by Rye Hart
“I have to go,” Lauren said.
“I really hope you’ll try to work this out with us,” I said.
She looked at me as she stood before she shook her head.
“I need some time,” she said. “This is all a little too much.”
Then I watched my best friend of over ten years walk out without even checking over her shoulder to see if I was okay.
CHAPTER 29
LIAM
“What do you want, Liam?” Lauren asked.
“Word around the block says you’ve talked with Samantha.”
“I’m a little tired. Can we do this later?” she asked.
“Samantha is distraught,” I said. “We’re going this now.”
“And what about me?”
“You aren’t being fair. Samantha is hurting.”
“And so am I, Liam. My best friend went to great lengths to hide this from me. After years of friendship and trust. And my brothers did, too. All of us used to be a family. And then Vegas changed all that. Sam lied to me about why she left a weekend we were all supposed to be celebrating like a family, you guys clammed up for Sam’s sake, and Sam didn’t once attempt to talk to me about anything. Now all of you are angry that I’m angry for being left in the dark?”
“Lauren.”
“No one told me the truth. My best friend was hurting and in pain and taking punches left and right, and no one told me. We’re family, Liam. You’re my brother. And Sam’s like a sister to me.”
“Then if she’s like a sister, why are you treating her like a pariah?” I asked.
“Because this is insane, Liam. All of it.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose as Lauren continued her breathless tirade.
“My best friend slept with all of my brothers. At once. She doesn’t know who she’s married to. She doesn’t know who knocked her up.”
“I’m sorry. Look—”
“No. For once, you look. Not all of you can love her. Not all of you can have her. That isn’t how this works. That’s ludicrous. Who does that, Liam?”
“I do. All of us do, actually.”
“Sam asked for my approval to be with all of you guys. And I can’t give it to her.”
I whipped my head up at her statement as my brow furrowed deeply.
“She asked for that?”
“She did,” Lauren said. “And I’m torn, Liam. Torn in ways I never thought possible. I know my best friend’s hurting, but I’m hurting, too. All of this happened behind my back leading up to my wedding, of all the times for this to happen. I spent my entire honeymoon ignoring phone calls and trying to salvage what part of a vacation I could before Todd was called back into town, and then I get back and Sam wants to have dinner to try and convince me that her screwing around with all of my brothers wasn’t planned? Like that makes it any better.”
“You said she tried asking you for permission to be with all of us. What did you mean by that?” I asked.
“Damn it, Liam. Is that really all you’re going to focus on?”
“The focus has been on you for months, Lauren. It’s time for you to refocus. If you care about Sam at all, then you’ll try to see this from her point of view. She’s pregnant, her parents officially want nothing to do with her ever again, and she’s being tugged between her best friend and four men that love her.”
The call fell silent, and I knew what question was coming next. Samantha had called me after the meeting with my sister and gave me the rundown of what had happened. She said she wanted to “warn us” in case she came after the guys or me. I figured I would get out ahead of it before things got worse, but something told me I would only be adding to the conversation Lauren was already fighting against.
“So, you guys do love her,” she said.
“We do. And I know you don’t understand it. You act like we wholly and completely get it, but we don’t. We’re still figuring things out as we go along. You act like we planned all of this behind your back, but we didn’t. We all had drinks, we all congregated, and emotions that had been welling inside of all of us for years came out. It’s not ideal, and it’s not normal, but that’s what happened. And we’re all owning up to that and trying to make the best out of the situation.”
“But all four of you? That can’t happen, Liam. That shit just doesn’t happen.”
“Well, it’s happening now,” I said. “Samantha’s incredible. She’s intelligent and driven. Beautiful and cunning. Headstrong and stubborn and wise beyond all of the years she’s been on this earth. That woman’s been through hell and back, and I won’t let you or anyone else put her through anymore hell. This isn’t about her any longer. She’s growing a child, and every emotion she experiences affects that tiny life she’s growing. So, from now on, until you can come to a personal decision on your own as to whether or not you’ll accept this, you deal with us.”
“And you think Sam’s going to like that?” she asked.
“Right now? She doesn’t have a choice. And neither do you. You’ll deal with us until you can approach Sam without the negative emotions you’re experiencing. It’s our job to protect her, even if it’s from you.”
“Well, my honeymoon was great. Thanks for asking. I appreciate it. And yes, these past few months have been about me, but I’m not the raging bitch you all think I am,” she said. “I’m hurt, Liam. Like I told Sam, I’ve had to stand in the shadows and piece all of this together bit by bit because no one I considered my flesh and blood decided to talk to me. I’m not having any more of a different reaction to this situation than any of you did to me dating and getting engaged to Todd.”
“And you stepped up to his defense, did you not?” I asked. “You were the one that told us age was nothing but a number and that when it was right, it was right. No matter what anyone else thought or said to the two of you.”
The phone call fell silent and I knew I had her.
“We love Sam,” I said. “I love Sam. And we’re going to be there to take care of her through this trying time in her life. And beyond. So, if you want to be the friend you think you are to Sam, then you’ll support her. The way she supported you with Todd.”
