My Ex’s Roommates: A Reverse Harem College Sports Romance (Ex Marks the Spot)
My Ex’s Roommates: Chapter 63

“And what are you handsome boys going to do now that you’re free?” Mora batted her long lashes at my brothers as she leaned even closer to them. We were sitting at the rarely used dining table at the back of the house and Mora had insisted on sitting between Danny and Matt. “Besides making up lost time with any long lost girlfriends?”

Casey’s eyes went wide and her cheeks turned a deep red as she glared at her mother. She reached under the table and I saw her punch Carter’s leg, silently telling him to do something.

“Oh, no ma’am. No long lost girlfriends. We’re ready to get back out there, though.” Danny’s eyes moved to Casey in a way that left no question behind his intent. “Being free is going to be an adjustment. It’s too easy to get used to following someone else’s schedule. We have work, though. And Harper. And whoever else happens to fall into our laps.”

I looked between Danny and Casey and sucked in a sharp breath so hard that I also took down a pea. Choking instantly, I doubled over and hacked up a lung until I was able to dislodge the little green devil. My brothers were interested in Casey. All three of them? Had some strange virus landed on Earth that made men gather in groups of three to claim their women?

“You okay?” Dylan’s big hand rested on my back, gently stroking up and down.

The heat of his palm sent warmth flooding through my entire body and I weakly leaned into his touch. I’d just been so cold all alone in my room. I wanted to take things slow and I was still so terrified of them hurting me that I was practically peeing in my pants, but I’d just sat at the kitchen island and watched the three of them move around each other while cooking and stealing glances at me. I’d missed them so much that his touch felt like standing in the warm sunshine.

I looked up at him and when our eyes met, it was a gut punch. The deep circles under his eyes and the sadness I found looking back at me was too much. Without letting the doubt and remaining anger hold me back, I reached up and cupped his face.

His eyes fluttered closed and he pressed his face into my palm. “Harper…”

“Oh, my gosh. Isn’t that just so cute?” Samantha’s voice broke through my daze and I realized that everyone was staring at me and Dylan.

I ducked my face, feeling embarrassed, but Dylan intertwined our fingers and held my hand in his lap. Glancing over at him, I saw that he was smiling back at me. The hope I saw in his eyes hit me hard. It had been easy to paint them as villains who’d hurt me on purpose when I didn’t have to look them in the eye and see the truth.

“Wait. I thought you were dating Silas…” Mora put her wine glass down and frowned. “Don’t tell me that you’ve already switched from one roommate to another.”

“Mom!” Casey pushed her chair back from the table and scowled. “Maybe Harper has feelings for all of her roommates? Would that be so bad?”

Terry cleared his throat. “Well, this seems like a good time to say goodbye.”

“Shut up, Terry. I’m trying to listen.” Samantha pushed her husband back so he wasn’t blocking her view.

“Feelings for all three of her roommates? Is that what’s happening, Harper? Carter? Are you part of this, too?” Mora looked at Chris and clasped her diamonds. “Did you know about this?”

Carter sat up straighter and glanced at me. “I’m definitely a part of it. We’re together, Mom. We love Harper. She loves us, too, even if she isn’t ready to admit it yet.”

They loved me.

Jay watched Casey and pushed his plate away. “There’s nothing wrong with it, either. Some women require more than others.”

Casey’s face flamed. “Oh? Like they’re just too much for one man to handle?”

Matt grinned. “Or just enough for three men to handle.”

“Oh, wow. This is getting good.” Samantha saw Terry start to open his mouth and quickly shoved a roll past his lips. “Just hush, Ter.”

“Okay. Just what is going on here?” Mora’s attention was steady on her daughter. “Casey?”

Casey stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Nothing. I have to go. I need to finish a paper or meet a guy or something.”

Danny, Jay, and Matt were out of their chairs before the front door slammed shut behind Casey. They stopped behind me and took turns kissing the top of my head. Danny gently pinched my cheek. “We’ll be back tomorrow to take you to dinner. Just us. Okay? Love you, Little Harpoon.”

“I love y’all, too. Go on.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about my brothers chasing after Casey but I liked seeing the fire in their eyes again. They were only four years older than her and Casey was definitely strong enough to handle the three of them.

“Chris! Aren’t you going to do something?” Mora smacked her husband’s arm. “What in the world is happening with you girls?”

Realizing she’d turned her attention back to me, I sat up straighter. Carter said they loved me. A burning need to be honest about my feelings for them hit me hard. I’d spent two weeks denying my feelings to them and myself. I was done. “Sometimes you fall for one man. Sometimes you fall for three. I don’t know what’s happening with Casey and my brothers but if it’s anything like what’s happening with Carter, Dylan, Silas, and me, it’s magic.”

“Harper’s brothers are better than any of the other men who’ve ever sniffed around Casey. Hands down.” Carter looked back at me. “Magic, huh?”

“Can we stay here, Mom?” Kelson nudged Aimes and grinned. “We’re learning a lot here.”

Samantha waved the boys off. “Everyone, be quiet. I’m watching my first baby get the girl.”

Silas sighed heavily. “Mom.”

“That’s enough for me. We’re going to the hotel room. We’ll give you boys some time alone with your lady.” Terry looked at me and nodded. “We heard all about what happened. Our son loves you, Harper, and I hope to see your smiling face over many more awkward dinners in the future.”

“Aww, Terry…” Samantha pouted. “Fine. You’re buying us ice cream on the way to the hotel, though.”

Aimes winked at me. “Don’t forget you have options, Harper.”

Silas growled. “Get out of here, kid.”

Mora was still beside herself. “Carter. I don’t understand. I think Harper is a sweet girl but you have an image to-”

“For god’s sake, Mora.” Chris threw his napkin down and stood up. “Carter isn’t a boy anymore. He’s a man and he’s going to do what he wants. As for Casey… We’ll talk about it.”

Mora stormed out of the house with Chris trailing along behind her at a much slower pace. He even stopped to throw back another shot of whiskey.

“Tell your brothers to call me, Harper.” Chris nodded at Carter. “We’ll be at the game.”

Terry gathered his family and pushed them towards the front door. “Night, guys. Good luck.”

As soon as they were gone, Silas looked at me. “So. Magic?”