10. Veronica #2
“Could what be?” I’m so confused.
“That Gabriel Ellis is finally ready to settle down.” Cecilia beams with joy.
My eyes widen as my mouth opens wide. “HA! No. Nope. That’s not the case. He was getting himself a new one, so he picked one up for me too. That’s all. There’s no hidden meaning behind it.” At least, I don’t think so.
“Sweetheart, I slept with the guy multiple times. He never even offered me breakfast once. Trust me, this means something to him.” Em pats my shoulder.
“You guys are being ridiculous. It’s nothing, he’s just being nice. And anyway, there’s Noah too.” Oh God, why did I just say that?
“What do you mean, ‘there’s Noah too’?” Morgan asks quizzically.
“Wait, you like Noah?” Cecilia jumps in.
“No, that’s not what I said. I just meant that… you know, it’s always the two of them.” They all watch me, waiting for me to go on. But honestly, I’m not even sure what I’m trying to say myself. “Just, never mind. It’s not important. No one likes no one. No hidden meaning. No settling down.”
My phone vibrates again, reminding me of the notification. I open it up and find a message from ‘Husband #1.’ I narrow my eyes, confused at what I’m seeing. I don’t have anyone in my contact list with that name. I pull up the message thread.
Husband #1
Found it yet?
I can’t help but laugh as I read the message.
That sneaky little man. If he wrote number one beside his, then that would mean…
I pull out of it and go to my contacts, looking for Noah.
And as expected, his name has now been changed to ‘Husband #2.’ Going back to Gabe’s message, I send him a quick one back.
Me
I thought you were napping?
Husband #1
I was, but I can’t stop thinking about you. You even haunt my dreams, Vixen.
Me
Such a charmer.
Husband #1
For you? Yes.
Me
What’s my name in yours?
Husband #1
My wife
Me
You’re ridiculous.
Me
Is that all you did to my phone?
Husband #1
I don’t know, is it?
“He put himself as husband in your phone, but it means nothing, right?” Em says beside me with a smirk as she reads my messages with Gabe.
“She’s even wearing that goofy look you get when you talk to Greyson,” Cecilia notes.
“Hey! You get it too with Silas, and you with Clay! It’s not just me. And I won’t even mention Aubrey…” Em peers around me at Brey with a smile.
“I do not get that look!” She turns red as she speaks.
“For a certain head coach of a certain hockey team? Yeah, you do,” I say, giggling.
She narrows her eyes at me. “You’re supposed to be my friend.”
“Oh, we all are, Sweetie.” Morgan pats her hand from across the kitchen island.
“Speaking of Greyson, where is he?” I ask, just realizing his truck wasn’t in the driveway when I arrived.
“He’s napping at Cecilia’s place with Silas. I told him to go there since we were all going to be here. And I didn’t want to risk waking him during his much-needed nap before his game,” Emma informs me. “But don’t try to change the subject. What’s going on with you and the twins?”
I groan, then take a sip of my water bottle, trying to avoid having to answer that question.
The truth is I have no idea. I’m confused with everything.
After kissing them, I made sure to clarify it meant nothing but a thank you.
But then I ended up having a dream about them when I fell asleep.
And let’s just say, the dream was quite… hot.
Now I’m realizing how much I enjoy being with them, and dare I say… miss them when they aren’t around. I don’t know what to make of that. I swore off men. I swore I would never let my emotions take over ever again. But missing them? That’s an emotion I shouldn’t be feeling.
I put my bottle back down, knowing there’s no point prolonging the inevitable. With a sigh I mumble, “I kissed them.”
They all gasp as their mouths drop open.
“Them… as in, both of them?” Aubrey asks, looking horrified.
“Ugh! Yes, I kissed both of them. It was—”
“Don’t you dare say ‘nothing’ again,” Em cuts in, earning a glare from me.
“Fine! It wasn’t nothing. But it was just as a thank you for them taking care of me all day. They were really sweet. They ran me a bath, made me food, and gave me massages while watching a movie. I just felt like I owed them somehow.”
“So, you thought a kiss to each would be the right thing to do?” Morgan asks.
“Exactly! Thank you, you get it.” I throw a hand her way.
“Do you all say thank you with a kiss?” Aubrey wonders.
“To our partners, yes. Anyone else? No,” Cece says, giggling as she looks at me.
“What are you trying to say?” I frown.
“I’m just saying that there might be more to your relationship with Noah and Gabe than you realize. And that’s okay.”
But it’s not. It’s not okay. I feel the panic slowly rising within me. Did I really start something by kissing them without realizing it? Is that why I don’t get that itchy sense with Gabe anymore?
