13. Aubree

thirteen

Aubree

T hree dozen long-stemmed red roses show up on my doorstep next. It's the fifth delivery driver that's been to my house today—each gift from Kyson, River, and Bowen.

I don't know how much longer I can ignore their constant texts telling me how much they miss me. Or the videos showing them leaving the games, not even looking at the puck bunnies lined up, hoping to catch the eye of a famous, rich hockey player. To them, essentially having a slumber party in one of their hotel rooms, complete with pizza, popcorn, and candy, instead of picking up a random stranger to fuck.

It wasn't until day four that they had been gone that Kyson admitted to me by video that he had secretly placed cameras around the farm and inside the house, but not in the bathrooms or my bedroom. I should have been angry by the invasion of privacy, but instead, it felt comforting to know they were watching over me and the goats.

The delivery driver sets the vases on the overcrowded dining room table, which is covered in gifts ranging from premium chocolate candy to pillows with each of the guys faces on them. But my favorite was the gold necklace with a goat charm on it. I touch the chain around my neck and think of Kyson, River, and Bowen, wondering if they are watching me through the hidden cameras.

Was I wrong to want to hide our relationship? Should I have fought for something more from them?

River has sent me numerous texts explaining what I heard that fateful day. I know he was only trying to conceal our true relationship from my cousins. He admitted that he did a poor job of it and that he was sorry for the pain his words caused.

The last communication I received from any of the guys was a video earlier today. They were getting ready to board a plane back to Iowa. Their last words to me were that they wanted to be with me, but only if I wanted them. If not, they would leave the farm and never bother me again. The pain and sorrow in their eyes ripped at my heart and soul.

How could I have fallen so hard, so fast for three guys I barely know?

I stare out my window at the goats milling around in the grass, and it hits me like a ton of bricks—they're my soul mates and goat daddies. Who else would put up with a bunch of goats?

I rush around the house looking for a marker and some cardboard to make the perfect welcome home sign for my men to let them know I want them to stay with me and the goats forever.

Now that I'm standing next to other people at the airport, my nerves kick in. Am I wasting my time? Have the guys changed their minds about having a relationship with me?

I push those thoughts aside and hold my sign up higher until I see three tall, handsome, athletic, familiar men running toward me. They come to an abrupt halt directly in front of me, laughing when they see my sign.

"So you're looking for three goat daddies, are you?" Bowen takes the sign out of my hands. "I think I know just the three guys who can fill that position for you and many others." He sweeps me into his arms and up against his chest, then lowers his mouth to mine in a deep kiss.

"Don't hog her." River cuts in, pulling me out of Bowen's embrace and into his arms. "I'm so sorry. Do you forgive me?" I smile and nod, accepting his apology. "Thank you." His lips touch mine in a gentle kiss filled with hope.

"My turn." Kyson forcefully yet playfully taps River on the shoulder to cut in. River reluctantly releases me to Kyson, who wraps me in a big hug before devouring my lips. "I missed you." He whispers against my lips.

"Ugh, why don't the three of you get a room already."

Shocked by someone's rude comment, I break the kiss only to find all three of my cousins standing next to me. Tate with a big smile on his face letting me know that he was the one who made the rude comment in jest. Sam, with an amused yet more subdued look on his face. And Cooper with his patented scowl.

"If any one of you hurts my cousin—you're all dead." Cooper pushes past Bowen and River on his way to the exit, never once giving us a second glance.

"Well, he took that better than I expected." Tate slaps Kyson on the back.

Sam rolls his eyes at his brother, "Come on. Cooper's our ride."

We say our goodbyes as the rest of the team files by offering their congratulations until we are finally the only ones left in the area.

"You told everyone on the team about us?" I blink at the three of them.

"Of course we did. You're our girl. We wanted to make sure everyone knew that." Kyson holds me tighter.

"Well, this girl wants the three of you to take her home and make love to her."

"Yes, ma'am," Bowen says as he swings me into his arms and carries me bridal style out of the airport to my truck as River and Kyson follow close behind.

I wrap my arms around Bowen's neck and glance back at River and Kyson hardly believing I've found my happy ending with my three goat daddies.