43. Emma

Outside the cottage, three hot hockey players are standing there glaring at one another as they all seem to have arrived at the exact same time to ‘chat'. Fuck. I told Taran to meet me here after work, and I vaguely remember Lachlan mentioning coming over just as I was about to take the call from Highland Spirits.

Did I say ‘fuck', because that is the only word to describe it?

I glare at them and pull the door partially closed to stop Anna from witnessing this impending car crash.

Too late, she saunters out with her bags already packed and gives me an expectant look.

Sighing, I open the door wider, and she spots the three guys loitering. She presses her lips together to stop herself from laughing. "Okay then. Give me the key, and I'll haul this shit up the road. It's not far."

"No, Anna, we'll both go in the car."

"Nope! You need to sort this out, and I'm not sitting around where it's too easy to eavesdrop. Key?"

I point to the folder on the coffee table, and she picks it up. "Right, I'll see you all later. Gentlemen, good to see you."

"Hey, Anna," they murmur together like schoolboys waiting outside the headmistress's office.

They step aside as Anna hauls her bags out, itching to help her, but she shakes her head. "I've got this."

Waiting until she has disappeared up the road, I say, "Come in then. We need to talk."

Lachlan, Keir, and Taran exchange glances before nodding. I lead them inside. The tension is thicker than the fog that sometimes rolls in from the loch.

Lachlan breaks the silence first. "Was this planned?"

"Not intentionally, no. But it's happened, and we need to figure out what we're doing because this awkward tension isn't helping anyone."

"I've told you, Red. I'm all in. Regardless," Taran says.

"Same from me," Lachlan states.

"And me," Keir mutters.

"Look, I'm attracted to all of you for different reasons and if you all think this can work, then I'm willing to give it a go, but I don't even know where to start? Are we three separate couples? One big foursome? What? What is it you expect from me?"

Lachlan, Keir, and Taran exchange glances again, clearly unsure how to navigate this new territory. The silence stretches out before Lachlan clears his throat. "I don't think splitting up is the best option, even with you," he spits out the last word with a glare at Taran. "It's too divisive and leaves room for suspicion and jealousy."

"Okay, yes, I can see your point," I murmur.

"Agreed," Taran says.

"Yeah," Keir mumbles.

Gee, this is going about as well as a hockey game with no pucks.

I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "Right, so we're in agreement: no splitting up. But how do we make this work? Dating multiple people isn't exactly the usual play, not to mention we are all going to want separate time at some point."

Lachlan steps forward, his intense blue eyes locking onto mine, and I realise we are standing around like spare parts. "We need rules. Boundaries. Open communication."

"Trust," Keir adds quietly, his green eyes softening as he looks at me.

"Fine. Ground rules then." Taran looks at Keir and Lachlan for confirmation, receiving nods from both.

"Alright," I say, feeling slightly more in control. "Ground rules it is. First off, honesty is a must. If anyone feels uncomfortable or starts having doubts, speak up."

"And no sneaking around behind anyone's back," Lachlan adds firmly, with a glare at Taran. "If we're doing this, we do it openly."

"And what about the physical stuff?" Keir asks awkwardly, cheeks tinging pink.

I bite my lip. This is where it gets tricky. "We'll take things slow and see how everyone feels as we go along." The tension in the room rises a notch as everyone processes what I just said. The unspoken complexities of our situation hang heavily in the air, but we need to start somewhere.

"Alright," Taran says, breaking the silence. "Slow and steady, it is. Let's get to know each other better, leaving the hockey situation at the door. Maybe we can plan some group activities."

Lachlan nods, albeit reluctantly. "Fine. We'll need to schedule regular check-ins with each other, too. Make sure everyone is happy."

Keir's eyes brighten a little at that. "I like that idea. It keeps everything transparent and helps us stay on the same page."

"Great," I say, feeling a bit more hopeful about this arrangement. "So, we're agreed on taking it slow, open communication, and regular check-ins. Anything else?"

