“Really? She’s lovely, though.” he says, sounding a bit surprised. I nod, remembering my childhood visits to my nan’s house. “I know. It’s just that my mom always said she never helped us out despite having so much money…”
Mike exclaims in frustration as he struggles to light the fire. “Fuck’s sake!” Cain notices Mike’s struggle and decides to lend a hand. With one swift movement, Cain lights the fire on the first try. Nate, amused by the situation, lets out a light hearted laugh.
Cain and Mike quietly make their way over to the sofa, joining us as we all gaze intently at the flickering flames dancing in the fireplace. Lost in the mesmerizing glow, I can’t help but whisper under my breath, “I could stay here forever.”
The warmth emanating from the fire envelopes us in a comforting embrace as we sit in peaceful silence, content to just be in the moment.
The savory aroma of chicken fills my nostrils and I am instantly drawn to the kitchen. I swiftly make my way towards the oven and put on a pair of gloves to retrieve the chicken. Its crispy exterior and succulent interior make my mouth water with anticipation. I turn my attention to the freezer, retrieve some frozen vegetables, and heat them on the stove. As I concentrate on cooking, I feel a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist. Cain stands behind me and gazes at the stove with me.
“Hello, princess,” he whispers in my ear.
“I’m trying to cook us dinner here…” I say.
Suddenly, I feel his warm breath on my neck and he kisses me gently. I lean my head back onto his chest, enjoying the comfort and warmth of his embrace as I continue to focus on cooking our meal.
“Can you please get some plates?” I ask him.
Without wasting time, Cain walks over to the cupboard and opens it to retrieve the plates. He then goes to the drawer and pulls out some cutlery, placing them on the kitchen table.
I pick up the serving dishes and arrange the food on the plates.
“Dinner, guys,” Cain’s voice echoes through the hallway, calling everyone to the table. Slowly, I make my way to the table, carefully balancing the plates in my hands. I place them down, one by one, arranging them in front of each seat.
Nate and Mike enter the kitchen. “Oh, damn. Your nan knows how to cook,” Mike exclaims as he licks his lips in anticipation.
We all take our places at the table, eagerly grabbing our forks and knives, and began to savor each bite.
Nate takes a forkful of carrots and looks up at me.
“So, what do you think we should do while we’re here?” he asks.
With a sly smirk, Mike replies, “Well, we could fuck, fuck some more, relax, and drink.”
Cain’s chuckle reverberates through the room.
“I’m not your sex slave, remember!” I retort, the words dripping with a mix of sarcasm and defiance.
Cain grabs my chin and swipes his finger over it, leaving a trail of warmth behind. “Oh, princess,” he says with a sly grin. “You love being our little slave. Taking all of us. You can’t resist us.”
“Yeah…yeah.” I hiss back and take a bite of my chicken.
We savor our meal and the chatter around the table gradually fades away until utter silence envelops the room. I recline on my chair, feeling content after taking the last bite of my food, my stomach comfortably full.
Cain directs his attention towards Mike and Nate, commanding them to wash up. His gesture is firm as he points at them. In response, Mike retorts sarcastically, “Yes, boss.”
Cain then grabs my hand, leading me away from the table, creating a sense of intimacy and closeness between us.
NATE
I finish washing the dishes as Mike dries them with a dishcloth. He leans against the kitchen counter, lost in contemplation. His gaze penetrates deep into his thoughts as he dries the dishes with a rhythmic motion.
I dry my hands with the kitchen towel.
“You ok, buddy?” I ask, concerned.
Mike looks up at me, his eyes filled with sorrow. “Do you ever think about him?” he mumbles, barely audible. I knew exactly who he was referring to without saying it. “Who, Rhett?” I ask softly. Mike nods. “Yes, all the time,” I respond reassuringly.
The mention of Rhett always brought up a sense of discomfort as we had never discussed what happened in the army. I felt that this conversation was headed in a direction I was unprepared for.
Mike holds a plate while tears fill his eyes. “I could have saved him. I still blame myself,” he says, his voice shaking with emotion.
I reach out and place a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You and Cain did everything you could. Don’t blame yourself. You saved me and I will forever owe you,” I reply, trying to console him.
“Cain saved you… not me,” he mumbles.
He reaches for the kitchen towel to wipe away the tears. With a heavy heart, he barely manages to say, “Man, I miss Rhett. He meant so much to me.” He places the plate on the kitchen side. “Nate, there is something I need to say…” I can see his emotions overwhelm him.
Not wanting to make things worse, I offer him comfort and understanding. “Ay, you don’t have to say anything. I understand. I think I know what went down with you two.”
His tear-filled eyes widen with fear as he processes my words. “You know?” he whispers, his voice barely audible. Sensing his apprehension, I reassure him in a gentle tone, “I don’t judge. We were out there for a long time. I saw you two one night…”
“I want to make it clear that I’m not gay. I’ve fucked many women,” he says earnestly. “I have deep feelings for Tessie and am committed to her. But there was something about Rhett that just clicked with me. One night, we found ourselves getting closer and closer. Before I knew it, we were kissing.”
I see Mike’s tears streaming down his face as I hold onto both his shoulders, trying to comfort him. “Mike, seriously,” I say with a reassuring tone. “I’m not judging you. Love is love and there’s nothing wrong with it.” I can see the pain in his eyes, so I gently grab his head and pull him towards me, embracing him tightly. “Hey...Hey…” I whisper, hoping that my words will bring him some peace. I gently grasp his face with both hands, feeling his tears on my fingertips. Our foreheads meet and I can sense his breath on my skin. Our eyes lock and we profoundly gaze at each other. As the tension builds, I wonder if we are about to share a kiss.
Wait. What. No. What the fuck are we doing…
We both realize what is going on. We instinctively shake our heads and take a few steps back from each other. I let out a sound of confusion, “Uhh...”
