The Brothers Rule - Carolyn Faulkner Page 0,38
any way."
"Welcome," they all said.
"But I'm still in the same pickle I was before. I'm no closer to a decision than I was when I first decided not to see you." She was glad that when she'd come in, she'd had the sense to scarf the box of Kleenex that always sat on the counter in the kitchen and bring it with her to sit on the end table next to her.
"There's no time limit about that, you know. Same thing with living here. Stay as long as you want," Ryan reassured.
"Yes, but we can't just live in limbo, all four of us. It's not fair to any of us." She grabbed a tissue, wishing she didn't have to say it, but she did, quietly, reluctantly.
"The problem is what it has always been—that I don't want to give anybody up. I love all of you. I want to be with all of you." She sighed and wept softly into the tissue.
Jace straightened in his chair, his intent gaze going to his brothers first, then back to Laurie. "Do you mean that… literally?" he asked with no small amount of hesitation.
Her head came up slowly. "W-what?"
Adam sat up, leaning strong forearms on even stronger thighs, and clearing his throat. "It was pointed out to us that we might be approaching this all wrong, but we kind of dismissed the suggestion because it sounded so… unlikely to be something you'd go for."
Ryan raised his hand. "I'd just like it noted that I did not dismiss the possibility at all. In fact, I think it's a very reasonable solution. And I would also like it noted that my two older brothers didn't mention anything about whether or not you would go for it. I think they might object to the idea, themselves."
He was utterly immune to the looks they were giving him that would likely have killed a lesser man.
Laurie looked confused. "What solution?"
Jace looked uncomfortable, but he soldiered on. "I think it was Nick who pointed out that you don't really have to pick one of us." He pinned his gaze to her and said, "You could choose all of us."
Her eyes widened at that idea. "Whoa." Then she looked confused. "Do what, now?"
"Yeah, that's what we thought, too. We were kind of split. Jace and I didn't think that it was an option. We didn't think you would think that it was an option, and, although it pains me to say it, Ryan was right. Frankly, we weren't sure how we felt about it, either."
"But you do know how you feel now?"
Jace sighed. "I can only speak for myself, here. And, in the interests of honesty, yes, I would prefer to have you all to myself. That having been said, however, if the choice is between not having you in my life at all or sharing you with my brothers…"
The rest of them—including Laurie—were waiting with baited breath for his answer.
"… I would much rather have you with me than not, even if I don't get to have you exclusively. And that's about the end of it. If I have to share you with anyone, I'm just as happy that it be them. I trust them with my life, and I'd trust them with yours, too. I would never be able to begin to contemplate this with any two other guys but them. But I have no doubt that they'll treat you as well as I will."
Adam shifted a bit in his seat. "I, uh, I have to say that there's still quite a bit of jealousy—speaking for myself—brothers or not, in regards to you sleeping with anyone else. But, as Jace almost said, if it has to be someone, I'd rather it be one of my brothers. And, too," he continued, "if us agreeing to this takes the pressure off you that you're feeling about having to choose among us, then so much the better, as far as I'm concerned."
They were all silent for a moment, then Ryan leaned forward. "I'm less tentative about it than my brothers are. I think it's the perfect solution to the situation, frankly. But, when it comes down to it, what we want is very much a lesser consideration to what you want, because it all turns on you. If you don't want to consider this possibility—"
Laurie interrupted, if a bit hesitantly, "I-I'd be open to it, I think."
They all looked quite surprised at her answer.
"I mean, my first reaction was to be kind