Chapter 8

Delaney

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For the rest of the rehearsal dinner, I made sure to keep my distance from the guys and focus on Mom and my aunties.

The next morning, the whole house is up early. I pray the makeup artist is good because I’m going to need a lot of concealer to cover up the dark circles under my eyes.

I might have gotten a few hours of sleep last night, but that's about it. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was Owen on his knees while feeling his mouth on my pussy and the pure blinding pleasure that man brought me to with those sinful lips and that magic tongue of his.

“Morning, honey.” Mom laughs as I sit heavily on the barstool.

“Morning.” The word comes out garbled as I lay my head down on the cool marble countertop.

“Rough night, Laney?” Auntie Eden asks with a laugh.

“You were drinking that wine last night like it was grape juice,” Auntie Sylvia says, amused.

“No,” I sigh, lifting my head. “Just couldn’t sleep.”

“You okay?” Mom asks, brows furrowing.

“I’m fine, Mom.” I give her a sleepy smile. “Just excited about today.”

Her smile returns. “I can’t believe I’m getting married.” She sighs happily. “I thought I’d be freaking out, you know? Maybe get cold feet. But all I can think about is how excited I am to spend the rest of my life with James. I’ve never felt like this before. Not for anyone.” She gives me a guilty look. She means, not even for my father. And that's fine. She got me out of it, and that's all that matters to her and me.

“You deserve it, Mama.” I stand up and wrap my arms around her, giving her a big squeeze. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you.” We pull apart, but Mom keeps her hands on my arms. “And thank you for moving here, Laney. I don’t think I’d ever be able to truly relax knowing you were on the other side of the country. I’d be worried about you more than anything.”

I know she would. She was almost as shaken up about the attack as I was. She never wanted me to leave the house.

“I’m glad I’m here. I think Rose Briar Hill will be a good fit for me.” I just didn’t expect my life to become so complicated with the summer flings I had before arriving here.

But that’s life, and I’ll have to deal with it because I’m not moving back to California.

“I think so too. It’s a good school, and you will have the chance to do whatever you want.” She smiles.

“Alright. Enough about me. I need some coffee, and then we need to get ready. We’ve got a wedding to get to.” I laugh when Mom slides over a cup of iced coffee to me. “You know me so well.”

“Of course I do.” She laughs, then kisses me on the forehead.

The kitchen is filled with laughter and smiles as we drink our coffee and eat our breakfast.

James and the guys booked a hotel room to get ready in so we could have some privacy, which is why I’m surprised when I hear a baby babbling, the sound getting closer with every second.

A moment later, Logan rounds the corner with Benny in his arms.

I can’t help the smile that lights up my face. “Hey, little man.” I’m on my feet and snatching the cutie pie from Logan’s arms before he can even blink. “I missed you.” I did. A week with him, and I’ve already grown used to having him around. When he went back to his mom’s, the house was too quiet. I missed waking up to his happy little face covered in food, living his best life.

“Morning,” Logan says, a small smile on his face as he watches me with his son.

“Morning.” I still can’t make eye contact.

He was pissed last night. And I don’t blame him. I don’t think he expected to walk in on his brother eating me out. I sure as hell didn’t.

“How come you're not with the others?” I ask, smiling at Benny as he grabs at my face. I pretend to eat his hands when they find my mouth, and he bursts into laughter.

Logan laughs at his son, then brings his attention back to me. “Stacy let me take him a night early. I think she just wanted to go out to a party, but it doesn’t matter to me. I didn’t want to bring him to the hotel room, so we stayed here last night. I’m just gonna get him some food, then head up to get ready.”

“I’ll feed him.” With Benny in my arms, I drag the highchair out from its storage place and over to the island. “What do we feel like this morning, little man? How about some toast? Maybe some avocado?”

“You don’t have to.” Logan moves to take Benny from me, but I frown.

“Shoo. I need me some baby time anyways. I missed this little man.” I turn to Benny. “Yes, I did. You know this place just isn’t the same without you. No, it’s not.” He bursts into another round of giggles as I pepper kisses all over his chubby little face.

When I look back at Logan, he’s watching me with an emotion I can't quite name. “Okay.” He nods. “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

Logan leans in and gives his son a kiss. “Daddy will be right back. Be good for Laney, okay?”

Benny just blows spit back at him, making us laugh before he takes off.

“That baby is too cute for words,” Auntie Eden comments.

“Isn’t he?” Mom smiles. “He’s just a doll.”

“When do you plan on giving your mom grandbabies?” Auntie Sylvia asks.

Mom’s eyes go wide. “Hopefully, not anytime soon. I’d at least like her to finish school first.”

“Don’t worry, Mom.” I laugh. “No babies from me any time soon. If I need a baby fix, I’ll just hang out with Benny.”

Strapping Benny in his high chair, I place a few toys onto the tray as I get his food ready.