Everyone seems lost in thought for a moment before I ask, "What about the hockey, though? People already know Taran and I are seeing each other, but what about the Warriors? What about Colin and the rest of the team? Do we tell them? Keep it a secret? What? I feel both have their pros and cons."

Lachlan rubs the back of his neck, looking thoughtful. "We can't keep it secret forever. Colin's sharp; he'll figure it out eventually. Best to be upfront, but maybe not straight away."

"Agreed," Taran chimes in, tapping his chin, "Not that I have any skin in that game, but let's get a feel for things first. See how this arrangement works for us before spilling the beans to everyone and their Warrior granny."

Keir nods earnestly, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "I think easing into it with the team makes sense. They're a good bunch, but we need solid ground before dealing with any drama."

I sigh, feeling a bit better that so far, we are agreeing on shit. That won't last, though, and I'm dreading our first disagreement. "Sounds like a plan. We'll focus on us first and then tackle the team when we're ready."

Lachlan steps closer, taking my hand. "We've got your back on this. We're all in this as a team."

"Thanks," I reply softly, my heart warming at their support. "I appreciate that a lot."

Keir clears his throat awkwardly, glancing around the room. "So, about these group activities… Any ideas?"

Taran chuckles, a mischievous glint in his eye. "How about we move this to the bedroom and do something active?"

Keir's cheeks go flaming red, his eyes wide.

"Taran!" I shriek with laughter. "Stop it!"

"I'm not joking," he says. "Dive in headfirst."

"No!" I say firmly. "That's not happening. There is something that needs doing first."

"What's that then?"

"I've been with Lachlan, I've been with you, but I haven't been with Keir yet. I think we need to start there so we are all on an even keel when it comes to group stuff." Now my cheeks feel like the fires of hell are burning on them.

"Erm," Keir stammers as if the thought had never occurred to him. "Now?"

I glare at him in indignation. "No, not now, you pot plant. When it feels right. That isn't now, with these two goons staring at us."

He snorts in relief and agreement. "Thank fuck."

"Hey, we wouldn't have stood by and watched you," Lachlan grumbles. "We'd have joined in."

I stare between him and Taran, who is nodding in agreement. "You two are as bad as each other."

Keir and I watch with growing amusement as they glare at each other in near disgust. This is going to be epically fun when we all get together.

All get together.

I gulp and suck my tummy in a bit. Taran has seen all of me, but the other two, not so much. All three of them staring at my… let's call them curves… is going to be mortifying. Maybe this is a bad idea. Maybe I don't want this after all.

Keir clicks his fingers in my face. "Where did you go?"

"Uhm, nowhere," I murmur. "Listen, now that we've sorted out some of the logistics, I need to pack the rest of my stuff and move to the new cottage."

Taran nods. "Okay, Red. I've got a last-minute meeting to go to, so I'll speak to you tomorrow."

"Okay." He kisses me lightly on the lips with a wicked smirk.

Then he turns to face Lachlan and Keir. "And you two…" He flexes his arm muscles in an exaggerated pose before pointing at each of them and flipping them the middle finger. "… I'll see you the day after tomorrow."

"Fuck you," Lachlan grumbles and gives him the Vs as Taran laughs uncontrollably and leaves, closing the door behind him.

"What's happening the day after tomorrow?" I ask.

"Pre-pre-season friendly against the Arrows," Keir states, looking grim. "It's like meant to be the reserves and drafts, but seeing as we are all here and already hitting the ice, If Taran is going out for the Arrows, we're fucking doing it for the Warriors."

"Oh." My outward ‘Oh' is cool and casual, but inside I'm like, ‘Ooooooooohhhhhhhhh noooooooooooooo'.

This is not good.

"It's fine," Lachlan says. "All good."

Here's hoping. Time to change the subject. "So, I'd better go pack…"

"I'll help you move," Keir says.

"And me," Lachlan pipes up.

I roll my eyes. "It's two cases and four boxes. I can fit them in the Mini. I'm good."

