Page 10 of Piece Us Together
My eyes accidentally lock with Maison’s. He mouths,it’s okay.
A tear falls down my cheek.
“You can call me anything you’d like, Nolan,” Hunter says as he hangs Maison’s coat beside mine. “As can you, Maison. It doesn’t have to mean anything. It’s just a word, until we all agree to give it meaning.”
If only he knew just how much meaning that single word has to me, regardless of his opinion on the matter. If only he knew just how badly Maison reacts to being called it. If only he knew just how much of a wedge that single syllable has been in our relationship.
If only he knew the single moment of sheer relief I’d felt when the word had slipped past my lips before I had the chance to regret it.
“I have a full kitchen,” Hunter continues. “I’d love for you to make us something to munch on, Nolan. Nothing heavy or fancy.”
I look at Maison again, not sure what I should do. I want to cook for them—of course I do. But it scares me how badly I want to. It scares me what that wanting might mean. What any of this wanting inside of me might mean.It’s too much wanting, right?I’m a terrible person for all of this wanting.
“He’s a great cook,” Maison agrees, his eyes never leaving mine. He even manages a wobbly smile. “You won’t be disappointed in whatever he manages to whip up.”
“I have a feeling I won’t be disappointed with anything when it comes to the two of you, but I appreciate the assurance.” Hunter places a hand on the nape of my neck. His other hand settles on the small of Maison’s back. The touches are just enough to turn us toward the kitchen before he’s hands-off again. “What do you say, Nolan?”
I nod. “Okay.”
“Thank you.” He smiles at me, his teeth white and straight except for a single canine that’s crooked. His eyes are brighter now that we’re all inside. I had thought they were dark—brown, most likely—but they’re actually hazel, leaning more toward green even. Bright. “He’s being so good for us already, isn’t he, Maison?”
The words zip along my spine until I can feel them vibrating every cell of my body. It only gets better when I catch Maison’s proud smile. “You have no idea.”
I have to hurry past them to the kitchen before I do something stupid like cry or fall to my knees or beg them to figure out a way for me to go from beingMaison’sto beingtheirs.
Chapter Four
Maison
“I hope you don’t mind me encouraging him to cook,” Hunter says low in my ear as we watch Nolan move around the kitchen, pulling things out that don’t seem to even go together. I know him well enough to know they do, though. “He looked close to panicking. Less room for his mind to spin if he’s busy. Did I overstep?”
“Not at all. That was a good idea.”
“You, however,” he murmurs, his voice dipping even lower. I hold my breath and keep my gaze firmly fixed on Nolan. “Not sure how to calm you quite yet.”
I release my breath slowly, keeping it perfectly controlled. “I’m fine.”
“Mmm. Sure. Whatever you say. I’ll play along for now.” He presses closer, until his elbow is touching mine on the breakfast bar. Then he raises his voice to address the both of us. “I’ve given your situation quite a bit of thought, but I wanted to make sure I have a few things correct before diving into any ideas. Is it alright if I ask you both some questions?”
Nolan pauses with a bag of bread in his hands, his cheeks flushing as he looks between me and Hunter. “Of course.”
“Sure,” I add, not feeling nearly as certain as Nolan is. It seems Hunter puts us both on edge, but unlike me where I feel like running, Nolan seems to just give in to it. Welcome it, almost.
“Maison providing domination is not an option, yes?”
My face burns with shame, but Nolan doesn’t give me the chance to try arguing. “Right. He hates it.”
“I can try—”
“No,” Hunter says firmly, his gaze sharp as he settles it on me.
I immediately back down. Something warm settles in my gut. Uncomfortably warm. It gets worse when he nods in approval at my silence. I don’t like it.
Well, I don’twantto like it.
“Nolan, in a perfect world, one that allows Maison to be who he needs to be while allowing you to get what you need as well, what would you want?”
Glad the focus has shifted back to him, I allow myself to relax a little as I wait for him to answer. He has his back turned to us. His shoulders rise and fall four times before he finally says, “I don’t know.”