Double The Ache(11)

“Where are you going?” she asks, turning to reach for me while holding Wes with her other arm.

“To start the water. It’s going to take an hour to fill up that swimming pool.”





Chapter Ten





Amelia





I roll over, reaching out for one of my men, and come up with only a giant pillow. I sit up and look around the room. It makes me giggle. Clothes, pillows, shoes and blankets are everywhere. I flop back on the bed and wonder where they went. I can’t help but smile. Last night was more than I could have ever dreamed up.

I wondered how three people could be together, but they showed me how. It was the most perfect, mind-blowing experience of my life. I’ve never felt so connected with someone before, let alone two someones. It felt right.

It makes me think that I haven’t given dating much of a try before because dating one man wasn’t meant for me. This is what I needed. I’d always felt a draw to Wes and Dean watching them on TV and now I know why. They were meant to be mine like I was meant to be theirs. That had be it. How else can I explain how fast I’ve fallen for them? How deep these feeling run inside me.

I roll over and look at the clock on the nightstand. When I see the time I fly out of the bed. “Holy crap, I’m going to be late for my first day!” I scream. I jump from the bed, almost falling on my ass because my feet are tangled in the sheet. A little gasp comes from me when I feel the effects of last night all over my body. It's a yummy, sweet burn that makes me smile and forget for a moment that I need to get my butt moving.

I grab a shirt I find on the floor and slip it over my head. The smell of Wes fills my lungs and I pause when I see a note sitting on the side table. I pick it up.

Had to run to the stadium.

Don’t leave condo.

I roll my eyes and drop the note back down onto the table. I have to get to work. Maybe if their asses were here they could talk me into staying. I can’t be late on the first day I’m supposed to show up. Plus, they’re not even here to hang out with. I debate leaving a note of my own, but after their short note I decide not to. Besides, I’ll likely see them at the stadium. I’m surprised they’re there; it’s off season for them now.

I go in search of my purse. I snatch it up and head over to my condo, where I take the world's fastest shower. I hate that I’m washing their smell off me. I remind myself I can easily get it back on me tonight. My core tightens at the idea.

I braid my hair and put on some lip gloss and mascara. I stand in front of the mirror for a second and take my body in. Little hickeys mark my breasts and a few small bruises dot my hips. I run my finger along one. It’s small and I can tell their fingers caused it. I don’t remember them happening, nor does it hurt, but I like seeing them there. I lean forward, looking at my swollen lips that are well loved and I blush. I’d never been kissed before, but Dean and Wes made up for lost time just last night. The evidence is all over my mouth and I wonder if people will notice.

I find a pair of jeans and pause when I see the insides of my thighs. Heat floods my core when I see little marks all over the soft skin there, too. Holy crap, they were really making sure I’d remember our night together. It’s branded all over my body. I smile because I don’t care if it’s overly caveman and possessive. I want that.

I grab my white work polo with the team’s logo on it. I decide to wear sneakers because I’m not sure what my day will consist of. I’m a physical therapist, so I don’t think they expect me to show up in slacks or a dress. I’m thinking casual but put together is best. I know I’m going to be on my feet a lot, but maybe not at first with it now being off season. I’m not sure what all I’ll be doing until they are back.

Heading out, I glance over at the guys’ door. I would hear them if they were back already because they would be yelling my name. I snort at the thought as I hit the elevator button and pull my phone out of my purse. Maybe I should send my men a text. Thinking of them as mine makes butterflies dance in my belly.

I was surprised they would slip out without waking me. I was in such a rush I hadn’t given it a ton of thought until now. After what we shared, what could be so important that they had to rush out? Maybe I didn’t mean as much to them as I thought.

I push that thought from my head. That isn’t possible. Not after the way they touched my body. The things they said and did to me. I may not have known Wes and Dean for long, but I know they would never hurt me. I can feel that to my core.

Unlocking my phone, I step onto the elevator. Something must have happened, and worry takes root. There is no other reason. I see I have a few missed calls from my dad and a few texts from my friend Mindi from back in New York. We lived in the same building and went to the same high school. She got married a few years ago and we still keep in contact mainly through text these days. We have gone in different directions in life.

