“And how are you going to do that? You can’t protect me. I’m just going to have to find a way to get the money together somehow.” But how? That was the question. I am barely surviving as it is. I owe Richard money, I have rent to pay, bills, and as of today I’ve walked out on the only job Ihad.
“I can protect you,wecan protect you. This isn’t on you. You shouldn’t have to deal with this burden. We’ll deal with ittogether.”
“We?”
“Max and I…” Bryce takes a deep breath. He looks troubled. It hasn’t gone unnoticed that he’s failed to mention Hudson. My heartconstricts.
“What aboutHudson?”
Bryce swipes a hand through his hair. “Admittedly, at first we were all upset and angry when you left without saying a word. We dealt with that rejection differently. Max partied. I threw myself into work and Hud… Hud dealt with it the worst, Louisa. He’s not been himself atall…”
“What do youmean?”
“You’ve had a shit day already. I didn’t come here to make it worse. I just wanted to persuade you to come seeus.”
“Bryce, don’t avoid my question. What do you mean?” Iinsist.
“He’s withdrawn, angry. He doesn’t go out but when he does it’s to get pissed. He doesn’t want to work. He barelyeats.”
“Oh my God, I had no idea. I didn’t know. I’m so sorry, this is all such a mess.” This time I can’t prevent the tears fromfalling.
Bryce scoots closer to me and pulls me into his arms. “Don’t, okay. You couldn’t have known that would happen. You were upset, you acted on instinct. You didn’t think we cared enough about you, and that is our fault for not making it plain, for not convincing you enough. Jesus, wewerelotharios, wediduse women. You saw first hand what we were like. But believe me when I say, Louisa, you mean the world to us. Hudson wouldn’t have taken it so hard if you didn’t. Max and I have better coping skills. Hud’s past is the most fucked-up.”
“What should I do?” I say, pulling out of his armsslightly.
He wipes gently at the tears on my cheeks. “Come home with me. You can have a room at our place. Stay with us for a bit. We can look after you, we can make sure you’resafe.” He is completely sincere, and I am utterly takenaback.
“Move in with you? Ican’t.”
“I think it would be a good idea while we sort this situation out. Then you can decide whether you want to staypermanently.”
“You want me to move in permanently?” I don’t know what to say to that. Yes, we had a few amazing weeks in France, and a couple of mind-blowing days, but I barely know them. I want to get to know them, but moving in? That’s just crazytalk.
“Don’t do that Louisa, don’t discount it until you’ve had time to consider,” Bryce says, frowning. “Look, come stay with us for a few days. Let’s try and figure out what it is we are doing here. All of us. Then we’ll decide how we moveforward.”
I remain stunned for a moment. Don’t get me wrong, a huge part of me loves the idea of it. I’ve missed them all. I don’t know how many times I’ve thought about them over the last few weeks. But I’m nothing if not a realist. It’s one thing being with all three men in the confines of the cabin, quite another here in reallife.
“But… this isn’t normal. There’s three of you and only one of me. What will peoplethink?”
Bryce laughs. “I don’t give a shit what people think. Besides, who wants normal? I sure as hell don’t.” I smile atthat.
“What do Max and Hudson think? What about Nisha, I can’t just leaveher.”
“Max knows I’m here. Hudson will be okay once we explain why you left. I know he will… Who’sNisha?”
As if right on cue, Nisha steps into thekitchen.
“I’m Nisha. Who are you and what the hell have you done toLouisa?”