Get Off Easy (Noble House, #1) (27 page)

“No, it’s not selfish. Don’t you pull that bullshit with me. We’re friends. We talk about uncomfortable shit. I came to terms with how things were going to be for me a long time ago. I knew I would never be able to marry Daelynn. Or have kids with her. Because I wasn’t going to stick her with a terminally ill, barren woman who was going to die on her in a few years. But you know what, she’s here. She’s with me. She sits and watches me die a little each day because she chose that path. Though I’m not quite sure why things played out like they did, it’s the hand I was dealt. I could either be angry or get over it and enjoy the things I
do
have. My family. My friends. Daelynn.”

Tory’s words made Grae feel two inches tall. But feelings couldn’t always be controlled. “What if I can’t get over it?”

“Then you have to be willing to accept the consequences of that choice. I chose not to go out all drugged up and stupid. So I’m in pain. But you know what? That pain means I’m still alive. When I’m not feeling anything anymore...that’s when it’s over.”

“Tory, you need to calm down and rest.”

Tory scowled at her girlfriend. “You talk some sense into her fool head.”

Daelynn took Grae by the arm and guided her out of the room. Though Grae didn’t know the woman, she felt her stern glare. Shame washed through Grae, heating her stomach and causing the lunch she’d grabbed at a fast food joint on the drive over to slosh around uncomfortably.

“I know we don’t know each other, and I’ve got no right to say what I’m about to, but being around Tory since she was diagnosed has loosened my tongue a little. It’s also made me a little less likely to keep my thoughts to myself regardless of what people think.” The grip Daelynn held on Grae’s elbow eased. “I don’t know exactly what is going on between you and whoever Tory is talking about, but what I do know is that my girlfriend is going to die. Sure, we all are. But she’s not going to make it to see her birthday in a few months. So she’s pissed that you’re squandering an opportunity she would gladly have. She can’t have her happily ever after.”

Grae’s eyebrows lifted. “And she thinks I’m walking away from mine.”

“From what I can tell, she believes it with all her heart. It may be faulty, but she’s got more love in her than most of us can ever hope for.”

“I’m sorry.” Grae averted her gaze from Daelynn as she stepped out of reach. “I wish I could say it’s just that easy. That I throw up my hands and say fuck all the issues. But I can’t. It’s not that easy.”

“Nothing good ever came from doing something easy.” Daelynn folded her arms, and slipped back into Tory’s room without saying anything more.

She didn’t need to.

G
rae jumped as the melodic tones of her doorbell resonated through the house. As the melody died, she sniffed, wiping the tissue she’d nearly shredded under her nose. She wasn’t interested in answering or seeing who was trying to pay her a visit. In her fucked-up fantasy world, Saint and Boyce would be waiting on her small front porch. Ready to convince her how foolish she was being. How unrealistic. To beg her to come home with them.

But fantasy hadn’t gotten her anywhere.

She was better off living inside the fictional world she created for audiences worldwide.

At least that kind of false hope wouldn’t disappoint her. She could hardly screw
that
up. Sure, she may be miserable with her choice to leave the men, but at least she knew now that the life she’d always wanted would have to stay a fantasy. Before this whole ordeal, her house had always been her sanctuary, her refuge.

Now she hated it.

She hadn’t even touched her computer since she’d returned. As though the reminder she didn’t
need
the home office to carry out her work was too much to bear.

Whoever coined the phrase
reality sucks
didn’t know the half of it.

The doorbell rang again.

Probably the mailman.

Grae glanced at the security monitor on the narrow table under a nearby window. Blonde hair. Slight build. Boobs. Definitely not Saint or Boyce. Or the mail delivery.

When Grae finally opened the door, the petite woman offered her a warm smile as though they were old friends. Grae blinked as the woman offered her hand. “Hello, Grae. I’m Kella Whelan. We have a mutual friend.”

“All right?”

“Tory Duke.”

