Double The Ache

I barely get a hug before I’m being pulled inside and Wes and Dean are wrapping themselves around me. I melt into them, feeling better just being close to them.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble into one of their chests. I don’t know whose it is and it doesn’t matter.

“Little one. Everything is going to be okay,” one of them says.

“I don’t want you to get in trouble. This is all my fault. I never should have gone on that stupid date,” I say into Wes’s chest. I can tell it’s him now by how broad it is. Arms lift me up and I cling to him, never wanting to let him go, always by their sides. I feel safe here.

“We aren’t doing this here. Give us a moment,” Dean says, I’m guessing to my dad. Wes moves down the long hallway before stepping into a room and shutting the door. He sits me down on the counter.

“Your tears are killing me,” Wes grunts. Dean uses his thumbs to wipe at my face. I lean into his chest, needing his touch just as much as Wes’s.

“She just wiped her nose on you,” Wes laughs. I have to bite back a grin because I did.

“I don’t give a shit,” Dean says.

Hands run along my back. “How much trouble are you guys in?” I ask. I pull back and look between both of them. They have worried looks on their faces. “Oh god, it’s bad, isn’t it?”

“Slow down.” Dean cups my face before he leans in and kisses me softly and sweetly. When his mouth leaves mine, Wes is there next. I feel myself start to calm again. I keep working myself up.

Wes pulls his mouth from mine and I want to be back in their giant bed, hidden away and not being forced to deal with this. Last night was so perfect. Not even twenty-four hours together and we are having to deal with all this crap.

“Are you—”

Dean cuts me off. “We could get suspended for a few games.”

“Really?” I ask, hoping it’s not true.

“Maybe not.” Wes elbows Dean. “The guy isn’t pressing charges. Without charges, the league likely won’t come after us.”

“He’s not? Why? Does he want money or something? God, this is all my fault! I shouldn’t have gone on that date. Worse, I shouldn’t have tried to make you jealous.”

Wes wraps his hand around my braid, pulling it back so I have to look at him in his eyes. “Everything is going to be fine. We handled it. The guy is a prick with a prick past to match. Don’t even think about him.”

I nod. I shouldn’t be turned on in this moment, but I am. Wes’s full lips quirk in a half smile. He’s probably reading my face.

I feel a finger under my chin, turning me to look at Dean. “All that matters is that we’re together. The rest is shit that we’ll sort out one way or another. As long as we’re together, the three of us are the only team that matters at the end of the day.”

“I’m going to fall in love with you two if you’re not careful,” I tease.

“Don’t pretend you don’t already love us,” Dean teases back. My heart flutters because he’s right. I am in love with them.

A knock on the door pulls us from the moment. My dad opens it and steps into the room.

“You all right, Melly?” my dad asks, concern on his face.

“Yeah. I’m better. Are you upset?” I ask.

If Wes and Dean do somehow end up getting suspended for a few games and affecting his team, I’d hate for my dad to regret bringing me here and hiring me to help with the team. My dad has never been upset with me that I can ever recall.

“How about I tell you something and you can’t be mad at me for it. We’ll call it even?” My eyebrows rise at that. Dean and Wes lean up against the counter I’m sitting on, one on either side of me, facing my dad.

“What?” I wring my fingers together at why I might be mad at my dad. Maybe he’s going to fire me. Dean and Wes each take one of my hands. My dad watches their movements with sharp eyes.

“That’s something I’m going to have to get used to.” He shakes his head.

“We’ve already talked about this,” Wes growls.

“What’s done is done. She’s ours,” Dean adds.

I smile as I wonder what all they talked about. I’m guessing it was before I got here.

“Yeah, let’s see about that after she finds out the terms of your new contract extension.”

“What does that have to do with me?” I glance around the room at everyone. All of them have a guilty look on their faces. I take that back. Wes just shrugs, his face giving nothing away. Not even guilt.