The living room felt different after my confrontation. The fire still crackled, but the air was thicker, charged with everything we’d finally said out loud. No one had left. They were all still there—Ian in his chair, Dirk and Dylan on the couch with me, Liam and Christian leaning against the pool table, Josh by the window, the twins cross-legged on the rug. Waiting.
Ian broke the silence first, voice calm but deliberate. “You asked what we want. We’ve told you the truth. Now we have a proposal.”
I looked at him. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat.
“A holiday-only arrangement,” he continued. “Nothing beyond Christmas. No strings, no expectations after you leave. Just these next few days—however you want them. If you want us, we’re here. All of us, or some of us,
