Page 41 of Inked Beasts

“Thorn’s parents don’t know we’re dating,” I quickly add. “Could you … not mention it today?”

There’s silence from her side of the car until I look over to find her looking at me, her face lined with concern.

“Is there a reason you’re keeping it a secret?”

I try not to think too hard about my answer, because I don’t like keeping secrets from the Sanchezes, either. I’ve been joining the family dinners there every week since I came back to Vegas, and I love the warm togetherness they provide, but it’s been tricky.

I hate not being completely honest with them, but I just don’t think they’ll understand about me dating all three men. I try to put my mind firmly in a just-really-good-friends mindset every time I go over there.

“They’ve always treated me like a daughter,” I say slowly. “I’m not sure how they’d feel about me dating their son, and I don’t want to complicate things.”

She’s quiet for another long moment. “What does Kai think? I assume he knows.”

I immediately envision myself unhooking my seatbelt, opening the door, and hurling myself out into oncoming traffic to avoid answering this question, but it turns out I don’t have to, because my mom reads me way too well.

“Lexy? Are you seeing Kai, too?” Her voice rises, full of disbelief.

My silence answers her question, and I let it hang there, only giving her a quick look before I return my focus to the road.

“I see,” she says finally. “Of course, there’s nothing wrong with dating multiple men. That’s what dating is for, but dating two brothers and their best friend definitely makes things complicated.”

When I still don’t respond, she asks, “Do they all know you’re dating the others?”

“Yes! Yes, of course they do. I may be opting not to tell Kai and Thorn’s parents, but I wouldn’t deceive any of the men.”

“It’s still hard for me to think of them as men,” she says after a pause. “I was so surprised when I saw Thorn at the restaurant. So different from the young boy he was when we moved away.”

I nod, keeping my eyes straight ahead.

“After you told me the older boys had a tattoo shop, I looked them up online,” she continues. “I saw pictures of Kai and Gage. All three of them have grown into such handsome men.”

We’re getting close to the Sanchezes’ house, but it may not be too late for me to jump out of the car. “For the next few hours, can you please pretend I never told you any of this?” I beg.

“Of course, dear. Of course.”

And I do trust her. I wouldn’t have let myself confess any of this to her today if I didn’t believe she could be discreet, but it’s not going to make the day any easier.

KAI

“Remember, you’re under strict orders,” Gage says in a low tone to both Thorn and me, but it’s mostly directed at me. The three of us are alone in the dining room.

“What do you mean?”

“No shenanigans like last week,” he says. “I don’t know what you were doing under the table, but Lexy was not happy about it.”

“I disagree. She liked it a lot.” Gage doesn’t need to know this part, but when Lexy and I got together at my place after dinner last week, she was already wet and ready for me as soon as she walked in the door.

“It’s Thanksgiving,” Thorn says. “Our grandparents and cousinsand her motherwill be here. Don’t make Lexy have to sit here trying to keep a straight face while you cop a feel.”

I nudge my little brother out of the way with my shoulder before laying down a plate from the stack I’m holding. “Sometimes you’re no fun, Thorn.”

“That’s not what Lexy tells me.”

I give him another bump, harder this time, but I’m not as jealous as I pretend to be. Though he always stops short of sharing intimate details or saying anything crude, Thorn delights in reminding me that he’s spending time with Lexy, too.

He says it to get a rise out of me, but the joke’s on him. Strange as it is, I’m glad he’s happy, and I’m glad Lexy’s the one making him happy.

She’s making me happier than I’ve ever been, and it’s clear Gage has an extra spring in his step these days, too.

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