Chapter Four #3
Gem jumped when his phone vibrated in his hand, the screen had gone dark with inactivity. He quickly swiped to get back to the conversation.
‘Spend time with your family.’ That was something that Gem was looking forward to doing himself. ‘Message me before bed tonight.’
‘After my shower or before?’
Oh, his boy must be feeling all kinds of out of sorts.
That was something that Gem could work with.
‘Do you have your mask?’ They did video calls through the BDSM organization’s app but they both still wore their masks.
It had been a condition that Gem had quickly agreed to since he had a lot on the line if his association with the group became public.
‘Yes, sir.’
Gem had his packed as well. He didn’t go anywhere without it. A good Dom was always prepared. ‘Before you shower.’ He decided. Gem should be able to slip away long enough to make sure his sub was in the right headspace.
‘Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.’
‘You don’t have to thank me. I’m here to take care of all your needs.’
‘We agreed to concentrate on our families for the next two days.’
That was true. Not that Gem was upset with this contact.
Navigating a D/s relationship online and from a distance came with its challenges.
It should be impossible but Gem felt that they were growing closer.
Even if he hadn’t seen his boy’s face or shown his own.
‘You are probably saving me from strangling my siblings.’
*Laughing emoji*
‘They can’t be that bad.’
Only someone who had never met Aries and Nix would say that. ‘They really are. And I’m still in my rental car outside the house. I should get inside before they come looking for me.’
‘Tonight?’
‘Tonight,’ Gem agreed. ‘Be good.’
‘I’m always good. It’s what is expected of me.’
That statement clued Gem to where his sub’s headspace truly was. Before he could respond, another message came through.
‘Sorry. I’ll talk to you tonight.’
‘Make sure you have privacy,’ Gem ordered.
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Good boy.’ Gem sent the last message before exiting the app.
He’d really lucked into the BDSM organization that he’d joined at the recommendation of one of his teammates.
Gem had been in the scene for years, but it wasn’t something he advertised.
Evidently, he didn’t need to. His defenseman and good friend, Tomas, had casually passed him a card at a lunch after practice one day when it had just been the two of them.
Tomas hadn’t brought it up again, and neither had Gem. Gem was grateful for the connection, though.
Gem shut the engine off his car just as the front door opened.
From his spot in the driveway, he could see both Aries and Nix peeking around the small decorative column on the porch. Did they really think that Gem couldn’t see them? And he knew just how to irritate both.
Instead of exiting the car, Gem checked his emails and returned a few text messages from teammates wishing him a happy holiday.
Aries started to creep closer, but Nix pulled him back. Nix said something with a big smile.
Oh, they were totally planning something.
Gem wasted more time keeping an eye on the two troublemakers.
Nix pulled Aries down into a crouch and they started to crab walk toward his car.
His brothers were utterly ridiculous. He could even hear Aries’s giggles and Nix hushing him. These two had better never try to get a job being spies because they would totally fail.
Gem waited until they were beside his car before gathering his stuff and finally exiting. He popped the trunk open to grab his suitcase, listening for the sound of movement.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Vin and Evan move onto the front porch.
Gem held his finger up to his lips, so neither Vin or Evan wouldn’t ruin his fun. If his brothers wanted to play, then Gem would play. They should know by now that even teaming up against him, Gem was far better at games than they were.
He grabbed his suitcase and tossed it gently to his left.
Nix and Aries had circled the vehicle, trying to sneak up on him. Gem’s suitcase hit them in the chest.
Aries squeaked and stumbled back. Trying to catch himself, Aries grabbed hold of Nix, which just sent Nix to the side with him.
They went down in a flailing of arms and legs.
Gem turned and stomped forward to pick up his suitcase. “Hello, losers,” he said fondly.
“Not nice,” Aries complained, glaring up at him.
Nix merely grunted as Aries was still lying over his back and his face was close to being in a patch of snow.
“You really did deserve that.” Vin came around Gem’s back to try to untangle the boys.
“But he was taking forever to come inside!” Aries whined as Vin helped him stand.
“He was probably looking up porn,” Nix announced.
Evan chuckled as he joined them. “Why would he be doing that?” He offered his hand to Nix.
“I don't know,” Nix replied. “He’s weird.”
“I’m weird?” How did that even make sense?
“You threw a suitcase at us!” Nix bitched.
“And what were you going to do to me?” Gem asked.
“Nothing!” Aries hugged himself as he rocked from side to side.
Gem lifted a brow.
Aries squirmed closer to Vin, who placed his arm around his shoulder.
Evan had Nix up, who scowled at their little brother. “It was because you were giggling!”
“It was Nix’s idea!” Aries tattled. “He wanted to smash snow in your face and down your back.”
“Traitor!” Nix lunged for Aries.
Aries yelled and ended up in Vin’s arms.
