Triple the Love

Someone else's Opinion

Hank

“You are so adorable,” I remarked as I chuckled. My gaze fixated on Shaun. He was gurgling and giggling in my arms, and he was unbelievably precious.

“Adorable little monster,” Jake muttered, but I ignored him as I continued to tickle Shaun. I had been visiting Jake and Alessa a lot more than usual as I tried to use their lives and their newborn son as a distraction from all the chaos that had unfolded in my life. However, today the distractions weren’t working as well as they usually did. No matter how much I cooed at their baby or tried to engage in the usual lighthearted banter with Jake, I couldn’t get my mind off the absurd proposal Jack had asked me to think about.

“Ugh,” I groaned softly as I awkwardly shifted in my seat. The whole idea of a poly relationship with Jack and Corey kept looping in my head like a bad son I just couldn’t shake. The more I thought about it, the more confused and horrified I became. I wasn’t the type of guy who could juggle two relationships, let alone figure out how to share feelings for two people at the same time. And the idea of Jack, my friend, being a part of this mess, was all too much. And as I continued to sit on the couch, cuddling Shaun, I could feel the tension growing inside of me. My brain was spinning in circles.

“Ok, what is going on with you?” Alessa asked from her spot across from me.

“Yeah, Hank,” Jake chimed in. “What is going on with you? Not only are you quiet, but you keep staring at Shaun like he has suddenly grown another head…care to share what the hell is eating at you?” I sighed as I glanced over at them. Both of them were staring at me, waiting for me to explain myself.

“It’s complicated,” I finally said.

“Is it about Corey?” Jake questioned with a frown.

“I wish it was just about Corey…but it’s also about Jack,” I said as I let out a frustrated groan.

“Oh? Both of them? No, I am even more interested…so, spill it,” Alessa said as she perked up, clearly intrigued. I hesitated for a moment. Unsure of how to even begin. The pressure that had been building for the past few days and I realized I just couldn’t hold it in any longer. When Alessa stood up and carefully took Shaun from me and set him in the small, rocking crib. I felt a bit of relief as I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees.

“Well, here’s the thing…the reason Corey and I broke up was because he had been dating both me and Jack,” Alessa and Jake shared a look, but I ignored them as I continued. “They came up with this crazy idea a few weeks ago…they suggested that the three of us get into a poly relationship…and then the other day, I bumped into Jack at the grocery store and…and we had a chat about it. I promised I would think about it,” I explained, and as the silence fell over us, I waited for their response. Alessa stared at me, her mouth hung open, while Jake just looked confused. Suddenly, Alessa burst out laughing and nearly fell off the couch as she clutched her sides.

“A poly what?! With Jack and Corey! Holy s**t, Hank! That is crazy!” she managed to say between her laughter. I nodded, and my face suddenly felt hot with embarrassment and frustration.

“Yeah, and they were completely serious about it,” I remarked. Alessa wiped tears from her eyes as she tried to stop laughing.

“I mean, no offense, but that sounds like something out of a bad soap opera,” she commented, and I nodded in agreement. However, Jake wasn’t laughing. In fact, he didn’t even look amused. He looked thoughtful, his brow furrowed as he studied me.

“But what do you think about it?” Jake finally asked, as Alessa stopped laughing. Jake’s voice was calm and measured and his gaze was intense.

“I think it’s crazy!” I said as I threw my hands up in the air. “I don’t even know how to process it. How does anyone make something like that work? I told them no. Twice,” Jake nodded as he leaned back in his seat.

“Ok…but…and just hear me out for a second…but what if it isn’t as crazy as it sounds?” I stared at him, completely dumbfounded. Even Alessa looked surprised by his declaration.

“What are you talking about? Do you think it’s a good idea?” Alessa asked before I could. Jake shrugged.

“All I’m saying is that there is a reason they would even suggest it. I mean, we have known Jack for a long time and…I mean, I always suspected he had a thing for you,” Jake said, and my eyes went wide.

“What?”

“Yes,” Jake said, and his tone was matter-of-fact. “I’m being serious here…I have always thought that Jack liked you as more than just a friend and this suggestion…it really makes me wonder if I was right. I always felt like he never said anything because he didn’t want to mess up the friendship,”

“f**k,” I muttered softly. “Jack literally admitted to me that he had a crush on me back in the day…but I just…I have never looked at him that way. Jack is a great guy, but he is not my type…and now they are suggesting we all get into this poly thing…” my voice trailed off because it was still messing with my mind.

“Look, I’m not saying you should jump into anything, but you should consider it. I don’t think Jack would have suggested it if he didn’t think it could work,” Jake said. Alessa shot me a skeptical look.

“I still think it’s crazy. No offense, Hank, but I don’t see you as the type of guy who could manage being in a relationship with two people at the same time,” Alessa said, and I nodded.

“Exactly!” I agreed. “Let’s be honest here, I can barely manage one relationship, how the hell am I going to manage two?!” Jake chuckled and I shot him a glaring look.

“Again, you don’t have to jump into anything, but you could think about it. You just confirmed what I had always thought. Jack is into you. Corey is into you. They both want you and this is the only way they can see it working out…what is wrong with that?” I sighed as I leaned back in my seat. Jake’s calm approach was making me second-guess my initial reaction. Still, the idea of a poly relationship sounded weird, and it didn’t sit right with me. It felt unnatural.

“I don’t know,” I muttered.

“Whatever you decide, it is your choice. Do not let anyone pressure you into something you are not comfortable with,” Alessa said softly, and I nodded.

“I agree…but don’t just reject the idea because it’s strange or unusual. Think about it, Hank,” Jake advised, and even though I wasn’t convinced that a poly relationship was the answer, I knew I had to consider it.