. You’re going to love him. Hey, if I get to be too much, tell me to fuck off. I’m touchy feely and our pack makes a whole lot of sex jokes. But we’re all about consent here. So please, speak up.”
“I appreciate it.” Why did he smell so good? Why did Fade smell so good? I’d never been with two people before. How come I liked the idea of having him, too?
Fade walked into the living room, smelling of fresh laundry and sunshine. Tall and muscular, he drew your attention. His dark blond hair hung in his hazel eyes, and he had dimples when he smiled, and freckles.
Hot damn.
“I know, right?” Evan whispered. “Wes is hot.”
“Wes?” I blinked.
“That’s my actual name. I guess you don’t remember. For a while I tried to be cool and go by Fade, but it didn’t stick. Come here, Peaches. I… I didn’t mean to be a dick back there. I’m sorry. It’s just a little shocking that you’re here after all this time.” Fade, no, Wes, squeezed in with us, pulling me into his arms. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
“I don’t know how I got here. But I don’t think I brought myself here. Sorry. As romantic as it is that I might have crossed the universe for you, I think I was chased.” I sobbed, hurt at the thought of disappointing him.
“Peaches, it’s okay. It doesn’t matter how you got here. You’re with me and Evan now,” he soothed.
I felt cozy and safe with them. The day had been so confusing.
“There’s so much I can’t remember.” I melted under the muscles I could feel beneath his button-down. He whispered into Evan’s ear, and Evan kissed him.
All I could do was stare. That washot.
“I think she likes what she sees, don’t you, Peaches,” Evan teased.
“How did you snag such a cute husband?” I deflected.
Wes looked away, hurt clouding his eyes. “Your disappearance fucked me up. I went into the military. There I met Evan.”
“I’m so sorry. In the end, I just couldn’t hang on anymore. I tried. I’m so sorry that I was weak.” My chest shook. I’d felt so bad about hurting him by giving up, but in the end–and moving forward–I had to focus on myself so I wouldn’t go under. Or die.