Gem had been watching and he didn’t even see the vampire pick Aries up to shield him from Nix. Evan grabbed the back of Nix’s shirt and all but yanked him off his feet.
Nix gave a strangled sound as his shirt tightened around his throat.
“I can’t believe I flew then drove all the way here and I can’t even get a hug,” Gem commented, making certain that his voice held disappointment.
“I want to hug you,” Aries said sweetly.
Gem set his suitcase down to open his arms out.
Aries kicked his feet and Vin set him down before Aries tackle-hugged Gem.
He closed his arms around Aries and held him tight.
Even though he’d checked on Aries after the injury, Gem still worried that there would be lingering aftereffects.
It drove him crazy he hadn’t been there to protect his brother.
Not that there would have been anything he could have done.
Vin had been there and while he’d made the asshole pay after, it wasn’t enough in Gem’s opinion.
There was a huff to his left before Nix was pushing his way into the hug.
Gem wrapped an arm around Aries and the other around Nix. Inside, the jagged pieces of his heart glued themselves back together just having his brothers close.
It was harder being separated from Aries and Nix than Gem could have ever expected. He’d been the one to assure his brothers that they would be fine. Gem was not fine.
Starting over in a new city, fighting to establish himself as the starting goalie, and doing that without his brothers close. If it wasn’t for the man that Gem had connected with, he was quite sure he’d be a complete mess.
He drew back and smiled at his brothers. “I missed you both.”
“We missed you too,” Aries replied. He nudged Nix. “Didn’t we?”
Nix’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I guess.” He gave a careless shrug.
“He did!” Aries stated firmly. “He was just complaining that you—”
Nix’s hand came up quickly to cover Aries’s mouth.
“Complaining about what?” Gem questioned.
“Not a thing,” Nix replied with a grin.
“Uh-huh.” Gem didn’t believe that for a second. There was no telling what thought had been in Nix’s head. “Don’t worry. I’ll get it out of you later.” He had his ways.
“Ugh!” Nix whipped his hand back, making a disgusted face, then rubbed his palm against his pants. “You licked me!”
“Don’t put your hand over my mouth,” Aries told him.
“As much as I would love to hear you two argue more, can we do it inside? It’s freezing out here,” Gem pointed out.
Evan grumbled as he picked up Gem’s suitcase.
“I can get that,” Gem offered.
“Let me show you to your room so you can get warmed up,” Evan replied. He passed by, still carrying Gem’s suitcase. “I don’t know why everyone complains about the snow. It’s not that cold.”
Nix cackled as he raced to follow behind his boyfriend.
Vin laughed as he took Aries’s hand. “We’re glad you made it.”
“Mom texted me earlier that their flight was delayed. Have you heard from them?” He’d really been looking forward to seeing his parents.
“They’ll be here tonight,” Vin answered. “Your mom was adamant, and I wouldn’t put anything past that woman. Even if she has to fly the plane herself, she’ll be spending Christmas with her boys.”
“She has to be here when we set out cookies for Santa!” Aries claimed.
Gem grinned. He hadn’t been surprised when he accidentally learned that his brother was a little.
With Gem’s experience in the scene, he’d come across all sorts of subs.
The littles and pups were adorable, even if he wasn’t interested in the dynamic himself.
He was also aware that Evan and Nix indulged, based on some comments that Nix had made, but he hadn’t pressed too hard over the phone.
That was more of an in-person conversation to have.
“Are you coming?” Nix called from the front door. “I thought you were cold.”
“He’s still a brat,” Gem said, turning to head inside.
“His Daddy should spank him harder,” Aries muttered.
Well, that answered one of Gem’s many questions about Evan and Nix. Not that he would press Aries about it. Gem was certain that he would find some time alone with Evan. It was only fair after he’d already read Vin the riot act after meeting him.
Stepping in the house, Gem could feel himself thawing.
He understood that Evan was a dragon, not that he got why that was different than a shifter, and that this house was the dragon’s sanctuary, but why would someone want to live where it was so cold.
Adjusting to the Boston winter was hard enough.
And it was nearly impossible to find fruit, especially his grapes, in season when everything around him was frozen.
Gem didn’t have Nix’s skill with growing his own fruit.
Nix always had the most amazing pumpkin patches that even rivaled his mom’s ability to grow anything.
At the bottom of the stairs, Evan stood with his suitcase with an amused look. Nix came running from farther in the house and skidded to a stop in front of Gem. He pushed a large stainless-steel bowl against Gem’s chest.
Gem looked at the almost overflowing bowl of purple grapes and grinned. “God, I love you!” he said before popping a grape into his mouth.
“That’s because I’m the best brother ever!” Nix announced.
“Hey!” Aries pushed Nix’s shoulder. “I’m a good brother too.”
Gem just let his two brothers argue as he devoured more grapes. They could go on for hours, and Gem was enjoying his surprise treat.