25. Clay

25

CLAY

I stretch out on the leather couch, sinking into the plush cushions as a sigh escapes my lips. It’s been a long week, but the weekend beckons with the promise of a much-needed break. Kip and Teller lounge across from me on the recliners.

Kip leans forward, a mischievous glint in his eye. “It’s been too long since we’ve had a proper man’s night out.”

Teller arches an eyebrow. “And what exactly constitutes a ‘proper man’s night’ in your opinion?” His voice is laced with amusement.

“Oh, you know,” Kip grins, “barhopping, watching the game, maybe hitting up that new pool hall downtown. The usual stuff.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “I don’t know, man. Bar-hopping sounds like a recipe for trouble. Remember what happened last time?”

Kip waves a dismissive hand. “That was one time, and it wasn’t even my fault. Besides, we’re older and wiser now.”

“Debatable,” Teller mutters under his breath, earning a playful glare from Kip.

Usually, a night at the bar sounds like fun, but I don’t want to go for my usual reasons – picking up a woman.

And something tells me that none of my brothers do either… because of a certain nanny.

“What about just catching the game at a sports bar?” I suggest trying to find a compromise. “We can grab some wings, have a few beers, and call it a night.”

Kip considers this for a moment before nodding. “I can get behind that. Teller?”

Teller shrugs, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Works for me.”

The door creaks open, and Ayla steps into the living room, Piper nestled in her arms. The sight of them sends a jolt through me, a mixture of warmth and something else I can’t quite name. Ayla’s dark hair is pulled back into a messy bun, a few stray tendrils framing her face. Even tired, with shadows under her eyes, she’s stunning.

“Hey, guys,” she says, her voice soft. “You’re going somewhere?”

I nod, trying to ignore the way my heart races at the sight of her. “Yeah, we’re going to catch a game and grab some food.”

Ayla shifts Piper in her arms, and the baby gurgles happily, reaching out a chubby hand towards me. Without thinking, I step closer, letting her tiny fingers wrap around mine.

Kip clears his throat. “We won’t be out too late,” he says, shooting me a knowing look. “Are you going to be okay here with Piper?”

Ayla nods, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “We’ll be fine. You guys have fun.”

Kip’s eyes light up with mischief as he turns to Ayla. “You sure you don’t want to join us, Ayla? We could use a wing woman to keep us in line.”

Wing woman? He must be messing with her.

Teller chimes in, a grin spreading across his face. “Yeah, and you could bring Piper along. She’d be a great conversation starter.”

Ayla rolls her eyes, but I can see the amusement dancing in their green depths. “Oh, sure, because every girl at the bar wants to hear about dirty diapers and 2 AM feedings. Besides,” Ayla continues, her voice softening as she gazes down at Piper, “I think a quiet night at home is exactly what we need. Isn’t that right, sweet girl?”

Piper coos in response, and Ayla’s face lights up with a smile that takes my breath away. In that moment, I want nothing more than to stay here with them, to bask in the warmth of their presence.

But Kip is already heading for the door, keys jingling in his hand. “Suit yourself, Ayla. More wings for us.”

Teller follows close behind, throwing a wink over his shoulder. “Don’t wait up.”

I linger for a moment, torn between the pull of my brothers and the desire to stay. Ayla meets my gaze, and something unspoken passes between us, a flutter of possibility that makes my heart race.

“Have fun,” she says softly, her eyes holding mine. “But not too much fun, okay?”

I nod, a smile tugging at my lips. “We’ll do our best. You sure you’ll be alright here?”

Ayla’s answering smile is gentle, tinged with a hint of wistfulness. “Go, enjoy your night.”

With a final nod, I turn to follow my brothers.

The bar thrums with energy, a pulsing heartbeat of laughter and clinking glasses. Kip, Teller, and I weave through the crowd, the familiar scent of hops and wings enveloping us as we claim a high-top table near the back.

“First rounds on me, boys,” Kip announces with a grin, signaling the waitress. “We’ve earned this.”

I nod, settling onto the stool and letting my gaze wander across the room. It’s a sea of faces, each one telling a different story, but my mind keeps drifting back to the one I left behind.

Ayla.

Her name echoes in my thoughts, a whisper of something I can’t quite define. I see her in the curve of a stranger’s smile, in the gleam of a glass catching the light. She’s everywhere and nowhere, a phantom I can’t shake.

“Earth to Clay,” Teller’s voice cuts through the haze, his hand waving in front of my face. “You with us, man?”

I blink, forcing a chuckle. “Yeah, sorry. Just...thinking.”

“About Ayla?” Kip asks, his tone knowing.

I don’t answer, but my silence speaks volumes.

The waitress appears, setting down three frosty mugs and a platter of wings, the spicy aroma making my mouth water. Kip rubs his hands together, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“Alright, let’s dig in,” he says, reaching for a wing. “I’m starving.”

We fall into an easy rhythm, the conversation flowing as freely as the beer.

Kip leans forward, his eyes flickering with an uncharacteristic seriousness. “It’s been a wild ride, hasn’t it? Since Piper came into our lives?”

Teller nods, his gaze distant, as if he’s seeing something far beyond the confines of this bar. “Everything’s changed. I never thought I’d be raising a kid at this point in my life.”

“We’re doing better than I thought we would,” Kip admits.

“I think we’re doing a pretty damn good job,” I pipe in, downing another beer.

“You mean Ayla is,” Teller corrects.

“True,” Kip agrees. “She’s incredible.”

I nod, my throat suddenly tight. “She is. And I... I think I might be falling for her.” I don’t know what makes me reveal that — probably the alcohol.

The words hang in the air, heavy and charged, like the moment before a thunderstorm breaks. Kip and Teller exchange a glance, a silent communication passing between them.

“Clay...” Teller begins, but I shake my head, cutting him off.

“I like her too,” Kip admits. “And Teller may not admit it, but so does he.”

“You don’t speak for me,” Teller snaps quietly but doesn’t try to argue with the thought.

Great…so all three of us like the same girl.

Kip’s voice is low and serious when we speak again. “We need to be on the same page about this. If we’re all developing feelings for Ayla, we can’t let it come between us.”

“So we let her pick one of us?” I ask, my jaw clenching.

I don’t know how I’d feel if she didn’t pick me.

Teller leans forward, his elbows resting on the table. “But what if she feels the same way about one of us? Or all of us?” He pauses, his brow furrowing. “Is that even possible?”

“If she has feelings for one of us then the other two will back off.” I take another swig of my beer and sit back further in my seat. “But if she feels the same way about all of us then we share her,” I suggest. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Share her?” Teller repeats. “In a relationship? More than just sex? I don’t know.”

Kip slams his bottle on the table. “Heck, I’m in, better than us fighting over her.”

I agree with that. Teller seems to think about it. “Yeah. We’ll share her.”