So Rare (Boys of South Chapel #3)

27. Hunter

Chapter 27

Hunter

NOW

Greedy and I stayed hidden away until mid-afternoon. The time together to reconnect and just be was invaluable. I’m certain he was texting with the guys to keep them updated. He allowed us to stay hidden away longer than I expected him to, honestly.

Now, though, we’re both anxious to talk to Spence and Levi. Me especially, after learning how everything went down over the last few days.

We don’t have to go far to find Levi. He’s stationed in Decker’s at-home gym, straddling a bench as he does a set of bicep curls. He looks intense, sweat-slicked and scowling, his gaze focused on his form in the mirror.

Until this moment, I haven’t been sure how to approach him. But the second I lay eyes on him, knowing how badly he’s struggled over the last few days? I’m desperate to ease his worries, to make damn sure he knows just how important he is to me.

Forget easing into anything. I just need to act, for his sake and mine.

Catching his attention in the mirror, I saunter forward. When I’m close enough to reach out, I place one hand on his shoulder.

He freezes, tension bunching in his muscles, and I swear he’s holding his breath, too.

I straddle the bench behind him, scoot forward until my thighs press into his ass, then wrap my arms around him from behind and rest my cheek against his back.

“Daisy?”

Peering over his shoulder, I smile at his hopeful reflection in the mirror.

“I’m back,” I whisper, kissing his cheek and squeezing his hot, hard abdomen from behind.

The moment it registers, he sinks back into my hold.

Relief hits me so hard I wobble on the bench. “I’m so sorry, Duke.” I hold him tighter, willing him to feel my sincerity.

“Wasn’t your fault.” Voice husky, he rests his hands over mine on his abdomen.

“I know. But you still suffered because of it.”

As if he can’t let another second pass, he jumps up, turns, and repositions himself so we’re face to face. I swing my legs over his thighs, then circle my arms around his neck. Anything to be closer, to make sure he knows how much I care.

“I’m sorry I missed the meeting with your mom.”

He shakes his head. “I didn’t go. Couldn’t. Not without knowing you were okay.”

“I’m okay,” I swear, chest aching. “I’m so sorry I worried you, but I swear, I remember everything now, and I’m okay.”

With a nod, Levi offers me a sad smile. “It was just hard, ya know? Seeing you run into G’s arms, knowing that what you two have is so much stronger than—”

I press my fingertips to his lips, silencing him. “Please don’t finish that sentence,” I beg. “If we’re doing this…” I look over my shoulder to where Greedy’s standing in the doorway. I need him to hear this just as much as I want Levi to understand.

With a chin lift, he approaches, and when he gets close, I shift forward, pressing my front to Levi’s body and making room for Greedy at my back. Once he’s settled, I put a hand behind my back, offering it to him. Then I ghost my fingertips up Levi’s forearm and cup his face.

“I know what we have is newer, Duke, but it’s no less potent than what I feel for Greedy. It’s different, but it’s not less. I could tell parts of me were missing, but I think my mind was in survival mode, and I didn’t have the ability to focus on much of anything that was important to me.” Sniffling, I shrug one shoulder. “I hate how my brain works sometimes. Always have.”

“I love how your brain works.” Greedy moves in closer and kisses my temple. “Despite the darkness and the foggy parts. I love it, because it makes you who you are.”

I sniffle again, wiping away the tears that trickle down my cheeks as I sit between these two boys I love with my whole damn heart. I have to believe that even though I’m flawed—even though things are never easy for us—what we have is worth it. That I’m worth it. Because at the end of the day, they’re so damn worth it to me.

“I care about you so much, Duke. I—” The confession is on the tip of my tongue. I love Levi. I love him with every fiber of who I am and who I hope to be. But if I tell him that now, I worry it could distract from his pain and allow him to mask his true emotions. He deserves to process what happened.

“I want you.” I run my nose up his jaw and plant a kiss below his ear. “I want to be with you. And Greedy. And Spence.” I lean back then, pulling Greedy’s arms around my middle. “I want all of us together, in whatever way feels natural and good and right.”

Levi’s pupils blow out and his brows shoot into his hairline. He looks past me and locks eyes with Greedy. “You told her?”

Greedy squeezes my hips, then reaches past me to place his hands on Levi’s thighs. “I did,” he admits. “I hope that’s okay.”

Levi searches Greedy’s face before focusing on me again. He licks his lips, then sucks in a steadying breath. “You’re not upset?” he asks on the exhale.

“What? Of course not. Unless by upset , you mean horny…”

Greedy barks out a laugh, nipping at my neck.

“You’re sure you’re okay with us being together?” Levi hedges.

Sure doesn’t even begin to cover it. I rest my head on Greedy’s shoulder and tip it back, pressing my teeth into my bottom lip. “I’m sure. But maybe this is one of those situations where it’s easier to show him rather than tell?”

A matching grin lights up his expression. “I’m game if you are.”

Grinning, I rise and offer Levi my hand. “Come on, Duke. Greedy and I want to show you just how sure we are.”