Chapter 13
That evening, Nick and Rudy pick me up for our date. Rudy drives a white sedan, a luxury vehicle that’s large enough to be used as a family car. It’s a sharp contrast to the Winter brothers’ motorcycles.
I tell myself not to think about the Winters, but I can’t help it. While I was getting ready, I imagined them taking the stage at Club Red tonight. I experienced an irrational pang of jealousy when I pictured all the women who’d be ogling their nearly-naked bodies and cheering them on.
They’re hot, of course, but knowing that they share their bodies, in a sense, with so many other people is another mark against any long-term potential. I don’t know if I could get comfortable with that.
Not that the Winters are offering a long-term situation. It’s apples to oranges, really. Felix and Jasper are offering hot sex, while Nick and Rudy are looking for a woman to share their life with.
That distinction should make things clear for me, but it doesn’t. If I’m so tempted by the Winters, maybe that’s a sign that I’m not ready to get serious with the Frosts.
“You’re quiet tonight,” Rudy says as we pull into the parking lot of the amphitheater in Littleton. “Are you tired?”
“A little, I guess. It was really busy at the park today.”
“Sure was,” Nick says. “But you can relax for the rest of the evening. We brought blankets and hot chocolate. Nothing to do but sit back and enjoy the music.”
I give him a contented smile. “That sounds great.”
There aren’t many people there when we arrive, so we’re able to find a central spot to lay out the stadium blanket the men brought. As we get settled, more and more people fill in around us, and soon the venue is nearly full.
A couple of people recognize the Frosts from their vet office, and come over to say hello. The men introduce me by name, but without an explanation of who I am to them. From where I’m sitting snug between Nick and Rudy, I suspect that people will get the idea that we’re dating.
“Do you mind if people know you’re both dating the same woman? Four Points Island can be a very gossipy place.”
Rudy shakes his head immediately. “As long as there’s open communication, and everything’s consensual, no one should have a problem with it.”
Nick puts his hand over mine and gives me a squeeze. “Love is love. Why should anyone be bothered?”
He’s not saying he’s in love with me—of course not, after such a short time—but it’s obvious that’s their goal. Just like me, they’re looking for something long term, stable and steady.
Putting their convictions into action, Nick leans over and gives me a kiss, then Rudy does the same, and I love that they’re so comfortable with everyone knowing about our unconventional potential-relationship.
As the band starts to assemble on stage, Rudy unpacks the insulated bag they carried in, and I find out that in addition to the hot chocolate Nick mentioned, they also brought cheese and crackers, fruit, cookies, and water.
“Are you hungry?” Nick asks.
“I could eat a little.”
He slices off a small piece of cheese, centers it on a bite-sized cracker and holds it up to my mouth.
“You don’t have to feed me,” I say before I take it from him.
“I like taking care of you.”
“I’m just not used to that kind of treatment,” I explain after I chew and swallow.
Nick’s smile is easy, as always. “If you’re uncomfortable, I won’t do it, but you should allow yourself to be pampered.”
Rudy briefly touches my knee. “You deserve to have someone taking good care of you. Or, two someones,” he adds meaningfully.
I’ve never been with men like this, so mature and well adjusted, ready to give more than they take. Maybe it is something I need time to get used to, after all of my bad experiences in the past.
The idea plays in the back of my mind as I focus on the concert, which features beautiful, mostly instrumental Christmas songs.
Occasionally, a female vocalist joins the musicians, and at the end of the show, the audience is invited to sing along for “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.”
It’s a wonderful show, made even more enjoyable by the way Nick and Rudy have snuggled close to me on both sides, keeping me warm in the cold December air. They covered me with a blanket, too, and I feel very cared for. Maybe it won’t be as hard to get used to as it seemed.