Page 28 of My Three Roommates

“How come you’re not even surprised?”

“Because it’s natural.”

I try to choke out a laugh. “It doesn’t feel that way to me. The idea of being in a relationship with another guy is strange.”

“Strange in what way?”

“I don’t care how it is for any other guy.” The tension builds up in my chest. I’ve never felt this way before, never been so anxious about anything in my life as much as the idea of being involved with a man. “It’s strange for me. Way, way out there. Sex is one thing. A relationship with a guy is another universe. Let alone two guys at the same time.”

“Is it really so far out there? Do you think it’s wrong for me to want more with them too?”

“No.” It really isn’t. “That seems right. You and Cody, you and Tanner. There’s nothing wrong with that. It just works.” I can’t explain why. It just does.

“So why can’t it work the same way for you?” Kenna asks.

I open my mouth and close it again, speechless. Why shouldn’t it?

“You can’t let the way you think your life should be block what you truly want,” she continues. “Not being open to new experiences means you might as well not be alive. There’s no reason in the world to hold yourself back from finding happiness. Even if that doesn’t look the way you thought it would.”

The sudden sense of clarity Kenna’s giving me is overwhelming. She’s right. There are real connections forming between all of us. Even I can sense it. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before and I don’t want to lose it. No matter what.

“You can't let fear hold you back, Brad. Sometimes you have to take a chance, even when it scares you,” she says.

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to ignore the spike of adrenaline that jumps up inside of me. When I open them again, Kenna’s smiling at me in that same way she has that made me fall in love with her.

“Okay.” I stroke my thumb across her cheek. “I’m in. Let’s give this a shot.”

CHAPTER 16 TANNER

I’M THE FIRST one to arrive at the upbeat bar, claiming the only available table I can find. As the waitress sets down a cold beer in front of me, I catch sight of Kenna threading her way through the thick crowd. She waves when she spots me, her smile brightening.

“What are you drinking?” I ask as she drops into the chair across from me.

Kenna pushes her hand through her hair. “I have no idea what I want. What’s the best way to end a very long week?”

“A beer always does it for me,” I say. “I can tell you about IPAs, but not much else.”

Her nose crinkles. “I’m not in the mood for beer tonight. I’ve got to hit the restroom. If the waitress comes when I’m gone, will you ask her what she recs? Or better yet, surprise me with something.”

Brad and Cody find me just after Kenna steps away.

“I don’t want to wait,” Brad says. “I’m going up to order at the bar. What do you want, Cody?”

“Beer. Something dark,” Cody says.

“Kenna needs a drink too,” I tell Brad. “Bring her anything that’s not a beer.”

After he leaves, Cody glances around the bar with interest. “I’ve never been here before. What’s it like?”

“I don’t know, it’s a bar.” I shrug. “What do you mean?”

He leans in very close, his voice dropping. “What would happen if I kissed you right now?”

I rub my hands on my jeans. We’ve never shown affection in public before, and I know that bothers him. I’ve been dragging my heels on being open about our brand new relationship, but I need to change that. For Cody. He deserves it.

No time like the present.

“I think it’d be okay,” I say, my voice barely audible. “Why don’t you give it a try and see what happens?”

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