Credence

His lips tighten as he wraps my arm. “Were they good to you?”

My eyes water, and I nod. He’s not yelling. I’m not sure if I’m hurt that he’s not jealous, or thankful he’s not disgusted with me.

But he is jealous. His hard expression and clipped words tell me that.

I open my mouth to explain. I love him, but I…

I don’t know.

I drop my head. I have no idea how to explain any of this. Or what I feel with them.

It just never feels wrong. That’s all I know.

It’s felt wrong before. Not here, though. Not with them.

“I—”

“Did you finish those college applications yet?” he asks, cutting me off.

I blink, falling silent.

Huh?

College applications…

So that’s it? He’s not going to make this harder?

I search for my words, taking the easy way out he’s giving me. “What, are you trying to get rid of me?” I tease.

“Well, you’re no use as a cook anymore with one arm.”

I chuckle, relief washing over me as I shake my head.

And then I dive in, wrapping my arms around his neck and hugging him. He freezes for a moment but then relaxes, embracing me back as he pulls us to our feet.

Thank you.

“You okay now?” He pulls his head up and looks down at me. “Or do you need help with the shower?”

He gestures to the running shower, now hot and filling the bathroom with steam.

“I’m okay.”

I can wash my hair with one hand, I guess.

I scratch my head, overwhelmed. I have no idea what happens with the three of them when I leave this bathroom.

But nothing has to happen unless I want it to. There’s always that.

It can all end now.

I strip off my shirt, and he takes my hand, holding me steady as he helps me in to the shower. I go to pull the curtain closed, but I meet his eyes, and I can see the look there as he stares back. The one where he’s thinking of climbing in with me.

But as I watch the temptation play across his eyes, I finally watch as he just sighs, shakes his head, and rolls his eyes, yanking the curtain closed between us.

In a moment, the bathroom door opens and slams shut again, and I smile to myself. Thank g

oodness he made that easy.