Shared

BARCLAY: Ever since college, I've kept everyone at a distance. I'm not deserving of the love my friends have found, so I know better than to go looking for it. But they're on to something when they tease me about my long-term friend with benefits. I can't stand the idea of losing Val when he realizes I'm not the man he thinks I am, so it's better for me to keep things the same as they've always been.

VAL: Just because our relationship is open doesn't mean Barclay isn't enough for me. The casual physicality of our relationship has become normal, but as the years wear on, I find myself wanting more. Our situation has always had an open door to the bedroom, but if he thinks he'd be okay with me seeing other people outside of those four walls, I'm ready to put him to the test. Meeting Jason is unexpected, and apparently just the thing Barclay needed to take action. I've had no idea how deep Barclay's feelings go, and as he spills them out to me, I fall a little more in love. Suddenly, there's a rich future on the table that I'd never imagined. He's ready to give me anything—and anyone—to keep me happy. I don't know how he spent so long thinking he wasn't worthy of this kind of happiness. His heart has so much to give and I'm always willing to take, so we're faced with no option except to share.

Contains mature themes.