Grae’s eyes narrowed. “She’s as much of a meddler as her big brother.” Grae immediately felt ashamed of her snap judgment. “Sorry. That was wrong of me. Is she all right?”

The woman tossed her head back and unleashed a peal of laughter. “Yes. Yes, she is as well as can be expected given her circumstances. But you’re right about her being a meddler. I believe her condition has made her more so.”

“Isn’t that the truth?” Grae stepped back and gestured to the foyer. “Would you like to come inside?”

“How about we take a walk instead? It’s such a nice day.”

Grae peeked over Kella’s shoulder. She hadn’t seen the sun in...how many days had it been since she’d gotten back to L.A.? Going outside would do her some good. And at least make her feel as though she wasn’t completely abandoning life in general. “Sure. Let me get some sneakers.”

The sun felt good on Grae’s bare arms. Though the heat did nothing to warm her. She was convinced she’d never be warm again. At least not...

“Beautiful down in this part of the state.”

Thankful Kella had saved her from that particular thought, Grae responded. “You’re not from around here?”

Kella shook her head. “We’re from Portland. Which is lovely. But nothing like Southern California. Tory tells me you left in a rush?”

“I did.” Grae wondered just how much about her exit Tory had told Kella.

“Work? I’ll admit I was a little starstruck when she told me some of the movies you’ve worked on. I’ve always been fascinated with the behind the scenes aspect of anything. Movies included. Whenever the Oscars roll around, I’m always more interested in the science and technology awards portion than the major awards.” Kella touched Grae’s elbow. “Not to take away from the hard work the actors and directors put in.”

Always nice to meet a kindred spirit. “When I was a teenager, I used to watch them as well.”

“You don’t anymore?”

“No time.”

“Finicky thing time.” Kella grinned mischievously. “If only we could all have a Tardis of our own.”

Grae smiled, a sense of peace settling over her. She wouldn’t have expected the straight-laced woman strolling alongside her to be a Dr. Who fan. “Or a DeLorean.”

Kella’s eyes lit. “Oh! I love that movie. 1.21 gigawatts!” She raised her arms above her head and did a remarkable impression of Doc Brown.

“Second that car disappeared, left the fire tracks? That was when I knew what I wanted to do with my life.”

They walked quietly along for a few moments until Grae noticed they’d come to a park. She’d forgotten it was only a few blocks from her house. That’s what she got being shut inside so much. “What brings you down here? Other than just catering to the whims of an insane friend.”

“It seemed like a good time for a vacation. Kids wanted to see Disneyland when they heard we were coming to Los Angeles” Kella waved to some children crawling on a piece of equipment. “Would you like to meet everyone?”

“Of course.” Grae followed Kella. As she drew closer, she saw several other parents watching over the kids playing. Their gleeful laughter tinkled through the clear air. A reminder that life had once been carefree and easy.

Grae watched the four children play for a time, feeling a pang streak through her. Someday she’d like to have a few. Whenever she found the right partner.
You have two perfect men who love you
. Grae shook off the thought. “Which ones are yours?”

“All of them.” Kella smiled and pointed to a nearby picnic table. “As are the three men over there.”

Grae blinked. “Pardon?”

Kella pulled Grae over to table covered with food. “Grae, I’d like to introduce you to my family.”

Three men turned, wide smiles growing on their lips when they saw Kella. Grae watched flabbergasted as each man kissed Kell’s cheek and gently took her hand. The first, Nick, was several inches taller than Grae. His dark-brown hair was neatly combed back, sweeping away from his high forehead and angled jaw. His hazel eyes spoke of warmth and love as he gazed at his wife.

Wait. Were they married? How was that possible?

Gareth, the second man to introduce himself, looked to be the same age as Nick. His hair was a dark, sandy blond and worn closely clipped in a military style. His blue eyes reminded Grae of the expansive blue skies out in the Midwest.

