Page 92 of Double Pucked

“I do really like her,” I say again, and that’s completely honest.

“She’s convinced that my brother really likes you too.”

All I can do is smile. If I speak, she’ll hear the emotion in my voice.

Mercifully, the guys rejoin us, scooting into the aisle. I’m dying to ask Ryker what on earth is going on, but then he turns around and says, “Hi, Mom.”

My heart climbs into my throat. What the heck do I say to the woman who raised him? I turn, too, as he gives her a big, adoring hug.

I melt into a puddle.

Then, I go even squishier when Chase embraces his mother with a “Hey, Mom.”

And my head fills with confusing thoughts as I fall even harder for both men.

* * *

My mind is a train depot at rush hour, racing with ideas I never expected to entertain. I barely pay attention to the ceremony, but when Erik pledges to love Lisette for the rest of his life, my throat tightens. Tears prick my eyes.

Can’t help it. I don’t even know them and I’m overwhelmed with emotions and with hope.

Maybe I am a big old traditional romantic like my parents. Or maybe I’m a romantic in a whole new way. Here I am with a heart that’s being stretched between two men.

With a hope that’s making me think everything is possible.

When the officiant asks the all-important question, the bride gives a joyful, “I do.”

“You may kiss the bride.”

Erik cups her cheeks and kisses her, and my mind races way too far ahead.

How can three people even be together? How do you get married? How do you do Thanksgiving? How do you have kids? How do you do life? What do you say to others?These are my boyfriends, and this is our girlfriend? What will everyone think?

These thoughts dog me as the wedding ends and we make our way to the reception, where the photographer snaps pictures of all the guests. Chase and I stop and smile for the camera. Then Ryker and his sister, and so on.

Finally, before we can head into the glittery room, I pull the guys into an alcove and I whisper to Ryker, “I think your sister knows,” as a warning.

He winces, like he feels bad, but he nods, resolute. “I think so too.”

“What do you think she knows?” I ask, my nerves high and kicking through me.

“That you’re notmygirl,” Chase cuts in. “That you’reourgirl.”

God, that word—our.

It makes me crave a brave new future so badly. And in a way, it’s a relief that Ryker’s sister isn’t cringing or sayingget the hell away from me with your polyamory.

But on the other hand—the more important hand—I’m not their girl for much longer.

Only one more night.

Sure, Chase means what he says in this moment. But could he ever mean it beyond tonight? Beyond tomorrow?

I won’t know unless I put myself out there, and now isn’t the time to do it. Maybe later though. I can’t wait much longer. I feel like I’ll go mad if I don’t ask them if they want to be together with me.

For the moment, I focus on brass tacks. “Do you think she cares?”

“No, I don’t,” Ryker says, giving a simple answer to a complex question.

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