The Lines We Cross

Chapter 13

"So, what's going on, guys?" she asks, her voice filled with curiosity and concern.

Matt takes a deep breath before he replies, his words trembling with disbelief, "I... I can't believe last night happened. I thought that if I rushed to see you both, you'd pretend it didn't happen, and we'd go back to, you know, being roommates."

Kenzie's heart sinks at his words. Feeling terrible, she wonders if she had taken advantage of their relationship and the situation, and if they regretted anything. "What? I thought everyone enjoyed last night. Was I wrong?" she asks, her voice filled with self-doubt.

"No, you don't have to look like that you did nothing wrong, Kenz. I loved last night. It was a fantasy for me. I'm just confused," Matt confesses.

Reed, who had been quietly listening, finally speaks up, "I had a great time yesterday. I thought it was good for us. Um, I thought we could be open and talk about everything openly since I feel like all the secret's out and everyone is on the same page I thought."

Realizing that they need to address the situation head-on, Kenzie takes charge, "Okay, so let's talk. Let's start with you, hotstuff. What has you confused?"

Matt hesitates for a moment before he musters the courage to speak his truth, "I... well, you know Reed and I have been secretly hooking up. And before yesterday happened, I simply asked him a question about being with a female, and he went ape shit on me."

Reed immediately feels remorseful for his reaction, "Matt, I'm so sorry. I let my jealousy cloud my judgment and let anger take over my jealousy. I was a terrible bestfriend."

Matt tries to assure Reed, "It's okay. I just want you to communicate better. This is hard for me, and now you just went and switched things up on me. It's like a hot and cold front from you, Reed. You have my mind spinning. I didn't expect you to get jealous yesterday. You kept us a secret for like 2 years. I can't even look at you a certain way outside these walls. And then when I ask a question because I think I'm into Kenzie and I need my best friend to help me understand, you go ape shit like you've been my jealous boyfriend that I'm cheating on. I couldn't keep up, that's why I got mad and just left."

Understanding the gravity of his actions, Reed humbly admits, "I understand, and I'm sorry. I was terrible. I guess I wanted my cake and to eat it too. I never factored in your feelings towards this and how I make you feel. I'm selfish."

Attempting to address the mixed signals from the previous night, Matt confesses, his voice tinged with nervousness, "But to answer your question from last night, I'm not questioning my sexuality. I was just trying to make sure what I felt for Kenzie was real. I didn't want to hurt her. And, well, last night definitely proved that I want you, Kenzie. I mean, I love our friendship, but I want more, um, sexually wise between us. And I was never insinuating last night that I wanted to stop things with you, Reed. You would've gotten that if you didn't cut me off," he says, his face reddening.

"Well, I'm honored that you want me, hotstuff. We're on the same page. And of course, Reed, don't think you're out of it. I want you too. You both together get me giddy and hot. But back to the conversation at hand," Kenzie says bluntly. Both of them blush, especially Matt, so he has to turn his head.

Feeling the weight of the situation, Reed admits his struggle to express his true feelings, "I'm sorry Matt. I just didn't know how to say in words that I didn't want us to stop. I let my idiot side come out instead of being the voice of reason and understanding."

Kenzie, trying to understand their dynamics, questions Reed, "So, you want Matt to yourself and would get jealous if I take him from you...because i dont want to get in between you both?"

Reed immediately denies the assumption, "What? No!....not exactly" and Matt lets out a sigh of confusion.

Reed clarifies his true intentions, "No, what I mean is, I was denying a lot. I know, but I am interested in you, Kenzie. And I got jealous because it felt like both of you could continue, and I'd just be left with regrets of never expressing how I truly feel and my mind wouldn't let me rest and had my guts clenching, as hard as it is to admit its the truth. You both don't see it, but the connection you have is so good. And you've been able to form this connection in months... i just want that too you know and I want to start living for me and doing what i want and stop thinking of pleasing others," he says, his voice filled with sincerity.

Kenzie and Matt exchange glances, their smiles reflecting the warmth of their growing bond, before turning back to Reed

"I think there's a connection between all of us," Matt says.

Kenzie finally speaks up, even though she's freaking out with this conversation. There's been too much talk about what could happen and feelings. "Reed, you and Matt have a connection too. Anyone who doesn't see it is an idiot. I've been asking that question since the first day I saw you both together, and there's a reason for it. And I can admit, and I want you to know, that both of you excite me. My heart races when I'm around both of you. And Matt is right, communication is what we need. All three of us hiding or staying in the dark won't lead us anywhere. You also need to let us in. I know it's hard, especially for me, but we have to try."

"You're right, I just don't know what this is. It's not the norm, right?" Reed says.

"Pff, what do you think I'm feeling? It's the first time in my life I want and crave a woman. And the "us" thing we have going," Matt says.

"I mean, you know what they say, normal is boring. Spice it up." Kenzie laughs.

A heavy silence envelops the room as Matt breaks it with a question that hangs in the air, "So, what, we all want a relationship?"

Matt's disappointment is palpable when he hears the response, "I guess not," he mutters.

The weight of past relationship experiences makes Kenzie hesitant, but she musters the courage to express her desires, "I'm terrified of relationships. I never really saw the point. And when I got in one, y'all know how that went. But this, us three, I do like our friendship and our roommates dynamics. And last night, I just got a taste of us three, and mhm might i say it was incredible."

Reed chimes in, showing a glimmer of vulnerability, "I don't know if I can come out, I'm sorry. But I... it's a lot, okay? But I know that I want to explore way more of yesterday and maybe seperate time with each so we can get connect together."

Matt seeks clarification, his voice filled with uncertainty, "So, what does that mean?"

Kenzie turns to Matt, her gaze filled with understanding, "What do you want, Matt?"

Matt contemplates for a moment before he responds, "I'm fine taking things slow. I think that's a good idea for all of us."

Kenzie expresses her one request, hoping to maintain harmony, "I do have one request. I don't want jealousy. I want this to be nice and easy. With jealousy, it's just ugly and ruins everything. So, can we all agree to share?"

Reed speaks up first, his voice filled with sincerity, "Yes, I can do that."

Matt follows suit, his voice reflecting his agreement, "Yes, I'd like that."

"Oh, shit! Look at the time. I gotta... darn it, I'm late to practice. See you guys later." Reed runs, but turns back around and gives Kenzie and Matt a quick kiss before making his way out.