Odd Man Rush (East Coast, #2)

by Kristen Granata

To anyone who has fallen in love with someone who didn’t fit the mold society created. Love is love.

Celeste fidgets under my stare. “What?” “You look so incredibly beautiful.”

My thighs clench together at the thought of it. Of Celeste touching me. Of me touching her. Of people watching us.

My shy girl was an exhibitionist. It’s always the quiet ones.

When you’re gay, the world tells you that you’re wrong. You’re brainwashed from the moment you’re born, whether it be from your family, or society, or the government. And those are some hard chains to break.

“Last night was fun, even if you two ganged up on me.” I stuff a forkful of pancakes into my mouth and hike a shoulder. “Sometimes you need a good gang bang.”

Weddings always make me cry. They make Jason cry too. He’s a big sap and I love it.

He should be mad. My husband should be angry that I was fantasizing about being with someone other than him. Instead, he tugs on his belt and unzips his pants, pushing them down over his ass to free himself from his boxers.

We’re connected. I love it...and I hate myself for it.

“I feel like Batman.” I chuckle as Celeste pulls the black mask onto her face. “Hey, maybe it’ll help us gain viewers within the comic book community.”

my girls

And for a split second, I wonder how we’re going to go back to the way things were when this contract is up. Or if we have to.

The three of us are being fucked at the same time and it’s the hottest thing I’ve ever been a part of.

“Your husband is going to have to try harder next time if he wants to get rid of me.” He digs a finger into my ribs and I squeal. “What, too soon?” “Your safety will never be a joke to me.”

“You’re always looking out for me.” “I always will.”

I’m not worried about the things we say on camera. I can always edit them out. But hearing Celeste use these real-life names, like little mouse and husband, makes me feel like she’s not just putting on a show for the camera.

Is there something wrong with me that I love seeing the two of them together? Is it strange to get off on watching my husband give his affection to someone else?

Jason claims Celeste’s mouth without hesitation, and I bury my face between her thighs. And not one of us takes out our phones to hit record.

“How do you feel?” “Better now.” I tug her arm, bringing her closer to me, until her shins hit the side of the bed. “Now that I’ve got both of my girls with me.”

“Celeste.” I cut her off and squeeze her hand. “Kiss me.”

I want them both. Care for them both.

That’s my fucking wife.

“Are you upset with me?” He sits up straight. “Upset with you? Never. Why would you think that?”

My heart is already split in two—one jagged and bruised half belonging to each of my best friends. My best friends.

I stare at his username and then realization clicks into place. I’m a fucking idiot. Boss Man. He couldn’t have made it any clearer.

BossMan94: I will fight for you every day. BossMan94: I’m not giving up on us.

Sometimes the love you find doesn’t look exactly like the love you once envisioned for yourself. But that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t jump in with both feet and give it everything you’ve got.

I scream their names, as if I’m claiming them to the universe, letting everyone know that they’re mine. And I’m theirs.

Because with Jason and Celeste by my side, nothing could take my happiness away.

“Kourtney, Jason, and I have been fucking for the last month, and now we’re in a relationship together. So, Merry Christmas everyone.”

McKinley whips out his phone. “What’s the name of the website?”

Jason grins as he sits up and eases out from under Kourtney. “It’s midnight. You know what that means.” Kourtney’s eyes light up. “Present time!”

Husband. Boss Man. Best friend. Either way, they’re mine. My family.

For a moment, I feel bad for Fitzgerald and anyone else standing in Celeste’s way. My wife is coming for them.

“You want to talk about what we did? Take a look. Star quarterback Troy Manahan just released a statement that he’s gay.” McKinley holds up his phone. “David Kuschev—one of the best hockey players to ever live—said he’s bisexual, and was made to hide it for years during his career.”

“I’ve bitten my tongue so many times in this position, I’m amazed that I have anything left in my mouth. I’ve watched good men, good players, get the short end of the stick because of a narrow-minded decision from the higher-ups, and for what? Money and image.”

“These boys are the heart and soul of this team. Without them, we have nothing. And if you don’t open your mind and hear what they’re saying, we’re going to lose them.”

“Your wife is one hell of a PR agent.” Celeste. My wife.

Some people go their entire lives without finding true love, and here I am having found it twice.

She’s a force to be reckoned with. This is her calling. It’s what she’s good at. And while she enjoys helping Kourtney run her website, I think she’s missing that spark of joy she had when she was working in public relations. And maybe I can help her with that.

“I’m the luckiest man alive, and not because of some sexist, misogynistic belief over the fact that I get to have two women at once. I love Kourtney and Celeste because they’re the most loving, caring, smart, beautiful souls I’ve ever known—and that’s what makes me lucky. I would’ve fallen for them regardless of the bodies they were in, or the genders they identify with, because that’s what true love is all about. Love is the connection, not the gender.”

I’m standing here, proud to be in a relationship with Jason and Celeste. I’m standing here as my true self for the first time in my life.

And I pull Celeste close for a kiss, not giving a fuck about who’s watching us.

“Are they dating?” “I said I’ll tell you later.” Jason leans close to my ear. “Let me make you my wife first.”

“When you first meet someone, you can’t tell what kind of impact they’re going to have on you, or what part they’ll play in your life. You don’t know if they’ll be there for a lifetime or for a season. Only a select few are meant to be in your life for the long haul. From the moment our paths crossed in high school, my life was irrevocably altered. I couldn’t see it at the time, of course, the magnitude of what our love would become. But I was changed by knowing you. You engraved your names into my heart, and even while we were apart, I still carried you with me.”

“I never want to be apart again. I never want to walk through life without you by my side. I know it took me a while to stand up and fight for what we have, but now that I’m here, I’ll never back down. I promise to stand by your side through all the joys and challenges that come our way, as you’ve stood by me through mine. We’ve found a love that goes beyond the confines of traditional relationships, and just because it’s different doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for being patient with me. I love you both more than you’ll ever know.”

“I’ve loved you both for what feels like a lifetime already. Kourtney, I love your kind soul, and the selfless way you take care of everyone around you. Celeste, I love your fierceness and your loyalty, and the strength in which you love someone when you open your heart. You two are my past, my present, and my future. I’m standing here today to promise you that I’ll continue loving you with all that I am for the rest of our time on this earth. I will always be your unwavering support; the shoulder you lean on in times of sorrow; your biggest cheerleader in moments of triumph; and the hand you hold through every challenge. You will never have to walk alone. You have me, my heart, and my soul. Gia pánta. Forever.”

“If you had told me six months ago that I would be standing here, making these vows, I wouldn't have believed you. We were friends and I was certain we couldn’t be anything more. But you both opened my eyes to a kind of love that I never knew was possible, and you’ve shown me what family truly means. You are my safe haven. You’re the reminder that I’m worthy of something in this world because you love me. I know the world isn’t ready for us, and it might be difficult at times. But I’ll be here to lean on, to lift you up, and to fight for us, because this love is worth fighting for.”

“Kiss the damn brides already,” McKinley yells.