Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Chelsea
“This place is packed!” I shouted to make myself heard over the music and crowd at Hazards. If I had to guess, I’d say half of Dusk Bay was here.
Most of the Smashers players were gathered around the bar. Off to the side, were the Dusk Bay Demons ice hockey team and their wives and girlfriends. I spotted a few professional soccer players here and there, and a couple of members of the rock band, Ice Blue Roses.
“It’ll be quieter up the back.” Storm grabbed my hand and pulled me past the worst of the crowds, to an empty table at the rear of the bar. It was still noisy, but we wouldn’t have to shout as loud.
I slipped into a chair. Storm claimed the one beside me by placing his large hands on the back of it. Frost sat next to him, and Dallas opposite me.
They left the chair next to me empty. For now.
“I’ll get the first round.” Storm took our orders before elbowing through the crowds to get back to the bar. He returned a few minutes later, placed drinks in front of us and took his seat. Beer in his hand, he raised it to toast us all. “Here’s to the last night out before the season starts.”
I returned his toast and sipped my wine. “I watched your training today. You’ve peaked at just the right time.” They hadn’t missed a pass, or skipped a beat. They were so focused, I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t know I was present the entire time. They were impressive anyway, but when they were on their game, they were a pleasure to see.
“The Smashers are gonna smash everyone this season,” Frost declared. “If we don’t, I’ll suck Atlas’ cock.”
“Just admit you want to do that anyway.” Atlas himself flopped into the chair beside me. The glance he gave Frost was somewhere between a sneer and a challenge.
“Keep telling yourself that,” Frost said. He didn’t deny it.
Storm and Dallas scowled at Atlas.
“Looks like your boyfriend is jealous.” Atlas jerked his thumb towards Storm.
Frost and Storm glanced at each other, but they didn’t deny that either.
Storm cleared his throat. “If you’re going to sit with us and spend time with our woman, you have to take part in our ice breaking ritual.”
Atlas gave him a flat stare. “The fuck?”
Storm met his gaze, unwavering. “Truth or dare.”
Atlas looked like he thought the fullback was out of his mind. He glanced at me, then back at Storm. “Fine, whatever.” He shrugged.
“You can go first,” Frost said. “Truth or dare?”
Atlas rolled his eyes. “Truth.” He clearly didn’t trust the others not to dare him to do something stupid.
“Let’s start with something easy,” Storm said. “What’s your middle name?”
“Dante,” Atlas said reluctantly. “Yeah, my initials are ADU, move on.”
Frost chuckled. “Additional dwelling unit.”
Dallas elbowed him. “What’s yours?”
Frost’s smile faded. “Gerald, after my grandfather.”
It was Atlas’ turn to chuckle.
“Mine is Elizabeth,” I said. “Nothing too embarrassing, lucky for me.” I raised my eyebrows at Storm. He’d started this, he might as well participate.
“Patrick,” he said with no hesitation. “Also not embarrassing.”
All eyes turned to Dallas, who sighed heavily.
“Ian, after my father. Yeah, my initials are DIG. No, I don’t like digging.”
“That was painless,” Storm said. He frowned briefly. “The last time we played this, we also did truth. We shared who we lost our virginity to. As I recall, Chelsea never answered the question.” He turned a raised eyebrow to me.
“Isaac!” I shot up out of my chair. I hurried around to the other side of the table as my brother pushed through the crowd to us.
As usual, he was smiling, even as he was taking in the guys sitting around the table. He gave me a hug before slipping into the last empty chair, between Dallas and Atlas.
“So, you’re fucking my sister,” he said cheerfully.
I’d just sat back down and took a sip of my wine when he spoke. I almost choked as the liquid went down the wrong hole. Storm and Atlas both started to pat my back. One ended up patting the hand of the other. I couldn’t tell which.
“I’m fine,” I said when I managed to get my breath. “Isaac, for love of fuck.”
“What?” he asked, undeterred.
I shook my head at him. He was never going to be anything or anyone other than himself. No matter who he embarrassed.
“Call me Ice.” He offered his hand to each of the guys in turn. “So?—”
“I am,” Dallas said with no hint of shame. “So are Storm and Frost. They’re also fucking each other, but they don’t want anyone to know yet.” He ignored the looks they both gave him. “Atlas is new here. His status is currently undecided.”
“Atlas wants to,” Atlas said.
“Fantastic,” Ice said, nodding a couple of times. “I’m a big advocate of women getting all of their needs met. For some women, that means multiple men. My girlfriend, Kennedy, she’s satisfied with three. Some women need four. Or five. Or six.” He frowned for a moment. “Or even seven. If that’s what Chelsea needs, I’m here for it. As long as you take care of her.”
