Page 130 of Top Shelf

The second they’re out of earshot, Carson turns to me slowly.

“Well, isn’t this interesting.”

Every instinct in my body immediately goes on high alert. “What is?”

His gaze drifts deliberately across the three men surrounding me before settling back on my face with the sort of smug amusement only an older brother can possess.

“This.” He gestures vaguely between me, Lucian, Ronan, and Silas. “Knew you were up to something with the way you were staring at my baby sis at that gala, man,” he says, mock glaring at Ronan.

Heat instantly floods my cheeks. “No one is up to anything!” I argue.

“Nah, he’s right,” Ronan says with a casual shrug. “I was only at that gala so I could get close to you.”

I splutter.

My brother snorts a laugh. Lifting his chin, he asks, “What about you two?”

“Wren is mine,” Lucian states with all the finesse of a bull.

Groaning, I bury my face in my hands.Kill me now.

A lingering silence has me peeking out from between my fingers to discover Silas has written something and is showing it tomy brother. Catching sight of what he’s written, I plead with the ground to swallow me whole.

She’s all of ours.

Nice, guys. Thanks for that one.Now my brother is going to think… well actually, I’ve no idea what the heck my brother is going to think, but it surely can’t be good.

Instead of any sort of angry outburst, my brother laughs, like finding out his little sister is dating three guysat onceis no big deal.

“Damn, Wrenny, you’re trying to outdo me. If my telling Mom and Dad I wanted to play for their team instead of running it didn’t give them a heart attack, finding out you are sleeping withthreeof their next season’s rookie players definitely will.”

“Shut up,” I groan. I do not need to think about what my parents will say when they find out about…this.

“They can either get on board or keep their opinions to themselves,” Lucian growls protectively. Reaching out, I place a hand on his arm, giving him a soft smile in thanks.

“Hey,” my brother says, raising both hands in a defensive manner. “Nothing meant by it. I’m all for anything that ruffles our parents’ feathers. God knows they could do with someone removing the sticks from their asses.”

My nose scrunches in disgust. “Gross.”

Laughing, my brother nudges me. “Good for you, Wrenny.” There’s a sincerity behind his words now as he smiles down at me. “You deserve some happiness.”

Blushing, I glance down. “Thanks,” I mumble awkwardly.

Before this situation can become any more uncomfortable, one of the arena coordinators jogs toward us, looking frazzled.

“Sorry to interrupt, but we need help moving equipment and clearing the auxiliary rink.”

Lucian groans dramatically. “Manual labor? On a Sunday?”

“You’ll survive,” Ronan says with an exasperated sigh.

Lucian grumbles something that sounds like “Debatable” as Silas leads him away. With a squeeze of my shoulder, Ronan goes with them, and leaves me alone with my brother.

Carson watches them walk away before slowly looking back at me.

“So,” he says casually. “You’re in love with them, huh?”

I nearly inhale my own tongue.