Sounds of Silence: A Contemporary Romance Read online

  Alas, that wasn’t in the cards for me, for Calum grabbed me, wrapping me up in his arms as he stole me from Mason.

  “Hey,” Mason spoke with a frown, “not fair—”

  “Not fair? We’re supposed to share her, you know—”

  As the two men bickered—albeit playfully—I couldn’t help myself. A smile formed on my face, and I actually felt a laugh bubble its way up my throat and escape. The laugh caused both men to cease their arguing and look at me.

  The way they stared at me, like I was their whole world, made my smile grow.

  This…if this was what my life would hold, maybe it wasn’t so bad after all.

  A few months later…

  Chapter Nineteen – Bree

  I sat in my psychology of abnormal behavior class, taking notes that were much more diligent than the ones I used to. Granted, I was pretty sure I owed my newfound note-taking skills to Calum, who’d given me pointers when I’d complained to him months ago when I was trying to study that I didn’t have enough material to go on.

  Yeah. Months.

  Strange how time passed so quickly when you were actually enjoying your life.

  Granted, it wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies, but I was better than I was before. I had my guys, and I was constantly working on a better outlook of life with my therapist. The antidepressants helped too.

  It’d been Calum’s suggestion, seeing a therapist, and Mason suggested I go to the doctor and see if they could do anything for me. My family had been supportive, although they didn’t quite understand it, still. To them, I had no reason ever to be sad, so why in the world wasn’t I happy?

  I’d stopped trying to explain it to them, and they’d stopped asking, thank God. Some people, though they meant well, just didn’t get it. Neurotypicals, people who were born lucky because their brain was able to work right with all the chemicals and stuff going on inside their bodies. I had always been jealous of them, but honestly, if I hadn’t been me, I never would’ve met Mason or Calum.

  Probably not, anyway, but I guessed that was something we’d never know.

  Mason and I had gotten an A on our psychology project. That whole thing seemed so far in the past, it was unreal. Fall had given way to winter, and winter had then fallen to spring. Time never ceased to keep going. What was strange was that I wanted to slow it down. It felt like time moved way too fast these days.

  No, wait. I wasn’t going to complain. It was a good thing that time went on, because I’d only gotten closer to both Mason and Calum. I was still a virgin, but I was opening up to the idea of sex with them.

  One hundred and ten percent nervous about it, of course, but that was me about anything new. My therapist told me everyone gets nervous about some things; it was simply a part of being alive.

  A new semester and new classes, Mason wasn’t in any of them anymore, but that was okay. We still met for lunch every day at the union. Calum still lived in the city, but I heard once his lease was up in a few months, he’d be moving back to town and telecommuting. After all, most of his work was online, so there was no reason he couldn’t work from home.

  When my class let out, I quickly packed up, one of the first out of the room. I checked my phone, finding that Mason had already texted me. His class must’ve let out early, for he’d sent me a picture of him waiting for me in the union.

  I smiled. He was ridiculous, but in the best way.

  Calum didn’t text often during the day, but at night, it was another story. That man was nonstop, to the point where, if I was hanging out with Mason, Mason would try to steal my phone and text him back that I was busy. The two got along, regardless of whether they admitted it to themselves. Occasionally they got jealous of the other, but they never let it get in the way of what was important.

  Crazily enough, what was important to them was still me.

  And, you know, in return, they were everything to me.

  I wore a new pair of jeans, along with a long-sleeved shirt. Today was an oddly warm day for spring, but with the breeze, it was cooled down quite a few degrees. I left the psych building, heading to the busy sidewalk as I texted Mason back. Call me the stereotypical college student, glued to her phone, I didn’t care. I was too smitten—yes, smitten—with Mason to put it down.

  I accidentally rammed my shoulder into another girl’s, and I stopped, glancing at her, hurriedly putting my phone down. No beanie sat on my head, so my pink hair flew free in the wind. I’d let my roots grow out, so now there were about two inches of brown up top. I’d gone with a softer pink last time I dyed it, about a week ago.

