Chapter 20
20
Kaylee
By the time everyone left, and we cleaned up the kitchen, and showered, I was ready to crawl into bed and call it a night.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m exhausted.” Austin yawned as he turned off the kitchen light.
“Yeah, I’ll probably fall asleep before my head hits the pillow,” I agreed.
Levi squatted in front of me. “Hop on, sweetheart. I’ll make sure you make it to bed safely.”
I jumped onto his back with a chuckle. “You better not drop me.”
“We’d never let anything happen to you. Or your sweet ass.” Austin playfully smacked my butt.
Once we were in the bedroom, Levi lowered me onto the bed, and I crawled into the bed while the guys stripped to their boxers before climbing under the sheets. Since the guys would be going back on the road in a couple of days, I wanted to take advantage of being in the middle of my two men.
“We didn’t really get a chance to chat while everyone was here, but I wanted to make sure you were both okay with your teammates finding out about us,” I said. “I know neither of you were planning on telling them this soon.”
Levi trailed his fingers across my stomach while Austin played with my hair. I couldn’t get enough of the way they always seemed eager to touch me. Even when it wasn’t necessarily leading anywhere, it was as though they wanted us all to be connected somehow.
“I’m good,” Austin started. “For me, it’s always been about wanting to make sure I was in a serious relationship before I shared anything like that with my teammates, and I never saw that happening until after I retired. Obviously, that’s changed.”
Levi nodded. “Yeah. I was probably the most worried about telling the guys, but lately, keeping us a secret has been getting harder and harder. Being in a relationship with the two of you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and it feels good knowing I don’t have to hide anymore. At least from our friends.”
I knew what he meant. None of us had told our families yet, and knowing some of Levi’s history, I wasn’t sure when he’d ever be ready to tell his parents. And until he did, we couldn’t go public and risk any media attention for the guys.
“What about you, sweetness? How are you feeling?” Austin snuggled in closer. When we first met, I would have never guessed he was such a cuddler.
“Laying here with both of you, knowing your friends accept and support us? I couldn’t be happier. At least now, when we’re around the team, I don’t need to hold back because it won’t matter that they know how I feel about you guys.”
Levi’s lips brushed against my neck, causing a shiver to run down my spine. “And how do you feel?”
His question caught me off guard and stirred up a storm of emotions inside me. For weeks, I’d been holding back my feelings, afraid it was too soon to share them. Now, I was faced with the choice of continuing to allow my self-doubts to control me or finally saying the words itching to come out. After watching Levi and Austin be brave earlier in the day, I decided it was my turn to gather some courage and give them my truth.
“I feel ... No, I know I’m in love with you. With both of you,” I confessed.
Both of their hands stilled, and a silence fell over the room. My gaze darted between them, searching for a sign or hint as to what they were thinking. After what seemed like an eternity, Levi spoke. For some reason, it surprised me he was the first one.
“I love you too, sweetheart.” He placed another kiss behind my ear and then turned his attention to Austin. “And I also love you.”
Austin’s face was a mix of surprise and what appeared to be excitement. “I’m pretty sure I was falling in love with both of you when we made things official, and that love has only grown every single day since.”
My heart swelled, not just with overwhelming happiness for myself, but for the love they had for each other as well. It was a beautiful thing to witness and be a part of this special bond we shared.
“Someone better kiss me—” And before I could finish speaking, the three of us got tangled up in the most delicious three-way kiss. Our tongues twisted together, and we spent the rest of the night showing each other how deep our love was.
A few weeks later, I arrived in St. Louis to watch the Bruins play the Blues. After the game, I was traveling to Chicago for their game against the Blackhawks before Austin would go to Texas for Christmas and Levi and I would return to Boston. The guys knew I was planning on spending the holidays with my family, but they didn’t know I was thinking about inviting Levi, especially since he would be by himself. I hadn’t broached the subject yet, but was planning to do it after the game tonight.
Ford was supposed to come with me for the St. Louis portion of the trip before returning to the office for a project that needed to be completed before the holidays. Unfortunately, his grandfather had taken a fall, so Ford went to Vermont to help him and his grandmother. Since I already had the time off from work, and the guys had purchased my airline tickets, I decided to make it a solo trip.
My rideshare dropped me off in front of the hotel they were staying at, and as I got into the elevator, I texted our group chat to let Austin and Levi know I’d finally arrived after my flight was delayed and asked which room they were in. Stepping onto the eleventh floor, I followed the signs to room 1126 where Austin was waiting for me at the door.
“About time you go here.” He pulled me inside, and as soon as the door closed behind us, he pressed his lips to mine.
After several seconds, he moved back and made way for Levi to kiss me hello as well.
“I know. I was worried I wouldn’t see you guys before the game,” I said when I finally came up for air. Now that I wasn’t lost in their kisses, I noted they were wearing their dress shirts and slacks. “When do you have to leave?”
Levi checked his phone. “We’re supposed to be downstairs to board the bus in about five minutes.”
I frowned. “Okay. And you’re sure it’s not a problem for me to stay here until I head to the arena?”
Austin handed me a key card. “No problem at all. I’ve sent your ticket for the game to your email, and I ordered you a car that should pick you up in about an hour.”
I stood on my toes and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”
“Do you need anything else before we go?” Levi asked.
“I don’t think so. I’ll probably shower and then rest for a bit before getting ready. I have a little headache and am exhausted after the chaos of getting here.”
