Grumpy Makes Three: A Contemporary Reverse Harem Romance, page 14
“Well, if we’re all being selfish, I’ll throw my hat in, too. She makes me fucking nuts but I want more.” Joe didn’t see my fist coming and he grunted before pushing me away and landing his own solid punch to my cheek.
Collin swore and hurried around his desk to separate us but he got punched for his effort. He stepped back and held up one hand while his other cupped his nose. “Fucking knock it off. I have a meeting later today and I can’t afford to look like an asshole with a black eye.”
I shook out my fist and felt the area around my cheek where Joe hit me. “She’s mine.”
“No, she’s not. There’s a reason she slept with me, Jud. I’m sorry that she’s your fair girl, but that was a decade ago. You don’t even know if you guys still have the same chemistry as the first time around.” Joe worked his jaw back and forth and scowled. “We’re even, Jud. Punch me again and I’m tossing you in the lake.”
“We still have the same chemistry. We had it all last night and this morning.” I regretted the words as soon as they were out. I didn’t want to brag about what we’d done together. I just needed them to back off. “You guys don’t believe in the relationship thing. If you just want sex, you can go out and find it anywhere. Leave Ada alone.”
Collin gritted his teeth. “Maybe we should just talk to Ada and see what she wants.”
I nodded. “That’s fine with me.”
Joe shrugged. “Fine. She’s down at the lake. Let’s go.”
32
***Joe***
I rolled my sleeves up to my elbows as we walked down to the lake. My slacks were too hot and I felt sweat beading already. My pulse was racing and I didn’t know what I was doing. I was Jud’s older brother. I’d practically raised him. I knew how much his fair girl meant to him but I couldn’t just give up Ada. I wasn’t even sure I liked her, or she liked me, but there was something there.
Guilt ate at me for not just giving Jud what he wanted but I couldn’t make myself do it. The reason was in knee-deep water in a pink bikini, pointing in the water for Milo, who clung to her side and hip like a monkey.
She looked up and spotted us all coming her way and her eyes went wide. I saw her blush from the edge of the beach and took in a deep breath. I didn’t even know what I wanted from her. I should’ve just backed off and acted like a decent brother.
Then Ada gasped and came jogging towards us and I forgot how to swallow. She sat Milo down on a towel and then moved to Jud. She gently cupped his face and turned it to see the bruise already forming. Then she moved to Collin and did the same, wincing as she took in his quickly forming black eyes. When she stood in front of me, her hands felt like silk on my chin as she looked at the side of my face.
She met my gaze and her bright smile was nowhere to be seen. She swallowed and then moved away from us. She stared out over the lake and when she turned back to us, her eyes were full of sorrow. “This is my fault.”
“The fuck it is.” Jud stepped forward to grab her but she held up her hand. “Ada…”
“You should fire me.” She was staring directly at me. “I’ve made a mess of things. You want to fire me anyway, Joe. Just do it. I deserve it.”
I shook my head. “No.”
She looked frustrated. “You hit each other. Right? That’s what happened, isn’t it? And now the three of you are down here, looking at me with your eyes all soft and cuddly and I don’t have an answer.”
“Soft and cuddly?” Collin’s humor came back first.
I pointed at Jud. “He started it.”
Jud raised his eyebrows. “Seriously?”
Ada wrapped her arms around her waist and glanced back at the twins playing in the water. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened. I just… I don’t know.”
Jud rested his hand on the small of her back. “It’s okay, Ada.”
Collin and I exchanged a look, waiting on Jud to lay claim to her the way he had been in Collin’s office. We were both almost knocked off our feet by what he said next, though.
“You don’t need an answer. You don’t have to choose.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “Are you coming in for lunch?”
Ada looked just as confused as I felt when she turned into him. “Jud…”
He kissed her and tried to tuck one of her unruly curls behind her ear unsuccessfully. “I’ve waited a decade, Ada. You’ll be surprised by how much I’m willing to do for you. We can talk later, though. Okay?”