  The girl I’d bumped into had also stopped, and I saw she was walking with a rather tall and impressive-looking guy.

  “Sorry,” I said, not wanting to start anything.

  The girl had long, kinky brown hair, eyes that were almost black, along with an easy smile that took over her face in the blink of an eye. The guy she was with, whether he was her boyfriend or not, was wide, muscled and strong, with brown hair that was spiked on top and eyes as crisp and clear as the blue sky above us.

  If they were together, they made a cute couple. I wondered if people thought Mason and I made a cute couple, or me and Calum.

  “Don’t be,” she said. “I wasn’t looking where I was going, either.”

  I didn’t know what to say; she seemed like an easygoing girl, but talking to other people was still not something I was too good at. Because of that, I didn’t say anything.

  “God,” she went on, reaching for me. I was too stunned to move, hardly blinking as she touched my hair. “I love your hair. My best friend used to have pink hair, too. It’s blue now. Whatever. She said she’s trying something new out, but I think she should go back to pink.”

  The guy she was with spoke her name, trying to nudge her away, “Kelsey—”

  She plowed on, acting oblivious to the grumpy guy behind her, “I always wished I could pull off a color. I hear bleach kills your hair, though.”

  I managed to nod. That much was true.

  “It looks good on you,” she said, giving me a smile. The guy grabbed her hand, tugging her away from me. “I’ll see you around!” Her words made me stand there, eyebrows furrowing as I wondered if I really would see her around. She seemed nice enough, but that guy she was with? Jury was out on him.

  As if to prove my point, the girl elbowed him in the side, and as they walked away, I heard her say, “Blue, cool your jets. We’re not going to be late.”

  “If we are,” he growled out, “I’m blaming you.”

  “What the fuck ever, dude.”

  They seemed to have no filter, but in just those few seconds, I knew they worked well together. The guys and I were the same, I hoped. My life really did get better once they refused to leave it. And, really, I was so glad they’d been stubborn, so ridiculously happy that they’d refused to listen to me and rooted themselves into my life.

  I loved them, I did. I really, really did.

  Tucking my phone into my pocket, I headed to the union, making sure not to bump into anyone else on my way. I found Mason standing near the entrance, looking bored. The moment his dark eyes spotted me, he perked up, and he rushed over to me, sweeping me up in his arms before I could dodge him.

  He had a habit of doing that. It was…well, I couldn’t decide if it was annoying or sweet.

  Once he set me down, he placed a sweet kiss on my lips. “Lunch?”

  “No,” I spoke, sarcasm dripping off the word, “I figured I’d just watch you eat today.”

  Mason wagged a finger at me, telling me that was a big no-no. In addition to trying to have a better outlook on things, I was also eating more. I’d gained a little bit of weight, but according to the guys, the added pounds made me look even better. Michelle said I looked less like an eighth-grader, so I guess that was a good thing. I was still just as short as ever, though.

  We got pizza, sitting down at one of the empty tables to share it.

  “I miss seeing your f
ace bright and early,” Mason said, grinning, those dimples making my heart flip a few times in my chest. He’d sat next to me, his leg leaning against mine, his body heat flooding through me.

  He still saw my face every day, just not as early.

  “I miss your hot chocolates,” I muttered, frowning to myself.

  “That’s what you miss?” He laughed at me.

  I shrugged. “Hey, a girl gets used to that kind of treatment. You bought me one every single time.” It did make me wonder how much money he’d spent last semester on hot chocolates for me.

  Mason leaned into my ear, whispering, “I was trying to woo a girl I really liked.”

  His lips on my ear tickled me. “Oh, yeah? And how did that work out?”

  “I’d say it worked out pretty well,” he said, pulling away, giving me a smile that sent my insides tumbling. “Look at us now. Bet you never thought we’d get here, huh?” He took a bit of pizza, chewing almost obnoxiously as he waited for me to reply.

