15. Vayda
Three weeks blur together into a comfortable routine. The early summer sun warms the dry yard. The guys take turns claiming the living room sofa every night. The new backyard fence stands finished now, blocking the alley, but they still treat my living room like a guard post.
We dance around the sexual tension. Whenever we bump into each other in the kitchen or pass in the hallway, they reach out.
They rest their hands on my hips and press warm kisses to my hairline.
They take a clear step back and give me the space I asked for.
I sleep alone in the guest bedroom. I’m still struggling with the guilt of being with them, but at the same time the constant restraint leaves me on edge.
My next Heat is right around the corner. A familiar ache builds in my core, making me restless. Nerves twist in my stomach, battling a deep hunger for their touch. Watching them step up for Brendan wears down my defenses. I want them closer.
Wally took the couch shift last night. I heard his SUV pull out of the driveway right after sunrise to go collect Kel and Simon for their day off. At eight in the morning, the three of them let themselves in using the spare keys I gave them.
They kick their shoes off onto the entryway mat, carrying hot lattes from the coffee shop downtown, a grease-stained paper bag of breakfast sandwiches, and a clear plastic container holding a bright orange fruit blend.
They move through my house like they belong here. They take over the meal prep and shoulder the everyday grind. Having them in my corner gives me room to breathe. They take over the meal prep, share the daily load, and give me room to breathe.
Simon heads straight for the kitchen. He opens the cabinets, pulling three ceramic plates from the top shelf. He moves through the space like he owns it. He sets the warm breakfast sandwiches out on the island counter and pops the plastic lid off the container.
"I got a mango smoothie bowl for Bren." Simon grabs a soft, rubber-coated spoon from the silverware drawer. "I checked the texture at the shop before we left. It has the right consistency he needs to swallow safe and easy. We get to skip the thickening powder today."
"You spoil him." I lean against the counter, wrapping my hands around the warm cardboard coffee cup Wally slides toward me.
"He deserves the good stuff." Simon grins. "Mango is way better than blended eggs anyway."
He grabs the bowl and walks down the hall into the living room. Kel drops onto the couch next to Brendan's customized wheelchair. He picks up the remote from the coffee table.
"Hey, man." Kel leans forward, resting his thick forearms on his knees. "You mind if we switch over to the hockey highlights from last night?"
Brendan blinks his bright blue eyes. He lets out a low, steady hum from his chest. I know that sound well.
I walk to the edge of the kitchen, leaning into the hallway to catch Kel's eye in the next room. "That is a yes."
Kel grins and changes the channel to the sports network. "Their top defensive pairing looks slow on the ice. We start the next playoff round against them next week and we plan to skate circles around them."
Brendan makes another rumbling noise. His eyes track the vivid colors flashing across the screen.
Simon hands the smoothie bowl to Kel. Kel takes over the feeding routine. He scoops a small amount of the bright orange fruit puree onto the end of the spoon. He waits for Brendan to open his mouth, keeping his movements slow and predictable. He feeds him with steady patience.
He pauses after every bite, giving Brendan plenty of time to swallow and breathe.
The giant hockey player wipes a stray drop of mango from Brendan's chin with a paper napkin.
He offers a running commentary on the hockey highlights, breaking down the defensive plays and treating Brendan like one of his teammates.
I watch them from the hallway doorframe.
An intense warmth fills my chest. I carried this routine alone since the car crash took Hale and Emmett three years ago.
I built a thick wall around Brendan to keep him safe.
These three guys dive right into the work.
They embrace the chaos of my life and carve out their own place in it.
I walk back into the kitchen. Wally leans his tall frame against the island counter next to me.
He takes a slow sip of his black coffee.
A dark, fitted t-shirt stretches across his broad chest. The scent of sea breeze and bergamot drifts off his skin, mixing with the smell of roasted espresso beans.
"Coach ran us through defensive drills for two hours yesterday." Wally sets his cup down on the granite. "He made us run the stadium stairs right after practice. My legs still feel like lead today. The upcoming schedule keeps us on the ice all week."
"You guys look exhausted." I trace the edge of my coffee lid. "You need to rest on your off hours. You push yourselves too hard."