The third man, Barnes, appeared to be slightly younger, but no less distinguished. His sable hair was longer than the other two, his clothing a bit more relaxed. “I think she’s surprised.” Barnes kept his gaze on Grae as he leaned forward and kissed the corner of Kella’s mouth.

The petite blonde turned to face Grae again, positively beaming. “Will you join us?”

Grae found herself accepting even though she still didn’t know what to make of the situation. Well, she did—and that would be solved with a phone call when she managed to get back to her house. And she didn’t care if Tory was a heart patient. She was going to hear the business end of Grae’s temper before all was said and done.

“Grae?”

“Oh, yes. Of course.”

“We’ll get the kids.” All three men left, jogging to where the kids were playing. A chiming shout went up as the children learned that it was lunchtime. Soon they were all seated around the oversized picnic table, sharing food and lively conversation.

As they ate, Grae watched the men interact with the children, coaxing them to eat their veggies or there wouldn’t be any dessert. The men didn’t play favorites with the kids, making it impossible for Grae to tell who was the biological father of each.

Was this how it was supposed to be should she have chosen a different path or decided to stay with Saint and Boyce and make things work? It was a lovely idea that someone could make this kind of relationship work, but Grae couldn’t see herself in the same situation. She wanted to have a life with the men just like she was watching unfold before her eyes. But her brain couldn’t let go of the tough road she’d have if she’d chosen that route.

A hand on her shoulder jolted her out of her musings.

“Everything all right?” Kella asked quietly.

“Yes. Sorry. I just...”

“Wondering how we make it all work?”

Grae swallowed. “Yes.”

Kella set a gentle hand over Grae’s and squeezed. “I won’t sugar coat things and tell you that it’s easy. This kind of relationship takes a lot of hard work. And commitment. The four of us talked quite a bit before we committed to each other. Before we brought children into our family. We knew it wouldn’t be easy.”

“Mind if I ask how you all met?”

“Mind?” Kella laughed. “Gareth is nearly bursting out of his skin to tell you.”

Gareth gave her an easy grin as he slipped his arms around Barnes’ and Nick’s waists. An indicator this wasn’t just a relationship where Kella was in love with three men. The way the men glanced at each other sometimes when they thought no one was looking was...intense. There was an obvious connection between them beyond Kella. A shared loved that didn’t know boundaries. “It’s pretty tame in comparison to some stories. But it’s ours.”

Kella touched Gareth’s cheek, the love she had for him clearly shining in her eyes. “And one of your favorites.”

“Mmm, yes it is.” Gareth nodded. “And I think it should stay ours for a little while longer.”

“All right, kids. Go and play on the swing set again. The adults need to talk for a few minutes.” Nick folded his tall frame onto the picnic table bench again, taking a long swallow of lemonade before meeting Grae’s gaze. “Kella tells us you’re having doubts about a family like ours.”

Gareth leaned forward on his elbows. “It’s not for everyone, that’s for certain. And it’s a lot of work.”

“A lot,” Barnes echoed.

“What my husbands are so gently trying to tell you is that it’s a messy, complicated life to choose. It’s not for the faint of heart. But the rewards it reaps are worth it.”

Grae wanted to understand. Really. She did. Maybe then she could have an inkling of what she had walked away from. What she knew she could never again have. Talking about it was the last thing she wanted. But she didn’t want to offend Kella and her men. They’d obviously come a long way to talk to her. “Aren’t you...afraid?”

“We’re afraid of a lot of things. I’m afraid Barnes is going to eat too much of those doughnuts he thinks I don’t see him eating.” Nick stuck his tongue out playfully at Barnes when the man made a face. “I’m afraid the school bus will crash on the way to school.”

“Or those perfectly good planes I jump out of are going to crash one day,” Barnes added. “But we get up every morning and do it over and over. So I think you’re going to have to be more specific about
what
kind of fears we have.”

Grae played with her napkin, noticing that she’d shredded half of it at some point. “What your neighbors might say if they knew. What kind of criticism your children will face in the future.”