  As much as I hated to agree with him, he was right. I never thought we’d get to this point, never thought we would make it this far. In the beginning, I never thought we’d last the week, and every single week he and Calum sought to prove me wrong. I was glad they did.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I said, “you’re right. Happy?”

  “Always,” he said, shoving more pizza in his mouth. I ate much slower, unable to wolf it down like he did. “You coming over tonight?”

  “Depends, you want me over?” A silly question, because we both knew the answer.

  Most of my weekends and free time was spent at his place, even when he was working. Calum came every weekend he could, and we spent a lot of time together. My parents knew I was still seeing them both, but I didn’t know if they realized how close I was to each of them. They probably thought I’d choose one eventually, but I didn’t want to.

  If I had my way, I would never choose. I loved them both, for different reasons, and yet, in the end, also for the same reason.

  They refused to give up on me.

  He waggled his eyebrows and said, “Of course I do.” It was the least sexy thing I’d ever seen, and yet I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. Mason stopped trying to be Don Juan, totally serious when he said, “I really do love your laugh.”

  Heat crept up my cheeks, and I looked away as I blushed. Compliments still got to me.

  “I love you,” I muttered, unable to look at him as I said it. It wasn’t the first time I’d proclaimed it, but still, it wasn’t easy for me to say it. Like, deep down, a part of me was still afraid that he would leave me. They both would. That was a fear I didn’t think I’d ever get over.

  When I managed to look back at him, Mason was smiling. Since he was no longer chewing, he said, “I love you, too.” He leaned over, placing another kiss on my lips—this one tasted like pizza sauce.

  This was what life should be. Me, content. I’d never get over how much things had changed in these last few months, but you know what? I wouldn’t go back and change anything. These guys knew how much I struggled with things, and they were more than I could’ve asked for: patient and kind, loving and gentle. I couldn’t see myself ever being with anyone else.

  Silly of me, because they were my first relationships, and how often did firsts last?

  Negativity tried to creep in, but I pushed it away, refusing to let it take hold of me. I would not sit here and think our relationship was going to end. I would buckle up and enjoy the ride, all the while wishing it would never end.

  For me, these days, my smiles were real, my laughter genuine. I hardly had to fake it. The sounds of silence that had normally forced me to curl into myself and wish everything was different now made me realize how lucky I was. Calum and Mason had given me the will to carry on, my reason to never give up.

  I never wanted to say goodbye to them, and if I had my way, I never would.

  Chapter Twenty – Mason

  I was picking Bree up from her house in a few minutes. She was at my place all the time, so I shouldn’t feel like I needed to clean it top to bottom, but I did. Impressing her was never not an option; I always wanted her to look at me with stars in her eyes.

  These past few months had been crazy. Getting used to being in a weird throuple with Bree and Calum was not something I ever thought I’d have to do, but after a while, it got easier. I cared about her, and I knew she loved me—but I also knew she loved Calum. That green beast of envy did rear its ugly head sometimes, but I beat him down, telling myself I only wanted what was best for Bree…and right now that was the both of us.

  Besides, Calum and I were still too stubborn. Neither one of us were willing to walk away from the girl that had trapped us in her heart.

  It was as I was scrubbing the counter in the kitchen when I heard my phone go off. I set down the paper towel and went to grab it, finding that Calum had texted me. He apparently wouldn’t make it tonight; he’d be here tomorrow. That meant Bree and I would be alone tonight, while they would have the apartment to themselves tomorrow while I was at work.

  I knew enough to not get immediately excited, but at the same time, I couldn’t help it. I was a guy, and I’d been dying from day one to take off all of her clothes and get to know her in the most intimate way possible. I’d even gone out and bought a box of condoms, just in case.

  Don’t get me wrong; I’ve touched her, kissed her nearly everywhere, and all that. But as for the big deed itself…I never wanted to push her, and I knew Calum was the same. We both cared too much about her to make her do anything she didn’t want to do.

