Page 550 of End Game

“So how does that work for you?” he asks.

“What?”

“All of it.”

I brace automatically, then realize his tone isn't judgmental.

“You're straight,” he points out

“Last I checked.”

“So do you ever feel… I don't know. Left out?”

That's actually a better question than I expected.

“Sometimes.”

He goes quiet.

“Not because I want what they're doing,” I clarify. “There are configurations where I'm not part of the sex. That's fine.”

“You're saying that remarkably calmly.”

“I've had practice.”

“I would lose my fucking mind.”

“You lost your fucking mind in a monogamous marriage.”

“Excellent point.”

I laugh.

“So no,” I say. “I don't want their dicks.”

Luke makes a choking sound. “Jesus Christ.”

“You asked.”

“I absolutely did not ask that specifically.”

“But that's the question under the question.”

“Fine.”

“I love them. I don't want to fuck them. Both can be true.”

Luke is quiet again.

Then his voice changes. “Do they take care of you too?”

That stops me.

I don't think anyone outside this house has asked me that.

“Yeah.”

“How?”