---- Book 1 Chapter 22 Is he why you won't leave? asked Eli. No, we aren't like that. Just friends with benefits. Both of them looked at me like they had never heard the term; I couldn't believe I was having this discussion with my bosses. Like, how inappropriate. What is a friend with benefits? Cyrus asked, perplexed. My face flushed with embarrassment; I really had to explain this now. Did I also have to tell them about the birds and the bees? We are friends who sleep with each other, no strings attached, I told them, and they looked at each other. How many? Excuse me? How many friends with benefits do you have? Cyrus asked through gritted teeth. Geez, just Sam, I told him, not understanding why he was getting so worked up about it. He let out a breath before sitting back and relaxing slightly. So, you fuck, and thats it? Eli asked, and I raised an eyebrow at him. 4/7 ---- Book 1 Chapter 22 Yes, we have sex, okay? No, its not okay. I dont want you sleeping with this Sam or anyone else. You are our mate. Mates dont sleep with other people, only their mates, Eli said, using that strange term. Now I was the one confused. Were we speaking of the same sort of mates as in friend? Because from the way he said it, it sounded like something different. You have lost me, I told them, shaking my head. You are ours, destined to be with us. We want you, and thats it, Eli answered just as the front door opened and in ran Maya, completely distracting me from what he'd said. She bounded into the kitchen, jumping up and down excitedly, showing me her painting. Look, Ada, I painted you a picture, she said, jumping up and down. See? Mommy, grandma, me, and you, she said, pointing to each blob of paint. Awe, thats amazing. Looks exactly like us, I told her. She then noticed Cyrus and Eli, a grin lighting up her face, which I thought was unusual. 5/7 ---- Book 1 Chapter 22 Want to see? she asked, running, overexcited about her painting. Eli bent down, picking her up and placing her on his hip before looking at her painting. Very good, Maya, he told her, and she grinned a big toothy grin. Cyrus, she told him, and he stood up to look over her shoulder, ruffling her hair. Very good, a little abstract, he said, cocking his head to the side as he looked at the blob of paint on the paper, and I saw Eli nudge him. My mother walked in with Mayas backpack. Oh, you're still here, she said, a little surprised. Yes, Mrs... He stopped, and I realized I had never introduced them to each other. Her name is Debbie, I told him, and he nodded. Are you staying for dinner? she asked, and I shrugged, no longer caring at this point, before looking at them. They shrugged. Yes, mom, they can stay, I answered for them, shaking my head. I was trying to get rid of them, but 6/7 ---- Book 1 Chapter 22 whatever. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!