My heart pounded as I watched my little brother flay himself open for Ada. His words held such a depth of honesty that I knew he meant it. If Ada never chose between the three of us, he’d still give himself to her fully. I realized I’d never felt that way about anyone before. I’d never loved so wholly and selflessly. I didn’t even think it was possible.
Collin rubbed at his chest and I wondered if he was feeling the same thing I was. “Well, anything I say now is going to sound lame.”
Ada laughed through the tears filling her eyes. She cupped Jud’s cheek and then stepped back. “This is crazy.”
Jud nodded. “Yeah, but we’re not bored. That’s something.”
He and Collin went ahead of me towards the house, leaving me to share one meaningful look with Ada before I followed them.
Back in the kitchen, Jud sat at the island and let out a big breath. “Well, shit.”
Collin stood across from him and I sat next to him. We all stayed quiet, lost in our own thoughts, until David came in with bags of groceries and screamed when he saw us sitting there.
“What are you guys doing? You scared me!” He looked at our pensive faces and shook his head. “Oh, no! You’re letting me go, aren’t you? What did I do? Was it the orange juice? That was someone else. The sour cream? That was someone else, too. I can’t name names but I swear it wasn’t me.”
I shook my head at him. “No, you’re not fired, David. We’d starve to death without you. We’re just sitting here.”
“That’s weird. I’m really glad you’re not firing me, but this is just as weird.” He blew out a relieved sigh. “Speaking of starving, I ran into Henry from the diner today. He was very upset with me and seems to think I don’t let you all leave the house. He couldn’t understand why else you haven’t been in for breakfast in over a month.”
Collin frowned. “Henry?”
“The owner of the diner that you used to visit once a week?” David started unpacking bags of groceries. “Why did you stop going?”
I frowned, thinking back. The last time we were there, the waitress got our order wrong. That had happened before, though, and we always went back. The only other thing that changed was Ada. She’d turned breakfast into an experience. Every morning, there was something.
“We just stopped, I guess.” I shrugged and pretended like I wasn’t reeling from seeing how much we’d changed since Ada arrived. Our routines had been so exact before her.
“Uh huh.” David laughed to himself. “Sure.”
I looked out the window and could just see Ada playing in the water with the kids. She’d changed so much already. I wasn’t sure I could handle it if things kept changing.
33
***Ada***
The night before Kendall’s performance I spent with her because she was incredibly nervous. I wasn’t sad to avoid the guys or my room. I was so confused and thrown off by everything that had happened. I didn’t know what the guys wanted or even what I wanted. I just knew that I was freaking out. I’d slept with all three brothers without thinking about it for a moment and I was ashamed. I was terrified, too. I’d found my mystery man but I felt like things were already so twisted. I wasn’t even in their house for honest reasons. They were still the guys who’d gotten me fired so easily. They were still crappy a lot of the time. But my heart raced when I was around them and my body reacted to each of them.
I felt like crying that night and ended up falling asleep on Kendall’s floor after talking her down for the sixth time. She’d forgotten to mention that she was in the play with Beck. She still hadn’t found out if Beck liked her so she was going crazy with her teenage hormones.
I drove Kendall to her camp that morning so she could get ready for the play and then I went back home and hid away with the boys until it was time to get ready for the play. Kendall had been kind enough to tell me that the parents always dressed up for the plays, to make the kids feel like it was even more real.
I dressed Milo in the cutest suit I’d ever seen and made sure the twins were clean and knew what to put on. Then I retreated to my room and stared at my closet. I still hadn’t gotten the rest of my things from my parents. They’d picked it up but had informed me that they were busy with a few parties so they couldn’t bring it to me yet. I was fine with that, since my parents meeting people always left me feeling mortified but I’d only grabbed a few necessities the morning I’d left Camden. I was mid-panic with Milo tugging at my shirt for me to hold him when Collin showed up in my doorway.
Seeing him in what had come to feel like my space made me flush and I immediately picked Milo up as a shield. He was in a tux and I looked him over appreciatively before realizing what I was doing. “Um… Hi.”
