My other boyfriend was being clingy.

My other boyfriend was being clingy.
Amara’s POV

The house was full of electricity that morning. Not the literal kind—but the kind that simmered under the surface. Charged glances. Lingering touches. And too many unspoken words between four people tangled in something too big to name.

After grabbing my smoothie from Jaxon and kissing Ryder goodbye on the cheek—though he tried to pull me back into bed—I followed Jaxon out to his car.

He was already leaning against the passenger side, sunglasses low on his nose, smirk firmly in place.

“Took you long enough, princess,” he teased, opening the door for me like the cocky show-off he was.

“Sorry,” I said, brushing past him. “My other boyfriend was being clingy.”

He let out a low chuckle, shutting the door behind me. “Mm. So it’s like that now, huh?”

I looked at him as he slid into the driver’s seat. “Like what?”

He shot me a sidelong glance, something dark and playful dancing in his eyes. “Like you’ve accepted that you’re ours. All of us.”

I didn’t answer.

Mostly because I wasn’t ready to say it. Not out loud. But the silence said enough.

Jaxon’s smirk faded into something softer, warmer, and way too dangerous. “You don’t have to choose, you know. Not yet. Maybe not ever.”

“That’s not how this works,” I whispered.

“Maybe not,” he agreed, shifting the car into gear. “But maybe it should.”

The ride to school was anything but quiet.

Jaxon kept one hand on the wheel and the other on my thigh, fingers drawing idle circles that made it very hard to focus on anything other than him.

“So,” he said after a moment, “Ryder got to wake up with you. Not gonna lie, kinda jealous.”

I arched a brow. “I’m not some prize you have to take turns winning, Jaxon.”

His grip on my leg tightened just a little—not possessive. Just present.

“Didn’t say you were. But if we’re being honest, I want every damn turn I can get.”

I looked at him, heart thudding. “Why?”

He didn’t hesitate.

“Because when you’re with me… I don’t feel broken. You make everything feel less heavy. Like I can finally breathe.”

I swallowed hard, emotion tightening my throat. “Jaxon…”

He glanced at me again, this time without a smirk. Just raw truth.

“I don’t say things I don’t mean, Amara. You’re it for me. Whether you end up with me, or Ryder, or Caden… I’ll still want you. Always.”

The car rolled into the school parking lot just as he finished, and I was left staring at him—unsure if I wanted to cry, kiss him, or both.

He leaned over, brushing my hair back behind my ear.

“Now go kick ass in class,” he murmured, lips ghosting my temple. “And if anyone tries to flirt with you, just remember—I bite.”

I laughed softly, even as my chest ached.

Three boys. Three pieces of my heart.

And not nearly enough time to figure out what the hell to do with it.

Classes flew by in a haze. I couldn’t concentrate—not when every time I closed my eyes, I felt Ryder’s warmth, saw the softness in Jaxon’s eyes, or remembered the gentle brush of Caden’s fingers against mine from the night before.

They were in my blood now. In every breath I took.

By the time lunch rolled around, I ditched the cafeteria and made my way to the library, hoping for a moment of peace.

But of course, the universe had other plans.

I turned the corner between two tall shelves—and ran straight into Caden.

“Amara,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, golden eyes wide with surprise. He caught me by the waist before I could stumble back. “You okay?”

My hands landed on his chest, steadying myself. And gods help me, the warmth there made my fingers curl into his shirt.

“Yeah. Just wasn’t expecting you here.”

He smiled softly. “I could say the same.”

We stood like that for a beat too long, the quiet between us growing heavy, charged.

Then he stepped back slightly, eyes scanning me. “You look… beautiful today.”

Heat rose to my cheeks. “I look like I got dressed in the dark.”

“Still beautiful,” he said with a gentle smile, like it was the easiest truth in the world.

I tried to keep my heart from flipping in my chest, but it was no use.

He looked down at our joined hands—when had I taken his?—and lifted mine, brushing his lips over my knuckles.

“I’ve been trying to give you space,” he said, voice low. “Letting you feel what you need to feel… choose at your own pace. But it’s killing me, Amara.”

I looked up at him, breath caught. “Caden…”

He took a step closer. “When I’m near you, I feel like I’m finally home. You calm the storm in me. You always have.”

I should’ve stepped away. Said something—anything—but instead, I stood there as he cupped my face gently, his thumbs brushing my cheeks like I was something precious. Like I was his.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked quietly, forehead resting against mine.

I nodded.

And just like that, the world melted away.

His lips were soft and slow, nothing rushed or wild like Jaxon, or desperate like Ryder’s had been. Caden kissed me like he had all the time in the world, like he wanted to savor every second.

My fingers gripped his jacket, pulling him closer. He wrapped his arms around me, one hand tangled in my hair, the other flat against my lower back. And for a moment, I let myself forget the chaos.

It was just us. Just this.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless, he rested his forehead against mine again.

“I’ve been waiting so long to do that,” he murmured.

I smiled softly. “You made it worth the wait.”

He chuckled under his breath, then reached into his pocket and handed me a granola bar. “You skipped lunch. I figured you’d forget.”

“You remembered?” I asked, touched.

He kissed the top of my head. “I remember everything about you.”

And just like that, my heart broke a little more—because I didn’t know how I’d ever choose.

Or if I even could.