The Styles Triplets

Chapter 19

Marcel disappeared into the kitchen to grab us something to drink while I stayed curled up on the couch, watching him.

He was only wearing his jeans now, and I suddenly realized something I'd never allowed myself to notice before.

Marcel was... attractive.
Not just cute or familiar — attractive. His shoulders were broader than I remembered, his movements more confident. I found myself staring at the lines of his stomach, quickly looking away when he glanced back toward me.
My cheeks burned.

"Love?"

I stared stubbornly at the floor. "Yeah?"

He walked over carrying two glasses of water and set them down on the table before crouching in front of me.
"Why won't you look at me?" he asked gently.
His hands rested at my sides, thumbs brushing softly against my waist.
"Alex?"

"Hm?" I hummed.

He tilted my chin upward until I had no choice but to meet his eyes.

"Okay, fine," I admitted. "I just... can't believe we actually did that."

"Embarrassed?"
My silence answered his question.

"You don't need to be embarrassed," he said quietly. "You were... amazing."

"Really?" I asked, suddenly nervous.

"Really, really."

The question I was dreading.
Don't get me wrong, I love him...really I do, But Edward's face still lived somewhere in my thoughts, stubborn and unresolved. I need to tell him before Marce and I take this to the next level.
"I don't know." I answered, "What do you want us to be?"

"I want you to be mine."

I bit my lip. "There's something I need to tell you first."

Concern flashed across his face. "Okay... what is it?"

I took a steadying breath.
"This past month... I've kind of had something going on with Edward. I didn't know how to tell either of you."

His eyes grew wide, "Oh."

"Please don't hate me," I rushed. "Nothing happened like what happened with us. But I need to talk to him before we officially become... anything."

"I'm not mad," Marcel said quickly.

He was absolutely mad.

"Yes, you are."

He exhaled slowly, shoulders tightening.
"Okay. Yeah. I am," he admitted. "I've loved you my whole life, Alex. It's hard knowing you've been... involved with my brother."

"I never meant to hurt you," I said softly. "I love you."

"But you like him."

I couldn't deny it.

"Just give me time to tell him," I pleaded. "I never thought you and I would actually... happen."

He studied me for a long moment before nodding.
"Okay."
He pulled me into a hug, holding me tighter than usual.
"Promise you won't leave me?"

I pulled back, surprised. "Why would you think that?"

"I don't want things to change now that we've crossed that line."

I kissed him softly.
"They won't. I promise."

Relief spread across his face. He kissed me again — once, twice, like he was still convincing himself I was real.

"What was that for?" I laughed.

He grinned. "Because I can now."

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