  Still, that did not stop a part of me from hoping.

  I texted him back, and then hurried up to finish cleaning. It was time to pick up Bree after that, and my nerves were a bit jittery. I shouldn’t be so excited about having her alone, but it’d been a while since Calum hadn’t come straight over here after work. Maybe…

  No, no. I would not think about it. Sex was the last thing on my mind. The absolute last. Nope. No sex here.

  That’s what I told myself, but that’s not necessarily the truth. My mind was pretty much all about sex as I drove to pick Bree up, and when I went to the door to get her, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about it, even as her mother answered the door.

  “Mason,” she said, giving me a smile. “Come in. Bree should be right down. I’m assuming you and Bree aren’t staying for dinner?” Her yellow hair was up in a high ponytail, a loose shirt on her torso. She was in the middle of making dinner—some kind of pasta, by the look of it.

  “No,” I said, meeting her smile with my own. Definitely had to get sex off the mind while in the presence of Mrs. Stone. Mr. Stone wasn’t home yet, so that was probably a good thing.

  I saw Michelle at the top of the stairs, and she shouted, “Bree, your boyfriend’s here!”

  Bree didn’t often use the label boyfriend for Calum or me, but her sister held no qualms about using it. I was pretty sure Michelle did it because she knew Bree didn’t like it. That, or maybe Bree didn’t want her parents judging her for seeing us both, which I could understand. I hadn’t told mine yet.

  Not sure how to broach the subject, but we’ll get to it when we get to it. Right now, I just needed to see Bree.

  She appeared on the stairs, looking just as beautiful as I remembered her being earlier today at lunch. She wore the same outfit, though it did look like she’d washed her hair; its soft pink lengths were slightly damp.

  Bree took her time in coming down the steps, meeting my smile with a shy one. “Hi,” she said, the same thing she always said. Once she got down, once she was off the steps, I swept her in my arms and practically carried her out of the house, which made her chuckle. She slapped my chest, and I put her down on the porch. “You can’t do that,” she said, though that pretty smile still lingered.

  “Why not?” I asked, reaching back to shut the door. “It’s the only way to make sure you don’t run away from me again.”

  The smile she gav
e me right then made me warm in my lower gut. “I’m not going to run away,” Bree promised. “You’d only come after me, anyways.”

  I laughed. That much was totally true.

  We listened to music as I drove us to my place, and I even heard her singing along to a few of the songs. I really adored the fact she felt better these days, that she was more comfortable in her own skin.

  I let Bree walk into my apartment first, and she stretched her arms, as if the ride had been so terribly long. It wasn’t; twenty-five minutes was not that long of a drive, and it was honestly something we were both used to by now.

  Bree went to sit on the couch, stretching her legs along the cushions as she looked to me. “I texted Calum to see what time he thinks he’ll get here, but he hasn’t responded yet.”

  Oh, was this when I not-so-slyly told her that Calum had already told me he wouldn’t be making it tonight? Right.

  I kicked off my shoes moving to sit on the couch with her. I had to hoist her feet up to sit under them, but once I did, I rested those pretty little feet on my lap, running my hands along the bottom of her legs. Her jeans stopped me from feeling the soft skin I knew was underneath, but I didn’t care.

  “He messaged me, actually,” I said, earning a risen brow from her.

  “He did?”

  “Yeah, said he wouldn’t be able to make it tonight. He’s coming tomorrow.” A grin spread on my face like wildfire, and I turned its full power on her. “Seems you and I will have this place all to ourselves tonight. Anything you’d like to do to utilize that time together?” I was aware I was talking like a weirdo, but I didn’t care. It worked, because Bree chuckled.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said, sitting up and pulling her legs off me.

  Sure, sure she didn’t. I didn’t push her, though. I knew if, it was going to happen, it would happen naturally.