15. Vayda #2
Wally and Kel follow close behind. Simon heads to the kitchen to prep the marinara sauce for an early dinner. I follow the guys into the master bathroom.
The large space warms up fast. Steam rolls out from the standing shower. Brendan's specialized shower chair sits parked on the open tile floor. The metal frame has a reclining back, waterproof padding, and locking wheels on the legs.
Vinny parks the wheelchair right next to the shower chair. He locks the rear brakes on both.
"Let's get him undressed." Vinny unbuttons Brendan's flannel shirt.
Wally steps forward. He guides the fabric off Brendan's shoulders and slides his arms out of the sleeves.
Kel drops to one knee on the tile. He strips Brendan's sweatpants and socks off, tossing the clothes into a plastic laundry hamper.
Vinny grabs a folded towel from the counter and drapes it over Brendan's lap.
"Alright." Vinny steps back to clear the floor. "Wally, grab his upper body. Kel, grab his legs. Find your footing."
Wally steps behind the wheelchair. He slides his thick arms under Brendan's armpits, reaching forward to lock Brendan's crossed wrists against his chest. Kel moves to the side of the chair. He slides his arms under Brendan's knees, planting his feet wide on the tile.
"Bren, we're going to lift you up." Kel keeps his voice low and calm, staying right in Brendan's line of sight. "Wally and I got you. You're safe."
Brendan blinks twice. He hums.
"Keep your backs straight." Vinny watches them like a hawk. "Lift with your legs."
"On three." Wally locks eyes with Kel over Brendan's shoulder. "One. Two. Three."
They push up in unison. Driving their weight into their heels, they lift Brendan out of the wheelchair in one smooth motion. Moving a grown Alpha takes a ton of muscle, but these two guys make it look effortless.
"Step right." Kel dictates the pace.
They take two side steps on the open tile. They hover Brendan right over the shower chair.
"Setting you down." Wally bends his knees.
They ease Brendan back, lowering him into the center of the padded cushion. Kel adjusts the headrest to support Brendan's neck.
"Wheels are locked." Vinny checks the casters on the shower chair. "You got him centered. Let's get him under the water."
Wally and Kel step back. They let out deep breaths.
"You guys nailed that." I stand in the open doorway. A rush of pride hits my chest. "That was the easiest transfer we ever pulled off."
"Told you we had it." Kel offers a cocky grin, swiping sweat from his forehead.
"We got him." Wally reaches out, giving Brendan's bare shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Let's get you washed up, Bren."
Vinny unlocks the shower chair casters and pushes Brendan into the standing shower. He turns the warm water on and hands a stack of washcloths to Kel. He walks the two Alphas through the exact steps of the bathing routine, explaining how to clean and support him.
I watch them for a moment. They stepped up and proved their dedication to this family. I leave them to the lesson, turning away from the open doorway to go check on Simon in the kitchen.
The smell of garlic and simmering tomatoes hits my nose. Simon stands at the stove, stirring a large metal pot of marinara sauce. He uses a wooden spoon to fold cooked ground beef into the red liquid.
"Dinner is minutes away." Simon taps the spoon on the edge of the pot. "I scooped Brendan's portion into a smaller pan. I added the thickening powder to his sauce to serve it as a beef and tomato soup. The spaghetti is ready for us."
"It smells amazing." I lean against the kitchen island, watching him work.
An hour passes. The water shuts off down the hall.
Wally and Kel roll Brendan out of the bathroom.
Damp spots stain the front of their t-shirts from the humidity and the splash back.
They step right in to help Vinny with the transfer back to the wheelchair.
They move Brendan with practiced ease and steady teamwork.
They showed up for him today and proved they belong here.
Vinny walks into the kitchen and checks his phone.
"You guys have the shower routine down." Vinny looks between Wally and Kel, offering an impressed nod. He turns his attention to me. "You have the hang of this. You can handle the shower shifts without me now, outside of your Heat week."
The tension in my shoulders loosens. "Thanks for all your help, Vinny. You belong with this family. We plan to keep you around."
Vinny laughs. "I'm down for family barbecues if you ever want to invite me." He waves and heads out the front door. The latch clicks shut behind him.
We gather around the dining table. Simon sets down plates of spaghetti and meat sauce alongside a basket of toasted sourdough bread.