"Nope, we are big, strong men here to help." Keir gives me a slow, sexy smile that makes me rethink the no sex right now part.

"Fine," I grouse, deciding it's probably easier to let them get on with it than argue, so I add, "Alright, muscle men, make yourselves useful." I point to the stack of boxes in the corner. "Those go first."

Keir gets to work straight away, lifting two boxes as if they weigh nothing. Lachlan, on the other hand, flops onto my couch with a dramatic sigh.

"I'm morally supporting you from here," he declares, stretching out and making himself comfortable.

I give him a sexy smile. "You sit there, love. But I hope you're not as laid back the day after tomorrow."

His eyes widen, and he jumps up with a grunt before giving me a cheeky grin and grabbing the remaining two boxes. "You're a real taskmaster, Thornton."

"Someone has to keep you in line," I retort.

With all four boxes balanced between them, they head for the door. Heading to my room, I start to pack up the few bits and pieces I'd unpacked, but to be fair, most of it is still neatly folded in the case. Satisfied that I've got everything, I haul one suitcase off the bed and drag it towards the door.

Keir is there in an instant to help with the other one, lifting it like it's a box of chocolates. He is so hunky, my mouth is practically watering. Lachlan is leaning against the Mini as we step outside. "Grab the food that's left," I say to him. "There's some shopping bags under the sink."

He nods and does as he's told without complaint. Keir lifts the case and shoves it in the back of the car and then reaches for mine. Our hands brush, and it sends my lust rocketing all over the show. We share a secretive smile, which lets me know he felt it, too.

"Got everything," Lachlan says, reappearing with three full bags.

"Thanks, Captain," I say as he carefully places them in the car, so they don't topple or get squashed.

"Mm," he murmurs, coming to me and wrapping his arms around my neck. "Call me that while I'm riding your pussy, please."

Blushing and giggling, I look down shyly. "Only if you call me boss."

"Oh, shots fired, Thornton. You're on." He laughs and kisses the top of my head.

Reluctantly, I pull away and grab my bag and phone from inside before closing and locking the door. I pop the key in the key box and scramble the code before turning back to the guys and giving them a slow, sarcastic clap. "Thanks. I couldn't have done it without you."

Both of them burst out laughing and it feels natural for us to be here. All that's missing is Taran.

"Well, clearly, you need help on the other side," Lachlan says. "Big men help little lady." He thumps his chest like Tarzan.

"Oh, fuck off," I snort in between laughing. "I've got it. I'll see you both tomorrow."

"Ah, well, worth a try," he says with a shrug.

I shut the boot of the Mini and give them both a final wave before getting into the car. The cottage is a one-minute drive away, and when I reach it, Anna is already making it into our new home. She has picked flowers from the garden and vased them up on the windowsill. She beams when she sees me, wiping her hands on her jeans like she's been busy for hours.

"Emma! The flowers are welcoming us properly, aren't they?" Anna exclaims, giving me a quick hug before eyeing the bags and boxes in the Mini.

"Always the optimist," I tease, glancing around at the quaint cosiness of the cottage. "But yeah, it's perfect."

Together, we unload the car, chatting about everything from the upcoming pre-season friendly to which pub we should visit tonight. By the time everything's inside, I'm feeling more settled already. The cottage might be rented, but it's cosy as hell and actually feels like home. One day, I will own something like this but bigger. Dreams.

"Right," Anna says, hands on hips, surveying our work. "Fancy a cuppa before we tackle unpacking?"

I nod gratefully. "Cuppa sounds perfect."

As Anna bustles into the kitchen to boil the kettle, I sit down and contemplate everything that transpired this evening. It's a lot to take in, and the dynamics will need a lot of getting used to. One-on-one, I feel comfortable with them, but all together, it will be a challenge.

However, I'm looking forward to it, because this is crazy and complicated but to be wanted by not one but three gorgeous, younger men is not something that happens every day. I'd be insane not to give it a go.

Right?