“We’re back!” Nancy, Aubrey and Greyson’s mother, calls as she comes over to us with Gracie in her arms. She’s closely followed by Andrew, their father, as well as Mira and John Hayes, Silas’s parents, who walk behind Dante.
“Oh, there’s my little Tulip!” Emma exclaims as she takes her daughter in her arms. “Did you have fun at the park with Grandma and Grandpa?”
“Mama!” Gracie exclaims and tightens her arms around Emma’s neck.
I turn to Nancy and Andrew, ready to greet them. “Sir Ford, Lady Ford. Always a pleasure seeing you both.” I kiss both their cheeks.
Andrew laughs. “I love this girl. She makes me feel special.”
Nancy rolls her eyes. “You say that like I never pay you any attention.”
“She calls me sir. You called me an old clown last Christmas.”
She huffs out, shaking her head, then turns to me. “How are you, sweetheart? I heard you started working for those two flirts. I hope they’re treating you well?”
“I’m good. And they are, surprisingly.” I laugh.
“Of course, they are. Have you seen the way they look at her? Those boys are infatuated with that young lady.” Mira comes over to me with a warm smile. “Hi, dear.”
“Hi.” I hug her.
“So, what were you ladies all chatting about before we walked in? I can sense there was a serious topic of conversation happening.” Mira loves joining in on our gossip.
“Oh, we were just discussing Ronnie’s love life with the twins,” Emma informs them, to which everyone chuckles.
“No! There’s no love life happening between us.” I point a finger at all of them, hoping to make my point clear.
“Really? Both of them?” Nancy asks with raised brow.
“Yes,” Cecilia answers for me, just as I was about to say no.
“Does no one listen to me?” I raise my arms at my sides.
“It’s okay, Darling. No shame in being with two men at once. Nancy and I once had a threesome with a friend of mine.” Andrew pats my shoulder.
“OH MY GOD! DAD!” Aubrey yells in horror, then places her hand to her mouth. “Oh God, I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Andrew!” Nancy glares at him at the same time.
“Was it Hugo?” Emma asks, not bothered at all by the conversation.
Andrew snaps his fingers and points at her. “It was!” he exclaims with a smile.
Nancy sighs, looking up at the ceiling. “Can someone please remind me why I married this man?” Her comment is rewarded by a laugh from all of us.
“Hugo? Really, Mom? Wait, Em, how do you know Hugo?” Aubrey looks confused.
“Oh, I don’t. But I’ve heard your parents talking about him often, so I put two and two together.” She shrugs.
“This conversation is getting so out of hand.” I shake my head.
Mira giggles. “How about you, young lady? Has anything evolved with your man?” She looks at Aubrey.
By now, everyone except for her brother knows exactly who we’re talking about. Shane Jefferson, Head Coach for the New York Griffins. Her brother and the boys’ coach.
He’s not exactly her man, since they don’t actually have a relationship.
But they’re both completely and utterly smitten with each other.
They both get tongue-tied in one another’s presence and turn red like tomatoes.
They also can’t seem to keep their eyes off each other when they’re in the same room. It’s adorable to watch.
“He’s not my man,” Brey tells Mira while turning a deep pink as she says the words.
“Isn’t it funny how she knows exactly who we’re talking about, yet claims he’s not hers?” Emma giggles.
“She’s still trying to deny it,” Cecilia informs her mother-in-law.
“Ah, I see.” Mira nods, then leans in toward Nancy. “We’ll have to come up with something to get those two moving.”
Nancy nods in agreement.
“Mom!” Aubrey gapes like a fish. The tips of her ears and nose have turned completely red, like it’s the middle of winter and she’s been standing outside for hours.
“What? You two would make such a cute couple. Oh! And imagine the babies!?” Nancy gushes.
“Oh, I totally agree. Those babies would be adorable!” Mira coos as well.
This conversation really did get out of hand. At least they aren’t talking about my love life anymore. I mean, my non-existing love life with two certain men we won’t mention.
After a few more ebullient comments, the conversation is finally changed to safer territories. Cecilia and Emma put Dante and Gracie down for their nap shortly after, during which Aubrey and I head home to get changed for the game tonight.
Emma instructed us to dress fancier than usual, since tonight could be a big night for everyone.
We agreed because, as she quoted, “We don’t want to look like garbage in front of the camera.
” Then we returned to Emma’s to have dinner and finish getting ready before we all headed out the door for the boys’ game.
Mira and John get into their car with Dante, while Nancy and Andrew take Gracie into their rental, since they live in Toronto and only came down for the game.
If things go as we’re all hoping tonight, the grandparents will be going home with the kids, while we celebrate with the men.
And if not, then we’ll all be going home and following them to Dallas in three days for the final game.