Written in Ink (Montgomery Ink #4)(39)

“We did my place last time. We’re going to alternate from now on. Thank God Autumn is cleaning Griffin’s place, or we’d all probably catch something.”

Griffin sat down on the floor—the only place left for him—and flipped off his brother with his good hand. “Fuck you.”

“No, thanks. I’m taken.” Austin bit into a chicken wing and moaned. “I’ve missed these. Sierra has us on a diet of no fried food. I miss grease.”

“You do realize the girls are eating chocolate, cakes, and all that shit right now, right?” Sloane asked. He shrugged as everyone stared at him. “I saw Hailey cooking for tonight. She wanted to fatten everyone up since she knows that no one eats like this usually.”

“You sure do like knowing what Hailey is up to,” Griffin said casually.

Sloane stared at him. “How’s Autumn these days? Finally take the step and get her in bed like you’ve been wanting to do since day one?”

He lifted a lip in a snarl.

“I’ll shut up when you do,” Sloane said. “I like Autumn. Don’t hurt her.”

Griffin clenched his jaw, and thankfully, nobody else chimed in. He didn’t want to hurt Autumn—didn’t plan to—but he had a feeling they would both be left in pieces once they were through. He didn’t know what he wanted, and she wasn’t planning on staying.

Fuck. He pushed those thoughts from his brain and listened as the others talked of Morgan’s impending fatherhood and the fact that Luc and Meghan were trying for a baby. Things moved quickly, too quickly it seemed sometimes, but he did his best to go with the flow. The Montgomerys and friends were being plucked off one by one.

“I have a question, actually,” Morgan said as he leaned back into the couch next to Sloane.

“Huh?” Griffin asked.

“Not for you, but for Wes and Storm. I’ve been watching the way everyone interacts for a while now, and I think I have the dynamics down. Sometimes people surprise me, but usually I can figure out the ties. What I can’t figure out is Tabby.”

“What do you mean?” Wes asked.

Storm frowned. “What’s wrong with Tabby? She works for us.”

“Yeah, and yet I thought she was more to either one of you or both. I can’t figure it out.”

Griffin choked. “Both? Well, that’s something I hadn’t thought of.” The twins glared at him. “What? I figured one of you were with her, or had been, or were thinking about it.”

They shook their heads simultaneously. “Hell, no,” they said at the same time then glowered at each other.

“I’m not interested in Tabby like that. She’s my friend and coworker. Nothing more.” Wes stared at his twin. “Something you want to tell me?”

Storm held up his hands. “I’ve never even kissed her. I don’t see her like that. I love how she keeps us in line at work so I can focus on other shit, but she’s not the one for me. Seriously.” He turned to the others and glared. “And I’ll ask you to stop making it sound like we’re in some type of twin ménage. We don’t share women. Ever.”

Wes shuddered. “Fuck, no. I know Austin’s friend Sassy has two husbands, but they aren’t related, and…just f*ck no. I like one woman at a time. And I’m not sharing with Storm. Ever.”

Griffin raised his brows. “I think we got it. Tabby’s not for either of you.”

“You’re sniffing around Autumn, so don’t think about going near Tabby,” Storm said, pointing his soda at him.

Griffin narrowed his eyes. “I’m not doing anything of the kind. Don’t say things like that so it makes it sound like Autumn is nothing but something to prowl around.”

The others stared at him and he cursed. “Shut up,” he mumbled.

“Anyway…” Jake interrupted. “I don’t know what your problem is with threesomes. They can be nice. Well, I never had a threesome while sharing a woman with one of my brothers, but… sharing a woman, in general, can be hot as hell. Plus, f*cking another dude while doing it makes it hotter.”

Griffin blinked. He knew Jake was bi since he’d never hid it, but the ménage thing was new.

“What the f*ck?” Austin said. “Threesomes? Really?”

Decker snorted. “Not much of one to talk, bro,” he said to Austin, and Griffin held his head in his hands.

“This is way too much information,” he whined. “Let’s talk sports and do nothing. Okay?”

Jake smiled unrepentantly. “Just saying. If you’re single, and they’re willing…”

“You better not be talking about Maya right now,” Wes mumbled. “I don’t want to know.”

Jake sobered. “I’ve never slept with Maya.”

“So you’re talking about Holly?” Griffin asked despite himself.

Jake looked a bit pale and as if he hadn’t meant to say all he had. “It was a long time ago. Holly and I are good just by ourselves.”

There was an awkward silence, and Griffin wasn’t sure what he was going to say to try and make it better. Instead, Sloane kicked the chips slightly toward Jake.

“If we’re all done talking about our dicks, I want to talk about this client of mine. Could use the help.”