He pulled a garment bag from behind his back and smiled. “I remember the size of the bag you showed up with and didn’t figure you’d planned on needing an evening gown while here.”
I bit my lip as my romantic heart grew even larger. “You got me a dress?”
He cleared his throat and nodded, suddenly looking nervous. “Yeah. It’s just… I think it’ll be a good fit.”
I walked over to him and smiled. “Thank you.”
His cheeks darkened just slightly. “Here. I’ll take Milo while you change.”
I handed Milo off and pointed at him when he started to whine. “I have to get dressed, Milo. It’ll just be a minute. If you ask nicely, Uncle Collin might take you to see Daddy.”
From behind them, Jud’s voice cut in. “Daddy’s right here.”
I took the dress from Collin and backed into my room. “Okay, everybody, I’ll be out in just a minute.”
One look in the mirror and I saw just how red I was from dealing with the guys. I applied a bit of makeup and tried to contain my hair in a partial updo before unzipping the garment bag. I gasped at the black dress waiting on me inside. It felt expensive. Thin straps held up the sweetheart neckline and it tucked in and hugged me down to my hips before it flared out around my feet.
It fit me perfectly and made my curves look stunning. It was even long enough. I twirled in the bathroom mirror and grinned at myself. I felt beautiful, more beautiful than I’d ever felt.
I couldn’t wear anything under the dress so I felt a little dirty going to a kids’ play, but I didn’t know what else to do. I heard a knock on my door and rushed over to answer it, a giant smile engraved on my face. I pulled it open and Collin’s mouth dropped open. Behind him, Jud looked just as stunned.
I flushed and did a quick turn. “This is amazing, Collin. I don’t know how you did it but it fits perfectly.”
He held a box out to me and blinked several times before meeting my eyes. “Wow.”
I waved him off as I opened the box and found a pair of shoes with red bottoms and impressive heels. My eyes went wide and I ran my finger along the heel. “These are too expensive, Collin. What if I trip and break a heel?”
Jud eased Collin out of the way and knelt in front of me. He’d cleaned up and looked stunning in an all black suit. He’d even style his hair. He took the box and held the shoe out for me. “If you break the heel, I’ll buy you more. Grab my shoulders, sweet girl.”
I did as he said and watched him as he helped me into the shoes. He looked up at me and his smile was so warm that I felt like the only person in the world. “Thank you.”
Milo looked up from where he was sitting and his eyes went wide. “Aya wow!”
That broke the spell, thankfully. Jud stood up and he stepped back so he and Collin could both look me over. In the heels I was almost as tall as them and I kind of loved it. I looked around my room and tried to think if there was anything I needed. I might’ve also been distracting myself from the looks both brothers were giving me.
“We have everything you need, Ada.” Jud’s words hit me a little deeper than he meant them.
I nodded and saw that Alex and Avery were coming down the hall to us. They both looked adorable in their suits. “Oh, my god. Look at you two!”
They both blushed and looked away. Avery grunted. “Stop it, Ada.”
I laughed and fixed a few pieces of their hair that were out of place. “Never.”
Jud carried Milo and the twins ran along in front of us down the stairs. At the base of the stairs, Joe stood waiting. He looked painfully handsome in a tux with his hair slicked back and his face freshly shaven. His eyes landed on me and me alone as I made my way to him.
I smoothed my hands down my thighs and smiled. “The Carrington men clean up well.”
He took my hand and spun me around before whistling. “Looking at you tonight, no one would ever know what a pushy pain you can be.”
I laughed and looked back at Jud and Collin. “Enough compliments. I want to get there early so we can get good seats. I don’t want to miss a moment of Kenny’s performance. Oh! That reminds me.”
I nearly broke my neck rushing to the fridge and I heard the guys gasp when I did it but I straightened myself out and kept going. I came back holding one of the bouquets of flowers I’d picked earlier. The guys stared at the bouquet and winced.
