Chapter 86: Bryn

I don’t think I ever want to set foot in a police station again after tonight. Not only does it make me itch all over having these cops glancing my way when the guys surround me like bodyguards, the cop who’s supposed to be helping us is a real piece of work. He’s been eyeing us and scowling like he can barely stand to look at us. I get it. See a woman with three guys as her partners isn’t exactly normal, but it’s rude to be treated with looks of disgust after what’s happened.

While the cop calls someone about starting the restringing order, we wait in a room that looks too much like an interrogation room. Don’t they have rooms that don’t make innocent people feel less like criminals?

“I don’t like this place.” I say to no one in particular.

“I’m with you there. It’s kind of depressing. Those TV shows make it all seem way more exciting. I see why people have the idea that cops sit on their asses all day and eat donuts. They look like all they do is sit not heir asses and judge people,” Sawyer says as he slides in his cold metal chair, trying to look more relaxed.

Except I know him better than that. His jaw is clenched, and he keeps glaring at the door leading out of the room.

“I knew people would be weirded out by our arrangement. It makes you guys look bad.” I point out trying not to sound like what I’m really trying to say.

I told you so.

Sawyer gives me a look that says “don’t be dumb.” He might not care about what people think, but I’m truly freaked that it will be my fault that he doesn’t get drafted. One of us has to worry about it.

“Stop worrying, B. How many times do we have to go through this? It’s done and we’re all fine with it. I don’t want to hear about it anymore.” Sawyer actually sounds angry that I keep bringing this up.

He’s right. I say this almost daily and he says the same thing every time, but I feel like guilt is always eating its way through me. Maybe it's my hormones. Isn’t that what most pregnant blame things on when they get upset about anything? My sister used it a few times.

The door to the room opens abruptly and all the guys bristle and sit up straighter, like they’re ready to fight whoever is about to come through. Nolan wraps an arm around my middle and slides me and my chair closer to him. The move doesn’t go unnoticed by the hawk eyes of the cop. Another scowl before he holds out a piece of paper to me. I reach out and take it, noticing he tries hard not to touch me like I’m some filthy thing. It hurts a little but I try not to show it.

“So what do I do with this, exactly? Frame it and hang it on my door so he knows not to come near me?” I’m being a little brazenly.

“No. You just call us if he gets within a hundred feet from you.” He says unamused.

“But he could get close enough to hurt me before anyone reaches me.” I point out.

I honestly don’t see how a piece of paper is going to do anything, but I’ll take it, I guess.
“Thank you.” I offer him a reluctant smile of appreciation.

He takes a second to look us over and gives me an expression I can’t understand. “Miss, be careful. These sorts of people won’t let go of the subject of their obsession so easily. Take advantage of the men around you.”

I blink at him I shock. “You didn’t seem to approve of my…situation.”

He sighs and rubs the back of his head. “It’s not that.”

Sawyer sighs and shakes his head. “Well, shit.”

“What? " I look at him, confused.

“Looks like mister judge smart ass likes the idea of sharing a girl with a bunch of other guys.” He says like he’s resigned to the fact the idea of us seems to cause more people to flock to us.

I look at the cop and give him a questioning look. “Really?”

He chuckles nervously, and I roll my eyes.

“What is it about me being pregnant that has all you guys circling me like vouchers?” I grumble and cross my arms over my chest and end up resting them slightly on my ever-growing belly. “I thought guys liked skinny models or curvy Kardashian. Neither of which I am, but the way. At least not when I don’t have a tiny human growing inside me.”

Sawyer chuckles and stands. He walks around to me and leans down to kiss me on the top of my head. “You look fucking sexy like this, baby. It makes us feel like cavemen seeing you carrying our baby.” He winks, and I roll my eyes.

Men.

He walks over to the cop and drops his hand over his shoulder. “She’s worth the trouble, brother, but you might have to woo her. I guess we’ll be seeing you around.”

Then he walks out the door, leaving me gawking at him. Maddox laughs and shakes his head as he follows him. I turn to look at Nolan and see him eyeing the cop. As the new guy to join this weird arrangement, I assumed he would be put off by all this, but he doesn’t seem all that uncomfortable by this. He too stands and leans down to give me a quick kiss before leaving me and the cop alone.

Once we’re alone, I look at him and see that his cheeks have turned a little rosy. Oh boy. I swear I’m kicking those guy’s butts when I get home. Why are they playing matchmaker? I’m feeling a little like cattle being sized up by all these men.

“Why did you look at us with so much disgust before?” I ask, breaking the silence between us.

Once again, he rubs his neck. “I think I wasn’t sure what to think.”

Right. “And now you’re what? Interested? You know that’s not how it works, right? You don’t just become curious and then I let you join whatever it is we are. I don’t even know how it got this far, to be honest.”

He chuckles a little. “I didn’t expect that. I didn’t plan on saying anything, but your boyfriend seems to be more observing than I thought.”

“He’s my husband, actually.” I point out.

He tilts his head. “You’re married and have two other boyfriends?”

I nod and then release a breath. “Sawyer and I were childhood friends and recently came together again, but things were different this time. Then I met Maddox at a game and I felt a pull to him. He got a concussion and sprouted all sorts of sweet things and laid his head on my at the time small belly. It endeared me to him, and Sawyer was okay with Maddox coming home with us like he was a stray. My pregnant hormones had me wanting to cuddle up between them and it was downhill from there. Nolan is a recent…development. Sawyer thinks it would be a good idea to have a doctor in the family, although technically Nolan doesn’t practice.”

I’m rambling.

“And you don’t mind?” He asks.

I let out a humorless laugh. “No way. I was freaking out and a little pissed, I’ll be honest. I sort of feel like this is some weird joke Sawyer is playing on me, but he seems totally fine with allowing more guys into my…harem? I think that’s the only word that makes sense here. He’s so cool about all of it, while I’m too confused by the change to really direct how I feel about it all.”

“Doesn’t sound like you’re thrilled with the arrangement.” He points out.

I consider that for a minute. That’s not exactly it. It’s just not something I thought would ever happen to me. I mean, what girl would think one day her childhood love would offer a harem of men up on a platter for me? It’s a head trip for sure. He explains it away with excuses about more people around to protect me, but once in a while I wonder if it’s because he doesn’t want me romantically any more. Like maybe he’s trying to distract me, so I don’t notice he doesn’t love me anymore.

That idea hits me in my chest so hard that I lose my breath. I stand abruptly.

“I’m sorry I have to go, but thank you for this.” I give him a small smile and rush out of the room.

The guys are waiting for me by the entrance, but I don’t pay them any mind as I pass. I need some time to think all this over. For real this time.