Free Vicious Carousel by Tymber Dalton

“You know how that one night after dinner we had the TV on, and one of those commercials for the Fifty Shades movie played?” Kenny asked her.
    “Yeah?”
    “We all live it in real life.”
    The room went tomb-silent.
    Kenny watched his mom as her gaze swiveled from him, to Betsy, to Nolan, then to Tilly and her guys. “So you three,” she said, using a finger to indicate Tilly, Landry, and Cris, “are a…group?”
    “Triad,” Landry offered. “We’re a poly triad. Tilly is my wife, and Cris is my slave, and we’re all partners.”
    “And it’s really complicated if we explain more than that,” Tilly added, this time without any of her characteristic snark added for conversational flavor.
    His mom nodded, then looked back at Kenny. “So, some of those women you and Nolan brought around before?”
    He nodded. “They were women we were dating or playing with,” he admitted.
    “And her?” She pointed at Betsy. “No offense to any of you, but she looks like she should be in the hospital.”
    “I checked myself out of the ER last night,” Betsy said. “Don’t worry, right now, all I’m planning to do is survive long enough to look human again and get my life back.”
    “So the guy who beat you up…”
    “I was a dummy who fell for a guy who suckered me in. Most guys are nice guys. Like Kenny and Nolan. Or Landry and Cris. They don’t do this.” She pointed at her own face. “This is abuse, and believe me, I know it.”
    “Okay.” She seemed to be digesting that. Then, she looked at Kenny and shook a finger at him. “I ever hear of you doing something like this to anyone? You’ll be dealing with me, young man.”
    Tilly snorted. “Don’t worry. There wouldn’t be enough left of him for you to deal with.”

    * * * *

    Betsy didn’t know if Kenny’s mom was just that cool, or if Michelle was trying to act cool because Betsy knew she looked like complete and utter hell, but she didn’t care. The woman was sweet and ordered Betsy and the others to call her “Mom.”
    She wouldn’t dare argue.
    “Well, I’m glad Dennis didn’t come with me tonight,” she said as they sat down to eat. “That would have made things even more interesting.”
    “So how is he?” Kenny asked.
    Michelle shrugged. “Still sulking. I think he’s upset that I didn’t beg him to come with me tonight. I told him he could either act like an adult or get the hell out. I raised my child. I’m not raising another one. Especially when he’s supposed to be a damned adult.”
    “I’m sorry, Mom,” Kenny said. “We didn’t realize he’d come home, or we would have been more careful.”
    She waved him off. “It’s okay. It had to come out sooner or later. So, when do I get to plan you and Nolan’s wedding?”
    Betsy couldn’t help but laugh as Kenny choked on the swallow of iced tea he’d been taking. “Mom!”
    “Well? The secret’s out now, right? Get married before the boneheads in Tallahassee figure out a way to stop it again.”
    “We still have to tell my parents,” Nolan said. “I’m not sure how that will go.”
    Michelle nodded. “At least you boys have a supportive group of friends, if these three here—and Betsy—are any indication.”
    Betsy thought she might be able to sit there and avoid talking, but Michelle, who’d sat right next to her, pulled her into the conversation. “So, what are your next plans? What did you do for a living? Any job prospects?”
    “I don’t know yet. I’m going to work on my resume and talk to the real estate office where I worked before Jack made me quit. See if they’re hiring or know of anyone who might be. From there…” She shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
    “No degree?”
    “Just a two-year from community college for business. Bookkeeping, accounting, basic stuff. I couldn’t afford a four-year school and didn’t have the grades for a scholarship.”
    Michelle nodded. “Well, keep me posted. If you’re familiar with real estate, have you