Four Letter Word (Love Logic #2) - K.M. Neuhold Page 0,111

where you already are,” I confess. “It turns out the things that annoy you in one city are likely more of the same in another, and running doesn’t cure the loneliness like you’d think it would.”

“You still running?” she asks.

Am I? I haven’t felt the urge to leave since the first night I brought Bishop home. Sure, the fact that I typically do leave has been on my mind a lot, but that antsy, crawling out of my skin feeling hasn’t been there.

I think of the sweet way Bishop rested his head on my chest and trusted my love before he even believed he was loveable, the nervous way Hudson’s hands shook the first time he let me into his study and the first time we stripped each other bare in the middle of a rainstorm, the vulnerable hitch in Leo’s voice when he told me about his childhood and then kissed me. I’ve always been good at building things, but never that great at sticking around once they’re built.

Bishop told me he loved Leo and Hudson, and I helped him make that love into something real and tangible. Now, am I going to stay to enjoy it with him or is it time I move on again?

“I don’t think so,” I answer, my voice coming out a little rusty. “I think I’m going to stay right where I am for now.”

“That’s great to hear,” she says, and I can hear the warmth in her voice. “I guess running does sound like it can get a little tiring. Maybe I’ll stick it out here a little longer, work on fixing shit instead of abandoning it.”

“I think that’s a good plan.”

We talk a while longer, catching up and discussing mutual friends from my time in Denver.

“I’m glad you called. I didn’t know how much I needed to hear a friendly voice until your name popped up on the screen,” she says.

“I’m glad I called too.”

We sign off with promises to stay in touch, and then I pull up my group chat thread with Leo, Hudson, and Bishop and send a text.

Riot: Come hang out at my place tonight? I’ll order pizza.

Hudson: I’m in.

Bishop: Me too.

Leo: I’ll bring a treat.

Riot: Oh yeah, baby, I love it when you talk dirty like that.

The next message that comes through is a picture of a bag of butterscotch chips, and I literally moan out loud as my mouth starts to water.

Riot: That’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

Leo: Lol. You’re too easy ;)

Bishop: As hot as this exchange is, I have work to finish. See you guys tonight!

Hudson: See you tonight, Bish! Now, Leo please continue dessert sexting, because I’m strangely turned on by it.

Bishop

After work, all three of us head over to Riot’s place, Leo and I pulling up at the same time as Hudson. I greet Hudson with a kiss, and Leo slaps him on the back in a friendly gesture, his other hand occupied with a container full of the treats he brought.

We head up to Riot’s apartment, and he opens the door almost as soon as we knock.

“Hey, baby,” he says, pulling me in for a kiss and then doing the same to both Hudson and Leo.

“Cupcake?” Leo offers.

“Is that my latest nickname option? Because I actually don’t mind that one,” Riot teases.

Leo arches an eyebrow, holding a cupcake out. “Does that mean I win?”

“No way,” Hudson argues indignantly. “You have to come up with nicknames for all three of us in order to win.”

“No one said that. We said whoever comes up with the best nickname.”

“It was implied,” Hudson huffs and then looks over to me for help. “What do you think?”

It’s such a comfortable, familiar place to be the referee of one of their silly games or contests. I’ve lost count of how many times I played this role, and I loved it every single time.

“I wasn’t there for the original discussion,” I point out.

“It was vague,” Riot offers.

“In that case, I think it makes most sense that you both have to come up with a nickname for each of us,” I decree.

“Ha, suck it,” Hudson crows, and Leo rolls his eyes.

“Fine.” He pulls back the cupcake he was offering and shoves it into his own mouth.

“Hey!” Riot protests.

“Sorry, cupcake.” Leo licks the frosting off his lips and then shoots Hudson a playful glare.

Riot reaches into the Tupperware container and grabs a cupcake for himself.

“So, there’s something I wanted to tell you guys,” he says once he finishes inhaling