Glue Holding it Together–1
The cabin is warm enough by the time we step out the shower.
I dress in my pajamas already, tired from the day. It’s not even late but something tells me we’ll all be heading to bead early. I’m wearing a pair of long socks that Zaid got me and his warm hand engulfs mine as we make our way downstairs to kitchen.
I’m practically limping, and Zaid looks down at me with an apologetic expression. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
I snort. “Right.”
He stills, making me stop. “I didn’t.”
I lift myself onto the tips of my toes and press my nose to his. “I know you didn’t. But you
can’t tell me that you don’t like fucking me hard like that.”
He groans under his breath.
“And I can’t tell you that I don’t like it, either. Because I do.”
He cups the back of my neck, pulling me in for a kiss. I let him devour me untiul I’m weak in the knees again, but I can smell food in the air and I playfully shove at his chest.
“Come on.”
The moment Zaid and I step into the kitchen, I catch the full scent of garlic and vegetable. The warmth of the stove heats the space and steam billows out of the pot.
Aiden is at the stove, stirring the pot while Jake stands at the counter slicing bread. They
both look freshly showered, their hair damp, their clothes clean and comfortable.
I smile at myself, suddenly content. Like this, is what I’ve been waiting for. To see them and do nights like this together.
Aiden’s eyes flick up as we enter, and a slow, knowing smirk spreads across his lips. He lifts a brow, looking between the two of us. “The walls here are thin, fyi.”
I freeze mid–step, my entire body heating as mortification floods through me.
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4:13 pmt
Glue Holding it Together–1
Jake doesn’t even look up as he adds his two cents. “We heard every scream.”
My hands fly to my face, but it does nothing to hide the deep red I can feel creeping up
my neck.
Zaid just smiles, looking entirely too pleased with himself. He shrugs as he pulls out a stool at the kitchen island and sits down. “Good.”
Jake huffs a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he carries a bowl of bread to the table.
“You’re insufferable,” I mutter at Zaid.
His smile widens, and he grabs my hand, kissing my knuckles until I basically have to pull my hand from him.
The four of us settle at the dining table, the food is passed around, and for a little while, everything feels light. I let myself relax into the moment, enjoying the warmth of the cabin, the scent of the fire burning in the living room.
Jake sets down his spoon. “So tomorrow is my day and night with Alina.”
I blink. “What?”
Zaid watches me silently.
Aiden grabs a piece of bread from the middle of the table. “And the day after that is
mine.”
I sit up straighter, my stomach tightening. “Wait–what do you mean?”
Jake leans back in his chair like this is all completely normal. “I figured I’d make some reservations in town for just us,” he continues.
“No,” I say, the word slipping out before I can think.
Jake stills, his jaw tightening as his brows pull together. Aiden looks up from his plate, frowning at me like I’m incapable of the word.
I look at Zaid, and he’s just smiling at me. Not mocking, not teasing, but soft, like encouragement.
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4:13 pm
Glue Holding it Together–1
Jake narrows his eyes at me. “What do you mean, ‘no‘?”
I set my spoon down carefully, my heart pounding. “I mean, that’s not what I want.”
Aiden’s lips press into a thin line, and Jake’s frown deepens.
“I don’t want to be with you separately anymore,” I say, my voice soft but firm.
Silence. Only the sound of Zaid’s chair creaking as he leans back.
Jake exhales slowly, running a hand through his hair. Aiden glances at me, then at Zaid, and I brace myself for the argument that’s coming.
But I know one thing for certain. I don’t want to keep pretending that I need to divide myself between them. I want all of them.
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