He nodded and went to the door that connected Austin’s room with the one next door. I wasn’t sure how they managed to get connecting rooms, but at least they wouldn’t be seen going back and forth at all hours of the night while trying to avoid random hotel guests from seeing them.
A moment later, Levi returned while he slipped on his jacket. Austin did the same, and I couldn’t help but stare. My guys definitely knew how to fill out a suit.
“If you keep staring at us like that, we’ll be late meeting the team,” Austin teased.
“It’s not my fault you both look so handsome all dressed up. I swear the NHL makes you wear suits to draw in female fans.” I scowled playfully. “At least I’ll be the only fan stripping you out of them later.”
“You’re killing me.” Levi leaned down for a kiss before picking up his bag and walking to the door.
“We’ll see you soon,” Austin said, giving me one final kiss goodbye.
Once they were gone, I unzipped my suitcase and pulled out the Bruins jersey and jeans I planned to wear. Tonight was a Butcher night. After grabbing my toiletry bag, I headed to the bathroom. As I did my business, I noticed I was spotting lightly, which was odd because I wasn’t due to start my period and I’d rarely had any breakthrough bleeding since starting my current brand of birth control. Chalking it up to just one of those things that happened, I continued to get ready and hoped whatever was going on wouldn’t derail the fun I had planned for after the game.
With a plate of nachos in one hand and a beer in the other, I made my way to my seat. Looking around, I was bummed that Ford’s seat would remain empty, but I was looking forward to cheering on my guys. With some time left before the players came out for warm-ups, I pulled out my phone to text the guys.
I made it to the arena
Austin: Pic or it didn’t happen
I turned my camera to take a selfie and sent him what he wanted.
Austin: Is that my jersey you’re wearing?
Yep. Repping #19 tonight. Levi gets me in Chicago
Something about seeing their name and number on my back made them go feral, and I loved it. When he didn’t respond, I sent another message.
Where’s Levi?
Austin: His mom called a few minutes ago and he’s still talking to her
Is everything okay?
Austin: I think so. At least he doesn’t look upset
A few minutes later, my phone pinged again.
Levi: So I have some news ... My mom is here at the game. And I asked Coop if she could use Ford’s ticket
My stomach tightened, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of the cramps I’d been experiencing off and on for the last hour or if it was nerves because I was going to meet his mom for the first time.
I guess I won’t be sitting alone after all
Levi: Yeah, and I’m convinced something is going on with her
Try not to stress. You’ve got a game to focus on
Levi: I feel bad you’re now in a situation you weren’t expecting
Austin: Kaylee will be fine. Your mom doesn’t know who she is, and we’ve had plenty of practice pretending only to be friends
Exactly. I promise I’ll be on my best behavior ??
Levi: I know and I love you. Wish I could tell her who you are to me. To us.
Only when you’re ready. Now go get ready to kick some ass. Love you both!
Austin: Hell yeah. Love you too
I tucked my phone into my pocket and set my nachos on the ground, no longer interested in my food. Despite what I said to Levi and Austin, I was beyond nervous about meeting Mrs. Sexton for the first time. What if she talked to me about the players? Austin was right, I could pretend as though I didn’t know Levi better than I knew the other guys. But what would happen if she ever found out about us, and realized I had lied to her the first time we met?
Eventually, a woman with brown hair and green eyes that looked identical to her son’s shuffled down our row toward me. I glanced in her direction and gave her a friendly smile.
“Oh, thank goodness I’m sitting beside a fellow Bruins fan. I wasn’t sure where my seat would be since I showed up at the last minute,” she said as she settled into her seat next to me.
“Yeah, my best friend is married to Emmett Cooper.”
I didn’t realize my mistake until her eyes widened slightly. I forgot she had been at the game in Vegas when Coop had proposed to Ford. I prepared myself to not visibly react to anything negative she might say, but to my surprise, she didn’t comment on that and instead asked, “Is your friend here tonight?”
I shook my head. “No. He had a family emergency, but I decided to come cheer on the team, anyway. What about you? Do you live in the area, or did you travel here to see someone in particular?” Even though I already knew the answer, I figured it would seem strange if I didn’t ask her questions as well.
“I flew in an hour ago. My son Levi Sexton is a right winger on the team. Do you know him?”
“I do,” I admitted, not wanting to lie to the mother of one of my boyfriends. “I’ve hung out with the team a few times.”
“That’s wonderful. I worry about my sweet Levi living in a big city all alone. I’m glad he’s got some friends there.”
Thankfully, the guys came onto the ice for warm-ups and drew our attention. At one point, Levi waved in our direction, and a huge grin spread across his mom’s face. It was clear how much she loved her son, and I hoped that love would overrule any concern she might have about our relationship if he ever told her about us.
When the game started, we continued to make small talk, but most of our focus was on the action on the ice. I had watched enough games at this point to realize how talented Austin and Levi truly were, and it was impossible to miss the excitement on Mrs. Sexton’s face every time her son was in possession of the puck.
It was almost the end of the second period, and the Bruins were leading 2-1. For the past ten minutes, the cramps I’d been experiencing had intensified, so at intermission, I was going to go to the bathroom and stop by the first aid station to see if they had any pain relievers available or knew where I could get some.
As the buzzer sounded, I stood and felt a gush of something warm and wet between my legs. Looking down, I saw a huge red stain spreading across my jeans.