She wasn’t like most of the other girls I’d gone to school with. There wasn’t a snotty bone in her whole body. I often escaped to her place when my mother was entertaining and I needed to get away. Her home was always a safe haven and her parents were sweet, too.

I’m disappointed when I don’t see anything from Dean or Wes, but then I remember I don’t have their numbers and they don’t have mine. Crap. I guess I missed that during the sex and them stalking me. I snort at my recap of our relationship so far.

Relationship.

The one word bounces around in my head. We are in a relationship, right? They said they've been waiting for the one and believe I’m it. This feels like more than boyfriend and girlfriend territory. Well, at least to me, but what do I know? This is my first relationship.

I go to call my dad back, thinking maybe he has Dean’s or Wes’s number. Another text from Mindi lights up across my screen.

Mindi: You gave your cherry to two men?!

What. The. Fuck.

How could she know that? It wasn’t even hours ago that this happened. No one should know. My heart starts to pound. Oh god. If she knows, that means that video of the guy filming at the restaurant last night must have been leaked or something. There is no other way. Another text fills the screen.

Mindi: Answer me, brat face!

I click her messages. I see link after link of articles with my name, along with Wes’s and Dean’s. I click one as the elevator doors slide open. The article starts to load as I walk out of the building. I freeze when I hear my name being shouted from every direction. I look up to see paparazzi everywhere. People shove microphones in my face and shout questions. I freeze, unsure of what to do.

“Is it true you’re dating both Dean Farmer and Wes Green?”

“Were you cheating on Wes and Dean with that man last night?”

“Are they known to get violent?”

“Have they ever hit you?”

“What does your father say about this?”

“Were you part of the deal when they signed an extended contract this morning?”

That question hits me like a smack to the face.

“How long do you think the NFL will suspend them?”

My stomach knots. I push my way through all the people. I need to get to the stadium as fast as I can. Finding a taxi, I hop in and tell the driver to take me to the stadium. My hands shake as I try to call my dad. Tears leak down my face. This is all my fault.

“Daddy,” I cry when he answers the phone.

“Melly! I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. Don’t leave your building. I got a call that—”

“It’s too late,” I sniff.

My picture is probably going to be everywhere, and I cringe when I think about my mother seeing it. I’m shocked she isn’t blowing up my phone already. She’s going to be livid. She likes everything shiny and clean and I’m guessing her daughter dating two men is nowhere close to shiny and clean to her.

“Where are you?” he rushes to ask.

“I’m in a taxi on my way to the stadium. Are you there?”

“Yes. I’m here. Give me the taxi’s number.”

I give him the four-digit number and I hear him talking to someone else about waving my taxi in through the gates so we don't have to make any stops.

“Where are Wes and Dean?” My voice wobbles when I ask the question. I need to see them.

“They’re here. I’m going to get them right now. They were about to leave to head your way.” Relief fills me. “I’ll tell them to wait.”

“Thank you.” I sniff again.

“Everything is going to be okay.” My dad tries to reassure me, but all the questions the reporters were asking bombard my brain.

I’m not sure why I never thought about what everyone would say when they found out two star NFL football players shared a woman. I should have known it would be everywhere. But how does everyone know already? Wes, Dean and I haven’t even put a label on what we are. I’m sure athletes do all kinds of crazy, wild stuff. Why is this catching everyone’s eye? Why is it such a big story? Maybe because they have never been seen with a woman before and my dad owns the team they play for. Still, I want to know how everyone knows already.

“I’ll see you soon, Dad.”

I hang up before he can try and stop me. I can’t help myself. I have to look at some of the articles. I click back to the links on my phone and start reading. The fight. All off it was recorded and went viral. I cringe as I watch the video over again. If I’d never gone on that stupid date this wouldn’t be happening. I shake my head at myself. I don’t even feel sorry for that guy. He was a freaking slimeball and needed a good hit. I am, however, mad at myself and feel terrible I caused this mess for two men who have become my world in such a short time.