Page 10 of Ribbons and Role Play

Knight goes first. “Would you consider a relationship with us?”

Whoa. Us? I play it cool while trying to figure them out. “I wouldn’t know how to pick.”

“We’re not asking you to pick.”

Nova wrings his hands and is the only one of them not staring at me.

Axel says, “We’re sure you’re fully aware of other sibling groups and unusual relationships in the area.”

Words fail me because if I admit this, I’m admitting so much more, so many hidden desires. But getting out from under my father’s thumb, only to submit to my three brothers? Is that what Real-World Wendy wants? Fantasy Wendy is banned from voting.

“I am aware of them. I just don’t think it can work for us.” I lower my eyes. “I already got fired for running away from my wedding. If we…” I motion between all of us. “If any of us become a thing, Dad will hold it against whoever’s involved. I can’t take you down on my sinking ship.”

Knight says, “If you’re on a sinking ship, I want to be by your side to save you from drowning.”

I glance at Nova and Axel. They both nod.

Axel says, “We can pull this off. We can keep it between us at first, test drive the relationship before any reveal. We want to be on it with you.”

The last thing I want is a relationship but Fantasy Wendy seems to have found a way to ball gag me when I open my mouth. I reach a compromise with her so I can do more than stand there gaping.

She allows me to ask, “How can you know you want a relationship with me?”

Knight says, “It’s hard to explain.”

“Yeah, like trying to explain flight to a snail.”

Axel laughs. “You’re hardly a snail, but I’ve always thought there was something special about you. I kept it quiet, a taboo thought, wanting my stepsister. But watching Knight fuck you, my future has never been so clear. I need you.”

Need? Fantasy Wendy loves Axel’s word choice. I attempt to dial it back. “You want to have sex with me.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I feel a sense of freedom when I’m with you. I don’t get as caught in my head when I have a conversation with you. It’s easy to be with you. I’ve never felt that with anyone. I’m a better person with you.”

Axel makes me feel safe. He thinks everything out. Is considerate of his words. And I make him better? No. “You’re a good person period.”

“I have to disagree. I want a life with you so I can be the man I was meant to be.”

That’s too much. “You want non-sexual things?”

“Yes.”

“Name one.”

Without missing a beat, he says, “I want you to come on the toy run with us. We go to a bunch of locations that have been collecting toys, stopping briefly at each one so kids can come out and look at our bikes. Then we ride off with our big red Santa bags. Back at the clubhouse, we sort, wrap, and organize the toys for delivery.”

“But Dad said not to talk to me. If he finds out, he’ll be furious.”

“He can’t be furious that you helped with a children’s charity event. The media coverage is huge. Always a win for our family.”

“A win for the children,” I correct.

“Right, but all Dad sees is how good it is for the family image. He’ll get the fuck over it.”

No longer trusting my judgment, I can’t tell if this is an example of poking the bear, or an effort to remind Dad we’re still a family. “Okay, let’s do it.”

Seven

Knight

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