My sister hung up on me, and I groaned. Fuck. This had spun too far out of control. I gathered my things and went straight to Samantha’s house. I needed to check in on her. To hold her in my arms. To reassure her that this would be okay, no matter how it turned out.
I drove over to Samantha’s and knocked on her door. She opened with red-rimmed eyes, h held her arms out for me, and I took her into my embrace, holding her close as I stepped us inside. I shut the door behind me and could feel Samantha quietly crying against my chest. It killed me to see her like this.
“Lauren won’t answer my calls,” Samantha said.
“Maybe that’s for the best for now,” I said.
“Why? Have you talked with her?”
“I have. She just needs time to process everything.”
“I want my best friend back.”
“I know you do. Come here.”
I ran my fingers through her hair before I scooped her up into my arms. I walked her back into her bedroom and sat down on the edge of her bed. She curled into my lap as tightly as she could. Balled up into a little ball and finally let those tears fall. Tears I knew she’d been holding back for weeks.
Finally, we were getting somewhere.
“Samantha, look at me.”
She shook her head as her face crinkled up again. I crooked my finger underneath her chin and guided her eyes to mine. Tears began to brew again, and I caught one on the tip of my thumb. I didn’t want her to cry. I didn’t want her to hurt, all I wanted to do was make the pain go away.
“I love you,” I said, enraptured by her beauty and her pain.
I watched her eyes widen as I bit down on the inside of my cheek.
“I love you, Samantha. Every part of you. And if there’s any chance that you want to be with me, then I want to explore it. Because you’re all ther
e is in my eyes. You’re all there’s ever been.”
Shock covered her features as I slowly guided her lips to mine.
“I love you,” I whispered against her skin. “I love you so much, Samantha.”
And as if the heavens above opened wide, I felt her finally give way. I felt her melt into me as her hands dragged me to the bed, pulled me on top of her, and parted her lips to welcome my kiss. I raked my tongue against hers. I threaded our fingers together. I pinned her hands above her head and felt her legs automatically part for my body. Samantha. My beautiful, breathtaking Samantha. I felt her heart fluttering against my chest. I felt her nipples puckering against my body. I kissed down her cheek. Her neck. Her clothed breasts. I scooted down between her legs as she shivered and sighed.
Such beautiful sounds.
But I was ready for her to make some noise.
Clothes came off in piles until I was staring at her bare pussy. Shaved and smooth, and glistening underneath the light of her bedroom. I stuck my tongue out, lapping up her slit as her hands tangled in my hair. I watched her swollen breasts bounce, her hips rolling into my lips. She tasted divine. Different from the last time I’d had her against my face. My hands slipped around her thighs and pulled her close as my tongue pressed into her clit.
“Liam. Oh yes, please.”
I hummed into her pussy and felt her shake against me. I licked and sucked, flicked the tip of her clit until her toes were curling into my back. Her thighs squeezed my cheeks, and her juices poured from her pussy.. I watched her skin flush. I watched the lightest sheen of sweat appear on her brow. I held her hips down, controlling her movements as her sighs and gasps turned to cries of ecstasy.
“Please, Liam. I need to come. I need you to make me come.”
I raked my tongue along her clit, watching as her entire back bowed. She gripped my hair so tightly I thought she would pull it from the root. I held onto her hips. I felt her buck ravenously into my face. She whimpered and groaned, losing all control of her body.
Which was exactly what I wanted.
The second her back collapsed to the bed, I rushed up her body. Crashed our lips together before pinning her hands above her head again. My cock sat at her swollen entrance, pulsing with want and ready to make her mine again. She licked her juices off my lips, marveling at the taste of us. I kissed those pouty, precious lips of hers and committed their feel to memory.
“I love you,” I said in a whisper.
“I—”
My eyes flew open, and my heart began to soar. She almost said it. Almost. I could see it in her eyes. I could feel it in the way she cradled me against her body. But for some reason, she stopped herself.
I lowered my body onto hers and felt her wrap her legs around me. I gazed into her beautiful sparkling eyes as a small smile crept across her cheeks. It didn’t matter if she said it. Not to me. I could see it etched upon her features. Rolling behind her eyes. And I wanted her to feel my love for her. I didn’t want there to be any question in her mind as to how I felt.
So I slammed my cock into her body and watched that smile widen.
“Oh shit!”
“Oh yes,” I said. “Let me in, beautiful.”
I snapped my hips against hers, feeling her breasts bounce against my body. I dipped my lips to the crook of her neck and sucked a patch of skin between my teeth. I wanted to mark her. Make her mine. Force her to remember everything she was feeling at this exact moment. Her pussy swallowed my cock whole, drenching it in juices that were already running down my balls. Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer as I pounded into her body. I pinned her hands down, rendering her immobile as the sounds of skin slapping skin filled the room.
“Yes, Liam. Don’t stop! So good. You’re so good to me.”
“Always,” I said as my lips kissed down her chest. “I’ll always be good to you.”