By the time he’s done, he’s a mess, but he did good, eating most of his food. “Looks like someone needs a change.” I wrinkle my nose.

“Not it.” Both my aunties say at once.

Mom laughs. “Laney, go grab a diaper, and I’ll change the little monkey.”

“Thank god,” I sigh. “I love this kid, but holy shit, does he ever stink.”

Giving Benny’s black curls a kiss, I head upstairs.

I search Benny’s room, but I can’t find any diapers, only a pack of wipes. I grab those and head to Logan’s room.

“Logan?” I call out, knocking on the door. I wait, but there's no answer. “Do you have any diapers in here?” Pressing my ear to the door, I can hear the water running. He’s probably in the shower.

I could wait until he’s done, but I don’t like the idea of leaving Benny in a dirty diaper longer than necessary. I’m sure he won’t mind me slipping in, grabbing one, and then leaving.

Opening the door, I peek in. Taking a look around, I huff out a laugh. This room is very Logan. Navy blue walls, a blank bed set, and nothing but football things cluttering the wall.

This is what I’d call a high school bedroom. Nothing at all like the other rooms I’ve seen in the house. Even Elijah’s looks more like my room.

“There we go,” I say, spotting a pack of diapers on the dresser. I rush over and grab one from the pack. I’m just about to turn around and leave when I hear a moan.

My eyes widen and I stop dead in my tracks, my eyes darting over to the bathroom, the door slightly ajar.

“Fuck,” he moans again, causing my body to tingle. Is he... is he in the shower jacking off?

Fuck, I should leave. I shouldn’t be standing here and listening. But I can’t make my feet move.

“That's it, Laney. Look at you, on your knees, my cock in your mouth. You're taking me so well.”

Sweet mother of god. He’s touching himself to thoughts of me. Of me sucking him off. My belly tightens, and I press my thighs together.

For someone who is so insistent on being friends, this is not what I expected.

I can hear his heavy breathing and the sounds of his grunts and groans. Then he lets out this loud pained curse, and I just know he’s cumming. The sound makes my clit pulse.

The water cutting off has me scrambling to get the hell out of his room. I rush out and down the hall. Taking two steps at a time, I get to the bottom of the stairs and nearly crash into Auntie Eden.

“Where’s the fire?” she laughs, steadying me.

“Just getting this back to Mom.” I hold up the baby items. “Took me a moment to find them.”

I slip past her, praying she doesn’t see my heated cheeks and flustered face.

“There you are; I thought you might have gotten lost.” Mom laughs. She’s holding Benny, his face free from mess, but he’s just in his diaper now.

“Sorry, had to go hunting for this.” I hold up the clean diaper.

Mom takes it and goes into the living room.

I sit down and sigh, putting my face in my hands. How the hell is this going to work? How are the four of us going to live in a house together when we all clearly want one another in some way, shape, or form?

I’m not even sure how I feel about the fact that the guys think they feel something more for me than just attraction.

Sure, I like them; I think they’re all good guys. And yes, they’re crazy good looking. But I’m not looking for anything serious, and from the way Owen made it sound, two out of the three of them might be. Or at least have some sort of desire for that.

This house is crazy nice. I’ve enjoyed living here the past few weeks, but maybe it would be best if I stay at the campus dorms.

Mom said it was pointless, seeing how the school is only a five-minute drive from the house.

“All clean,” Mom cheers, coming into the kitchen with Benny.

“Oh, goodie. I’ll take him now.” I grin, doing grabby hands.

She laughs. “Yeah, once the dirty work is done.”

Taking the baby, I give Mom a kiss on the cheek. “Looooove you. I’m gonna go bring this cutie pie to his daddy. The hair and makeup people should be here soon.”

“Sounds good.”

“Laney, honey,” Auntie Sylvia asks as I head into the hallway that leads to the guys’ and my wing of the house. I find her and Auntie Eden standing there.

“Yeah?” I laugh, brows raised as I look between the two of them.

“How old is Logan?” she asks.

“Umm, twenty-four I think. He graduates this year. Owen is twenty-two, and Elijah is twenty-one.” I didn’t actually know that until Mom mentioned it. “Why?” I question slowly.

Auntie Sylvia looks to Auntie Eden. “Making sure he’s older than twenty-one.” She grins.

I gape at my aunts. “Auntie Sylvia!” I scold her. “No.”

“But he’s so damn fine!” she whines. “Laney, you should have seen him. He just walked down the hall in a towel, hair dripping wet. The man has abs for days! He’s built like a linebacker.”

“I mean, he does play football,” I point out.

“I’ve always wanted to know what it was like being with a football player,” Auntie Eden sighs dreamily.

“You two are sounding like a couple of cougars right now.” I shake my head. I know they’re not serious. At least, I hope so. But something tells me that from the way Auntie Sylvia is talking if he wasn’t the son of her sister's new husband, she just might try something.