“Don’t worry. I picked enough for all of us to give her one.” I handed the main one to Joe. “The biggest from Dad, of course.”
They all followed me as I went back to get the rest. The bouquets for Jud and Collin were smaller, but still beautiful. Alex and Avery’s bouquets were small enough for them to carry without a problem and Milo’s was a single flower that I assumed probably wouldn’t make it in the same condition I handed it to him.
“Now, all the men in her life can give her flowers tonight.” I tried to kneel in the dress but realized I couldn’t so I picked Milo up instead. “Okay, Milo. This flower is for Kenny. Keep it safe for Kenny, okay?”
“Mi-wo flowa.”
I plucked a single flower from Jud’s bouquet and snapped it off so it was shorter and slid it into Milo’s pocket. “This is Milo’s flower. Okay?”
He shrugged but he wasn’t as focused on Kendall’s flower anymore so I considered it a win.
I glanced up and saw the guys all watching me and immediately felt self-conscious. “What? Did you guys already have bouquets? Do you not like them?”
Joe stepped forward and lightly ran his finger over my wrist. “It’s amazing. You think of everything, Ada. You don’t have one from you, though.”
I shrugged. “I know. I ran out of time. It’s okay, though. You guys are more important. Now let’s go! I’m so excited.”
34
***Ada***
The limo waiting outside took me by surprise. I laughed giddily as I thought about how it felt like we were going to prom. A driver held the back door open for us and I glanced in to see a carseat for Milo.
“Good evening, ma’am. Gentlemen.”
I smiled at the driver and tried to contain my excitement. “Good evening to you. I love your hat.”
He cracked a smile before growing serious again. “Thank you, ma’am.”
The boys got in first and then I tried to gracefully crawl in. It wasn’t easy with the way my hips were basically glued together, but I managed it. I was finishing buckling Milo in when I heard a phone ringing. Jud and Collin were already in the limo so I knew it was Joe. A bad feeling came over me as I waited for him to get in.
Just as Collin opened his mouth to say something, Joe leaned down to look in at us. He held up his phone and winced. “I can’t miss this call. I’m sorry. I have to take it. Give the flowers to Ken from you, Ada, and I’ll get her something else.”
Silence fell over the car. Even the boys sensed danger in the air. Tingles erupted all over the top of my head and moved all over my body as pure rage took over. I struggled to get out of the car and felt Collin’s hand on my elbow just as I was almost out.
“Ada…”
I yanked my arm free and finished getting out. The driver stood back, confused about what was happening. I closed in on Joe, who had dropped the flowers in the seat and turned around like it was no big deal for him to miss his daughter’s performance. I tapped him on the shoulder and when he turned around, he looked surprised to see me. He motioned towards the phone but he must’ve seen something in my eyes that told him he needed to put the phone away.
“Let me call you back, Paul. Give me two minutes.” He shoved the phone in his pocket and held up his hands. “Look, Ada, I know you wanted-”
“Not me. Your daughter. Your daughter wants you there. She hasn’t given up on you, although I’m wondering right about now why not.” I leaned in closer. “If you don’t get in that car right now to go support your daughter, I quit.”
He started to laugh, like he didn’t believe me.
“I swear, Joe. I’ll quit right here and now. I’d rather be jobless than walk into that play just to see the look on Kenny’s face when she sees you chose something else over her. Again.”
“Ada, it’s work. I can’t-”
I gestured at the house beside us. “You can! You can do anything you want because you’re a super rich asshole! You just choose not to do the things that aren’t as important to you! Make your choice, Joe. Are you staying to work and search for a new nanny or are you coming?”
His eyes were narrowed in on me, searching for the crack in my armor. His jaw muscles clenched and I could tell he wanted to fight with me. He leaned closer until we were nose to nose. “You’re not leaving.”
“Well, then, I guess you’re coming tonight. Great!” I turned around and marched back to the car, crossing my arms over my chest as I went. I stood at the door and waited to see what he was going to do. “What’s it going to be, Joe?”
