Page 28 of Double Dare

I don’t really think of it as sharing, either. Like…some dynamics just have more than two people, and I thought we might be one of those dynamics.

“We’re brothers,” he adds. “Can’t happen.”

“We’re not interested in each other, idiot.”

“No shit.”

I don’t even know why I’m pissed off now. Laken’s feelings are on the line. All this time I’d been focusing on Kade’s feelings because he’s the one working through a broken heart, but if he just sees this as some kinky sex for a hot minute, I’ll knock him the fuck out.

I stand up, ready to bolt. “I’m done with this conversation.”

“Sit down, Jed,” Mom snaps. She holds up the smokes as her way of keeping us here, so I rip the pack out of her hand and light a third. I’m gonna lose my job if I don’t slow down with this smoking shit. “Do you know what you’re doing?” Mom asks us.

“No,” we both say.

“You’re brothers.” We cringe. “And I don’t mean that in the way you’re taking it. You’re family, and no matter what happens, you’ll still be family when the outcome happens. Don’t forget that. But also, don’t forget that Laken has feelings. Are you putting her in a hard spot?”

Of course we are, but she’s right in the thick of it with us. I thought we were on the same page, but now I’m realizing that Kade still sees himself as an outsider. I get it. I had her first, and I fought him on it, but shit’s changing, and I’m not as afraid of that change as I used to be.

“Oh, trust me, Mom, we all had a fucking heart-to-heart about it,” Kade says.

I want to punch him because that heart-to-heart meant something different to me and Laken than it did to him.

“So, talk me through it,” Mom prompts.

“No,” I say. “There’s nothing to talk about. Kade’s into Laken, and Laken is into Kade. I’m not leaving, so somehow, the three of us are gonna work it out. If Kade gets his head out of his ass and realizes it’s not just about sex.”

“Not just…” he scoffs, shaking his head. “You gonna let me fuck her, Jed? Do I need to ask your permission every time I want to touch her?”

“No!” I stand up and let my fists do the talking. One brutal punch lands on his jaw. “You have to ask her permission!”

“Jed,” Mom scolds.

“I didn’t mean it like that!” Kade snaps, taking a swing at me. “The point is, she’s yours, and I’m the one getting in the way of that!”

Good fucking god. “We’re inviting you in, you dumb prick. What don’t you get about that? You think Lakes is just looking for some kinky sex? She wants you, Kade!”

“She wants both of you,” Mom interjects. “Sit down and stop being heathens.”

Kade and I glare at each other until Mom pulls rank and forces us to sit down.

“You wanna know what I think?” Mom asks. “I think this whole thing is a mess. I think you’re scared of what it looks like to society. I think you’re jumping into something without a plan, and that’s just immature. I think you’re both in love with the same woman, and instead of just accepting that, you’re too busy trying to respect each other, which, weirdly, is turning you both into assholes. Jed, you’re trying to respect Kade’s feelings. Kade, you’re trying to respect Jed’s relationship. And you’re both trying to respect the position you’ve put Laken in. Am I right?”

Reluctant yes.

“So here’s some fun things to remember,” she says, all sarcastic-like.

Here we go.

“Jed, be fucking proud of how secure you are in your relationship. Not many people have that level of understanding and connection with their partner. Kade, you found a once in a lifetime love when you were nineteen, and no matter how many people told you that your age made it infatuation, you didn’t let them sway you. You trust your instincts and don’t let anyone bully you away from them, and that’s something to be proud of. Both of you together? You have a bond like I’ve never seen before. So instead of letting that bond dissolve into fists and anger, try looking at it from the other’s perspective.”

“How?” I blurt without meaning to.

“Did you ever stop to consider that you both want to be with the same girl in different ways? Does that look like something that could work for you? The three of you?”

A three-way relationship with my brother? Society will burn us. But maybe she’s right. Maybe Laken and I have a relationship, and maybe Kade and Laken have a relationship. Maybe the three of us are just a unit, and Laken is that fulcrum point that ties us all together.

“Kade’s relationship is going to look different from yours, and vice versa. You need to find a dynamic that works for all of you, not just Laken.”