I scowl, shooting my words with impeccable aim. “You didn’t ask me to stay. It’s that simple.”
Reed steps in closer. “What if we ask you to leave?”
I’m so mad. This is ridiculous. Horns start to sporadically blow around us, making me raise my voice.
“You all but did ask me to leave.” My eyes connect with Cole’s. “You walked me to the door. Told me to leave the shirt on the bed. Nobody said anything when I said there wasn’t a reason for me to stay…that was your cue, dickheads.”
Christopher steps in, turning toward me, trying for privacy.
“Is there something I should know? Did you date one of these guys?” He chuckles nervously, adding, “Or a couple of them because they said we…”
I brush my newly acquired hot girl revenge bangs from my face as I let out a whoosh of a breath.
“Not now, Christopher. You’ll need a drink…or two, before I explain.”
Reed smirks, pushing poor Christopher back to his place.
“Christopher, get fucked. Also, I like your hair, sunshine.”
A growl rips from my throat. “I don’t care.” Lies.
Reed grins with that “up to trouble” look he gets as he keeps his eyes on me, raising his voice.
“Christopher, I can understand your confusion. Let me explain for our Samantha. I don’t know if you know, but my sunshine here is a huge slut. Massive.” Reed smiles down at me, and I try my level best not to do it back. So he keeps talking, “She’s got a body count like Mortal Combat. We’d probably be hard-pressed to fit them all in this room. So four guys was a cakewalk. The only problem is we’re not done.”
Chris pipes up to defend my honor, saying, “Don’t speak to her like that,” but my sister pats his shoulder, interjecting, “It’s all right, Chrissy, she likes it. And him.”
I shake my head, confused as I push Reed back. Did he say, we’re not done?
My hands are suddenly sweaty, so I wipe them down my cobalt blue gown before I swallow and try to put some heat behind my words.
“I answered your question. Now answer mine. Why are you here?”
Reed draws his bottom lip between his teeth before I feel his fingers lift my chin.
“We did. You weren’t listening. We’re asking you to leave with us.”
My heart is beating too fast. And I’m feeling dizzy. Or maybe I just wish I’d pass out to escape this moment.
Jace steps in, blocking Christopher, who tries to interject again, drawing my attention, but my sister smacks his shoulder.
“Read the room, dummy. This isn’t your moment. You are the supporting cast. Don’t worry, I’ll let you hit it later. Because I think that’s my date over there making out with that guy.”
We all look in the direction she’s pointing before Jace places his hand on my waist, his soulful eyes doing all the damage he’s intending.
“We like you, Samantha. And we want you. We’re fucking idiots for not telling you that, but there was shit we needed to work out. Negotiations so to speak.”
I brush Jace’s hand away, looking at each of these gorgeous tuxedo-clad men. I stop on Cole, noticing the faint bruise around his eye. His jaw tenses, but he winks.
“What can I say, negotiations were intense.” He starts toward me. “Because they were about something we all feel equally passionate about…someone we all want very much.”
I stare up at his face, at the stubble on his chin, wishing I could feel it between my legs. The truth finally bubbles over.
“But I don’t want another weekend. I want a chance at forever. And that’s unrealistic.”
“Wait…she dated all of them…at the same time?” Christopher blurts.
“Shhh,” my sister counters. “Supporting character, remember?”
People begin to cheer, noisemakers swirling, the sound bouncing off the walls as they yell ten.
“We were one weekend and one weekend only,” I yell. “That’s what you said.”
Nine.
Reed comes to my side, taking my hand. “Sunshine, when are you going to realize we always want what you want?”
Eight.
Jace sweeps my hair off my shoulder, staring back with pleading eyes. “Say yes, cutie.”
Seven.
I’m shaking my head. “This will be doomed from the start. What are we supposed to do? All date?”
Six.
Alec cradles my face. “Why not? We’re in to see where it goes if you are.”
Five.
My heart is racing. The guys are surrounding me. Waiting for me to say something.
Four.
But if I say yes—it’s too complicated. Too hard to navigate in the real world. Sooner or later, someone will get jealous. Or what if I fall for one of them more than the others?
Three.
I don’t want to have my heart broken. Let alone by four guys.
Two
But if I say no…
…I wake up tomorrow without them.
“Yes. I say yes.”
One.
I yell it over the music, barely able to get it out before I’m attacked. Balloons and confetti fall around us as kisses cover my face, neck, and hands. I laugh, trying to get my bearings, and like the anchor he is, Cole puts his hand around my throat, locking my eyes on his.
“The shiner was the price I paid to be first.”
His lips crash down on mine, and everything around us stops existing. And right there at that moment, surrounded by the guys I’m falling for, my tomorrow begins.
epilogue
one glorious year later.
“Dinner,” I call out, bending over to open the oven.
The smell of my homemade lasagna wafts through the air, putting a smile on my face. Because it’s their favorite, and since we’re back at the cabin for some pre-Christmas fun, I figured I’d pull out all the stops.
My brows furrow because I don’t hear the heavy footsteps I usually hear when I mention food or sex. I’m just about to turn around and yell for them again when music starts to play over the surround sound. And not just any music. It’s that damn Chipmunk song.
I scream-laugh, covering my face with my oven mitt as I turn around.
“I am not stripping to this again, you weirdos.”
But my mouth shuts. Because my eyes almost pop out of my head.
Standing in the middle of the room are Jace, Reed, Alec, and Cole—wearing only boxer briefs and Santa hats. All of their delicious muscles are on display, beckoning for my tongue.
This never gets old. Ever.
They start dancing around, calling me to join them. So I do. Because why wouldn’t I? This year’s been unexpected. We’ve faced down side-eyes, angry fathers—mine—and curious questions. But at the end of the day, when the lights go out, it was always us. And that’s all that matters.
I take off my apron, leaving me topless and in only my underwear as I saunter out into the room, lifting my arms to join their impromptu dance party.
Jace sweeps me up into his embrace, kissing my cheek before putting me down so Reed can sandwich me. Our bodies move like lovers, swaying and grinding. Cole tips my chin up, making me lean sideways as he kisses me.
“Wanna let us tangle you up in some tinsel?”
I straighten, biting my lip, wrapping my hand around Reed’s neck, who’s behind me. Jace dives down, taking my nipple in his mouth as I look over at Alec.