I drag my wooden chair close to Brendan's wheelchair.
I grab a rubber-coated spoon and dip it into Brendan's bowl of thick tomato soup.
I blow on the hot hot liquid, letting it cool before offering it to him.
We eat and talk. The guys discuss their upcoming home games, breaking down their opponents' defensive lines. I pause my meal to feed Brendan every few minutes, matching his slow swallowing. Good energy fills the house. My chest tightens. It feels like a real family dinner.
The sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across the living room floor. After dinner, we watched a movie. Brendan even hummed at a few of the funny parts, and it felt like he was truly there and accepting of what our lives have turned into since I let these three hockey players into it.
I stand up from the table and grab the handles of the wheelchair. "Time for bed, Bren."
I push Brendan down the hall to his bedroom.
The guys trail behind me, forming a loose semi-circle near the open doorframe.
I park the wheelchair next to the bed and tackle his evening oral care, using the suction toothbrush to clear the foam and protect his lungs.
He blinks his bright blue eyes, letting out a low hum.
I roll the mechanical Hoyer lift over from the corner. I secure the thick canvas sling under him and use the motorized cradle to hoist his weight out of the chair, guiding him onto the mattress.
"I need to get him changed for the night." I grab a fresh adult brief and a pair of soft cotton pajamas from the dresser drawer. "You guys go wait in the living room."
Wally nods, stepping back into the hallway. Kel and Simon follow him out, pulling the bedroom door half shut behind them.
I finish the nighttime routine on my own.
I slide the sling out from under him, get him changed, and rub unscented lotion into his hands and wrists.
I pull the thick quilt up to his waist. His eyes drift shut, his breathing steadying as he falls asleep.
I leave the door cracked open to listen out for him and head down the hall.
I walk into the living room. The guys stand near the entryway. Simon checks his cell phone. Wally holds his car keys.
"Goodnight, Vayda." Kel offers a small smile. "We'll see you tomorrow."
I look at the three of them standing by the door.
My mind replays the entire afternoon. Wally and Kel handling the shower transfers.
Simon cooking dinner in my kitchen. They stepped into the hardest parts of my routine and embraced the work.
They proved their dedication to me and Brendan.
The warmth in my chest swells. I need them right now.
"Stay." I cross the living room floor in five quick strides. "I want you to stay."
Simon slides his phone into his pocket. Wally tosses his keys onto the entryway table.
Their pupils blow wide, swallowing the color of their eyes.
The shared scent of crisp sea breeze floods the room.
It wraps around me, carrying their individual notes.
Wally brings the dark spice of bergamot.
Simon adds the inviting warmth of amber.
Kel grounds the entire mix with the rugged scent of worn leather.
I reach out and grab Wally's hand.
"Come with me."
I turn around and go down the hallway. I lead them to my guest bedroom. My room is basic. A simple wooden dresser and a laundry basket sit in the corner. The space remains bare and functional. The king-sized mattress takes up most of the floor space, offering plenty of room for all of us.
I pull Wally inside. Kel and Simon follow right behind him. I kick the door shut.
Wally pulls me to the center of the room, his rough hands framing my face before he crashes his mouth down on mine.
He slips his tongue past my lips to taste me, and I open wider to let him explore.
I grab the front of his t-shirt and yank upward, pulling the cotton fabric over his head when he lifts his arms. I toss the shirt onto the floor.
Simon steps up behind me. He runs his hands over my hips, grabbing the hem of my sweater.
He pulls it over my head, taking my bra with it.
The cool air hits my bare skin. Simon presses his chest against my bare back and wraps his arms around my waist. He buries his face in the crook of my neck.
He sucks a dark bruise into my sensitive skin, dragging his teeth over my pulse point. The scent of amber surrounds me.
Wally takes a step back, dropping his hands to his belt buckle. Kel moves into the open space in front of me. He drops to his knees on the hardwood floor.
"Mine." Kel growls as he buries his face in my cleavage. He captures my right nipple in his mouth and swirls his tongue over the sensitive peak and tugs with his lips. A ragged gasp escapes my throat. I clamp a hand over my mouth to trap the noise.
He shifts to my left breast, pulling the aching peak into his mouth with steady suction. His calloused hands grip my bare hips, anchoring me against him.
I stand surrounded by three tall Alphas. Slick floods my underwear. I drag in a rough breath.