money, I’d still
be waiting to apply for the lottery. I’m afraid of losing my chance with you
somehow. This whole process has made me a little crazy.”
She stepped closer to him and put her hand on his cheek. It
was so weird, but she felt sorry for him. It was nice to feel sorry for someone
other than herself for a moment. Krista leaned forward, closing her eyes, and brushed
her lips lightly against his. When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her.
“Thank you,” he said tensely. They walked down the hall and
Jared opened the door for her.
The others glared at Jared suspiciously and he flushed
deeply. He held her chair for her and she sat down, quietly thanking him. Steve
served them in courses. She couldn’t remember a meal she hadn’t eaten cafeteria
style from a rectangular plastic tray. The meal was tense. She noticed them
giving her longing looks, and glaring at each other. By the time a dessert sat
in front of her, she’d had enough.
“I won’t pick,” she stated flatly. She heard a few forks
clatter and the men all looked at her with varying degrees of anger and horror.
“We’ve waited so long. Fuck,” Max mumbled.
“Tonight, I want you all to join me in my room. I don’t know
what will happen, but I can’t stand this…whatever this is!”
“Are you sure about this, Kristannie ?”
Braxton asked, raising his eyebrow.
“Yes. I can’t live with you all fighting over me. I want
everyone to be as happy as this terrible situation allows for. I refuse to live
in a house filled with intrigue, designed to get in my pants. Just promise me
we can go slowly, please. Okay?”
“As slow as you need,” Max reassured.
The dessert sat on the table, forgotten, as they all looked
awkwardly at each other.
“So were any of you…you know, sexual with each other?”
Krista asked, and immediately she heard choking. She turned to see Damon
struggling to swallow his water. Jared patted his brother on the back.
Malcolm snorted out a laugh. “When I was younger, I used to
get a lot of blowjobs from fans. I’d close my eyes and pretend they were
female, but no, I’m not attracted to guys, so it’s been rough on me.”
“We aren’t that kind of friends, and worse, some of us are related.
I’ve been with men, but it wasn’t what I wanted,” Damon told her.
“Dude, you never told me that,” Jared said, looking pale.
“You got a problem with it?” Damon asked his brother.
“No, it’s just—you’re my big bro and I guess I never thought
you’d be with a guy.”
“Deal with it, Jared. I had needs and found a solution to my
problem. I cared about the man I was seeing, but the relationship felt empty.
We were both lying to ourselves. Both of us knew we wanted a woman. We’re still
friends, but it just wasn’t what either of us truly wanted. Does that disturb
you, Krista?”
“No. If the situation reversed, I might have done the same
thing. No one wants to be lonely. I didn’t mean to cause more drama, but I was
curious.”
“Well, I’m finished. Anyone else finished?” Jared said. He
wiped his palms on his pants nervously.
“I think we should just get night number one over with. I’ll
be upstairs and you can all come to me as you please, together .”
“Wait just a goddamn minute here! No fucking way! Just
because we share you doesn’t mean I have to see all
their asses naked!” Max shouted at her. Krista flinched.
“You, calm down. Now. She’s
offering this for us, not for herself, you asshole. I’m in, and I bet everyone
else is too. If you don’t want to see my ass naked, then go to bed. I’m going
to her room!” Damon shouted at his friend. The two men glared darkly at each
other. Max threw his napkin on the table, but didn’t make a single move to
leave. No one said anything else.
She stood and the sound of every man in the room scooting
back his chair was loud and conclusive. She couldn’t watch as they stood
graciously for her to leave. She didn’t blame