My mom, Auntie Sylvia, and Auntie Eden don’t look their ages. There’s been more than one occasion they’ve been mistaken for my sisters or friends.

“Also, you two are too wild for that boy. He’s got a son and has been drafted to the UFL with promise for the NFL in two years.” Another thing I didn’t know and found out from my mom. I really don’t know much about these guys, but again, I haven’t really given the friendship thing a try, now have I? “He needs stability. You two are anything but.”

“Fine. Fine!” Auntie Sylvia sighs and looks at Benny. “Still, your daddy is smoking hot.”

Rolling my eyes, I leave the two of them to head into their rooms as I take Benny down the hall, trying Logan’s room first.

His door is open, and he’s got pants on—so that's good—only, he’s shirtless and his tattoos are on display, and... fuck, he has a V.

“Laney?” His voice is filled with cocky amusement as my eyes snap up to his.

I narrow mine and hand him his son. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. You know you’re hot, okay? And I know what it feels like to have your cock inside me, so sue me. Don’t act like you weren't jacking off in the shower with my name on your lips.”

My eyes widen when I realize what I’ve just said. Fucking hell, Laney.

I leave him stunned, spinning around on my heel and storming out of his room and down the hall to mine. Slamming the door shut, I groan as I lean back against the door.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I hiss, rubbing my face with my hands.

I need to get out of this house, go out and have fun. Maybe let loose and have a few drinks. Maybe I can get Winter’s number? I think she’s going to be at the wedding. She said she wanted to be besties, and I sure could use one. She also happens to know about Elijah and me, that much I’m sure. So she must know about me and the other two, right?

I managed to avoid Logan before he left to meet up with his dad and the other two all the way up until the ceremony.

We’re at the church now, all of us in our dresses, makeup done.

Mom looks stunning, and it’s taking everything in me not to cry, ruining all my makeup.

The photographer has been taking photos like crazy all morning, and I’m glad she’ll have lots of them to look back on later.

“Ready?” I ask Mom when the wedding planner lets us know it’s time.

“Yes.” She nods, a massive smile taking over her face. “I’m ready.”

“I love you.” I sigh. “You look so damn stunning.”

“You're going to make me cry, Laney,” she whines, sounding choked up.

“No crying.” My eyes are misty. “Today is a good day.”

“The best day.” She nods.

We head out of the bridal room and down to the doors to the service room.

My aunties go first, one by one, but when it’s my turn. I spin around and loop my arm through my mom’s.

“What are you doing?”

My mom’s parents passed away a few years ago. They had my mom and aunties later in life, so they were well into their eighties, almost nineties, when they passed. I know Mom has been sad about the fact that they can’t be here to see her finally find her happily ever after.

“You didn't think I’d let you walk down the aisle all by yourself, did you?” I smile.

“Laney.” My name comes out on the tail end of a sob, and she pulls me into a bone-crushing hug.

“I love you, Mama. Now, let’s go get you that rich man.”

Mom laughs, pulling back and looking up at the ceiling, fanning her face. “Okay, how do I look?”

“Amazing.”

The wedding march starts up, and we head down the aisle. I just about lose it when I see James cry at the sight of my mom. He looks like a man so damn in love, it’s almost too much to witness. He’s perfect for her. In this moment, my wish is that someday I find someone who will love me as hard as James loves my mom.

When we get to the front, my mom is a mess.

“Here’s your woman.” I hand Mom off to James, dabbing at my eyes. “Be good to her. I know where you sleep at night.”

He smiles wide, chuckling at that. “I promise to be nothing but.”

The ceremony is beautiful. Their vows have the whole room tearing up.

My focus is on my mom and James, but I can feel their eyes on me the whole time.

When they kiss, and the whole room erupts into cheers, my aunties and I are the loudest in the room. Mom looks over at us with a massive grin. The two of them walk down the aisle, husband and wife. It’s official now.

My aunties each take one of the guys’ arms, leaving me with Elijah.

When my arm loops through his, a wave of heat rushes through me. “You look gorgeous.” He leans in to whisper in my ear. “I’ve been wondering what you would look like in that dress since you bought it.”

“Yeah? And what do you think?” I ask, not looking at him as I keep a smile on my face for the guests as we follow after the others.

“That it’s so much better than the fantasies I’ve been conjuring up in my head,” he admits. My heart jumps at that.

He turns to me and leans in when we stop at the exit. When he whispers in my ear, a shiver runs through me. “The whole time we were up there, I was thinking about how sexy that slit would look with your leg out, heel on my chest, pinning me to the ground as you demand I kiss your feet and call me a good boy.”

When he pulls back, he gives me this naughty grin as I stand there gaping at him. He chuckles before spinning around and heading out of the church.

Sweet, innocent looking Elijah is so much more like his brothers than I thought. I’m so fucking screwed.