"This is our downtime." Wally shifts his weight, turning his body toward me. "We wrapped up the coursework for the caregiving classes yesterday and passed the final test."
I lower my cup, staring up into his dark eyes. "You sat through the whole program?"
Wally nods, his expression serious. "We learned the basics for manual transfers and spent a couple of weeks practicing the body mechanics in the lab. The instructors showed us the right ways to support his weight without hurting him or us."
Simon walks back into the kitchen, tossing his empty sandwich wrapper into the trash can. "We read up on how to move him without stressing his joints, and now we want to put it to use. Vinny comes over at two for the shower routine, and we plan to help out."
"You want to do the transfer?" I look between the two of them.
"We want Vinny to supervise." Kel calls out from the other room. He raises his voice to carry down the hall. "We know the theory, but we need the nurse to check our form and make sure we keep Bren secure."
It makes total sense. Learning the right way in the house with a professional checking their work proves their dedication.
"The bathroom is tiny." I take a slow breath, picturing the layout. "The cramped space forces us to use a manual lift instead of the Hoyer. Moving him requires both me and Vinny working together. The strain wrecks our lower backs."
"We got the muscle for it." Kel answers from the other room. "Me and Wally can handle the transfer. You and Vinny get to supervise."
Wally steps closer, crowding me against the kitchen island. He uses his broad frame to shield us from the hallway view. He drops his hand to the counter, letting his knuckles drag along the curve of my waist. The heat from his body sinks right through my clothes.
"Let us take the strain off you." Wally leans down, dropping his voice to a quiet rasp near my ear. "You get to step back and relax."
My pulse jumps. A hot ache pulses between my thighs. My body reacts to his nearness in a heartbeat. A harsh spike of guilt twists my stomach right after. Brendan sits just down the hall, and I stand here getting worked up over another Alpha.
I stare at his chest. Earning their spot in this family drives every move they make. They show up, they ask for guidance, and they test boundaries.
"Okay." I nod, clearing my throat to find my voice. "Vinny gets here at two."
Simon flashes a massive grin, turning the hot water on in the sink to wash his hands. Wally bumps his hip against mine, a smug, satisfied smirk pulling at his lips.
I let out a slow breath. We have a plan for the afternoon, and for the first time in a long time, I have real help.
The morning hours fade into the afternoon.
The guys stick around, fitting right into the midday grind.
Simon makes a quick run to the grocery store to grab sandwich supplies for lunch.
Kel keeps the sports channel playing, talking Brendan through the defensive breakdowns of last week's games.
Wally helps me prep the bathroom, hauling the stack of fresh towels and Brendan's clean clothes from the laundry room.
We finish washing the lunch dishes right as the grandfather clock in the hallway chimes two.
A solid knock rattles the front door a second later.
I walk out of the kitchen, wiping my wet hands on a dish towel.
I pull the door open. Vinny stands on the porch, wearing his dark blue scrubs and carrying a waterproof clipboard.
"Hey, Vayda." Vinny steps inside, kicking his sneakers off on the entryway mat. "Ready to get him cleaned up?"
"We're ready." I shut the door and lock the deadbolt. "The guys are in the living room with Bren."
Vinny walks down the hall and turns the corner.
I follow right behind him. A nature documentary plays at a low volume on the television.
Brendan sits in his spot, his blue eyes tracking the wildlife on the screen.
Wally, Kel, and Simon sit on the couches around him.
They keep their voices low and calm. They chat about the upcoming season, treating Brendan like one of the guys.
Brendan lets out a low, rumbling hum from his chest. His right hand twitches on the armrest. The chill vibe keeps him calm.
"Afternoon, guys." Vinny walks into the center of the room. He checks the brake levers on the wheelchair. "I hear we have a new transfer team today."
"We put in the time to get certified." Wally stands up, towering over the nurse. "We want to step in and do the lifting today with your supervision."
"The master bath gives us plenty of room to work." Vinny grabs the handles of the wheelchair. "You need solid footing and you need to talk each other through every move. You two have the muscle to handle a direct two-person lift."
"We got it." Kel stands up, rolling his shoulders back. "We talk on the ice for a living. We can handle a transfer."
"Let's get him rolled in." Vinny pushes the wheelchair down the hallway.