My girlfriend's boyfriends 1

My girlfriend's boyfriends 1
2019, December 22nd

(Troy)

“So, which one was it? Boyfriend A or Boyfriend B?”
Aria smiled, taking her place next to me by the piano.
“You know, A for Aaron, B for Bart,” I said, handing Aria her violin.
“You're just full of surprises, aren't you? I suppose you really are the jealous type.”
Only when she held her violin up to her shoulder and started playing did my fingers find the keys of the piano. Was it silly how I just assumed she would play with me now?
Aria was so angry over the last two nights that I didn't see how intertwined we'd become, how I gave her little bits of myself every day. We hadn't played together in two nights.
“Which one?” I persisted. “So I can know how jealous I should be.”
“If you must know, Barry came by to see the baby.”
She still couldn't say it, couldn't call him Ethan. I brushed off my concern. I was watching her, waiting for her to bring it up. Last night we decided to be in everything together, 50/50 from now on. I wasn't sure how well I was going to do with it, but I would try for her. I liked how happy she looked when she said words like partners and together.
“Aah, minimal jealousy, then. He may have a little thing for you, but it's probably harmless enough. He may live.”
Aria laughed.
“How gracious of you, My Prince.”
“Unless!”
My fingers danced over the keys of the piano, eliciting a theatrical, dramatic, ominous melody.
“You keep up the cutesy nicknames!”
She laughed again.
“We do cutesy nicknames too, my prince, my future king.”
I shot her a glare.
“Okay one, I'm Troy Pierce. I don't do cute. Hot, sexy, handsome, charming, devilish, mischievous. All that stuff I do.”
She put her violin and bow down and got up, grinning at me as she slipped her arms around my neck, her playful eyes sparkling as she brought her face up to mine.
“And two?”
I pulled her onto my lap, put my fingers in her hair, holding her head in place as I trailed light little kisses all over her neck until I sent her into a fit of giggles.
“And two, we're together. Couples are supposed to do cutesy shit. You and Boyfriend B are not together.”
“I see. Makes sense.”
She was smiling and laughing so much this morning that the shitstorm that was last night, the yelling and screaming that followed their reckless, steamy session on the dancefloor, was completely worth it. How I hadn't had the craziest angry sex of my life with her last night, I didn't know. I needed to get over this being a gentleman bullshit.

I had gone quiet. I was looking at her like she was the breakfast we hadn't had yet and I was absolutely famished.
She tightened her arms around my neck and I licked my lips.
“Are we making out now or are we still talking about other men?” she asked.
“Depends,” I said, kissing her lightly, lowering her onto the bench. “Did I win? No more calling him Barry?”
I missed my lips on hers, all the places my hands went. Everything about her felt good, great, better than usual this morning. She was about to tell me something naughty when she heard Bart's voice.
“Why? What's wrong with her calling me Barry?”
Aria's body went rigid. She wanted to sit right up, but of course she just bumped into the wall of pure muscle that was me and I wasn't budging. She could ask me to move all she wanted. I wasn't going to. I was enjoying myself too much.
“Nothing, Barry, he's just kidding.”
“I'm really not,” I said, tracing her lips with my thumb. “Caroline doesn't even have a cutesy nickname for him. I just think—”
Aria shoved harder and this time, I relented and retreated.
“What's up, Barry? Is everything okay?” she asked, walking up to Bart.
Bart glared at an amused me before refocusing his eyes on Aria.
“I'm on my way out, but Eth, I mean the baby's nanny said you haven't been in there to see him yet. Do you want me to go with you?”
I couldn't see her face, but I knew it had clouded over. Her body went back to being stiff. I got up and went to her, putting my arm around her waist. I thought about being a dick and saying I would take her just to mess with Bart's head, but just then she looked so overwhelmed I just wanted to hold her.
She felt my arm go around her, saw the warm patience in my eyes, and leaned into me gratefully. Aria didn't need to tell me she needed to do this on her own time. I already knew, already understood.
“Thanks, Barry. Maybe next time.”
I hadn't meant to tick Bart off, but it seemed I did, anyway. Maybe neither of them knew it, maybe Bart loved CC, but he definitely had a thing for Aria. This amused me. It wouldn't go anywhere. Bart wouldn't try anything. Unlike the other thorn in my side, Bart was safe. Aaron Condor was the real problem.
“Alright then, I'll be back tomorrow to check on you and the baby.”
“We really don't mind if you don't. I'm sure CC wouldn't either.”
Aria elbowed me in the ribs.
“Looking forward to it, Barry.”
I pulled her back into the music room and said, “Bye, Barry,” as I closed the doors.
Aria elbowed me in the ribs again.
“That hurts, you know.”
“Good!” she snapped, sitting back down to her violin.
I grinned.
“Your pouty face is super cute.”
She turned her back on me. Aria had certain weaknesses I frequently exploited. The most obvious one was me all over her, but the way she watched me when I played something I wrote for her was a close second. As I took her in, watched her play her heart out, I sat down next to her and pulled out a new piece that I titled My Queen.
“You're the devil,” she said.
“I know. Don't I make being bad look so good, though?”