I drew one of her nipples between my lips, and she arched into me. My face became buried in her cleavage, and I drew in her scent. Kissed her skin. Nibbled on her engorged peaks until she was a whimpering, moaning mess. My knees dug into the mattress. I thrust as far as could inside of her. Electricity shot to the tip of my dick as fire escalated up my spine.
Her pussy clamped down around me, pulling me in deeper still as her walls pulsed against my shaft.
“Samantha. Holy shit. Your pussy—it’s too good.”
I slammed into her. Pressed myself against her swelling walls. Her body darted underneath me. Wiggled against me. Tried to meet me thrust for thrust as her lungs gasped for air. I rose up onto my knees and tugged at her arms, arching her closer to me as her moans filled the room. Sweat dripped down my brow as I pounded into her.
“Come with me, Samantha.”
“I’m so close.”
“Come with me.”
“Liam, right there. Right there, please!”
“Now!”
I sank myself deep into her body as she exploded. Her jaw unhinged in silent pleasure, and her nails curled into the tops of my hands. Her pussy fluttered. I spilled into her, my toes curling as involuntary groans emanated from my throat. I dropped to her. I blanketed her. I felt her quaking as my cock filled her to the brim with pump after pump of sweet release, until our intermingled juices were seeping onto the bed below us.
My forehead fell to hers, and we breathed one another’s air, our fingers still intertwined, and her legs still wrapped around my body.
My face fell into the crook of her neck as I released her hands, and I felt her wrap them around me.
I felt her pull me closer.
I felt her lips fall to my shoulder as she graced my skin with her kisses.
My head was swimming. I was physically weak against her. Never had an orgasm rendered me as helpless as I felt in that moment. My legs jumped. My hands were shaking. My vision was blinded by the white-hot presence of ecstasy that only Samantha could deliver. Her pussy was still squeezing my cock. I sat there, sheathed within her warmth, taking in her sweet lips against my sweat-drenched skin.
We laid like that until our heartbeats settled against the other.
“Liam?”
“Mhm?”
“Did you mean what you said?”
I lifted my head and gazed into those big, bright eyes. They were filled with so much uncertainty. So much fear. Emotions she wasn’t showing me before that she was now allowing me to see.
“Every syllable of it,” I said.
And as she reached up for my lips, I cradled her head in the palm of my hand. I’d stay with her for as long as she needed. Until she kicked me out and told me it was time for me to go. I’d crossed a line I knew I was never coming back from, and in the pit of my gut I was okay with that.
Samantha was worth it.
CHAPTER 30
LUKE
“Hey there, Luke. I’m glad you called.”
“Hey Sam,” I said with a smile. “Why’s that?”
“Because I was just thinking about you.”
“You were?”
“I was. To what do I owe this phone call?”
“I want to get dinner with you,” I said. “Are you free tonight?”
“I won’t be free until later. Like around seven. I’ve got work I’m trying to catch up on, so I’m taking advantage of the fact that I’m feeling a little better.”
“Could I pick you up around seven thirty then? It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. I just want to see you.”
“That actually sounds nice. Thank you, Luke. I’ll see you then.”
“Great. I can’t wait,” I said with a smile.
I hung up the phone and tried to bide my time until it was time for me to go get her. I couldn’t wait to see Sam. To hold her in my arms again and look into her eyes. Having her answering my calls and agreeing to see me was a massive leap from where we were before, and I felt hope surge through my veins as I got ready to go pick her up.
“You look fantastic,” I said as I took her into my arms.
> “I’m wearing jeans and a tank top with a cardigan, Luke.”
“And you fill it out wonderfully.”
Feeling her lips press against mine sent my heart slamming against my chest.
“So where are we headed?” she asked as I escorted her to my car.
“I figured that soup and sandwich place up the road. I don’t want to take you into anywhere too heavy in case all the smells make you sick.”
“Always making sure things are covered. I’ve always loved that about you, Luke.”
My head whipped over to her as I opened my car door. Did she say ‘love’?
“Could I talk to you about something?” Sam asked.
“Of course you can,” I said as I backed out of the parking spot. “You can talk to me about anything. You know this.”
“I’m worried about Lauren.”
I nodded as I listened to her draw in a deep breath. I slipped my hand over to hers and laced our fingers together and I could feel her trembling. I knew this was taking a toll on her. We were all aware of the conversation her and Lauren had. But I wanted her to talk without me interrupting, so I kept my thoughts to myself.
“I know she’s really upset, but I miss my best friend,” Sam said.
“Lauren needs time. She always does. She’s a hothead in the immediate vicinity, then she has to backtrack and process. She’s like an odd mixture between Logan and Levi.”
“Hell of a combination,” she said, sighing.
“What else is on your mind?” I urged.
“Liam told me he loved me.”
I flickered my gaze over to her, watching her as she studied me.
“I figured he would be the next to come around,” I said.
“Wait, so you know he does?” Sam asked.
“I know we all do. But I know my brothers are stepping in territory that’s unfamiliar to them.”
