Page 531 of End Game

“Mom. Look at me.”

Her gaze comes back reluctantly.

“Griffin is my husband. He isn't my parole officer.”

“I didn't say that.”

“You're asking him whether my relationship is acceptable while I'm sitting right here.”

“I am trying to understand if your husband is actually okay with you sleeping with three other men.”

That is a sentence.

My stomach twists even though I expected it. “It isn't just sex.”

“I didn't say—”

“It is not me fucking three roommates while Griffin quietly tolerates it because he loves me too much to say no.”

Mom's face reddens.

Dad looks profoundly uncomfortable.

Clay studies the ceiling.

Sorry, big brother.

You chose attendance.

“Micah and Dex are in love with each other,” I continue. “Micah and Ronan have a relationship. Ronan and Dex have something too. We aren't just Griffin and me with three men orbiting us.”

I can feel Griffin looking at me now.

“We are a family.”

Dad exhales slowly. “This is a lot.”

“I know.”

“And you all live together?”

“Yes.”

“You're all—” He gestures vaguely. “Together?”

“Yes.”

Mom shakes her head. “I don't understand.”

“I don't need you to.”

Her eyes flash. “I'm your mother.”

“And I'm twenty-six.”

“Which doesn't mean I stop worrying about you.”

“I know.” The response comes softer than I intend.