The Widows Harem

Chapter 10 - Dreams

Jocelyn

"You okay there, Jo?" Vincent asked after he closed out of the game and turned off our headsets.

"I don't know," I stated truthfully, trying to digest everything that happened. "I didn't like that last game."

Riley and Vince both nodded in understanding.

"Who were those guys? You seemed to know them."

"A few of them are from our old platoon," Riley confessed. "Rhys has always had a special hard on for Tristan. None of us know how it started, we just know it started in boot camp and never stopped."

"And Riker?" I inquired.

"From our platoon as well. He's naturally a d**k," Riley added.

Interesting.

"Do you want to stay and watch a movie, or do you want to call it a night?" Vince asked, as he looked at the time. It was late, but I didn't have anything I had to do in the morning. Not only that, I didn't want to go back to an empty house.

"I'll stay and watch a movie."

While I picked the movie, Vince made some popcorn and Riley got everything put away from our game. Minutes later, I was tucked into Vincent's side while Riley was sprawled out along the rest of the couch with his head in my lap. I rested my arm across his chest and reveled in the warmth of being tucked safely between these two men.

As the movie played, my mind wandered, and I couldn't help but day-dream that this was my real, day-to-day life. Where I lived with these two very protective men who adored me. Where I was never alone in my home again, and I could seek and receive the connection I craved. Was it bad I was having these thoughts of having a multiple-partner relationship?

Trying to re-focus on the movie, I slowly drifted into a mild slumber. Sometime after, Vince turned down the volume and moments later Riley and him were talking quietly.

"Are you and Jocelyn serious?" Riley asked, sounding almost hesitant. As if he didn't want to over-step his bounds.

"We just started dating," Vince replied openly, no defensiveness in his tone. "I wouldn't say we are serious-serious, but I would like to consider us a couple. We haven't really talked about it, seeing as we just went through a rough patch right after we started hooking up..." He paused and then sighed heavily, admitting, 'H*ll, we may not really even be a couple anymore."

"Didn't you talk to her after I left?"

"Well, yeah."

"And?"

"She asked if we were okay. I said we were and she admitted she had been afraid she'd lost me."

Riley's sigh sounded forlorn. I wanted to comfort him, but doing anything in that moment felt too extraneous. It was easier to just listen. "Yeah, you guys are in that beginning, cutsie stage." Riley sat up, disengaging from me. I felt his distance sharply, which was surprising. I hadn't felt anyone's presence as such a loss since I lost Caleb.

"Why do you ask, Riley?" Vincent opened the door, knowing his friend had something on his mind.

"I know it's a selfish request," Riley started softly, his voice filled with insecurity. "Is there any way you would be okay sharing her?"

"As in?" Vince pressed, wanting clarification.

"Some kind of three-way relationship? Or a friend's-with-benefits kind of thing," he fumbled for the right words. "Not to compete for her affections or anything. I know there's a connection between you and her, and I wouldn't try to steal her from you," he rambled on. "Just all three of us ... enjoying each other's company and intimacy. If that even makes sense."

I felt Vince nod slowly. "It does make sense," he assured Riley.

"Back in Afghanistan, our fire team spoke about sharing a woman. I know it was more to scratch an itch that we all had, but I think she could be this woman for us. That she could be the one all of us need. However, with that being said, I understand if that has all changed, especially with her."

"Hmm," Vincent hummed, contemplating what Riley said. "She is an extraordinary woman," he agreed. "What would be your end goal?"

"Just to heal. I won't lay claim to her." He added. "I can't explain it but when I am with her, even just simply being in her presence, all of my demons, all of the past traumas just ... melt away. I know they aren't gone. I know I will have to face them and overcome them. It's just, with her, it doesn't seem as daunting of a task. With her, I feel like I can breathe and have a respite from the weight of the world resting on my shoulders. Like, I can finally set it all down and just rest."

"Amen to that," Vince murmured under his breath.

"You feel the same way?"

"Yes." Vince paused and then continued. "I know she has always been a kind and healing soul. Caleb allowed that side of her to flourish and never broke her down for it. Never made her feel self-conscious for wanting to help others. Maybe this could work out for all of us," he reasoned. "We would have to talk with the rest of the group, to see if they are interested and willing to give this a try. Even if they aren't, we can still explore the dynamic, only," he interjected. "Only if she is willing to participate herself."

"Of course," Riley agreed.

"I will bring it up with her tomorrow. Alone," he added a bit forcefully. "That way, there is no added pressure."

I could feel the disappointment radiating off of Riley at the boundary Vincent had set. He took it in stride though and took it as his que to leave.

"Thank you for doing this," Riley said in a moment of vulnerability. "You were right. It was devouring my life, and I was allowing it to spiral out of control."

"Drive safe," Vince said in farewell as Riley let himself out.

Vince snuggled me on the couch for the rest of the movie, not caring that I had fallen asleep. I was in and out of consciousness and barely woke up to him carrying me to his bed. I sighed in contentment as he tucked me in and kissed my forehead, whispering a sweet goodnight before slipping back out of the room.