“That’s the plan,” Storm said with a grunt.
“Seven?” Frost asked him. Then me.
“Seven is a lot ,” I said, eyes wide.
“It’s an odd number,” Dallas pointed out. “I don’t like odd numbers.”
“I do,” my brother said. “My favourite number is thirteen.”
“Of course it is,” I told him. To the other guys I said, “That should tell you pretty much everything you need to know about my brother.” It wasn’t even close to everything they should know, but it would do for now. They weren’t ready for anything more than that.
“I like thirteen,” Frost said. “The number thirteen, not sharing Chelsea with twelve others. If we did that, we’d need a roster.”
“And a shit ton of lube,” Storm agreed.
“And a mountain of bath salts,” I added. “I’m not going to have a relationship with thirteen men. That’s too many for a girl like me to handle.”
“Too fucking crowded,” Dallas agreed.
Atlas nodded. “I hate to agree with Frost and Storm on anything, but I’m with them on this.”
“I wasn’t aware you got a vote yet, but since you agree with us, I’ll let it slide,” Storm said.
“I appreciate it,” Atlas said sarcastically.
“Of course you do,” Frost said. “We might learn to get along some day.”
“What happens if you don’t?” Ice asked eagerly. He looked about ready to bounce up and down in his seat.
I glanced at him, silently warning him not to kill any of them.
He grinned, not offering me any promises if they fucked around.
“Then Atlas is out,” Storm said simply, darkly.
“That’s up to Chelsea,” Atlas addressed that to my brother.
“Both interesting responses,” Ice said. He adjusted his man bun, then left his hand at the back of his head. He leaned on it, tilting his head to the side. “I would have given the same response as Atlas if I was asked early into my relationship with Kennedy. Ares and Mannix would have responded the same way Storm did. They both had the possessive asshole thing nailed down pretty well, even then.”
Atlas smirked at Storm.
“Not sorry,” Storm said.
Ice grinned. “Of course not. It was just an observation.” He turned to Frost and Dallas. “What would your response be?”
They exchanged glances.
“I agree with both of them,” Frost said finally.
“Me too,” Dallas agreed.
“Fascinating.” Ice lowered his hand and rubbed his chin. “It seems like Chelsea has an interesting array of men.”
“Can you stop psychoanalysing them?” I said. “I thought Ares was the psychologist?”
“He is,” Ice agreed. “I guess he’s rubbing off on me after all these years. Sometimes literally. He can be really?—”
“Okay, you can go back to psychoanalysing them,” I said quickly.
I didn’t need that visual image in my brain. Ares was nice enough, for a grumpy alphahole, but I liked Kennedy. I didn’t want to think that way about one of her boyfriends. Especially one who was like a brother to me. She was the sister I never had. Her and Sadie.
“Actually, I should get back to my family,” he said. “I saw you over here and thought I’d come and say hi. So far, I approve. Don’t make me change my mind.” He was still smiling, but there was a warning in his eyes only a fool would ignore. Even if they didn’t know what he was like, most people didn’t miss the dangerous air to him. They might put it down to him being an overprotective big brother, but they knew he meant what he said. If they fucked with me, he’d fuck with them.
He nodded and stood. After a quick hug and kiss on the cheek, he disappeared through the crowds.
“Your brother is interesting.” Frost followed him with his eyes until he was gone.
“That’s one word for him,” I agreed. I could think of a few more. Some more flattering than others. “I think it’s my turn to buy a round of drinks.”
“I’ll get it.” Dallas stood and headed off to the bar before I could make a move.
“I guess I’ll get the next one.” I sat back in my chair and looked around at the remaining three guys. “This has been…nice. No one has punched anyone yet.”
“Yet,” Atlas agreed. “According to your brother, we’re all on the same page when it comes to you.” Judging by the expression on his face, he was conflicted about whether that was a good thing or a bad one.
“Yeah, I got that too,” Storm said. “Maybe you’re all right. The jury is still out.”
“Mine too,” Atlas said. “I guess we’ll see where things go.”
“I guess so,” Storm said.
I patted them both on the bicep. “How about that, you both agreed on something.”
Frost pulled out his phone and took a photo of the three of us. “To mark the occasion. Storm and Atlas being in agreement.”
“It might be the only time it happens,” Atlas said.
“Yeah, it might.” Storm picked up the fresh beer Dallas placed in front of him and took a drink.
I smiled to myself and decided not to point out they just agreed with each other again.
This might work out the way we all wanted it to. As long as nothing else got in our way.